Page 60 of Defending A Promise
“If she was living and working here, how did she terrorize my daughter in Atlanta?” Dad asks, his tone sharp, as if he’s piecing together the puzzle like one of the crime dramas he loves to watch.
“Well, it was very convenient that Riley lived in Atlanta because that’s where Roxanne’s parents lived. Whenever she visited them, she made sure to make her presence known to Riley, to remind her that she wanted Nicholas back. She was almost successful that one time at your last daycare,” Detective Smith explains, his voice tinged with regret.
“Fuck,” I mutter, trying to process the overwhelming amount of information. It’s a lot to take in.
“Do you think Nick knew she was crazy?” Mom asks, her voice trembling slightly.
“There’s no way to tell,” Detective Smith replies. “When we talked to his parents in Seattle, they said she would call and tell them stories about how much they loved each other and how much she missed him after he died in the Middle East. But they just assumed she was telling the truth. And to be honest, I think they wanted to hold onto those memories of their son, even if he had never mentioned her to them before.”
“Well, that’s about all we have for now,” Detective Kowalski says, closing her notebook. “We’ll be turning everything over to the district attorney so he can close the case. We just wanted to make sure you understand that none of this—none of it—was your fault, Riley. Had she not done this to you, she would have done it to someone else.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “Thank you. It helps to know that.”
Declan taps my thigh gently, signaling for me to stand up. “I’ll walk you guys out,” he offers, his tone kind but firm.
“Me too. I have more questions about procedures,” Dad adds, ever the inquisitive mind, and I have to smile at his persistence. He definitely watches too many crime dramas.
As the detectives, Declan, and Dad head back into the house, my mother and I remain on the patio, sitting in silence as we watch Nicholas splash around in the pool, oblivious to the turmoil that surrounds us.
“Are you okay, Riley?” Mom asks softly, her voice full of concern.
I take a moment to consider her question, letting the reality of everything settle over me like a heavy blanket. “I think so. I mean, she’s dead, Nicholas is healthy, and it turns out it wasn’t my fault. So, yeah… I’m good.”
“Okay, then I have another question,” she says, a teasing lilt in her voice that makes me look over at her.
“And that is?”
“What’s going on between you and Declan?” she asks, her eyes twinkling with a knowing look.
“What do you mean?” I stammer, suddenly feeling like a teenager caught sneaking out after curfew. I am so not ready to have this conversation with my mother, especially not after discussing the sordid details of my child’s father’s past.
“I’m not blind, Riley. I see how he looks at you and Nicholas. And I see how you look at him. So, what’s the deal?”
I chew on her question for a few moments, then finally meet her gaze. “I love him,” I admit, the words feeling both scary and liberating as they leave my lips.
She nods, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. “He loves you too. Both of you.”
“It’s just… there hasn’t been anyone since Nick. It’s always been just me and Nicholas,” I say, my voice wavering slightly.
“Riley, dear. There’s always been Declan,” she says softly, her hand reaching out to squeeze mine.
I look at her, realizing that she’s right. Declan has always been there, quietly supporting us, loving us from a distance. And now, maybe it’s time to close that distance and let him fully into our lives.
Epilogue - Declan
Tonight’s the night I’m going to ask Riley to marry me. My heart races just thinking about it, and I can’t help but smile at the thought of her reaction. It’s been almost a month since everything happened, and while the memories of that terrible day still linger, we’ve settled into a routine that feels almost… normal. But it’s more than just normal—it’s something I’ve come to cherish deeply, something I never realized I was missing until now.
Every morning, Riley takes Nicholas to her parents’ house while she heads into her office to work. Nicholas loves spending time with his grandparents, and Lois and Daniel are thrilled to have him there, filling their home with laughter and energy. It’s a place that, not too long ago, was filled with pain and chaos. Over the past month, Riley’s kickball team and the guys from Hooplas all pitched in to help renovate the Ashford’s home. It was badly damaged, and even if the structure was sound, the emotional weight of what happened there made it impossible to feel at home. So, we tore out the kitchen, knocked down a few walls, painted, and did a whole lot of updating.
The transformation is incredible—the once dark and broken space is now bright, open, and full of life again. Lois andDaniel are beyond grateful, and seeing them smile in their newly restored home makes all the hard work worth it. This is where they raised their children, and now it’s where they can help take care of their grandchild. It feels like we’ve all come full circle.
Riley, being Riley, threw herself back into work almost immediately. She insisted on getting that birthday party organized for her client, despite the entire town knowing what happened. Her client even tried to convince her to postpone the party, but Riley wouldn’t hear of it. She kept saying that getting back to a routine was what was best for Nicholas—and for her. She’s always been strong like that, always putting Nicholas first, always pushing forward no matter what.
As for me, I haven’t been back to work yet—not at Hooplas or the police station. I had a lot of PTO saved up, and I’m taking full advantage of it. I want to spend as much time as possible with the three loves of my life—Bella, Nicholas, and of course, Riley. This time together has been a gift, and I’m making sure I don’t waste a single moment of it.
A few days ago, I sat down with Nicholas and asked him if it was okay for me to ask his mom to marry me. His reaction was everything I could have hoped for. His little fists shot into the air, and he shouted “yes!” with all the enthusiasm a four-year-old can muster. It was the kind of pure, unfiltered joy that only a child can express. God, how did I ever have a life before I met him? He’s brought so much light into my world, and I can’t imagine my future without him in it.
I also took the time to ask her father for his blessing. It felt like the right thing to do, even though it’s a bit old-fashioned. After everything his only child has been through, I wanted to show him that I’m committed to taking care of her and Nicholas, to being the man they deserve. He appreciated the gesture, and while he gave me his permission, it was ironic that he wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as Nicholas was. But I understand—he’s afather who’s seen his daughter go through more than anyone should have to. He’s protective, and I respect that.
