Finding Forever (Living Again #4) (41 page)

“Ohhh, DJ,” Alana laughed. “Up to his regular antics, huh?”

“Yes,” Rachel laughed. “It was the first day of school for the twins. Third grade. Just you wait. You’ll see how fast time goes.”

“Oh my gosh! Third grade. I remember being in third grade.”

“Me too.” Rachel sighed. She needed to tell her. “I have some news for you.”

“Good news I hope.”

“Actually, it is. Devin got a call last night. Mark was killed in prison.”

Alana gasped. “Killed?”

“Yes. Brutally, from what Devin heard. He even had his—uhh… part, cut off.”

Alana was quiet. Then a small giggle started, then before they knew it, they were both laughing. “Are you
serious
? I feel deranged laughing like a nutcase right now.”

“Me too,” Rachel continued to laugh, tears streaming down her face. Only Devin and Alana could really understand the feeling of being free from this man. Well, and the other women he had victimized, but she didn’t know any of them. “Does that make us bad people?”

“If it does, I don’t care,” Alana answered. “He’s dead. Oh, my god. We never have to worry about seeing him again.”

“Best part of all,” Rachel whispered, making sure the kids weren’t standing outside the room. “They can’t find it.”

“Find what?” Alana whispered too, even though she didn’t need to.

“His…” Both women were silent a moment as Alana processed it, then they both started laughing again. Rachel clutched her stomach, knowing that anyone that would come in the room at that moment would think she had certifiably lost her mind.

“That’s crazy,” Kayley said, watching as Dalen and the twins ran past them, waving. “But, I’m so glad that you don’t have to deal with him ever again. He got what he deserved.”

“Mommy!” DJ interrupted. Rachel looked at him, and he climbed into her lap, pressing a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

Rachel hugged DJ tight, his small hand running through her hair. “I never have to worry again.”

DJ sat up, his big eyes looking back and forth between Kayley and Rachel. Their husbands were over by the grill, cooking up something amazing for their barbeque, and the kids were in and out of the pool.

“Worry?” DJ’s little brow furrowed. “Why would you have to worry? You have Daddy to protect us. He’s a superhero. We never have to worry about anything. Right, Daddy?” DJ turned, waiting for Devin’s reply.

Devin walked over to where they were sitting, his low hung board shorts making her mouth water. She would never in her life tire of seeing that body. “What was that, little man?”

“Mommy said they didn’t have to worry,” DJ explained again. Devin’s eyes were completely on Rachel. “And I told her that we never have to worry when you’re around. You’re our superhero.”

Devin leaned over, the scent of his cologne drifting through her nostrils. He lifted his sunglasses so he could look straight into her eyes, and just like it had for as long as she could remember, her stomach fluttered. He was all hers.

“You got that right,” he said, his breath floating over her lips. “Nothing’s ever going to happen to any of you. They’d have to get through
me
first.” He kissed her, his hand traveling up and down her bare leg. DJ held onto him, wanting to play.

The twins appeared, dripping water from the pool. Devin stood up, and the three kids wrapped themselves around their dad. His eyes still on Rachel’s, he held out his hand so she could stand. He enveloped her in his arms, and the five of them embraced, Devin’s eyes never leaving hers.

“I love you,” he whispered. “My everything is standing right here. You and these kids.”

Rachel wrapped her arms around the kids, fighting but failing to keep the tears away. She had so much to be thankful for. They were all living a life they loved. It wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for them.

Three Years Later

“Alexis, are you ready to go, sweetheart?” Kayley stood in the kitchen, watching her daughter at the breakfast table. She looked stunning, as she always did. Her long blonde hair was straight down her back. When she turned to look at her, her blue eyes shone brightly under the light. Kayley had just started allowing her to wear a little makeup, so she was wearing powder, blush, and lip gloss.

“In just a few minutes, Mom,” she answered, turning back to her cereal and her phone. She knew Alexis was more nervous than she let on, and was probably texting Cate like crazy to get advice. Cate, Emily’s daughter, was a year older than her, which made Kayley feel a little better to have her there.

Today was Alexis’ first day of high school. Her baby, her first born, was in ninth grade. Kayley had never felt so old. The other kids were still sleeping, it not being time for them to be up for school just yet. Today was going to be rough. Not only did Alexis start high school today, but Benji started middle school. Excuse her, Ben, as he now made sure they called him. Benji was for ‘babies’. Cierra would start fourth grade, and Dalen second. Her babies were no longer babies. Thinking of Alexis’ first day of high school today made her think of her first day of kindergarten, all those years ago. It seemed like it was yesterday when she and Ben had taken Alexis, Benji and Cierra in tow, to her first classroom. She remembered Ben having to call her and tell her to go home and stop sitting in the parking lot. She thought he might have to do that today after she got all four kids where they needed to go. Four kids, three schools, one emotional mom.

Ben walked into the kitchen, looking dapper as always in his black dress pants, light blue dress shirt, and tie. Even after twelve years of marriage, when he walked in a room, her heart skipped a beat. They had their share of bumps along the way, like any regular couple, but never had she questioned his love for her or their children. They worked hard at keeping their relationship a priority in their hectic lives.

His pediatric practice was still the most sought after practice in all of Sunset Beach area. He had expanded and opened two other locations, but he still only practiced out of the original. Their therapy center had also done fabulous, and both Kayley and Rachel led the center with many therapists working for them. They now not only saw patients at their center, but also had therapists that went into the local school system and worked during the school day.

“Good morning,” he said, dropping a kiss on her lips. He looked over at Alexis, then back to Kayley. “You going to be okay?”

She sighed. “You know me, Ben. I have a hard time letting go.”

“That’s why I love you so much,” Ben said, walking over to the table. “Hey, princess. You look beautiful. You all ready for your big day?”

Alexis looked up at her dad, a smile stretching across her face. Just like always, Kayley’s heart squeezed when she saw the bond that the two of them shared.

“I’m nervous, Daddy,” she answered. “But I’m excited, too.”

Ben looked back at Kayley. “We can understand that feeling, can’t we, Kay?”

Kayley sighed. “It’s hard to see you grow up, Lex. But we’re so proud of the young woman you are.” Alexis had always been a fabulous student, loving school and being a great role model. She also loved and exceled at cheerleading and dance, perfect for her spit fire personality. She just hoped the pressure of high school wouldn’t change anything about her.

“Cate’s going to meet me at the front,” Alexis said, scooting her chair back. “So, let’s go, Mom. Bye, Dad. I love you.”

“Have a great day, princess,” Ben said, enveloping her in his arms. “I can’t wait to hear all about it this afternoon. Do me a favor and call me when you get home from school today so I know you’re home safe.”

“I will,” she agreed. “So Ben is coming home after school, too, and Cierra and Dalen are going to the office, right?”

“Yes,” Kayley answered. “It’ll just be you and Ben until we get home around five.”

“Okay,” Alexis said, grabbing her bag. “Let’s go.”

“I’ll wake up the troops while you’re gone,” Ben said, dropping a kiss on Kayley’s lips. She turned to walk away and he grabbed her hand. “Don’t sit in the parking lot this time.”

Kayley laughed. “You know me so well,” she said. “Nope. I’ll wait until I have all of the kids off at school today, then I’ll sit in the parking lot and cry.”

“Such a good mommy,” Ben teased.

Kayley pulled into Sunset Beach Middle, a quiet Ben in the front seat. He was so his father, even right down to his looks. That bode well for him in the girl department of course, though she was glad he wasn’t into having a girlfriend like most of the other kids his age. She wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up taking over his dad’s practice someday. Very serious about school at the young age of 11, Ben never needed prompting to do homework or projects. He was actually the one that usually helped his little brother and sister with theirs, teaching them that school was important and they had to do their best. That being said, the kid smiled all the time. He was never unhappy for long, and cut up a lot with his sisters and brother. He and Alexis had an amazing bond, one that often made her teary.

She had overheard them talking last night while Ben was in Alexis’ room. Kayley had heard Alexis telling him all about middle school, and experiences she had with teachers. She only let herself listen for a moment, not wanting them to see her there. But when Alexis had told Ben, ‘You’ve got this, Ben. You’re so smart, and you know that anything you need help with, I’m here for you’, Kayley had tears running down her face. She loved those children more than anything. Alexis had always taken Ben under her wing, even at a young age.

Kayley stopped the car in the drop off line and turned to Ben. She knew he didn’t want a big production of his first day, since he was in
middle school
and all. Cierra and Dalen chatted in the back seat about seeing friends, and teachers, and the first day of school excitement.

“Have a great day, buddy,” Kayley said. “I put lunch money in your account. Try not to spend it all in one day.” Apparently middle-schoolers were too
cool
to pack lunch, or so Ben’s friends insisted. She had the feeling that meant he was going to be eating a lot of bags of chips and cookies.

“Bye, Mom,” Ben said, reaching for the door handle. “Bye Cierra, Dalen. Have a good first day of school.”

“Love you!” both of them echoed. Kayley watched as he walked down the sidewalk, his bag slung over one shoulder. He never looked back at her.

“Love you, Benjamin,” she whispered. “My big boy.”

“Time for school, time for school,” Cierra and Dalen chanted from the backseat.

Kayley smiled at them in the rearview mirror. “Last stop, Sunset Beach Elementary.” It was about a mile drive, just long enough for Kayley to try to get herself together before dropping the last of them off. She had taken pictures of them all, of course, in front of the door to their house. The only one that didn’t make it in the group photo this year was Alexis.

Cierra was her very shy child. She had a hard time coming out of her shell at school. Kayley had heard every year how brilliant Cierra was, but that she was so quiet. She remembered the first time her teacher said that when she was in kindergarten, Kayley had laughed. Cierra was a ball of energy at home, always chattering and carrying on with her siblings. But it had held true, Cierra always knowing the answer but not wanting to raise her hand to tell it. She liked having a few close friends rather than a whole group surrounding her. She resembled her big sister quite a bit, except with pin straight hair. She liked to wear it short with a headband. Cierra was a very girly girl and loved to sneak into Alexis’ room and try on all of her things.