Chapter 39
March 12, 2007
Kristin's memorial service. It didn't seem possible that an entire year had passed. And things were so much better now. Kevin smiled as he looked up the stairs and watched Jemma and Aaron coming down, dressed for church. His heart swelled and he brushed away the sudden tears as he saw Rachel coming down behind them. Everything was better because of her. And he'd decided just how he could show her how grateful he was and how much she meant to him. Until he could arrange things to make a more permanent statement.
"Everybody ready to go?" he asked. He smiled down at Rachel. "You look beautiful," he whispered.
When they arrived at the church, Kevin was immediately engulfed by people wanting to express their sympathy. He endured it for a minute or two and then excused himself and collected Jemma, Aaron and Rachel and led them inside. When Rachel stepped aside to sit in a seat several rows from the front, Kevin stopped her.
"I want you up front with us, Rachel." When she looked up at him in surprise, he smiled and said quietly "You belong there."
* * *
As the family left the church at the end of the service, there was again a crush of people-neighbors, fans, and well-wishers-to get through. Kevin shepherded Rachel and the kids toward the car and as they went, he stopped occasionally to speak to someone he knew. Invariably, he introduced Rachel to whomever he was speaking to.
The first time had caught her off-guard. "I'd like you to meet Rachel Daniels." She had waited for him to finish with "...our housekeeper." Or "She's been taking care of the kids." But he didn't. She looked up at him as they moved closer to the car. He smiled down at her again and his hand came to rest at the small of her back, protectively. And Rachel finally lost the battle with reason and started to hope.
* * *
When they got back to the house, Rachel headed for the kitchen. As she checked on the food in the oven, Kevin walked into the room.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked with a smile.
She smiled up at him as he put his arms around her. "Just give me a kiss, and then go make sure that everybody's comfortable out there," she said softly.
"I can handle that," he grinned. "Especially this part." His arms tightened around her and their lips met in a lingering caress.
"Oops, sorry!" They broke apart, and Tracy grinned at them. "Just wanted to check on the status of the food. I guess things are warming up okay," she chuckled.
"Cute, Tracy. Really cute," Kevin grinned. "Come on, Rachel's got things under control here. Help me get people settled out there." He gave Rachel another quick kiss and headed for the living room. Rachel and Tracy exchanged a brief smile as Tracy followed him.
* * *
He was finding that it was a long day. It was a little difficult dealing with everyone trying to relive moments of their life together, but not as bad as he had been afraid it would be. It was just that as the afternoon wore on, he found himself getting more and more agitated. Every time he could snatch a moment of privacy with Rachel, he took advantage of it. She, at least, seemed to understand what he was coping with.
Finally, at around five-thirty, she pulled him aside. "Your face is going to crack if you don't let go of that pasted-on smile," she said gently. "Why don't you take a breather? Go lie down for a little while. I'll keep the hordes away."
He sighed deeply. "Thank you, babe." He caressed her cheek and kissed her on the nose. "I just need a few minutes. I'll be in the den."
"Take your time," she smiled up at him.
Kevin closed the door to the den behind him and breathed another sigh of relief. He just needed to collect himself. Then he could go back out there and face everyone again. He looked around, remembering how the room had looked during the holidays, and smiled. The decorations were gone now, but that was a tradition he would love repeating.
He walked around the desk and sat down. As he leaned back in the chair he stretched out his legs under the desk. His feet came in contact with something-something under the desk. He looked down. There was a packing box there. Where had that come from? Then he remembered. Denise had sent things from the house in LA. Probably business papers he thought. I wonder if there's anything that needs looking at? He pulled the box out and set it up on the desk.
Chapter 40
Coming Home
Hosted Stories