“You shouldn’t have brought all this food,” Nita chastised Katlin as she lifted the plastic wrap off the top of a bowl of potato salad.
“You know me.” Katlin tossed several ingredients into a fresh green salad. “I love to cook. My mother taught me never to come to a party empty-handed. Besides, other than MREs, can you cook real food?”
Nita smiled. “I’m learning.” She looked around the large family kitchen of the home she’d shared with Daniel and the children for the past two weeks. Located in one of the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C., the home itself was situated in what real estate agents call a reemerging neighborhood. The homes were older, but young couples were moving in and remodeling, bringing the houses up to modern designs and standards. After a life in apartments, Nita was going crazy filling all the space in the large home.
Katlin stopped and leaned against the granite countertop. “I’ve always liked this house. I think it’s perfect for you and Daniel and the kids.” Although this was not one of the houses she had inherited, Katlin did own it until a week ago when she deeded it to her brother. She had bought several homes in the D.C. area over the years and through the company she owned with her fiancé Alex Wolf. They rented them to the government as safe houses.
Nita had dreaded this conversation, but knew she had to have it now. “Are you sure you’re okay with me and Daniel? Is it weird for you that we’re together?”
Katlin threw her arms around Nita, and she instantly knew everything would be fine.
“I love you like a sister. After everything we’ve been through together, we’re closer than siblings, especially if I use my relationship with Daniel as a yardstick.” She released Nita and continued preparing the food. “To be honest with you, I didn’t really know my brother while growing up. He was this much older boy who showed up every couple of months for a week or so, then he was gone again. For years, I didn’t think he liked me. It wasn’t until after Daddy died that I really got to know him. We were both adults by then and the only immediate family left for each other. Sure, we have Uncle Tom and Uncle Francis, but our parents are gone.” Katlin gave Nita a one-armed hug. “You know exactly how that feels.”
Nita’s father had never been in her life. Her mother had been his long-term mistress, his dirty little secret who lived twenty miles away. He’d never forgotten Nita’s birthday and generously provided for her at Christmas, but he’d also never been there for a single holiday. It had always been her and her mother. Ovarian cancer had taken her quickly Nita’s junior year in undergraduate school. Fortunately, her ROTC scholarship and the insurance money had enabled her to finish her last two years before entering the Army.
She had wanted to go into cancer research when she started medical school, but an abandoned baby changed the direction of her life. Nita glanced toward the high chair and toddler seat at the dining room table, and realized another baby had changed her life again.
She took another bowl out of the refrigerator and began to remove the covering while Katlin laid lettuce, tomato, and onion on a large platter for the hamburgers. “So, you’d be okay with Daniel and me making this live-in arrangement more permanent?”
Katlin whirled around and grabbed her shoulders. “Do you think Daniel’s going to ask you to marry him today?” Excitement was written all over the woman’s face. “Is this really your engagement party, not a new home open house?”
“Oh, we wanted to have everyone over to see our new house, hang out on the deck, and swim in the pool,” she reassured her friend.
The doorbell rang and Nita answered it. “Harper. Rafe. I’m so glad you were able to come.”
Harper had gone through the Joint All-Female Special Operations School with all the Ladies of Black Swan. She and her fiancé, Rafe, lived two doors down from Katlin’s condominium where all the Black Swans had suites.
“I hope you don’t mind that I brought Marcus Hernandez with us.” Harper silently begged with her eyes. “He’s in town for additional ATF training for a few weeks and hanging out with us this weekend.”
“No, no problem at all.” Nita hugged each of the newcomers. “Marcus and I have gotten stupid drunk together more than once.” She was suddenly glad she’d never slept with the tall, dark, and very handsome ATF agent. He’d always seemed attracted to Tori, although Nita wasn’t sure if her friend even noticed.
“You promised we were never going to talk about Tori’s birthday party again.” Marcus grinned as he hugged her. “Great house. Where do you want me to put these?” He held up a case of beer.
“There’s a cooler on the deck. Everybody’s out back.” Nita gave them a brief tour as she led them through the house to the French doors.
When the doorbell rang again, she could hardly see the two men behind huge gift bags. “Uncle Tom, Monsignor Francis, it’s great to see you.”
“Where are the children?” Tom asked.
“Bella is napping and everyone else is out back. Perfect timing. We were just bringing the food out.” Both men leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“You look lovely, Nita.” Uncle Tom gave her a warm smile. “It looks like you’re ready for today.”
She nervously giggled. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
An hour later, Nita stretched out on a lounge chair and glanced around. Grace, Griffin, Katlin, and Alex were on one side of the water volleyball net and Tori, Marcus, Lei Lu, and Santiago were on the other side involved in a cutthroat game.
Cristobal Maximo, Uncle Tom, and Daniel took the chairs next to her.
“So, Cris, what happened after we left Central America?” Daniel poured more wine in Nita’s glass and refilled his own.
“Last time I saw you two was in Managua.” He smiled. “General Cortez showed up right after you left and told the former presidential guard they could either join his army or join their former president in jail.”
“Exactly what is it you’re doing here in the states, Cris?” Leave it to Uncle Tom to come straight to the point.
“General Cortez sent me here to show several congressional subcommittees exactly what the new Nicaraguan governmental plans include.” Cris sipped his scotch. “We’re going to need a lot of money to build the canal and railroad in the timeframe set out by your new president. The man is ambitious.”
“Nicaragua needs that canal,” Daniel stated. “It’ll provide a future for the country’s children for generations.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, my friend.” Cris swirled the amber liquid in the crystal glass. “I just hope the United States keeps its promises.”
The corners of Uncle Tom’s mouth kicked up. “Ever since we gave back the Panama Canal, we’ve been looking for a fast, inexpensive way to move from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Don’t be surprised if our government asks yours for a two-hundred-year contract.”
Cris laughed openly. “Don’t be surprised if my government says no.” His face turned serious as he looked at Daniel. “Now that you’re no longer in the spy business, or running guns for your government, would you consider being a lobbyist for the new Nicaraguan government?”
“Daniel already has a job,” Uncle Tom interjected. “As soon as he’s ready, he’s going to be the lead Central American analyst.”
Nita smiled. The job offer had come just the other day, and it would be perfect. Daniel would be permanently stationed in the United States, since technically his cover had been blown. His job would have regular hours Monday through Friday.
“So you have a desk job?” Without looking for confirmation, Cris turned toward Nita. “I take it you’ll be sticking closer to home now? No more work with the CDC? Or was it the World Health Organization?”
“I’m actually active duty United States Army. Unfortunately, my job will continue to be unpredictable. I go wherever my government sends me.” She sipped her wine.
Cris looked back and forth between Daniel and Nita. “Who will be taking care of my niece and nephew?”
Nita suddenly realized that Cris and Daniel would always be tied by the children.
“We hired an awesome nanny.” Daniel had been so pleased when Katlin suggested Top Cooper’s sister-in-law. She was perfect. Regrettably, she’d lost her husband a few months after she had retired from teaching first grade. With grown children, but no grandchildren yet, she was at a loss of how to stay busy. Simon and Bella would certainly fill her time.
A baby’s stirring could be heard through the monitor next to Nita. Bella’s nap was over and the next part of the day’s activities were about to begin. “That’s my signal. I need to go get baby Bella up and ready.”
In a pretty white jumper with red flowers and bright green leaves, a miniature version of Nita’s sundress, the two made an entrance on the deck.
Daniel, in his white and red Mexican guayabera shirt and khaki slacks walked over and kissed both of them. “You look beautiful. But that’s not the only reason I love you.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He looked around and called, “Simon, out of the pool and get your shirt on.”
Nita had to laugh. She didn’t know who was more disappointed, Monsignor Francis or Simon.
Daniel put his arm around Nita as they waited for Simon to join them on the deck. “Nita and I want to thank you for joining us today,” he announced. “Having all of you here has been absolutely wonderful. We want you all to feel welcome in our home. I suggest you call before dropping in, though.” He gave Nita a quick kiss. “We might be busy.”
That brought laughter from everyone.
“We also wanted all of you here for another reason.” Daniel dropped to one knee.
All the women gasped. Except Nita.
“Nita Banks, you were my friend in the past, you are my friend in the present, and I want to ensure you are my friend in the future.” He opened a ring box. Three round diamonds gleamed like droplets of water in the bright Virginian sun. “My father used to travel to Africa often, and he would buy my mother diamonds straight from the mine. Although she preferred blue diamonds, he often gave her white diamonds. He told me once the white diamond was like a woman, so many facets to the same gem, and all of them make her sparkle. I love every facet of you. You are the light in my life. Will you do me a great honor and agree to marry me, and brighten my life forever?”
Nita thought she’d been ready for this. Nothing could have prepared her for the beautiful words Daniel had said.
“Of course I’ll marry you.” Her throat had tightened, and she’d nearly choked on the words. He stood and slid the ring on her finger then kissed her—long, deep, and slow. Only when he withdrew did she realize everybody was whistling and clapping.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Cris asked.
Daniel and Nita looked at each other, and then at Monsignor Francis Gilpatrick.
“Right now.” Daniel picked up Simon and turned to face his uncle.
Surrounded by their friends and family, Nita and Daniel held their children as they pledged their lives to each other.
As soon as they had ended their first official kiss as husband and wife, Uncle Francis signaled for them to turn around. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Callahan.”
“You’re now my mommy, right?” Simon asked amidst the clapping and cheers.
“Yes.” A warmth like she’d never known filled her to overflowing. She was now mother to these two beautiful children whom she loved with all her heart. It was up to her and Daniel to raise them, protect them, and teach them. Daniel slid his arm around her and kissed her temple as though he knew her thoughts.
“Mommy,” Simon called. “I gotta go potty.”
Well, fu—…heck. She smiled at her official welcome to motherhood.
What’s next for the Ladies of Black Swan?
Continue reading for a Sneak Peek at
Unbeatable Love: Marcus & Tori
Black Swan novel #5
Scarred outside and in, why would his beautiful friend ever want more with him?