Epilogue
November 18, 2007
Kevin grinned as he pulled into the driveway. Tim's car and Jerry's truck were parked near the garage, and Jemma and Aaron were playing tag with their cousins in the front yard. The game came to an abrupt halt as they recognized his car, and Aaron and Jemma raced across the yard to greet him.
"Daddy! We were waiting for you!" Jemma cried.
Aaron grinned up at him and Kevin picked him up for a hug. "Daddy-do I hafta wear a suit?"
Kevin laughed. "Whatever Rachel says, Aaron. I'm afraid women are in charge when it comes to weddings. You don't want Rachel cross with you, do you?"
"Uh-uh!" Aaron exclaimed. "Are you gonna wear a suit, Daddy?"
"Yup." He put Aaron down. "You and me Aaron-we'll get through it together. Deal?"
"Deal!" Aaron laughed. Then he became thoughtful. "Daddy-when can I call Rachel 'Mommy'?"
Kevin crouched down next to Aaron and put his arm around him. "You can call her Mommy just as soon as the wedding ceremony is over," he said gently.
"And then I'll have two." Aaron smiled. "My Mamma Kristin in heaven, and my Mommy Rachel." Kevin looked at Aaron, stunned. Jemma put her arms around Kevin's neck as she climbed piggyback onto him.
"Rachel explained about our Mamma Kristin," she whispered in his ear. "And how she's in heaven watching out for us. And she said that you would tell us more about her sometime." She paused. "Will you, Daddy?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, I will, honey," Kevin said softly. "When all of us can sit down and take our time with it. Okay?" He hugged them both. After a minute, he cleared his throat and smiled. "Where is Rachel?"
"In the house," Aaron said. "Can we go back and play now?" Kevin nodded and stood up, and the children ran to join their cousins.
As Kevin stepped up onto the porch, the front door opened and Jerry emerged, carrying two large garbage bags. Ellen was right behind him, carrying a third, which she put down just outside the door.
"Kevin!" she exclaimed. "Just in time! There are about four more bags that have to get out to the curb for the trash pickup today." She grinned at him and gave him a hug. "Welcome home!"
Kevin laughed. "Thanks, El-I think!" He looked at Jerry with raised eyebrows.
Jerry grinned. "Don't look at me. I'm just the mule." He chuckled. "Trust me-it's safer just to follow orders." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know the drill. Get through today and tomorrow and then you can do what you please with her-but don't press your luck before the wedding." Ellen whacked him on the back, then kissed him and pushed him in the direction of the curb before turning with a smile to go back into the house. Kevin picked up the bag Ellen had left by the door and started after Jerry.
"Leave it, Kev," Jerry said with a broad smile. "I've got it. You go see your bride. I'm sure that between them, Tracy and Ellen are gonna have a hundred things that they need you to do to keep you away from her before the wedding. Find her before they get to you."
Kevin grinned. "Thanks, Jer. Where is she?"
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. "The last time I saw her, she told me she was going to hide for a while where she could be close to you. Wedding jitters getting to her too, I guess." He laughed and shook his head. "Go!"
Kevin smiled to himself as he walked into the house. He glanced into the living room. It was already set up for the ceremony tomorrow with rows of chairs facing the bay window where they would stand to take their vows. He could hear voices from the back of the house-Tracy's and Tim's. And Ellen's-calling from upstairs for Tim to help her with something. But he knew exactly where to find her. He moved quietly down the hallway.
He opened the door to the den and stepped in. "Rachel?" he said softly. She turned when she heard his voice, and her smile lit his world. "Baby, I'm home."
The End.
Coming Home
Hosted Stories