He spread his arms wide. “I’m all yours.”
Epilogue
New Orleans: A Year Later
“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Let the good times roll!
The cheer bounced around inside Gabrielle Ballard Renshaw’s head as she pushed through the Mardi Gras crowd lining the road to watch the informal neighborhood parade pass her house. Her mood was totally party-worthy. But she needed to deliver a message to Hank, a very personal message. Tracking down her boyfriend—her husband of two months—lit her soul.
Excitement powered her forward, one step at a time through the throng of partiers decked out in jester hats, masks and beads. Lampposts blazed through the dark. The parade inched past, a jazz band blasting a Louis Armstrong number while necklaces, doubloons and even candy rained over the mini-mob, that also happened to be all family gathered on her front lawn. It wasn’t the official parade, but a smaller one put together in conjunction with a local fundraiser.
She loved this town she now considered her home base, somewhere to come back to no matter where they were stationed.
The past year had been hectic and blissful as she and Hank figured out ways to blend their lives while she completed her degree this past Christmas. She thumbed her diamond solitaire and diamond-studded wedding band, in a simple style they’d chosen together. Her scrapbooking skills were getting a workout recording all the amazing memories.
They’d been married just after the holidays in a simple wedding, only family at the base chapel. Hank had worn his formal uniform and they’d carried Max down the aisle with them. Their one claim to pageantry had been a B-52 fly-over as they’d walked out the chapel doors as man and wife.
Although she did move up to Bossier City with him and he’d stayed in the air force, she’d insisted on keeping some of her business contacts. In a surprise twist during their Christmas gathering of all the relatives at the family compound, Gabrielle had found herself brainstorming with Hank’s older brother—the lawyer who oversaw the Landis/Renshaw Foundation. Before the pumpkin pie had been sliced, they’d pulled together ideas for starting a scholarship to benefit children of military veterans who’d died in the line of duty. The funds would be awarded in Kevin’s name.
Peace didn’t arrive in a single day. But she and Hank were building a future together while still acknowledging a dear man who’d been such an integral part of both their lives. Another gift from Kevin, they no longer isolated themselves. They’d learned to embrace and appreciate their families while building their own life together.
Her eyes tracked to her precious, healthy son playing with his cousins under a sprawling oak with twinkling lights in Mardi Gras colors of green, purple and gold. Wearing his pj’s, he ran in high-speed circles with his cousins, all under Leonie’s watchful eye. She served as the caretaker for their Garden District house when they were away, and helped with nanny duties during visits.
Finally, Gabrielle made her way past their huge extended family to her husband. Hank caught her eye and peeled away from their male relatives all giving input on how to tie a piñata from the tree.
His strong and steady arms went around her waist, pulling her as close as was appropriate around so many watchful eyes. “Hello, Mrs. Renshaw.”
“And hello to you, Major.” She toyed with the buttons on his chambray shirt.
“What did the doctor say? And you’d better talk fast because it’s killing me that I didn’t get to go with you.”
She’d made an appointment to see her old doctor while they were in town for Mardi Gras. Hank had wanted to meet her there, but she’d insisted he stay with the family. She’d been almost afraid to hope and wanted to keep the appointment low key.
Wow, had she been in for a pleasant surprise.
Who knew that contentment and excitement could coexist? “This family has more than we expected to celebrate tonight, because, yes, I’m seven weeks pregnant. It happened on our honeymoon.”
“And you’re happy?”
“I’m ecstatic! And you?” Although she could already see the answer in his electric-blue eyes, lighting from inside.
He cradled her face in large tender hands. “Max is going to love his little sister.”
“It could be a boy.” She leaned closer, her back foot lifting.
“But it’s a girl,” he said without hesitation.
“You’re a pushy guy, you know that?”
“Thank goodness I found a woman strong enough to stand beside me for life.”
And their life together was better than she’d ever dreamed, thanks to her mother’s help in realizing she didn’t have to be a wonder woman. Doing her best and accepting the best from others bonded them all into a beautiful family.
“Celebrate with me soon?” she whispered against his mouth.
“Celebrate now.” He spun her around as the parade marched past. “Laissez les bons temps rouler, my love. Let the good times roll.”