Chapter 41
41
SIX MONTHS LATER
Lenore blinked her eyes open and grinned at the sound of Evie coming into the bedroom. She barely had time to scoot closer to Sisco before Evie plopped the black cat onto the bed and then disappeared from sight as she bent to pick up another cat. The orange one followed, and then the tabby was added to the group. Once the cats were deposited onto the bed, Evie clambered up, her face filled with a wide smile and twinkling eyes.
“Hey, baby,” Lenore said, leaning over one of the cats to kiss her daughter’s cheek. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” Evie answered but was distracted as she stared at Sisco, whose eyes were still closed. “He needs to wake up.” She proceeded to place the orange cat on top of his chest.
Lenore laughed as he grinned, opening his eyes.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he said, his voice gravelly first thing in the morning.
As he reached out to tickle Evie, Lenore took a moment to allow his rumble to settle deep in her chest, warming her all over as it always did. “It’s a good thing we have a big bed,” she said, noting the three people and three cats taking up the space.
“Yes,” Evie cried. “And if Bert gives us a puppy, then we’ll have more on the bed!”
“Now, baby, I haven’t said yes to a puppy,” Lenore warned, lifting a brow to her daughter, who was already turning her pleading gaze to Sisco.
“But you haven’t said no,” her daughter countered.
“She’s got you there,” Sisco said. He tossed back the covers. “Okay, Evie bee, let’s start breakfast for your mom.”
Always eager to do anything with Sisco, Evie jumped off the bed and raced to the door, the three cats in her wake, probably anxious to get their breakfast, too. Sisco headed into the bathroom, changing into sweatpants and a T-shirt that stretched over his chest and biceps. She rolled over on her side and admired the view as he walked back to the bed.
His gaze was hot on her, and when he bent, his lips didn’t reach hers at first. Instead, he whispered, “You’re right… it’s a good thing we have a big bed, and I’m not talking about the cats.”
Before she had a chance to respond, his mouth sealed over hers in a searing kiss. His tongue swept along hers, the velvet touch sending tingles over her nerves to center in her core. Remembering how they’d used the big bed last night, she felt heat sear her skin. Far too soon, the kiss ended.
Resting his forehead against hers, he said, “Hate to leave you now, but I gotta go make pancakes with our girl.”
She loved hearing him claim Evie as his, but then, in truth, he’d done so since the moment he’d held her in his arms and protected her. Nodding, she smiled. “I’ll be right down.”
“The coffee will be on,” he promised, then with another quick kiss, he walked out of the room, giving her a chance to admire his ass.
She threw back the covers and hopped out of bed. It only took a few minutes to finish in the bathroom and pull on leggings and a long-sleeved T-shirt before she headed downstairs to catch one of her favorite sights—Evie on a stool, stirring the pancake batter with Sisco nearby, supervising but ready to catch her in case she leaned too far and the stool toppled.
That was one thing she had learned about him… He was ready to catch them if they fell.
Two Years Later
Easing the colored-glass door open in case there was a grieving gathering inside, Sisco was met with silence. Stepping inside, he was struck with the same thought that hit him every time—it was as though he'd crossed a portal into a different world. No harsh, bright lights. No gleaming polished tile. No neutral beige or white walls.
Instead, his footsteps made no sounds with the deep burgundy carpet underneath his feet. The room was illuminated by brass wall sconces that cast soft light against the rose-colored walls. The rows of wooden pews faced the front, where a heavy wooden table was covered with a white cloth. A large bouquet sat in the middle of the table. It still didn't resemble his childhood church, but it was a place that instantly offered peace as he sought refuge from the hospital halls and rooms.
A movement near the front caught his attention as it always did. His breath was swept away at the sight of his wife sitting in a pew near the front—the woman he’d first spied in the cafeteria several years ago. She sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, appearing lost in thought or perhaps prayer. The soft light accentuated her features, casting her in an angelic glow. Taking a deep breath, he walked slowly down the aisle, each step bringing him closer to the enigma. She embodied a serene Madonna one moment and a worried hospital visitor the next. And ever since she’d entered his life, he was intrigued by both visions of her.
Her head turned, and she smiled the instant her gaze landed on him. He slid into the pew next to her and immediately wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and they sat in silence for several minutes, listening to the soft music playing over the speakers.
She once told him that the chapel gave her a chance to reclaim the solace she needed. She had eloquently described how her hopes and fears interwove together, creating a pattern as complex as the swirling colors in the stained glass door.
They didn’t speak of what was taking place… their hearts and minds knew the twists and turns of life. Things were changing again, and who knew when they’d have a moment of quiet reverie again.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She pulled it from her purse and looked down. “They’re ready.”
He stood and offered her a hand, gently pulling her to her feet. He’d brought the bag they needed and slipped the straps over his shoulder. With their fingers linked, he walked her out of the chapel and to the elevator. His gut clenched with each floor, and he let out a long-held breath when the doors opened. He’d faced enemies and never batted an eyelash. But anything to do with Evie or Lenore threatened to drop him to his knees.
Stepping to the desk, she lifted her arm and showed her wristband. “I’m pre-registered, checked in, and was just told there was a room for me.”
The nurse smiled widely. “Let’s get you ready, Mrs. Aguilar.”
He loved hearing Lenore’s name now intertwined with his, but just now, he couldn’t stop the anxiety skating along his nerves.
Lenore didn’t take long to get changed and into a hospital bed. The gown accentuated her large belly, and while the staff approached her impending Cesarean with professional ease, he could see the tension lines bracketing Lenore’s mouth. He didn’t doubt he had the same, if not more, lines creasing his face. As she looked up at him, he was awed by her strength and the smile she bestowed on him.
Bending, he kissed her gently, then murmured, “You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Never doubt it. Never forget it.”
They soon wheeled her into the delivery room, and he quickly donned the appropriate garb and joined her. Just before the procedure began, her eyes sought his. “If anything should happen, take care of Evie. Take care of our children. I trust you. Please, just take care of our children.”
Her words, so similar to the words she cried on the first day he met her, speared through him like an arrow to his heart. Now it was his turn to repeat the oath given the first time he had to say goodbye to her. “Not going to let anything happen to you, but I promise, no matter what, I'll take care of our children.”
As a tear ran down the side of her face, he wiped it away. “Let’s go meet our son.”
Several hours later, Sisco looked over the crowded hospital room. Evie sat next to Lenore, who held Eduardo Aguilar, their beautiful, healthy son. Lenore’s mother hovered near Evie, but their daughter was fine. At seven years old, she was determined to be the best big sister she could be, and from the look on her face, she was as enamored of Eduardo as the rest of them.
He’d gotten to know Angela Keller, discovering her to be the perfect mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. He only wished his parents could be part of the celebration.
Juanita had flown in, leaving her husband at home for a few days with their children. Sisco had heard her on the phone with her beleaguered husband, giving him more instructions, warnings, and promises that she was praying the novena in case her family forgot how to act when she was gone.
Carlos and his wife made a trip together since their kids were older. He’d heard Carlos threaten his teenage son that the house had better be standing when they returned. Julianne had passed the bar and had taken a few vacation days to come for the birth. Hank also came by himself since his wife was pregnant and afraid to fly.
The room had also been crowded with Keepers. Bert and Mary brought Evie. Logan and Vivian came with their child before they headed back to the compound. Sadie stopped by early. Cole, Todd, and Dalton were on a mission but had checked in. Landon came with Frazier and Cory. They joined in the photographs of the newest Keeper born, then clapped him on the back with heartfelt congratulations before they left. Timothy and Casper were on their way out of town but stopped by for a quick visit. Devil was the last to remain. Strangely, he wasn’t sure his friend would hand his son back to him. Devil had stared at Eduardo, then lifted his gaze to Sisco and swallowed deeply as he blinked several times.
“Bottom of my heart, man, I always thought of Evie as mine to protect, too. But I swear, I’ll do the same with your son.”
Suddenly, Sisco felt the sting of tears, and words fled. All he could do was smile and nod his appreciation. Once Sisco had Eduardo back in his arms, Devil leaned down to kiss Lenore on the cheek, kiss Evie on the top of the head, and then head out.
Soon, his family left, and Angela took Evie to get ice cream before taking her home. Now, the room was quiet with just him, Eduardo, and Lenore. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he wrapped his arm around his wife as she nursed his son.
She looked up at him. “Happy?”
His heart was so full he wasn’t sure he could find the words to express all that moved through him. “I thought when we got the news several months ago that Evie was in full remission, I couldn’t be happier. But now… you and Evie and Eduardo are my world. And I will protect you with my last breath. I will be your light in the darkness.”
She lifted her head, and he met her halfway. Their kiss was gentle, full of promises made and kept for the future.
Catch the next Keeper!
Landon