Dark Creations: Dark Ending (Part 6) (30 page)

“What about you, Sheriff Baker?” Jack’s voice rumbled.

“What do you mean?” the sheriff asked.

“Do you still think
we were involved?”

Sheriff Baker narrowed his eyes and looked hard at Jack.  “Just what kind of man do you think I am Jack?” he asked unblinkingly. 

Jack frowned and nodded imperceptibly. 

“You think I am some kind of jerk who can’t admit when he’s wrong?”
the sheriff persisted.

Jack cocked a brow at him. 

“Well, maybe I was a jerk.  But you saved this town, saved
me
.  I don’t think an apology would even cut it at this point.”

“So that’s a
no
, right?” Jack furrowed his brow deeply before a grin slowly spread across his face.

“Absolutely,” Sheriff Baker said and matched Jack’s smile with his own.

While Jack and the sheriff continued with their banter, Joe, one of Jack’s most trusted friends and one of the loyal men who’d traveled to Ed’s farm, approached. 

“Jack,” he said.  Then to the sheriff he said, “Excuse me, Sheriff Baker, but Jack, I think it’s time to move.”

“We were just discussing that.  How did we do?” Jack asked after his men.

Jack shook his head gravely.  “We lost old man Yates and five others.  There
are only a handful of us left,” he said.  “Where’s the mayor?”

Sheriff Baker lowered his head and shook it slowly.  “Gone,” he said tightly.

Joe held the sheriff’s gaze for a moment and wordlessly conveyed his sorrow then turned to Jack.  “We need to go,” Joe said again.

“What will you tell the authorities when they get
here?” Jack asked the Sheriff.

“I’ll tell them we were attacked and fought back then they dropped dead,” the sheriff answered. 
“What else can I say?  It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Melissa watched as Jacked screwed up his features at Sheriff Baker. 
“You’re going to tell them that?” he asked incredulously.

“They won’t know what to make of it all,
I know,” the sheriff said quickly.  “I don’t even know what to make of it, for heaven’s sake!  We’ll all be in the same boat.”

“If that’s what you think needs to be done,” Jack said.  He turned to Joe, “Get the rest of our men and we’ll head out.”

Gabriel wrapped his hand around Melissa’s and gave it a gentle squeeze.  “I guess we should go, too,” he said.  “It’s time to go home.”

“I’m ready when you are,” she said and meant every word she’d
spoken.  In fact, she’d never been more ready to go home than she was in that moment.  Excitement bubbled in her stomach.  She was going home.  She would see her father.  She would be married.  The future still existed for her and Gabriel, for everyone.

“You guys ready?
” Gabriel asked as he took several step toward Ryan, Daniella, Alexandra and Yoshi.

“Shit yes!” Alexandra answered for all of them. 

“It’s good to see you, too, Alex,” Gabriel smiled and shook his head.

“I know,” she shrugged.  “I’m glad you’re back, too,” she said uncomfortably.  Gabriel’s brows gathered momentarily before he started to turn and talk to Jack.

“Oh and Gabriel,” Alexandra called to him.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Thanks.  Thanks for saving us, you know, for bringing this guy back to me,” she gestured her thumb to Yoshi.  “And for saving my best friend,” she added and Melissa heard her voice waver.

“You’re welcome,” Gabriel said softly.

Melissa and Gabriel, along with their friends, both new and old, assembled and said their good-byes to the surviving residents of Eldon.  Hugs and promises to return someday filled their conversations before they returned to their vehicles and began their journey back to Harbingers Falls, back to where it all began, to truly begin their lives in peace.

Chapter 25

Five years later…

Fat fluffy white flakes floated from the sky and stuck to the deck beyond the window.  A storm had been predicted and enough snow had collected to give the deck, and the backyard beyond it, a luminescent sheen in the waning light of day.  Spicy sweet scents filled the air and Melissa’s mouth watered.  Two pies, one pumpkin and one apple, sat on cooling racks on the counter while a twenty-pound turkey baked in the oven.  She stood in front of the sink rinsing crisp leaves of lettuce for the salad she was preparing, but her eyes kept wandering to the falling snow outside. 

When the last leaf had been washed, she set it aside in a colander then washed her hands before slipping her engagement ring and wedding band back onto her finger.  She paused again to watch the snow fall and felt arms encircle her waist.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Gabriel whispered in her ear after brushing the stubble of his chin up the length of her neck.  His breath was hot against her ear and his lips grazed her earlobe sending shivers racing across her flesh.

“Happy Thanksgiving to you,” she replied and nuzzled his cheek with hers. 

Gabriel loosened his grip and turned her so that she faced him.  He tipped his head and lowered it.  He brushed his lips against hers, lightly touching them, teasing her.  She leaned forward a bit, but he leaned back and smiled wickedly.  He traced her lips with his fingertip.  A slow smile parted her lips.

“Such a beautiful smile,” he said
then lowered his mouth to hers. 

Her heart raced as it always did when he was as close to her as he was now.  His lips were about to meet with hers when the wailing of a siren ripped through the room.  They both spun and saw a small figure leaning against the doorway.  A set of sapphire eyes, large and curious, watched them as he clutched his toy fire engine, complete with flashing lights and alarm bells.

“Hey there, little man,” Gabriel said.  “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Gabriel Jr. said, “Happy Turkey Day, Mommy and Daddy!”

Gabriel moved to their son and bent then hoisted him high overhead.  “Turkey Day!” Gabriel teased playfully.  “Turkey Day!  I’ll give you a Turkey Day,” he continued as he lowered him to his feet and set about chasing him.  Gabriel Jr. dropped his fire truck and squealed in delight all the way down the hall. 

Melissa shook her head and wore a smile so wide, her cheeks ached.  But she would take that a
che any day of the week for she was truly thankful for everyone and everything around her. 

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and through the living room and dining room followed by laughter.  She returned to her salad preparation and began ripping leaves and tossing them into a large serving bowl.  She sliced grape tomatoes and cucumbers before Gabriel returned.  His
button-front shirt was no longer tucked in and his hair was mussed.

“You look like you had fun,” she giggled.

He quickly closed the distance between them and slipped his arms around her waist again.  “I’d like to have some fun with you now,” he said as he planted kisses up and down her neck.

Warmth filled her body and her
knees felt as if they were made of gelatin.  In truth, she wanted nothing more than to turn and crush his lips with hers, but her father was on his way, along with the rest of their guests. 

“Oh, you’re killing me,” she groaned as he took her earlobe between his teeth and nibbled gently. 

“Come on, Gabe is watching one of his
Elmo
videos.  We have a few minutes.”

She considered it for a moment then glanced at the clock on the stove and said reluctantly, “We can
’t.  My dad will be here any minute.  Can I take a rain check until tonight?”

“Gr
r,” he grumbled against her cheek.  He planted a kiss there then whispered, “Until tonight,” just as the doorbell rang.

“What timing,” she commented on her father’s punctuality. 

“Yeah, what timing,” Gabriel grumbled.  “Do you mind getting the door?  I need a minute.”  A blush had settled across his cheeks and she could not help but laugh. 

“Sure, no problem,” she shook her head.  “Glad I can still do that,” she added and breathed on her fingernails before brushing them against her shirt.  She then sashayed away with an exaggerated hip swing.

“You know that’s not helping, right?” he called after her.

The doorbell rang a second time as she was passing through the living room.  “Gabe, grandpa is here.  Do you want to answer the door with mommy?” 

Gabriel Jr. nodded.  He then ran toward her excitedly and took her hand.  “Grandpa!” he said and wiggled as she twisted the doorknob.

When she opened the door, her father immediately knelt and opened his arms wide.  “There’s my boy!” he said and his face lit up.  Gabriel Jr. rushed into his outstretched arms and was instantly enveloped by his bear-like form.  “Happy Turkey Day,” her father said and planted a big kiss on her son’s cheek.  Then to
her he said, “And happy Turkey Day to you, sweetie.”

“Thanks dad.  Same to you.  Now get inside.  It’s freezing out there,” she said and wrapped her arms around her waist. 

Her father stepped over the threshold holding his grandson in one arm while the other hand held a supermarket shopping bag.  “Here,” he said and thrust the bag at her.  “I brought a dessert, pastries.  But the chocolate cannoli in there is mine,” he winked.

“
Really, dad, you’re calling dibs on the chocolate cannoli?” she arched a brow at him. “And by the way, you didn’t have to bring anything.  When I saw you on Monday, I said just bring yourself.”

“Yeah, well, it’s the least I could do, especially since you and Gabriel gave me this little monkey,” he said and ignored her dibs comment before he tickled Gabriel Jr.’s belly, who promptly burst into a fit of laughter.

Her father’s warm words made her eyes well with tears.  “Aw, dad,” she said.  He looked from Gabe to her and she saw that his eyes were misty as well. 

A gust of wind sent snowflakes swirling on her from steps and she realized that the door was still open and that they were still standing in the
entryway.

“Come on in,” she said and waved him away from the foyer.  “Let me take your coat.”

She watched as her father, adamant about not putting Gabe down, shrugged out of his coat one arm at a time, switching her three-year-old son from one arm to the next as he did, until the coat dropped to the floor.  “Oops, sorry about that,” he said embarrassedly.  “I had to keep my priorities straight, though.  Didn’t I, little monkey?  Grandpa didn’t want to drop you.  No he didn’t,” he cooed then snuggled Gabe.  He took a few steps inside then inhaled deeply.  “This house smells like heaven.”

“Thanks,” she replied and was about to close the door when a familiar voice called out.

“Just slam the door in my face why don’t you,” Alexandra’s voice huffed playfully from the other side.

Melissa yanked the door toward her and saw Alexandra framed
by the doorway.  “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, Alex!  Happy Thanksgiving,” she said and hugged her friend tightly.  “How are you feeling?” she asked, though she pretty much knew the answer already. 

“Like shit,” Alexandra answered and rubbed her belly.  “Same as yesterday.  I thought the morning sickness was supposed to end after the first trimester.”

“Alex, in all fairness, yesterday was the first day of your second trimester.”

“Yeah, and?  It should have ended by now,” she
rolled her eyes in exasperation. 

Melissa had long since learned that arguing with Alexandra was a fruitless effort.  Arguing with a pregnant Alexandra was downright hazardous.  “Okay,” Melissa smiled.  “If you say so, you’re right.”

“Of course, she is,” Yoshi said and appeared at her side.  “Isn’t that right, my queen?”

“Oh jeez,” Melissa rolled her eyes.  “You’ve got him calling you his queen?  I thought you were just joking when you told me that over lunch last Friday.”

“Nope,” she smiled slyly.  “I said it once and it stuck.  I guess it’s meant to be.”

“Whatever you say,” Melissa said and shook her head.  She ushered them inside.  “Come on in.  It’s cold out there.”

“No shit,” Alexandra began, but Melissa’s father chimed in.

“Ahem!  That language
needs to stop.  You cannot speak that way in front of my grandson,” he scolded her.

Alexandra lowered her head like a naughty child, “Sorry, Mr. Martin.”

“It’s okay.  I covered his ears as soon as I heard your voice as a precaution, but still,” he gave her his best ‘disappointed dad’ look.  Then he whispered in Gabe’s ear and they both said in unison, “Happy Turkey Day Auntie Alex!”

Alexandra’s eyes became moist with emotion.  She pulled a tissue from her purse and blotted
them.  “Stupid hormones,” she mumbled just as Gabriel materialized beside his son and father-in-law.

“Hey everybody
, Happy Thanksgiving!” he said and gave a hybrid handshake-hug to her father and Yoshi.  He kissed Alexandra on her cheek and asked how she was feeling and she answered with a firm, “Don’t ask,” after a glance at Melissa’s father.