For now, this was just one of the things that would go unnoticed by the public, and the Federal government would claim it was done to protect the welfare of the town.
Yeah, call it what you wanted, but sometimes a cover-up was a good thing.
A damn good thing.
As they pulled up to the hospital, their house had been closed up, and they were ready to head home. Some of the tech team, including Doctor Magnus, would stay to handle the wrap up of the case, but for them, it was time to head out of Salem.
There wasn’t much left to manage.
Doc’s remains had been shipped off to be cremated. When they were done, they were being housed in a special urn and interred in a marble plaque outside the Salem morgue. When it was ready, they would fly back and bid him farewell in a ceremony that Christopher Santana would be presiding over. In fact, the whole town was going to bid the man a fond farewell.
Tony had admitted himself to facility in the next state, and was preparing himself for detox and a twelve step program. It seemed that he was ready to begin his life, renewed. When he was released, a job would be waiting for him. It looked like he would have his happy ending too.
Once more, his career was saved.
Now, for Elizabeth, Ethan and Callen, it was time to focus on the living.
Heading into the hospital, they wanted to say goodbye to their ME. He was going to be stuck there for a few days, and then when he returned home, there would be therapy. When Xavier Jensen cut his leg, he severed some nerves and did some long term damage.
Chris would be okay, but he may have residual effects like a slight limp.
But hey, he was alive and that’s all that mattered.
Walking into the room, they found him lying there. When they entered, he sensed their presence and opened his eyes.
“Hey, Doc, how’s it going?” Elizabeth asked, going to stand beside his bed.
“Lyzee!” he said, hugging her when she leaned down.
“Are you doing better?” Ethan asked, shaking his hand.
“Hell yeah, I am!”
Callen patted him on the shoulder. “We hear that you’ll be up and around shortly.”
He placed his hand on his leg. “Yeah, before you know it. You can’t keep a good ME down.”
Then, he got serious.
“Before Cyra gets back, I need to say something.” He took Elizabeth’s hand in his.
Somehow, she knew it was going to be emotional.
“I will never forget what you did for me. I’m so very honored to have you three as my family. From here on out, you’re all part of my life, and I will do anything for the people I love.”
She patted him on the cheek. “It’s the path we’re meant to be on, Chris. I’m just glad that I was able to help you. Our lives would be empty without you in them.”
He smiled.
“Now, you just have to get better, head out on your honeymoon, and get your wife pregnant.”
As if timed, Cyra walked into the room.
“Don’t tempt him. He would be trying, right now, if the doctor would let him. He’s supposed to keep that leg completely immobilized.”
Blackhawk and Whitefox offered him a fist bump for that one. You deserved props if you were still thinking sex after nearly dying.
“When we get home, we’re having a reception at our place. Will you be our guest of honor?” Cyra said, sitting beside Chris on his bed.
“We can’t wait,” Elizabeth replied. “For family, we’ll clear our schedule.”
“Are you heading out?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, we have to get back to FBI West. This little cannibal funfest gave us a lot of paper work to do.”
They told him about the chili.
“Holy nastiness!” Chris stated.
Cyra looked grossed out too.
Then, they told them it was being buried.
On this one, Chris agreed. “The people who ate it will be physically fine. It was only a one-time thing. If they find out, it could mean long term psychological issues, and that might be a whole lot worse in the long run.”
Yeah, this time a lie was for the best.
“We have to go, Lyzee,” stated Ethan, standing. “Our flight leaves soon.”
Elizabeth hugged her agent. “Cyra, it was good working with you, and if you ever decide to come back, just let us know.”
The woman didn't say anything. She only glanced over at her husband. How her boss knew she was done, she’d never know. Maybe, Elizabeth was just that damn astute.
After the men said their goodbyes, they headed out, giving Elizabeth a moment alone. At the door, she turned to look at her ME. Their eyes met, and she didn't need to say a word.
This time, she saluted him and winked.
Then, she was gone.
“Wow,” Cyra said, smiling. “I’ve never seen her do that before.”
Chris was wrought with emotion, because neither had he. That one simple action spoke volumes of what they shared. In life and death, he had a bond with Elizabeth Blackhawk that was forged in something stronger than steel.
It was created in love.
What she just gave him so willingly meant the world to him, because so did she.
He wouldn’t forget this day.
Ever.
For as long as he lived.
Doctor Christopher Leonard had made a journey, found a family, and got his dream to come true.
He found love on many different levels, and that meant everything.
It was now time to start his life with his Goddess.
“Are you okay, Christopher?” she asked, wiping a tear from his cheek.
He smiled at her. “I’m more than alright, Cyra my love. Everything’s perfect.”
Outside, she linked her arms through both men’s. As they walked out the door, the bright sun hit them and offered warmth in its rays.
“Well, what do you say, baby?” Ethan asked.
What could she? They came there to heal and did just that. They rallied against one of the sickest killers that they had ever faced down, and won. Then, there was the fact that in the midst of it all, they patched their family back up and were stronger than ever.
All in all, this was a tally in the victory column on both counts.
This win went to the good guys.
“I say we head home and cuddle our kids. We’re about to get busy the next few weeks.”
Both men looked over. “We are?” they asked together.
“We have a doctor appointment, Wyler needs a break, and I have a bachelor party to throw. I hope you didn't think that I forgot,” she said, snickering. “I need to get it done while I can still fit in that stripper costume.”
They stared at her. “What?”
There was laughter. “You heard me. I’m hosting it for our ME. The poor guy was nearly killed. Of course he needs a sendoff to marriage, even if it’s a little delayed.”
“I didn't get a bachelor party,” Blackhawk said, trying to prove a point.
“Nor did I,” Callen added.
“Well, I happen to have a cheerleading outfit and can make use of that stripper gear. Who wants what?”
The men grinned ferally, as they headed towards the vehicle.
“Dibs on the cheerleader,” stated Callen, calling it first. “I can’t wait to see this!”
Blackhawk stopped and placed his hand on her cheek, after contemplating his answer. After all that they had been through the last four months, he had a better idea.
“If it’s okay with you, the new Ethan would just like his wife as she is. She’s perfect.”
Elizabeth melted. “Anything you want, love bug.”
“Thank you, sweet cheeks.”
Lowering his lips to hers, they met in a gentle kiss.
It was Callen who broke it up.
“You’re a suck up,” he muttered, glad that his family was once more back on track.
“Whatever it takes, bro. Whatever it takes.”
Wasn’
t that the truth?
~ Epilogue ~
Three Weeks Later
Tonight was their post wedding reception, and they couldn’t wait. It was funny to be having people over to celebrate when they had already been married going on a month.
Still, they deserved a reason to celebrate.
Chris survived the serial cannibal, and Cyra had opted to be a wife and mother. Those two things alone were well worth it in both of their eyes.
As they returned home from the hospital, Belladonna was camped out on their porch. When the woman saw her son limping, and on crutches, she nearly lost her mind.
Yeah, they got the voicemail message, and Chris was going to call her back, but he had been distracted. Cyra wasn’t leaving his side for a moment, and he was more than okay with that.
After he reassured his mother that he was fine, and got rid of her, he was escorted up to their bedroom. It was then that Cyra put on the skimpiest of nurse’s outfits she had ordered online.
Then, she nursed him back to health.
It was the best week of his life.
Chris was pretty sure that he had broken the record for the amount of sex in one span of time, but if not, he was willing to try for it again.
It was nice having his wife at home. Soon, he was going to be off leave and able to head back to work. They had decided to postpone their honeymoon a couple of weeks until he was back to one hundred percent.
Then, the beach fornication would begin.
And he couldn’t wait.
Looking around, Chris couldn’t find Cyra. When someone rang the doorbell, he hobbled his way there, trying to keep as much pressure off his leg while it finished healing.
Opening the massive double doors, he saw a delivery man standing there with a box. “Delivery for a Doctor Christopher Leonard,” he said.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
He signed and took his package.
“Who was it?” Cyra called, heading down the stairs. She was already dressed and ready to begin the party.
“It’s a gift,” he said, opening it. Pulling back the colorful paper, he saw what was inside.
Immediately, a smile crossed his face.
Cyra began laughing, as he picked it up in his hand.
Someone had bought him a fancy cane. The most entertaining part was that the place where you braced your hand was a skull.
“There’s no card,” she said, digging through the paper.
Chris turned it over and read the inscription down the silver. “I know who it’s from,” he said, laughing.
Holding it out, Cyra read it next.
‘Welcome to Club Bad Ass, Doctor Death.’
“Elizabeth,” they both said at the same time, laughing.
He truly loved his family. Blood wasn’t always thicker than water, and this was proof.
“So do I look tough?” he asked, grinning.
Her heart skipped in her chest. Here was her mad scientist, and her heart was forever his.
“Yeah, you do, Christopher.”
“This was an unexpected little surprise,” he said, making a mental note to thank the three who were coming tonight as their guests of honor.
“I also have a present for you,” Cyra said, dropping a kiss onto his cheek as he leaned on his new cane. “I was going to wait until later, but you can have it now, if you like.”
Chris wiggled his eyebrows lecherously. “Is it the same present you gave me this morning?” he inquired, patting her on the ass.
She grinned. “Nope. It’s better.”
“Better than sex? I don’t think there’s a gift out there that can compare.”
“I’m pregnant,” she stated.
He stared openmouthed. “What?”
“We’re having a baby. I just took a test,” She said, pulling it out of her back pocket. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
Slowly, the look of surprise morphed into a grin, and then into a wide smile.
“Seriously?”
Cyra nodded. “We’re going to be parents, Christopher.”
He dropped his cane and swung her around, oblivious to anything else but the woman in his arms. “I love you so much, sweetheart!”
She completely understood, because she felt the same way about him. “I adore you, Chris.”
He was ready to explode.
“But I have bad news.”
That made him pause as he placed her back on her feet. “What?”
“I did the calculations. I think that you did indeed knock your wife up in the morgue. You’re going to have one hell of a time explaining that to our son or daughter when they get older.”
His eyes filled with laughter. “I’ll think of something, I’m sure. Don’t worry. I won’t tell them that their mother is a freak.”
She snorted.
They had so much to be thankful for at that moment. He was staggered with the blessings that had come his way.
“Today is the best day of my life,” he said, then corrected himself. “Well, that and the days that I met you and married you.”
She laughed. “Want to go have celebratory sex?” Cyra asked. “We have time until the party.”
How could he say no to that? His pregnant wife was the center of his life and now his sole focus.
“Lead the way, Cyra my sweet.”
Picking up his cane, she did just that.
Their lives were just beginning and so was their story. From here on out, there was nothing but a happily ever after, and they both knew it.
Sometimes in death, life was reborn.
Chris was right.
Karma had been on his side from the start.
And he was damn lucky because of it.
Later That Week
As she lay there on the examine table, there was tension in the room. The men were pacing as they waited for the ultrasound technician to come in.
It wasn’t that they weren’t happy, because they were.
It was just that Ethan Blackhawk was obsessed with one thing.
Finding out the gender of his child.
Since they had come home, everything had been almost back to normal. There were still moments of tension, and small outbursts of anger, but they were all working through it.
Ethan was back to work and at the helm. Once more, he was strong enough to be in charge. His family had bought him enough time that he could patch up the cracks that threatened to pull him under.
He was a lucky man.
Therapy was ongoing and probably would be for a while. When Doctor Gaines had re-administered the psych test, this time he passed. When she told him that he was free from anymore therapy, he stopped her.
Blackhawk wasn’t ready, despite what the FBI testing said. Ethan still wanted to have their weekly sessions. Deep down, he feared that he would backslide and hurt the people he loved most.
When Doctor Gaines heard that, she was shocked and pleasantly surprised. In fact, she was in for a treat as he sent a text and his partners joined him.
From there on out, they wouldn’t only stand by his side in their relationship and at home, but here too.
This was for all of them.
They were cementing their relationship together, so nothing could break it.
As for Callen, he was back to traveling. He had earned his stripes on this last assignment, and honestly believed that Elizabeth was in good hands while he was away.
Granted, he hated doing it, but they had kids to think about and soon, four college educations to pay for. They all had to work, regardless of lingering fears.
Now, they only needed to counter that one last obstacle, and they were home free.
The sex of this child.
“Where the hell is he?” asked Ethan, pacing.
Callen wanted to know the same thing.
“Really? I’m the one that has to pee and can’t. Trust me, I should be the bitchy one in the room, boys.”
Blackhawk laughed and leaned down to kiss his wife. “You’re right.
I’ll chill out.”
Just then, the ultrasound technician arrived. “Are you ready?”
They all held hands.
He stared at them like they were a little shy of crazy, but they were used to that.
Squirting the goo all over her belly, he began moving the wand around to find the various parts of the baby. “Here are the feet,” he said, marking them and taking a picture.
Ethan grinned. “I love those little toes, already.”
Elizabeth squeezed his hand.
“Here’s the head.”
They all ohhhh’d and ahhhh’d over that too.
Then, he found the heart, hands, and face.
“Okay, forgive me, but I need to know if there’s a penis,” Blackhawk said, abruptly.
Where Callen and Elizabeth broke into laughter, the ultrasound tech stared at him, unsure if the man was dead serious or kidding. “Um, okay, let me look.”
The man slid the wand all over her belly and searched for the illusive gender indicator.
“Well, I don’t know how you’re going to feel, but I didn't find one.”
They all waited.
“Because the baby isn’t being cooperative, or because there isn’t one to find?” Callen asked, hoping his brother was going to get his wish.
“You’re having a girl.”
It was as if it was Christmas Day, and this was the miracle that they had all waited for. Ethan Blackhawk was getting his daughter.
The men high fived and hugged each other.
“Uh, how about me?” Elizabeth asked, pointing at her torso. “I did have a lot to do with growing you a girl.”
Both men attacked and took turns kissing their woman, lavishly.
“We did it, Cowboy,” she whispered in his ear, as tears filled his eyes.
“Yeah, we did,” he replied, helping her up. “I’m going to have a little girl,” he repeated, again.
Callen was thrilled too. “Cat has a sister.”
The man handed them the pictures and rushed out of the room, obviously trying to escape.
It made Elizabeth snicker. “You two scared him shitless,” she said, winking.
“Next time, we’ll be a little calmer,” Callen stated.
Consumed by Wrath: An FBI/Romance Thriller (An FBI/Romance Thriller ~ Book 8) Page 55