Page 32 of Zane

“Do you really want to know?”

“I do.I know that he’s, well, gone.I just wanted to know.I want to know the truth.”Zane looked over at Saint and CJ who were seated nearby.Both men looked at him and knew he didn’t want to answer the question.

“Blake, sometimes men don’t deserve to live.Even though he was your stepfather, he was one of those men.He was prepared to sell you, literally, for your gift.He beat your mother, he owed more than just Marco Rodriguez and it wasn’t going to stop.”

“I know.I know all of that,” she said patiently.

“He was taken into the bayou with Alvin, and the Komodas.Honestly, it didn’t even require much effort on their part.Josh couldn’t swim,” said CJ.

“What?I don’t think I ever knew that,” she said in obvious shock.“Thank you for telling me the truth.I just don’t want to think about him still being out there.I know I’m safe here and I know I’m safe on the island with the animals but sooner or later I’m going to want to leave here, to go shopping or visit another city.”

“Do you?” asked Zane.“I mean, what city do you want to visit?”

“I don’t know,” she laughed.The others chuckled with her.“I was just thinking about it that’s all.”

“Well, maybe we could go somewhere special for our honeymoon,” said Zane turning a fiery red.Blake stared at him, then turned to CJ and Saint, trying to determine if this was a joke.

“Are you,” she whispered, “are you asking me to marry you?”

“I guess I am,” he laughed.“Although it sure is a shitty way to ask.I don’t have a ring yet but I know that you and I should be together.This could be us having a baby in a year or two.I can see that.I can feel it.Can you?”

Blake was so quiet Zane worried that maybe he’d read too much into their relationship.He’d been warned that love came quickly at Belle Fleur but there was so much conflict around them, he almost lost sight of that.

“Yes,” she nodded.“Yes, I’ll marry you!”

Before they could leap to their feet and cheer, Brooks came through the door wheeling two basinets and two wrapped pink-cheeked bundles.

“Boys.We have two boys,” he grinned.His parents and grandparents gathered around first, staring down at the adorable pink faces.The boys were a healthy weight, long and lean like all the males of their family.

“They’re beautiful, Brooks,” said his mother with a tear in her eyes.“Do we have names yet?”

“Dawson and Davis,” he grinned.“Lennon liked both of those names.”

“I love those names,” grinned Christopher.“Dawson Jordan and Davis Jordan.Good strong names.”

While everyone got a quick look at the babies, Marnie was cursing her husband out in the back.

“You will never touch me again!” she screamed.

“I know, honey,” he said kissing her hand.“I’ll never touch you again.”

“No,” she cried.“You’re not supposed to say that.You know I love it when you touch me.”

“Okay,” he smiled.“I’ll touch you whenever you ask.”

Her deliveries took a bit longer, eventually forcing them to make the decision to do a c-section.It was for her safety, as well as the babies, who turned out to be a bit larger than expected, especially for being early.

Although they couldn’t be wheeled out, Mitchell appeared to tell everyone the good news, with a tear-streaked face, wringing his hands.

“Well?” smiled Christopher.

“Two boys and a girl,” he grinned.“All three are nearly five pounds.We had to do a c-section but she’s good, we’re good.”

“Oh honey,” said Ramey hugging her son.“I’m so happy for you.”

“We named her Hollis.The boys are Harrison and Henri.”

“The three H’s,” smirked Christopher.“Perfect.”