Page 70 of The Rough Ride

He picked her up and strode toward his truck. “I can do you one better, babe. Ella and your mom are right here. See for yourself.” He opened the back door and helped Arlene remove the vest. Then, he lifted the crying Ella and offered her to Liz.

Liz choked a sob and wiped tears off her cheeks before reaching for her daughter. “Oh Nick, thank you…thank you.” She dotted the baby’s entire face with grateful kisses.

Arlene burst into tears. She framed her daughter’s face in her hands and looked Liz in the eyes. “I was scared to death listening to the gunshots and car horns. You’re alright. I love you, sweetie.”

Liz cocked her head and broke a small smile through her tears. “It pays to have a great security team.” She lifted a trembling hand and caressed Nick’s face. “I only went outside because I thought that woman had Ella. I never would’ve left the building otherwise. I really believed she had Ella.”

“Shhh…babe, it’s alright.” Nick wrapped his arms around all three of his girls and pulled them close, kissing the top of Liz’s head over and over again. He leaned down and kissed Ella’s rosy cheek, then Arlene’s.

They stood there for several minutes while his heart swelled with gratitude. In all his life, he’d never experienced this emotion of being safe and complete. He nuzzled Ella’s chubby cheek again. She belonged to him. Theyallbelonged to him.

His family.

Epilogue

Three days later

Nick rose from the couch and patted Ella’s little butt as he let Derek in through the dining room elevator. He placed a finger across his lips as his friend stepped out of the lift.

Derek set two big bags of carryout food on the table. He peeked at the sleeping baby on Nick’s chest and whispered, “She’s a pretty little thing, bro. Looks right at home on you, too.”

“Yeah. My very own tiny princess, she even reaches for me now.” He kissed the top of Ella’s head.

Derek smiled. “You know the Sanctuary guys are setting up in the lobby? I kept them from mauling the French chef trying to deliver the food.”

Nick barked a laugh. “Mac and Ethan wouldn’t take no for an answer. They’re covering security the next three days round-the-clock, just in case the hacker had a plan B. I don’t think she did, but I’m grateful for their help. And per MajorChan, Liz’s boss, the feds are watching Arlene’s house for the remainder of the week, too. That’s a big relief.”

Derek stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked around. “Speaking of Arlene, where is she? I’m her ride home. Feds are waiting for us downstairs.”

“In the guestroom, packing up. I’ll walk you back. It’s time I put Ella in her crib, anyway.”

Arlene zipped her suitcase and turned to them with a broad smile. “Nick, are you sure you don’t want me to take the baby home with me?”

Nick hesitated. It had been insane around here the past few days with the doctor, the police, and the FBI. And he knew Arlene really wouldn’t mind. But Ella was his responsibility now.

“No, but thank you for offering. I’m not letting either of my girls out of my sight for a long time.”

Arlene nodded. “Alright, feel free to call if you change your mind.” She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Liz is still in the bathroom. I already hugged her goodbye.”

Derek grabbed her suitcase, and Arlene followed him down the hall.

Nick laid Ella in her crib and knocked softly on the bathroom door. Liz opened it a few inches. “We’re finally alone, babe.” He leaned against the doorjamb. How many times had he stood in this same doorway and dreamed of her using this accessible bathroom with the special tub? The pained loneliness he’d felt back then was gone. She belonged here. And, if the evening went according to plan, he’d convince her to stay.

A wide grin spread across her beautiful face. “Omigosh, just us—” She let the door drift completely open.

“Just us. Ella’s asleep in her crib.”

“Thank goodness. I hope I’m not interviewed, poked, or prodded for areallylong time.” She smiled and leaned toward the mirror to apply a salve to her cuts and bruises.

Nick’s eyes enjoyed a leisurely stroll down her body. She was a rock star in her satin panties and bra. “Food’s here. How long before you’re ready to eat?”

Liz gave him a wink in the mirror. “Just give me five.”

“Alright. I’ll set it out.” He strode toward the kitchen rubbing his hands together.

He’d set up the marble table by the living room window earlier this afternoon and had moved two plush chairs in for seating. He lit the candles and opened the wine. Everything was ready, just the way he’d planned.

He checked the cake. It was perfect, right down to the tiny candy box on top in the midst of the bed of chocolate roses. Butterflies danced in his stomach.

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