Kennedy In Denver (In Denver Series Book 1) (12 page)

Estelle and I came home from my three-month checkup everything looked good. She was my person, and I was grateful to have her. We cried when I found out I was having twins. She held my hand the first time we listened to their heartbeats. She held my hair when I threw up, and she let me cry when I was overwhelmed. If you would have told me the first time I met Estelle that she would be my best friend and sister, I would have told you that you had lost your fucking mind.

She blamed my cravings on her weight gain, because she went from a size two to a size six with a whole lot of junk in the trunk. I told her it's not my fault she eats everything in sight. She really doesn't, but I feel the need to tease her. Her body has transformed in the six weeks we have been on the farm. What once was a skeletal body turned into a healthy, fit body. Someone Five-Eleven shouldn't ever weigh a hundred pounds. What I found amazing was that her breasts were natural. I implied she had implants, but she just has a great rack, and they looked great on her new body.

She looked like a Roman goddess. Her now dark hair enhanced her golden eyes. My father often told her she looked exactly like Loren. Anytime we went out at least one person made the comparison. She was thriving on the farm. Stepping out of the truck, I stopped short at seeing Tristan Cooper sitting on my porch swing. Knowing the history, Estelle went into the house, but not before, she told me to make it quick so she could start fan-girling.

“Hey, Coop!”

After more than four years, that's the only thing I could think to say.

“Hey Kennedy, nice baby bump!” he responded.

“I brought you a few giant bags of Starburst.” He was holding them up for me to see. “Come sit, and we’ll pick out all the pinks ones and throw them away.”

I sat next to him on the porch swing.

“Coop, I’m sorry I cut you out of my life. It was an asshole thing to do, but I couldn't look at you and not feel like you wish it was Emma who survived. I hated being a reminder of what you lost.”

“I loved Emma, Kennedy. I loved her in the puppy love kind of way, but I loved all you girls like sisters. It’s when you went to Boston; I knew you needed the space. I understood that, but after the trial when you were locked up. I traveled a few times to see you, but you wouldn't see me. I needed to see you. It was so hard knowing we were in the same city, and you wouldn't even see me. I started over again in LA, once the show was a hit and I met Nadia it got easier, but it never felt right. I always felt like I had this weight on my chest. I would constantly dream of Emma. She would come to me and tell me to find you. Sometimes in my dreams, she looked sad sometimes she was angry.

The night I caught Nadia and Daniel together, I packed my bags and drove to the airport. Do you know I had no idea where I was going? When I got to the ticket counter and the ticket agent asked where I was going I said Denver, without a thought. I knew that’s where I was supposed to be and for the first time in years that weight lifted off my chest. It was like; I was free. I got your tweet, but I was still angry you waited almost three years to contact me. I figured you could wait awhile, but then the angry Emma started coming to me in dreams. She wouldn't say anything she would cross her arms and tap her foot.”

We both started laughing, remembering how many times Emma had done that exact thing when pissed off.

“So, a Music Conservatory? You know, you shot someone in front of millions of viewers and were in an insane asylum, do you really think people are gonna drop their kids off? I love you Kennedy, but you know I always keep it real with you.”

I sighed, “I don't know, Coop, but I have to try. It’s what the girls would have wanted. We talked about it the night they died. It’s what we talked about on the car ride home. Coop, I don't know what your plans are, but I kind of hoped you would come be a guest teacher for a few special workshops through the year.” 

“Sorry, Kennedy, I can't do it.” 

“I understand no hard feelings. I’m glad you came and we had a chance to talk. Where are you headed now? Is your life back on Broadway?” 

“No, actually it’s in Denver. I'm going to teach musical theatre and acting at conservatory one of my best friends is opening. I'm not in a rush though, because my invitation to the grand opening isn’t happening till September, and it's only July.”

I jumped all over Coop, kissing him all over his face. “I love you, Coop! Thank you so much!”

“Are you serious right now?” I hear Estelle exclaim! “First you steal my super-hot billionaire boyfriend, you dress me in Wal-Mart clothes, and you let me get fat. Now I come out here to make my move on Tristan Cooper, and I find you with your ratchet hands all over him! How is my life fair right now?”

Coop is laughing so hard he has tears running down his face. I elbow him

“This is my soul-sister, Estelle Mayò. She is doing the event planning and public relations for the Conservatory. Estelle, meet one of my best friends, Tristan Cooper, or Coop to the people he loves. He has just informed me that he is going to be teaching musical theater and acting at the Conservatory.”

Estelle starts jumping up and down. “OMG, are you serious?”

“Tristan is staying with us so behave, Estelle.” I laugh as we walk in the house.

“It feels so good to have a full house!” my mother exclaims.

She has said the same thing every day since Tristan has been here. In another week, we are heading back to Denver. I feel strong with my new sister and my best friend at my side. She is taking six pies out of the oven. Estelle gives me a look, and I shrug because I have no clue why the hell she made six pies. We are all getting ready to eat dinner when we hear cars pull up in the driveway. I know this is not gonna be good. Please, please, please, don't let it be the paparazzi! I'm not ready! The only thing I hear is my father cocking his shotgun while my mother moves towards the front door, standing outside.

“Holy shit, her dad is holding a gun on us!”  

I know that voice; it's Rhydian!

“What the hell is Rhydian Kerrigan doing on my parent’s farm in Parrish, Florida?”

I hear my momma tell daddy to go put his shotgun in the house, that these are invited guests.

“WHAT IN THE FUCK HAS MY MOMMA DONE!”

I don't have to hide here, so my hair is back to its natural curly, red state and pulled back in a ponytail. I'm wearing a pair of running shorts and a tank top that leaves my baby bump on full display. There's no make-up on my face; the scars on my neck and arms are still bright and angry even after all this time. I see Jax, Max, and Isabel run to the porch stairs. They stop, taking in my new appearance.

“Well,” my mom says. “Good thing I happened to make enough food for fifteen or so extra people.”

My daddy turns toward my momma and says, “Moira, what have you been getting into?”

It was Elena that stepped forward, putting her hand on my belly. “Now don't be upset with dear, sweet Moira. It was all my fault. See, I up and invited myself. There has been a terrible mix up, and we intend to get it situated right away. Moira and I have decided that our children have been apart long enough. Easton is a big dummy, but your girl is as stubborn and ornery as a mule, so we are here to set this right.” 

“Well, let's everyone come inside.”

I turn to see both Tristan and Estelle trying to hold in the laughter, but they have tears in their eyes and their faces are bright red.

“Right, oh go to hell, the both of you!” That's when they let the laughter peel out.

“OH MY GOD, IT'S TRISTAN COPPER! OMG, IM DYING RIGHT NOW!”

“Isabel Kerrigan meet Tristan Cooper, everyone else, this is Coop. Coop this is everyone.” 

“Coop be a dear and help one of these guys move the kids’ table into the living room. Estelle, you and the young boys move the furniture against the walls. It has sliders, so it should be easy. And two more of you guys can grab the big table out of the dining room. The rest of us will grab chairs and set up the food table.”

Stacy and Michael walk up and hug me.

“Sorry to ambush you, but you have to let him explain.”  Stacy says in a whisper

I nod and do what my mom told me to do. As everyone is sitting, Max is the first one to break the silence,

“You look prettier like this, Stella.” The entire table turns to face Estelle.

“Thank you, Max, I feel really good, and I'm glad you're here. I wanted to say sorry if I was mean to you. I was jealous you got great people like Rose and Liam to love you, and my dad wasn’t very nice to me. I guess I was sad because you got something I wanted. You were lucky you had four parents who love you, and I didn't have any. I know it will take a while, but I hope you can forgive me.”

Max looked pensive, “There's nothing to forgive. Sometimes when I'm mad, I act out too. My mom says I have to make good choices. It looks like you are making good choices.”

“I hope so, Max, I really hope so.”

“From the mouths of babes,” Shamus says.

“We thought you were dead! Everyone thinks you're dead!” Michael says.

“Good, let them be surprised when they find out I am very much alive!”

Easton, who has been silent until this point says, “This is like one of those crazy soap operas. You have been here this whole time, Stella.”

“Her name is Estelle!” I chime in.

“
My name is Estelle Roux- Mayò. I've already started the paperwork for my name change. I will just be Estelle Roux, Stella Mayò is dead. She was a character made up by a demented child abuser. I'm sorry this isn't polite dinner conversation
.
”

“
You look like a hotter version of Sophia Loren
,
” Rhydian commented.

I saw Estelle blush, hmmmm interesting. Dinner ended, and I was in the kitchen washing dishes,

“
Can we talk, Kennedy
?
” I felt Easton before I heard him.

I handed him a towel without looking and said,
“
You dry, but when this is done your time is up.I'm not going to cause a scene in my paren
t’
s house
.
” 

“
Were you going to tell me you were pregnant, Kennedy
?
”

“
Yes, Tristan, Estelle, and I are coming back to Denver, we leave next week. I want to spend August making sure everything is perfect for the grand opening and getting stuff ready for the babies. I will be almost five months by then, so I have a lot to do
.
”

“
Baby, I did it for you. All this time it was to keep you safe. The plan to snatch one of the kids was just part of the plan. His main target was you. I had to protect you. I had to get you out of Denver, and then I had to find a way to put that psycho away. Kennedy, I have loved you every moment since I first set eyes on you. I knew you were it. I'm here, and I'm begging for forgiveness and a second chance
.
” I handed him the last dish.

“
I don't think it will be that easy this time around, Easton. What took years to build up, you knocked it all down and that's my fault. I was weak and I let you in, I let you hurt me
.
”

“
Did I lose you to him? Is that why you won't give us another chance
?
”

“
Coop is my best friend. If he had
n’
t found me when he did, I would have been dead. The love we have for each other is a brother-sister love. It's the kind of love you develop when you crawl through hell and somehow, by some tiny miracle, you make it out alive. Easton, I love you, maybe I am crazy because even after everything, I love you. Right now, my focus is getting my conservatory open on time; getting myself ready to deal with the media storm that is heading my way; and in five months, I will have a set of twins to raise. Fixing this cluster fuck that is our relationship is not even on the Top Ten list of things I need to do. On top of all that, Estelle needs me, and she has been therefor me every docto
r’
s appointment, every day I was throwing up, or when I couldn't stop crying. I needed her then, and she needs me now. Easton, you didn't see her, she was almost dead when I found her; my scars are nothing compared to hers. The monster who hurt me is dead. The monster who hurt her is still out there; he's walking the streets free
.
”

“He won't be for long the reason we are all here is because they are moving in to make an arrest within the next forty-eight hours. I knew it was safe to come get you, I knew we could be together now. My family missed you. Rose has a breakdown anytime something comes up with the Conservatory design. Jackson beat me up, until I let everyone know why I did what I did to you. They wouldn't even speak to me! It was only after the FBI confirmed everything that they agreed to help me get you back.

“Be advised, Kennedy Brennan, our mothers are planning an August 1 wedding so I'm coming hard. You and our babies belong with me! I can't disappoint my mother and future mother-in-law.”

“Seriously, I'm going to bed and you need to get some serious help for your delusions.”