Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Callum scribbled his name across the dotted line, then replaced the cap on the pen.
It was official. Callum was no longer Special Agent Harrison.
He looked down with a smile at the documents in front of him, then slid them across the small, hospital room table to Earl Diggs. “That’s all you need, right?”
“That’s it,” Earl said. “It will take a few days to process, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re retired.”
Callum rubbed his hands together. “Sounds good to me.”
“That makes one of us,” Earl replied with a groan. “I don’t know what we’re going to do without you.”
“Aw come on. I was nothing but a pain in the ass.”
“A productive pain in the ass.”
Callum stood up, extending his hand across the table for Earl to shake. “I appreciate you running the paperwork down here. You can understand why I don’t want to leave. After last night, I want to be here when Brielle wakes up.”
“Then the doctors are convinced she’s okay?”
“Yeah,” Callum replied. “She’s got a hell of a gash on her head, but they say she’ll be fine.” He walked over to her bedside and tucked her hand under the sheet.
“She’s definitely going to need your support.” Earl rested a hand on his shoulder. “She’s been through a lot. Her father, that weirdo Geoffrey guy, Anston Vitalie. That’s a lot to lose for one person.”
“Well, she’ll have me.” He looked down at the love of his life, her features as pale as the bleached sheets she lay on. She’d have him forever if she wanted.
“You’re sure leaving your job is the right thing?”
Actually, Callum was surprised at how easy the decision was. He glanced at Earl beside him. “I did what I set out to do. It’s time to move on.”
“Callum?” Leslie came through the door with the doctor close behind her. “I think they need you to answer some questions.”
“Excuse me, Agent Harrison?”
Callum smiled at the doctor, a graying little man who had earlier identified himself as a big NASCAR fan. “I need to speak with you regarding Brielle’s blood tests.”
Callum jammed his hands in his jean pockets then took a long, deep breath. “What’s wrong, Doc? Is she okay?”
The doctor sighed. “Well…”
“Oh man, she’s sick, isn’t she? I told you guys last night she was weak…”
“She not sick,” the doctor said. “She’s pregnant.”
Callum shook his head. “Excuse me?”
“She’s pregnant, and I need to discuss medication with, well the father or whoever…”
“That’s me,” he heard himself say, unable to believe the exchange. “It’s my baby. I’m the father.”
The words sounded so right falling off his tongue. Earl and Leslie just stared at him while a smile cramped his cheeks.
“Okay,” the doctor said, “I worry about giving her pain medication because it might affect the baby.”
“She wouldn’t want it in that case. Don’t worry, if there is anyone who knows how to deal with a headache, it’s me. I’ll take care of her.”
“Okay, I’ll come back later to discuss her options.” The doctor shook his hand then left, leaving Leslie and Earl in the room.
“So that’s why he’s leaving his job,” Earl kidded. “He wants to be a stay-at-home dad. So I guess congratulations are in order.”
Callum sat down in his chair before he fell down. “A baby.”
“I thought you couldn’t have kids,” Leslie said.
“That’s what they told me to expect.”
Earl laughed and picked the papers up from the table. “I’m going to see if this place has a copy machine. Save me some time. I’ll be back.”
When Earl left, Leslie sat down in the chair next to him. He heard her voice but the words didn’t register, his mind completely fixed on the news.
“Earth to Callum?” Leslie said. “You okay?”
He looked again over at the bed. He was more than okay.
Never in his whole life did he ever figure he would have kids.
He could never imagine how they would fit into his lifestyle.
But now when he knew that the woman he loved was carrying a part of him, he didn’t think it was possible to want anything more.
“She’ll have to marry me now.”
“You sound pretty confident that’ll make you happy.”
He closed his eyes then took a long breath. “Absolutely.”
“Then I’m happy for you.”
He could sense the slightest sadness in her voice. But he knew she was sincere in her words. He turned to her, meeting her gaze, placing his hand on her knee. “Leslie, I want you to know something.”
“What?”
“You and I go back a long way, and there were times when I didn’t think I would make it. I might not have if it weren’t for your friendship. If I ever hurt you…”
“You haven’t,” she said, putting her hand over his. “You’re a good man, Streak. You’ll be a good husband. A good father.”
“God, I hope so,” he whispered. “She’s never had a family, or at least one that was any good. I just want to make her happy.”
“So what are you going to do now you’re retired?”
He shrugged. “I called a real estate agent this morning. I don’t know. I got a few irons in the fire.”
“That’s Callum. Never still for long,” Leslie laughed. “I can’t believe Big Frank Riley is going to be your father-in-law.”
“Don’t remind me.” He stood up and went to the bed, brushing his fingers against her bruised cheek. “I wanted to propose as soon as she wakes up. But I don’t have a ring.”
“You don’t need a ring.” Leslie stood up, then looked out the window. “I think the news about the baby trumps anything else you could give her.”
“I suppose it does.”
Leslie nodded. “Oh, yeah.” She stood up and headed for the door, but paused when she reached the threshold. “I think you guys are going to be very happy,” she offered.
“Thanks.”
She disappeared. Callum felt a twinge of regret. That part of his life was over. A new one was in front of him, and he was ready to embrace it with the woman he couldn’t imagine living it without.
The dark haze thinned to white as Brielle opened her eyes. The scent of bleach and antiseptic told her she was in a hospital and the crushing pain against her temples told her what for. She gasped when she tried to turn her head.
A huddle of people gathered at the side of her bed.
“Don’t move, sweetheart. It’s just going to make it worse.”
“Callum?”
“I’m right here.”
She wanted to see his face but the effort was too painful. Thankfully, someone placed a cool cloth on her head, allowing her to take a deep breath. “What happened?” she finally managed, her voice as weak as she felt.
“A concussion,” Earl said. “Looked like you fell down those marble stairs at Callum’s. They brought you here by ambulance last night.”
Suddenly it all came back. She was running from Frank with the cassette. “What happened with my father?”
“He’s in custody,” Earl explained. “So is Geoffrey. Callum here did a great job.”
“We’re sure going to miss working with him.” Leslie added. “The FBI is losing one of its best field agents.”
Brielle closed her eyes. The conversation was too hard to follow. She winced when she felt a hand against her, stroking the side of her cheek.
“Guys, maybe we should chat later.” Earl said, and she heard a parade of heavy feet heading to the door. “Harrison, how about a drink later while you’re still a free man?”
“Will do, buddy.”
“Free man?” Brielle peeled the cloth from her eyes. “What’s wrong, Callum? Are you in trouble?”
“Shh…” He held her behind her neck, easing her back on to the pillow. “Earl didn’t mean it that way.”
“Well, what did it mean then?”
He didn’t answer, and it was too much to press the issue. Closing her eyes, she turned her head slowly, feeling his touch as he caressed her cheek.
“You scared the hell out of me, you know that?” he said softly. “I saw you lying at the bottom of those stairs.”
“You warned me a long time ago about the marble.” Brielle ran her fingers along gauze patch on the side of her head. “Am I okay?”
“Nothing a little rest won’t help.”
“The tape,” she said. “Where is it? You aren’t here to arrest me, are you?”
“I’m here to tell you I love you.”
Suddenly she was more alert, forcing her eyes to focus on the smiling face above her. He hadn’t shaved, and she could tell by the red in his eyes he hadn’t slept either. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “So much.”
He kissed the palm of her hand then placed it against his heart. “I know you already have a pretty big headache, but since you’re awake, I should probably update you and what’s going on.”
She drew a big breath, bracing herself for the worst. “They have the tape, don’t they?”
“They do.” He answered. “Your father and Geoffrey are in custody.”
“And?”
“And, Geoffrey won’t get more than a slap on the wrist, but there was enough evidence to keep your Dad in the Federal Pen for a good couple of life sentences.”
At least some news was good. She felt a hint of relief. “What about me?”
He smiled, still holding her hand against him.
“There’s nothing to charge you with. At the end of the recording your father says you came to him the night before the match and refused to throw it.
He was frustrated, but he didn’t hire anyone to hurt you.
That was Vitalie’s man who hurt you, and his guy wrote on the mirror in the Pelican suite and was paid to send the threats in the mail. ”
She held a hopeful breath. “So they know I was telling the truth.”
“They know. You have nothing to worry about.”
Something released within her, a relief that somehow dulled the pain. “Thank you.” was all she could manage to say. “What about you? You accomplished what you set out to do. How do you feel?”
His blue eyes dazzled when he smiled. “Vindicated. Free. Unemployed.”
She pushed herself up on her elbows. “Callum, don’t tell me you lost your job because of me.”
“No, I left by choice.”
“Why would you do that?”
He shrugged, brushing the hair from her face. “I did what I set out to do. Besides, you hate guns. What am I supposed to do pack a sling shot?”
“Callum…“
“I already have a new business venture.” He looked at her, his smile blushing his face. “I thought I’d go back to my roots. Get back into the sports world.”
She groaned and lowered herself back down on the pillow. “If you’re considering driving a race car again, I’d rather you’d still be a federal agent.”
“I’m buying Vitalie.”
“You’re doing what?”
“It will take a while to iron out. Criminal investigation and all but I already got the ball rolling.” he explained.
“But… why?”
“Because you gave me direction, Brielle. This is where I’m supposed to be.”
There was a calm about him she’d never seen before. He spoke softer, he smiled easier. The intensity had retreated.
“But you don’t have to give up your life’s work. You’re a good agent.”
“You’re my life’s work now.” He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“I never thought I’d fall in love,” he said, voice low.
“But the second I saw you, I knew I was done for. I don’t want a life that doesn’t have you in it.
Not one day of it.” His eyes searched hers, steady and certain.
“So, I’m asking you… to let me protect you and love you for the rest of our lives. ”
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye before she could stop it.
“Callum…” she whispered.
He brushed the tear away with his thumb. “Marry me, Brielle.”
For a moment, she just stared at him. This man who had swept into her life like a storm had become her steady constant. The only place she felt safe. Her fingers curled into his shirt, holding on.
“I think I fell in love with you the first time you made me laugh when I was terrified,” she said. “And now I never have to be afraid of anything again.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his. When she pulled back, her forehead rested against his.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
For a moment, everything felt still. Perfect. And then…
She blinked, her stomach rolling as she sank back into the pillow with a quiet groan. “Okay… I don’t mean to ruin the moment, but I think the world is spinning.”
“You okay?” Callum’s arm tightened around her instantly, steadying her.
“I guess I didn’t realize how bad a head injury could be,” she murmured. “Do you always feel this nauseous?”
“It happens,” he said, too carefully.
She squeezed her eyes shut. “How long does it last?”
He didn’t answer. The silence stretched just enough to peek up at him. “Callum… what aren’t you telling me?”
A slow, almost amused smile tugged at his mouth, like he’d been holding onto something he could barely contain.
“Callum?”
“Shhh….” He brushed his thumb along her cheek, softer now. “They just said that getting your rest is important and that tennis is off the table… for a while anyway.”
Her stomach dropped. “What does that mean?”
His eyes held hers.
“At least until the baby’s born.”
Everything stopped.
“Pregnant?” she breathed. “I’m… pregnant?”
“That’s right,” he said with a quiet pride in his voice. “Seven weeks along.
“A baby?” she whispered. “Really?”
“And yes, while a blow to the head will make you nauseous. What you’re dealing with is morning sickness.” He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “The doctor said your hormone levels are high. He wouldn’t be surprised if…”
“Don’t you dare say twins,” she blurted, then winced at the volume of her own voice.
He grinned. “…if you were carrying twins. I told him that’s great news because we planned on a big family and two babies at once would be a nice head start.”
“What about the fall?” she asked quietly. “The stairs…”
“I asked twice,” he said, more serious now. “They checked everything. You’re okay. The baby’s okay.”
Suddenly the pain in her head was relieved by the swelling of her heart. She threaded her hand with his and rested them both on her stomach. “That is the best news I could ask for.”
“It sure is.” Callum whispered, his fingers running circles on her belly.
“And are you fine with this? I mean with the news. I know you didn’t plan on having kids.”
“I didn’t plan on falling so hard for you, either. But now that I have, I can’t imagine anything better. I love you with all by heart.”
“I love you too and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, her body shaking as he held her. In her whole life, no trophy or victory or amount of money could compare to the joy she felt at that moment. Finally, she had a place to belong.