All for Hope (28 page)

BOOK: All for Hope

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Swiping his cards across his chin, Guillory thought about her words and then shook his head. “Nah, you see, you’re missing what I’m trying to say. Or I’m screwing up what I’m saying. I knew she took that kid. I knew she was still alive. Knowing that and even knowing that Taggart was probably a sick SOB shouldn’t have mattered. I had a job to do. But it was the last turn of the merry-go-round for me, and I needed that brass ring. Sheffield was my last chance at it. I needed something, someone to believe in.”

Silence fell heavy on the room and every one paused a moment.

Eva’s brow drew together, and she shot Guillory another disarming grin.

“So, what you needed was hope.”

The adoption hearing didn't last long. All it took was both Justine and Geneva's testimonies, along with Justine’s agreement to forfeit her parental rights, and Judge Kleinburg was convinced. Hope, Brennan and Sir James then assured the court that the baby rightfully belonged in the Rawley family.

In the end, the judge agreed. Hope screeched when he announced that Michelle Taggert was now Michelle Rawley. The Coles entered the courtroom when the doors were opened, Michelle laughing in Mrs. Cole’s arms.

The little girl looked up when Hope called her name. She stared at Hope a moment, and Hope feared the baby had forgotten her.

Then the little girl shrieked with excitement and threw her arms out. “Mama!”

Brennan placed one arm around Hope’s shoulders. Together the Rawley gang moved out of the courthouse, glad to be leaving for good. Cindy sighed as she watched them go. Mark smiled, taking his wife’s hand.

“It’s finally all over.” he said.

“Yes,” she said woefully.

“What’s wrong?”

Cindy smiled as she sighed again. “Mark, this is the most excitement I’ve ever had in all my life. I think I’ve really enjoyed most of it.”

Mark looked down at his young wife, smiling despite himself. “This was not fun, Cindy. However, if you feel your life needs some excitement, I can always kidnap you.”

“Really?” she asked coyly. “And whatever would you do with me?”

He put his lips to her ear and told her in detail what he would do with her. By the time they left, her knees were weak and her face was cherry red.

Almost a year later, the court allowed Hope to transfer her probation so that she and Brennan could return to New Durma. In celebration of what amounted to the final victory for them, both the Rawley family and the Sheffield family, along with Mark and Cindy gathered together at a restaurant not far from New Durma; it was the same restaurant the Rawleys had visited once before. This time, however, everyone was on their best behavior, even Michelle and newborn Melody.

And so, all for Hope, they carried on polite conversation and kept their voices soft and dignified. Hope allowed her eyes to skim each and every face. It was becoming one of the most boring dinners of her entire life.

Where the heck is my real family?
She wondered to herself.
Did I leave them at home, maybe?

With a frustrated sigh she innocently picked up a long piece of bread and twirled it in her hands, contemplating what she wanted to do. Sir James politely made a comment about the weather, and Hope rolled her eyes. Taking perfect aim, she hurled the bread stick at her uncle-in-law, striking him right across the bridge of his nose.

The elder man blinked, shook his head, and then wiped a smattering of garlic from his face. Hope snorted with laughter, slapping her hand over her mouth, astonished at her own behavior.

“Hope!” Brennan admonished, mouth agape.

“Mommy!” Michelle screeched, a toothy grin on her face.

“Michelle, darling, this is a celebration. It was time to get the party started.”

Brennan smiled at his wife, remembering the conversation at the jail when she had told him how much she had loved the last time they were here. He broke a piece of bread off of his slice and catapulted it with his fork at Jeremy's head.

“Daddy!' Michelle squealed again and slapped her hand into her mashed potatoes, splatting them everywhere.

It didn't take long for a full-fledged food fight to begin. When things died down, most everyone had some sort of food on their clothes or in their hair. They could only be glad they had gotten a private dining room, or else they might have been booted out of the restaurant.

Hope stood, raising her glass and tapping it with her fork.

“Okay, okay. Settle down everyone,” she told them, just as Uncle James dashed a piece of raw broccoli at her. Everyone giggled as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Thank you, Uncle.” She inclined her head to the elder Rawley. “I had wanted to say this last night, but I didn't want ruin your good news, Kay,” Hope explained, referring to Kay's and Audrick's declaration of their engagement.

“It’s too early to announce another baby, Hope!” Jeremy taunted with a wry grin at his cousin Brennan.

“Haha.” she mocked back. “Really, everyone, I need to say this. I’ve struggled with the words, how to explain what all of you mean to me. Life for me has spun in so many different circles over the last year or so that I can barely keep up. You are, each of you, the most special and most important people in my life. I cannot imagine a day without you as my friends. If I’m being reflective, well, who could blame me? Without the struggles that brought us all together in this way, I may not have ever realized how lucky I am, and I just don't want this opportunity pass by to let you know that I love you all and to thank you.”

There was a silence as all of the adults absorbed the heartfelt words. She watched Uncle James and Jeremy squirm a bit in their chairs, just as men do when they’re uncomfortable with sudden shows of intimacy. Audrick’s arm was wrapped around Kay’s waist, holding her close to his chest, but he tossed Hope a supportive wink. When she turned her eyes to Mark she was pretty sure she saw tears there, but when Meg began to sniffle, Hope gazed at her and smiled.

“Tell Mommy to stop with the mushy stuff before she makes us all cry,” Brennan murmured to Melody, lifting the baby’s face close to his mouth so that he could kiss her nose. Melody pressed her fist between his lips where he also kissed the tiny digits.

Leaning down to hug her husband, she felt Brennan sweep his lips close to her ear. “Quite the family you’ve got for us here, Hope.”

“I wondered when you would realize it,” she said, grinning and nuzzling his neck.

“I did realize it—it just still amazes me how lucky I am. I really wasn't sure I would ever have any of this. I wasn't ever sure I wanted it.”

“I know. You were quite a rake—but I’ve tamed, you haven't I? I have made a respectable man of you.”

They both laughed and kissed again. Just as Bren pulled away, he grinned.

“Thank you, Hope.”

Then he reached over for a scoop of mashed potatoes and smeared it on her nose.