Two months later, sunlight streamed through the broad windows of Jantrece and Nick's new home. The backyard was a soft buzz of laughter, the scent of vanilla cupcakes mingling with spring air and the faint hum of music. Gold and baby-blue balloons swayed lazily under the pergola, each tied with ribbons that sparkled in the light.
Catalina adjusted Kayani's yellow headband as Kerian set up the last of the folding chairs. Their little girl cooed happily in her carrier, chubby fingers grasping the edge of her blanket.
"Feels strange being at a party where no one's ducking behind furniture," Kerian joked, looping an arm around Catalina's waist.
Catalina laughed softly. "I'll take cupcakes over chaos any day."
Across the yard, Jantrece glowed — eight months pregnant and radiant in a flowing blue sundress. Nick hovered near her like an anxious bodyguard, though his grin gave him away. Penelope, all curls and boundless energy, dashed between relatives carrying a balloon almost as big as she was.
"Mommy, look!" Penelope squealed. "Baby brother gets his own cake!"
Jantrece smiled, resting a hand on her belly. "He's going to have to share with you, little miss."
Nick chuckled. "Not if he's anything like his mama. He'll want the whole cake for himself."
Everyone laughed — Jack, Maire, Brian, Claire, Kerian, Catalina, and Erica with Jonathan beside her. The laughter felt different now — lighter, real, unshadowed. For the first time in months, the family simply breathed.
As the afternoon rolled on, the group gathered beneath the pergola. Gift bags crowded the table — tiny clothes, soft blankets, and toys.
Catalina handed over a box wrapped in silver paper. "From all of us," she said.
Inside, Jantrece found a framed photo collage — moments of them all together, with a spot left empty in the middle that read "Waiting for You, Little Man."
Tears shimmered in Jantrece's eyes. "You guys..."
Nick pulled her close. "Told you they'd outdo us again."
Catalina smiled. "Consider it payback for the surprise baby shower you threw for me."
Later, as the sky turned pink and golden, soft chatter drifted around the yard. Maire rocked Kayani while Jack manned the grill, proudly proclaiming that no one could match his secret steak seasoning.
Kerian lounged nearby with Nick, trading stories about military life and home repairs, while Jantrece and Catalina laughed over baby tips and sleepless nights.
Erica sat quietly on the edge of the porch, her gaze distant. Jonathan joined her, two glasses of lemonade in hand.
"You're quiet," he said, offering one.
"Just thinking," she replied, glancing at the families around them. "Everything feels...normal again. Peaceful."
Jonathan gave a small nod, his eyes tracking Kayani's tiny hand reaching for Maire's necklace. "For the first time, yeah."
Erica smiled faintly. "I almost forgot what normal felt like."
He leaned back against the railing, watching the sunset dip low. "You think it's over?"
She hesitated, her fingers tracing the condensation on her glass. "I think... it's never really over. Just quiet for a while."
Jonathan looked at her then, a spark of concern flickering beneath his calm. "You sound like you know something."
She shook her head quickly. "Just a feeling."
Across the yard, Jantrece stood to make a toast, her voice warm and sure.
"To family," she said, holding her glass high. "To new beginnings, old battles finally ending, and to the little miracles that make all of it worth it."
Everyone raised their glasses. "To family," they echoed.
Catalina leaned into Kerian's shoulder, whispering, "Feels good to finally say that and mean it."
He kissed her temple, eyes soft. "Yeah. It does."
As dusk settled, strings of lights blinked on overhead. The air grew cooler, and the laughter softened into quiet conversation. Kayani slept soundly in her grandmother's arms, Jantrece rested against Nick, and Penelope hummed to herself, tracing patterns in the grass.
From the porch, Erica's phone vibrated. A new message appeared — no name, no number. Just four words.
"Phase Three is live."
Her eyes widened for just a second before she locked the screen, slipping the phone into her pocket. Jonathan noticed the movement, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
Erica forced a smile. "Yeah. Just... work stuff."
He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Let's hope it stays quiet, huh?"
"Yeah," she whispered, watching the lights flicker across the lawn where everyone laughed and hugged. "Let's hope."
The faint hum of cicadas rose around them as the night settled in — sweet, peaceful, deceptive.
Somewhere far beyond that calm suburban neighborhood, another phone lit up in the dark.
Target: Erica & Jonathan.
Status: Activated.
And just like that, peace began to tremble at its edges once more.
YOU ARE READING
Curves For The Agent Cowboy
Roman d'amour"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...
