Chapter Nine

As days passed, Lauren and her father took turns keeping constant watched over Victoria. The many long hours of sitting by the bedside afforded Lauren the opportunity to reflect on the previous fifteen or so years, when the two of them had been at odds. It’s strange how I was barely civil to her, then this occurred and I realize how much I love her. I can’t imagine ever being cold or harsh to her again.

Her father had gone to get them coffee and Lauren stood looking through the glass window at her mother who, despite all she’d been through, was still stunningly beautiful. Hook ups from all modern technology had to offer monitored her vital functions. The doctors had brought her back from the drug induced coma, and she was becoming more aware of her surroundings. Doctor Green beckoned Lauren into the room. Butterflies danced in her stomach as she entered the ICU unit and sat down by her mother’s side.

“Hey there, sleepyhead, how are you feeling?”

Victoria’s face lit up in a bright smile. “Hi, pumpkin. It’s good to see you. You look tired. Are you okay?”

Lauren’s heart did a somersault when she heard the long retired pet name. “I’m fine, but you’re right, I am tired.” Too weary to do much more, she managed a small smile. “Dad should be back in a few minutes. He just went down to the nurse’s station for coffee.”

Her mother raised a trembling hand to Lauren’s head and gently guided it down to her shoulder and began speaking the words she had used when her daughter was young. “Rest, I will be here watching over you.” Then she stroked the brown hair as she had done so many years earlier when the child Lauren was nestled in her arms.

Mother and daughter locked in a moment neither would forget. Lauren closed her eyes breathed in, beyond the hospital smells, to that essence which was undeniably her mother. So overwhelmed by the deep feelings reemerging for her mother, Lauren began to cry.

“Why the tears, Lori?”

Her emotions spilled forth. “I love you so much. I’m so sorry for all those lost years.”

Victoria continued to lovingly stroking Lori’s hair. “We both have regrets. Shall we let them go and begin again?”

“I’d like that.” Then Lauren closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep, safe in her mother’s arms.

Maggie and her father were having a quiet lunch in a small diner near the hospital.

“Dad, is the danger over now?”

His eyes looked off in the distance lost for a moment in a memory. “I have taken care of the mayor’s associates.”

Over the past few days, she had observed Steven Walker and her father huddled in intense conversations. “You’ve stayed here far too long. There’s something else going on, isn’t there?”

Patrick studied his daughter, gauging her possible reaction to his latest news. “Lester has resurfaced.”

Maggie went still as a shot of fear went up her spine. “He thinks I’m dead, doesn’t he?” She already knew the answer from the look on her father’s face.

“We had a rogue agent, and before we could neutralize him, he told Lester you were still alive.”

“I see.” Her thoughts went immediately to Lauren and keeping her safe.

“He doesn’t know your new identity or look, and he never will. I’m the only one that knows that.”

Maggie’s thoughts went to her mother and sisters, and how over the last several years the only contact they’d had was through secure phone connections. Now what will happen? “You know, when I first came here, I went down the river in a canoe without any preparation. I was trying to see if I still had what it takes to be in the field.” Her eyes took on a distant look. “I almost drowned, but the survival instincts were still intact so I made it to the shore.” A smile flitted over her lips. “That’s where I first saw Lauren.” Her voice was soft, reflective. “She’s very special to me and I will never give her up. I am in love with her so please don’t ask that of me.”

Patrick’s heart went out to his daughter. She had always been his favorite, a fighter, and a rebel filled with a passion for everything she did. At one time, her skills honed to perfection, making her his best operative. Ever since Lester’s men had tried to beat the life out of her, her edge was gone. Patrick knew it, and so did Maggie. He had tried to keep her active, but the days of her usefulness were at an end. “I think it’s time for you to settle down in one place. What would you think about a town like Warwick?”

Maggie smiled wryly. “I like Warwick very much. In fact, I was thinking the same thing. I am so tired of the deceit. I want my life back.”

Now for the hard part. “Sweetheart, you know you must always be Margaret Sullivan. That’s your life now. Otherwise, you and everyone you love will be in danger.” Seeing the crestfallen look, he added, “You know that, don’t you?”

She knew it, had always known it would come to that, but now that the time had come, it seemed so final. “Yes. I was hoping there would be a way for me to go back, but I know there isn’t.”

“Maybe this will help some.” He handed her a packet of photos.

“What’s this?” She pulled the pictures out of the package and began to look at them. One by one, she flipped through them, vaguely recognizing the venue but unable to place it. “I’ve seen this property before, but I can’t quite recall where. Care to enlighten me?”

“It’s located just north of Warwick on about ten acres.”

“The Shelby place,” she said, finally recognizing the house in the photos.

“Yes. At one time people called it Gyrfalcon? Rather appropriate, don’t you think? You now own it? The view is three hundred and sixty degrees, so you’ll have spectacular sunrises and sunsets. There are external and internal alarm systems, and I have arranged for additional protection.”

To Maggie, there was no other word for the property but stunning. She flipped through the pictures again, impressed by the awesome home, and grounds. “For me? Why? I don’t want to be a prisoner.”

“Simple. I want to continue to keep you safe. It’s obvious to me that you and Lauren are on the road to some sort of commitment. When I found out that the property was once called by your code name, I knew it was the right place for you.” His eyes held hers captive. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you, sweetheart. Someone in my position shouldn’t have an Achilles heel, but you’re mine. You always have been.”

Maggie had never seen her father so vulnerable. Maybe it’s time for him to step down too. “Any chance we could be a normal family and just all settle down together?”

His smile was fond. “My life has taken too many twists and turns of his life for that to happen. Let’s get back to the hospital. I need to say my goodbyes before I leave tonight.

Later that evening at a local restaurant, Maggie saw the far off look in her companion’s eyes. “Lauren?”

“Hmm?”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“That bad, huh?” Maggie winked. “Yes. I want to know.”

“I was wondering what size diamond you’re going to buy me.” A smirk crossed Lauren’s face. “I already know the one I’m giving you.”

Maggie’s heart was filled with a warm fuzzy I am home feeling. “You want a diamond, do you? Then I’ll design one just for you. Will you tell me about the one you have for me?”

“You’ll see it later. Do you have any idea how much I love you? More than I ever thought possible.” Lauren’s heart was also filled with the same warm fuzzy I am home feeling.

“I have something to show you.” Maggie placed the packet of pictures on the table and shoved them in Lauren’s direction.

Her forehead creasing, she picked them up. “It’s the Shelby place. I’ve always loved that place; it’s so beautiful up there. Why do you have these?”

Smiling, Maggie picked up the picture showing the view from the house. “There is a bird called the Gyrfalcon. It is the biggest and most magnificent of all falcons. In medieval times, the aristocracy prized the bird for their hunting prowess. When first developed the land fifty years ago the owner saw a rare occurrence when a Gyrfalcon landed on his house. He took that as a sign and named his property after the bird.”

Lauren’s curiosity was piqued. “I never knew it by anything other than the Shelby place. What does this have to do with us?”

“If you like … it will be our new home.” Maggie held her breath.

A smile of utter delight came over Lauren’s face. “Really, do you mean it? Oh, Maggie, this is fabulous. I love that house!” Without thinking, she bent in Maggie’s direction and gave her a hug followed by a passionate kiss.

For a moment, the entire restaurant was quiet, as the other patrons stared with their mouths agape. Finally, one man coughed loudly to get their attention. Lauren looked up, saw everyone staring, and her face instantly flushed a bright red. She returned to an upright position and looked at her plate. Then, remembering her words to her mother, she looked up and smiled brightly at everyone in the room. This is my love, and I’m proud of her, of us.

Amused by the incident, Maggie smiled. “I’m proud of you, Lauren. It won’t get any easier, but the first time is always the hardest. I love you, and if I thought these people were worth it, I’d give them another show.” She chuckled before she took her lover’s hand and gently kissed it.

They continued to eat and talk about the house, making plans for decorating and moving in. After a few moments of eating in silence, Lauren set down her fork and stared at her lover. “Maggie, if I wanted to find my sister, how would I go about it? We don’t know where she is or anything about her.”

“Love, remember when we were having that discussion about my past?”

Lauren nodded.

“Unfortunately, circumstances prevented me from telling you everything. I, or rather my father, has already found your sister. I have a file on her, if you want to look at it.”

“You do? Yes, I want to see it and know everything. Do you remember any of what you read?”

“She is the head of a small but influential, pharmaceutical company in Houston. There is a picture in the file. She is tall and very beautiful, with long black hair and blue eyes. She reminds me of your mother. I’ll let you read the rest. It’s rather interesting the turn her life has taken.”

Lauren smiled softly. A sister… How wonderful.