As the doctor straightened from his examination, a tap sounded on the door. More visitors.
"Okay. You're good for now," the doctor said. "Ring if you experience any change."
"Thank you."
As he opened the door she caught sight of her next visitor. She really wasn't up to this.
Rory McCabe strolled into the room, a huge bouquet of bloodred roses in one arm, a garment bag in the other. He placed the flowers on the table by her bed and stared down at her for a moment. Then lowered his head and kissed her on the cheek.
She resisted the urge to wipe her face; it was really too much effort.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked.
"I just came to thank you for saving my son's life."
"All part of the service." She peered at him a little closer. His nose appeared swollen. "Have you been in an accident yourself?"
He smirked. "I came into sudden contact with Declan's fist, last night."
Shock widened her eyes. She turned to Declan. "You hit him? Why?"
"Why the hell do you think? Because he's a bastard. And it's been a long time due."
"Thanks," Rory muttered. He took a deep breath. "Jessica, I owe you an apology."
"Yes." She waited and he frowned.
"Yes, well, I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to offer you money to leave my son alone. But I love my son and I believed you were wrong for him. I still believe if the two of you had stayed together back then that it would have been a disaster."
"Has anyone mentioned that you suck at apologizing," Declan murmured.
Rory cast him a black look. "It's a first, and I don't expect to repeat the experience anytime soon."
But she knew he was right; back then she'd been a mess. She wouldn't have been able to cope with the pressures of the relationship. Because she had no doubt there would have been immense pressure. A seventeen-year-old girl with a low boredom threshold and a penchant for trouble, and Declan busy at college. She would have been in a strange country, without any family for support. Her sister wasn't all that supportive when she was in the same country. On a different continent, Jess reckoned she would have just written her off.
Maybe they would have survived. Maybe not.
"Okay," she said.
"Okay what?" Rory looked wary.
"Okay, apology accepted."
"So you forgive me."
"No. Don't push your luck."
He laughed. "I like you, Jessica. You've grown up into an impressive woman."
"Thanks," she said drily. "Praise from Rory McCabe. My life is now complete."
He laughed again, then tossed the garment bag to Declan, who was still leaning against the wall.
"What's this?" he asked, catching it.
"A change of clothes." He sank into the seat Declan had been sleeping in earlier. "In case you don't get home before you're due in court."
Of course, she'd almost forgotten about the court case, and Declan could hardly turn up in leather pants and a bloodstained T-shirt. "So tell me about Paul? Why did he want Declan dead?"
Rory shrugged. "He didn't. Not really-it was just a means of getting at me."
"And why did he want to do that?" It was Declan who asked the question. "I thought he owed you big-time. You paid for him through college, looked after his mother."
"His father was a bouncer. He was killed in a fight working in one of my clubs. It seems his mother blamed me, and brought up Paul to blame me. I took his father, he takes my son."
"And was it your fault?" Jess asked.
He shrugged. "Maybe. But you do those jobs, you take the risk. Anyway, he's been waiting for a chance at his revenge ever since and Declan provided it when he got involved with the money-laundering operation."
"So the first attempt wasn't Paul."
"No, that was the real guys. I should have guessed there was something dodgy when they denied knowing about the letter bomb."
"Yeah, you should have."
He stood up. "Okay, I'll leave you two alone." He crossed the room, paused at the door, and a smile twitched the corners of his lips. "Your mother will be pleased." And he was gone.
Declan came around and perched on the edge of the bed, took her hand.
"So what happens next?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"I bet that's a new feeling for you."
"It is, and it's a good one. But you were right. I'm stepping down as CEO of McCabe Industries. I need to change my life. It's just that right now I don't know what I want. Except for you."
She slipped her hand into his and squeezed. "You have me. And maybe we can just spend some time deciding what you want."
"Won't you be busy with your promotion?"
She shook her head. "I told Jake I don't want the job."
"You don't?"
"The strain of being nice was killing me. He says I'm welcome to stay, but I don't know, maybe I need a change as well." Her parents had been charity workers, and she'd always harbored a secret dream that she could do something similar, give something back. Maybe it was something she could look into. Later.
He laughed. "So we'll be footloose and fancy free."
"The world will be our oyster."
"We can go anywhere, do anything. Travel. Hey, what about a world tour of the ten highest bungee jumps?"
She opened her mouth to say he'd be on his own, but smiled instead-maybe some of the nice had stuck. "I'll stand on the sidelines and cheer."
"Perhaps not, then. I wouldn't want to jump without you."
They were quiet for a few minutes. Jess closed her eyes and relaxed back. Ten years ago, it would never have worked between them. Now they had a second chance. Maybe together they could work out what sort of people they wanted to be. She was ready to try. She was drifting into sleep when he spoke again.
"Jess?"
Her eyes flicked open. "Hmm?"
"I know it's too soon. But one day, I would be truly honored if you would have my baby."
"Babies," she murmured and drifted into sleep. "Lots of babies."
Epilogue
One Month Later
It was done. He'd spent the last month handing over his position as CEO of McCabe Industries to his sister, Tamara. She was scarily competent; he was sure she would do a great job. And their father was on hand to help if needed. Logan had promised to look after Grunt, and there was nothing else to keep Declan here.
As the doors of McCabe Industries closed behind him, he turned back for one last look and caught sight of himself in the glass doors. The businessman was gone. Maybe not for good, but for now. Instead of a suit, he wore jeans and a leather jacket. Way more suitable for what was coming next.
Jess waited for him at the curb, standing beside the gleaming black-and-silver Harley. A belated birthday present, she'd told him. They were off to discover that whole new world.
Jess slid her hand into his. "Are you ready to go?"
"More than ready."
He swung his leg over the bike. Jess handed him his helmet, then climbed on behind him, sliding close and wrapping her arms around his waist. He switched on the engine, and the machine rumbled to life beneath them.
"Let's do this then."
And they were off.
The End