In The Shadows

Chapter 23

Louis follows Danaka out into the hallway, watching her closely as she leans against the wall. "How are you feeling?" He asks.

Danaka looks at Louis. "You asked me out here to ask me that?"

"No, but I needed to start somewhere, and I'd really like to know if you're doing okay now that you're carrying our child." Louis sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I'm fine Lou. There's been a little morning sickness, but nothing I can't handle." Danaka says.

Louis nods. "I didn't cheat. Wait." He says quickly before Danaka could speak. "Let me finish. I know what I said, but I lied. Before coming home I'd spray perfume on me, make it seem like I was with someone else. I needed a way to get you out of town, up the mountain where I thought you'd be safer. Just until I could get all the evidence I needed to arrest Robin." Louis says. "I couldn't take any chances on him doing to you what he did to Lexi and all those other women. Dana, I love you too much to even look at another woman, the thought of touching one turns my stomach. If anything would have happened to you, it would have killed me."

"And you thought lying to me about cheating on me was the best route to go? You couldn't just tell me the truth? Trust in me to believe you know what you are doing?" Danaka asks, as tears comes to her eyes.

"I paniced." Louis says. "When I realized it could be Robin, started doing the research, I noticed how he was looking at you." Louis whispers, pulling her to him, unable to keep his hands to himself any longer. "God that scared me, thinking you were his next target." Louis sobs, as he puts his head on Danaka's shoulder.

Danaka wraps one arm around Louis' waist, places her other hand on the back of his head. "I forgive you." She whispers. "I love you so much, Lou. I understand why you did what you did. I don't like it, but I do understand it. Just don't ever do anything like this again, and you have to stop drinking." Danaka says.

Louis raises his head. "I promise." He says as he leans down and kisses her. "I've missed you so much, you have no idea how much I love you, Dana." Louis whispers.

"After what you just did to keep me safe? I think I do." Danaka says, pulling him down for another kiss. "Now, let's go back in there and see our new nephew." She smiles.

Louis just nods as he wraps his arm around her waist.
............................

Harry is rolling his shirt sleeves down as he walks into the waiting room of the doctor's office, glancing at the clock he sees he's right on time just as the bell on the door rings. "Daddy." Eddie cries as he runs in, throwing his arms around Harry's legs.

Harry laughs as he swings his son into his arms. "Hey there Rowdy, you being a good boy for mommy?" He asks as he watches Billie walk toward him with their daughter on her hip, and her hand on her eight month pregnant belly.

"He's been with Tommy most the day, him and dad took him fishing." Billie smiles as she hands Harry, his daughter, Lissa.

"Hey baby girl." Harry says, kissing his daughter's cheek. "Well, at least he'll sleep well tonight. How are you feeling?" He asks Billie, as he kisses her too.

"I'm fine, hungry, of course." Billie laughs as she rubs her belly. "We want tacos."

"Okay, tacos it is." Harry says as he walks his family out the door and to the car. Glancing at his wife as he drove toward The Hangout, Harry thought about his life, these past few years, and the changes that they've made. Billie giving up her law practice to be a stay home mom, him going back to school to specialize in OBG/YN. After witnessing the birth of his own son, Harry decided he wanted to do that again, he also delivered Lissa, their daughter and will be delivering this next one also. Billie won't have any other way.
They also sold a small portion of their land to Louis and Danaka so they could build a house on their mountain. Having their family close, now that Tommy is living with them, is a dream he and Louis has had since they became friends. And having Alex just across the driveway is a bonus they all love. Especially now that his mom is now living with him, planning their wedding, and his sister, Gemma is now living in her house here in town, running Billie's old law office. So to say Harry's life is great would be an understatement. No, his life is perfect.
Absolutely perfect!