Chapter 25
Four Months Later…
KC and Moriah sat on the patio of the beach house, joined by his brothers, Dan, Bonnie Whitman, and, of course, Jinx.
Two weeks after the drug gang had been taken down, Moriah and KC had traveled to Chicago where she gave her testimony to the grand jury.
Leo and the three other men had been extradited to Chicago to face federal murder and drug charges.
They would eventually face attempted murder charges in North Carolina, but the other case took precedence.
The federal prosecutor had informed KC and Moriah they had so much evidence and people making deals that they probably wouldn’t need her to return to testify at the trials. Hernandez and his cohorts would be going away for a very long time.
Before they left Illinois, KC arranged for cremations and a small funeral for Moriah’s family, so their remains could be brought back to North Carolina for interment at the local cemetery. During the funeral service, he’d held her tightly as she was finally able to pour out her grief.
They’d sorted through the contents of her apartment, which her landlord had packed and stored in the basement of the building, hoping someone would eventually claim it. Moriah kept everything of sentimental value and her own things, then donated the rest to a local women's shelter.
Six weeks after they’d returned from Chicago, Moriah and KC were married on the beach at sunset in front of a group of forty friends, family, and SEAL teammates.
She’d looked stunningly beautiful in a white strapless sheath dress, which Bonnie had helped her find in one of the many catalogs the store used and then happily ordered for her.
Foregoing his Navy dress uniform due to the end of June high temperatures and the event being a casual affair, KC had worn tan chinos and a white dress shirt. He was the most handsome man Moriah had ever seen.
Sean and Brian had dressed similarly, and many good-natured arguments had ensued between them as to which one was the best man since the other was serving as the man of honor.
The couple was in the process of purchasing a small house just outside of Little Creek where KC had taken the SEAL Advanced Training Instructor position.
Moriah was on her way to finishing her degree and had been hired as a teacher’s aide at the Little Creek Elementary School, starting in the fall.
She hoped to be hired as a full-time teacher after she received her state certification.
Now, as they enjoyed the warm evening, Dan told them he wanted to plan a family fishing trip. It was an annual event until the boys' adult lives had taken over, and he wanted to start the tradition again.
Moriah eyed the older man with curiosity. "Does that include me, even though I’ve never gone fishing before?"
“Well, you're family now, so yes, it does."
With that, her grin spread like the Cheshire cat. "Well, this family is going to get bigger pretty soon."
All four Malone men stared at her in confusion. Bonnie smiled, having already guessed the good news.
Moriah’s face lit up further when she announced to the clueless dolts, "I'm pregnant!"
The men erupted in a chorus of whoops and hollers while Bonnie yelled congratulations and Jinx joined in, barking up a storm.
KC picked Moriah up in his arms and swung her around until they were both dizzy.
When he stopped, they gazed at each other and said, "I love you,” at the same time.
They were too busy kissing and whispering sweet nothings to each other to notice when the others quietly went upstairs, leaving them alone in their joy.
Later that evening, with Jinx by his side, Dan stood on the beach, contemplating the full moon and star-filled sky. Speaking softly, he declared, "One down, Annie, my love. Two more to go."