Page 55 of Undefeated Love
It was time for more truth, and Katlin’s turn. “Not just because of you. I was at fault, all along. Dr. Bowden made me realize that I’d been sabotaging our relationship out of fear of getting hurt.”
“Fucking Ty.”
“Yes, Ty scarred me but long ago, when we first started dating. Dr. Bowden called them my formative relationship years. It took us a while to dig it out, but I never truly loved Tyler Malone.” She glanced down at her son at her breast. “Until I had Ric, I didn’t know what unconditional love was. The minute they put him in my arms, I immediately fell in love.” She raised her gaze to meet Alex’s. “It wasn’t until then that I realized, I’ve always loved you.”
The storm in her heart let loose and the tears flowed uncontrollably. “Alex, can you forgive me? I’m so sorry. Walking out on you that night, I made a mess of everything.”
Alex pulled her while holding his son, out of the chair and onto his lap. “Only if you’ll forgive me for being such an ass.”
“Yes. I forgive you.” She turned her face toward his as their lips met for the first time in months.
Alex pulled away a fraction of an inch. “And I forgive you. I love you, Katlin Callahan. Will you marry me?”
“Of course, and I promise that next week we’ll set an official date. No more hesitating.”
Alex pulled her ring out of his pocket and slid it onto Katlin’s left-hand ring finger. She stared at the ring. It looked exactly like the one he’d given her last time, but she knew that she had taken her mother’s blue diamond out of the center.
“Is this the same ring?”
Alex bent down and gave her a quick kiss. “Yes, and no. I replaced your mother’s gorgeous blue diamond with a new one. Since the ring was returned to me without it, I hope that means that you have your mom’s blue diamond.”
“I do. I had it made into a different ring that I wore until I got too fat from pregnancy to get it off my finger. Thank goodness for the internet. Dishwashing liquid and cold water loosened it enough for me to remove it.” Katlin wondered why she hadn’t worn the ring since then.
“Does this mean you’re ready to come back to Washington with us?”
“Who is us?” She suddenly wondered who else came to Italy with Alex. Both her uncles and honorary Aunt Ava had always known where she was. They could’ve come anytime but didn’t because they were afraid Alex would follow them.
“Top Cooper is waiting for us at the hotel.” Alex tried to pronounce the name of the hotel.
Katlin corrected his pronunciation. “That’s a beautiful place. I stayed there while looking for an apartment to rent.” She thought about it for a moment then smiled. “Does he also think that Riccardo is Maria’s baby?”
“He’s the one who told me that you babysat for the girl upstairs.”
Her grin was evil. “We can have fun with that.” But then she asked, “Where the hell did he get that idea?”
“From the Italian private investigator he hired, I’m sure.” Alex changed the subject. “You didn’t answer my question. Will you come home with me?”
“I’ll go anywhere with you.” She tilted her head up and kissed Alex.
“Nothing is going to defeat our love this time,” he promised.
Katlin giggled. “Not even us.”
EPILOGUE
Three DaysLater
“Can you believe they’re making us stop in Italy to pick up the new director of operations?” Tori complained to Lei Lu, Nita, and the entire Black Swan Team Two.
“I heard that Major General Standish was retiring,” Mia McCormick announced.
“Rumor has it that she’s getting married.” Kira Frost set down the medical journal she was reading.
Tori glanced at Nita. “Wasn’t she dating Katlin and Daniel’s uncle Tom?”
“Yeah. They came over for supper and played with the kids before we left on this mission.” Nita added, “Daniel told me they’ve been together for years. I think she went to the Naval Academy with his father.”
“So, who do you think this guy is we’re picking up?” Ashlin Cartwright asked the group.
