Three months later
The air around the Montgomery home was filled with laughter, sunlight, and the smell of sugar frosting and fresh flowers. Yellow and silver streamers draped from the beams of the back porch, and pastel balloons bobbed in the warm spring breeze.
The battle was over — at least for now.
The threat that had haunted Kerian and shadowed Catalina's life had been neutralized. With the help of Jonathan, Erica, and Kerian's father, every trail leading to them had been erased, every leak sealed. The network that once hunted them was gone — disassembled from the inside and forced into silence.
For the first time in months, there was peace.
---
"Jantrece outdid herself this time," Maire said with a proud laugh as she adjusted a tray of cupcakes shaped like tiny storybooks and stars. "She said if she was going to plan this baby shower, it was going to be something everyone remembered."
Catalina chuckled softly, her hand resting protectively over the soft curve of her stomach. "She really didn't hold back," she said. "I think I saw a chocolate fountain and a tower of macaroons in the kitchen."
"Of course she didn't hold back," Kerian said from behind her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Your best friend seems determined to make this an event of the century."
She leaned into him, her smile softening. "You're not complaining, are you?"
He tilted his head, brushing a kiss against her temple. "Never, KittyCat."
The nickname still made her heart flutter.
---
Everywhere she looked, she saw family — her siblings, their spouses, the kids laughing and running in the grass under the afternoon sun. Her father and Kerian's stood off to the side, talking quietly about something that looked half-serious, half-friendly. Even Jonathan and Erica had found a shaded spot together, their conversation punctuated by quiet smiles and the kind of warmth that hinted at something just beginning.
It was strange, Catalina thought — how much could change in such a short time.
Just months ago, everything had been chaos — gunfire, fear, unanswered questions, and uncertainty. Now there was laughter, safety, and a fragile sense of normalcy that everyone was holding on to as tightly as they could.
As she sat in her chair, watching the scene unfold, her thoughts drifted briefly to Vivienne.
Her expression sobered.
She hadn't heard from her since that day. The authorities had taken care of everything, but her daughter — the little girl Catalina used to babysit — had been placed safely with Vivienne's parents. Catalina prayed that, in time, she'd grow up far away from the choices her mother had made.
Kerian caught the change in her expression and crouched beside her chair. "Penny for your thoughts?"
She blinked, smiling faintly. "Just thinking about how lucky we are."
He reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "We are," he agreed. "And I'm not going to waste a single second of it."
---
The rest of the afternoon unfolded in waves of joy.
Games were played, presents were opened, and everyone took turns guessing baby names and arguing over who the baby would look like.
When the last ribbon had been cut and the final gift unwrapped, Jantrece clapped her hands together. "Alright, everyone, final group picture before we start cleaning up!"
As everyone gathered in the backyard, Kerian slipped away for a moment, his heart thudding harder than it had even in battle. His hand brushed against the small box hidden in his pocket — the one that had been waiting for the perfect moment.
Catalina was laughing with her siblings when she noticed him step up behind her. Something in his expression made her fall quiet.
He took her hand, his voice low but steady. "KittyCat."
Her heart stilled.
"You've been my light when the world went dark. You've seen every scar, every shadow of who I was — and loved me anyway." His gaze flicked briefly toward her stomach, then back to her eyes. "You've given me a reason to fight for something real, something worth protecting."
He went down on one knee. Gasps echoed around them.
Catalina's eyes filled instantly.
"Marry me," Kerian said softly. "Let me spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt how loved you are."
The tears spilled over before she could stop them. Her hand flew to her mouth, then down to his as she whispered, "Yes."
The cheer that erupted from the family was loud enough to make the neighbors wonder what was happening. Maire was crying. Jack was grinning. Erica and Jonathan exchanged knowing smiles. Even Jantrece, self-proclaimed queen of dramatics, was sobbing into a napkin.
Kerian rose, sliding the ring onto her trembling finger before pulling her close and kissing her, the world fading around them.
---
That night, as the guests left and the house quieted, Kerian stood on the back porch with Jonathan and Erica. The stars glittered above like the final punctuation to a long, hard chapter.
"Think they'll stay gone?" Kerian asked, eyes on the horizon.
"For now," Jonathan said. "But someone always tries to rebuild. You know how it works."
Erica folded her arms, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Then we'll be ready for them when they do."
Kerian nodded, then turned back toward the house — where Catalina's laughter drifted softly through the open door.
"Yeah," he said, his voice full of quiet conviction. "We all will."
---
Inside, Catalina sat curled on the couch, her hand resting over her heart and the small bump beneath it. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. Loved. Whole.
Little did any of them know — miles away, a phone lit up in the darkness, an encrypted message flashing across the screen:
"Phase Two: Engage. Target not eliminated."
YOU ARE READING
Curves For The Agent Cowboy
Romance"I'll be right back.. I need to go and find out what's taking Nick so long. I'm thirsty!" With that being said she ignored the scared look on Catalina's face and walked away. Catalina watched her go and when she turned back around she was surprised...
