Page 59 of Two Hearts Reunited

“You look like a princess,” he muttered, suddenly grinning.

And then he kissed her very thoroughly.

“Would you like to dance, Mrs. O’Neill?” Eric asked as a slow ballad echoed through the air.

“Very much, Lieutenant O’Neill,” she replied, stepping into his arms. “You’re looking awfully handsome in that uniform too. It’s funny that our wedding was the first time I’d seen you in it.”

When the song was finished, they returned to the head table to have one more glass of champagne.

“I’m surprised so many people are lingering,” she said as they sat back in their seats.

“Have you seen Jake and Danielle?” he asked suddenly.

“They haven’t said goodnight so they must be here somewhere,” she replied.

“There’s Jake,” Eric said, suddenly puzzled. “I wonder what’s wrong?”

“Hey, you two,” Jake said softly as he approached. “Now that the reception is nearly over, Danny and I have something pretty urgent to tell both of you. But we need to discuss it in her office upstairs.”

“Sure,” they answered in unison as they stood, Anya reaching for her purse before they followed Jake through the room and then toward the elevator.

Once the elevator doors closed, Jake spoke. “We found her, Anya, but she can’t come home yet.”

“What?” Anya squeaked. “You found Shanna, Jake?”

“But what’s stopping her from returning?” Eric asked, wrapping an arm over Anya’s shoulders and squeezing her reassuringly.

Jake sighed, answering quietly, “You have a remarkably brave sister, Anya. You were completely right about all the paintings. That’s how we found her, you know, at one of those homes she’d featured in her paintings.”

Anya closed her eyes. “I knew there was more to it. Is she working with you then, Jake?”

“She wants to,” Jake admitted. “You’ll understand more when you see the note and the uh…package she left for you in Danny’s office.”

Jake knocked, peeking inside. “Danny?”

“Are they ready?” Danny asked as she walked into her office from the adjoining room.

“I thought that maybe Anya should read the note first before springing their big surprise on them,” Jake replied.

Danny grinned. “I think you’re going to like this surprise, despite the overwhelming responsibility. I’m just relieved that the two of you aren’t planning on going on a honeymoon right now, even though I was trying to talk you into it two weeks ago.”

Anya’s eyes met Eric’s before she asked, “Danny? Are you sure you’re feeling alright? You have to be exhausted. You’ve done so much for us. Everything about our wedding was magical, you know. It will be a day that both of us will always remember.”

“I probably am sounding kind of nuts, aren’t I?” Danny admitted. “It’s been a really busy week with the auction and then your wedding tonight.”

Jake grinned, reaching for something on Danny’s desk and handing it over to Anya.

Looking at Eric first, she carefully ripped open the envelope.

‘Although I’ve had a limited amount of freedom during the past few years, if I were to appear again in your life, it would mean the death of others who I care for, including one very important person I love. But I promise I’ll be there for you someday once the world I live in becomes safer. Until then, I’m entrusting you and Eric with one of the most precious possessions in my life.

Please take care of my Anya so she knows what it’s like to be loved.

I’ll continue watching over all of you…

S.

Puzzled, Anya looked hard at Danny, handing over the letter to Eric.

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