Page 102 of Deserving Lara
“Thanks.”
“No need to thank me. You being here is thanks enough. Later.”
“Later.”
Pipe left, and Owl barely remembered the nurse coming in to check on him and make sure his vitals were all in the correct ranges. He fell into a healing sleep, and instead of dreaming about serial killers and helicopter crashes, he dreamt of holding his infant son in one arm and his wife in the other.
EPILOGUE
Lara sat in the lodge and smiled as she looked around at everyone. There had been times when she wasn’t sure she’d ever see it again. And now she was not only back, she was married and pregnant. It was hard to believe.
Things had been crazy since they’d returned to The Refuge, and she finally had time to reflect on everything that had happened. The ten days or so since she’d been re-kidnapped had been full of ups and downs. She’d learned she was pregnant, Owl was recovering quickly, but had still been in the hospital for almost five days. She’d split her time between staying at the hotel—when Owl insisted—and the small cot next to his hospital bed.
She wasn’t really surprised when she’d gone back to see him after he’d first woken up, and Owl informed her that the arrangements had been made for them to get married right then and there. She’d agreed, they’d FaceTimed with her parents, and right there in the hospital room, surrounded by many of their friends, they’d pledged their lives and love to each other.
It honestly was just a formality. Lara had already mentally vowed to love him for the rest of her life. But she didn’t care if she got married in a hospital room, in a huge chapel, or an office in some government building. After all the huge weddings she’d attended with her family growing up, and seeing all the pomp and circumstance and stress that went into them, she was more than happy to have a low-key ceremony with those she’d come to love the most in attendance. And the fact that Cora was there was icing on the cake.
Yes, she was a romantic, and loved seeing the big ceremonies on TV and reading about them in books…but the reality was, all she wanted was to love someone, and to be loved in return. And Owl fulfilled that and more.
All their friends who’d descended on Seattle had gone back to New Mexico once they were reassured both she and Owl would be all right. Brick had stayed, coordinating with the authorities about finding Stone, and making sure Lara took care of herself and didn’t neglect her own health while she spent as much time as possible by Owl’s side. He’d also made the arrangements when Owl was finally discharged and able to fly back to New Mexico.
Once back at The Refuge, she and Owl had gone straight to the cabin and crashed, not coming out for two whole days. It felt amazing to sleep in their own bed and be back in their home.
Now they were up at the lodge at an impromptu welcome-home party. It felt a little weird to be celebrating when Stone was still missing, but as Alaska had pointed out, Stone wouldn’t begrudge her or Owl a celebration for coming home alive, married, and with a baby on the way.
Robert and Luna had made an enormous amount of food to welcome them back, and everyone was mingling and just happy to be together. Even some of the guests were there, enjoying the festive atmosphere, even if they weren’t completely sure what it was they were celebrating.
Robert approached, and Lara stood, hugging him hard. “Thank you for the box of Christmas Tree Cakes I found in our cabin,” she said with a smile. “I appreciate you sharing your stash with me.”
“Just glad you’re back, missy,” he said gruffly.
A little bit later, Lara thanked Carly and Jess for making sure their cabin was spotless when they arrived.
“It was the least we could do,” Carly said.
“But I know you’re probably even busier, now that…well…that it’s just the two of you cleaning,” Lara said a little hesitatingly.
“It’s fine. Ry still helps out when she can,” Jess reassured her.
Lara was a little sad that Ryan—aka, Ryleigh—wasn’t at the small party, but she guessed the woman probably felt uncomfortable around everyone now, after lying to them for a year. It was still unclear why the woman had lied in the first place, and what or who she was hiding from, but Lara completely understood why she’d chosen The Refuge. It really was a refuge from life, from anything that was troubling you.
She held no ill will toward Ryan, or whatever she should be called now. She simply hoped the woman eventually found the peace and happiness that Lara herself had.
Henley and Reese approached, and before she knew it, Lara was engulfed in a three-way hug.
“I can’t believe you’re pregnant!” Reese exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you and Owl…and myself too! Our kids’ll have someone else to play with.”
“Ican believe it,” Henley said a little smugly. “I told you how Owl looked at you when he was in our sessions.”
“How’d he look at her?” Reese asked.
The two women stepped back a bit, inviting Jess and Carly into their circle as they talked.
“He couldn’t take his eyes off her. And you know the look…protective, pissed that someone would dare hurthiswoman, and so damn in love he could barely sit still.”
“Oh,thatlook,” Reese said with a chuckle. “Yup, I know it well.”
Lara felt herself blushing, even as she searched the room for the object of their conversation. She saw Owl sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. He was talking with Tonka and Pipe. As if he felt her gaze on him, he looked up and mouthed,You okay?
