Rachel shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

He blinked. “What the hell do you have to be sorry for? Did you honestly think we’d sit on our asses while you were at the hands of some deranged ass hat?”

She grinned. “No, I’m sorry that people are so stupid. But I’m glad you didn’t get arrested or anything. It would suck to have to visit you in jail.”

His soft chuckle rose, and then he took her elbow and turned her toward the table where Marlene had set up the food buffet style.

“Let’s go get something to eat before my brothers devour it all.”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. She took a plate and piled it high with food. Truth was, she was starving, and she hadn’t felt queasy for two whole days. It was enough to make her want to take a chance and enjoy every single bite she had tonight.

As everyone ate and conversed, Ethan found his way closer to Rachel until the two were standing side by side. When she finished with her plate, he took it from her and set it aside before lacing his fingers through hers.

He gave her a look so filled with love that she could scarcely breathe. She was warmed to her toes by the contentment that rested so comfortably on him.

It was time. Everyone who mattered to them was here. In their new home, a place that would be the foundation of their future.

Ethan cleared his throat and then called for attention. Conversation hushed, and all eyes were directed at Ethan and Rachel. Butterflies—excited butterflies—danced around Rachel’s belly. A belly that would soon expand to accommodate the two tiny lives nestled there below her heart.

“Rachel and I have something we’d very much like to share with the people who mean the most to us.”

He glanced down at her, his brow raised in question as to whether he should tell or if she wanted to. She smiled and squeezed his hand before nodding that he should tell.

He took a deep breath, his smile growing so broad that his teeth flashed.

“After much thought and consideration, endless soul-searching, finally being at peace with the decision, and feeling that Rachel was ready for such a step, we decided to start trying for a baby.”

The smiles were instantaneous. Marlene leaned over, punched Frank on the arm, and whispered in a loud voice, “I told you!”

Rachel smiled and jittered in Ethan’s grasp. She was as giddy as a kid at Christmas. She loved the way Ethan was drawing it out for maximum effect. She wanted to savor this moment for as long as possible.

“What we didn’t count on was it happening so fast,” Ethan added with a grin.

Everyone went silent. Eyes were wide. Knowing smiles were on Ethan’s brothers’ faces. Shea smothered her own reaction, clenching her fingers into excited fists. She looked as though she’d start bouncing up and down on Nathan’s lap.

Frank’s brow furrowed. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

Ethan chuckled. “Yes, Dad. Rachel is pregnant.”

A chorus of whoops went up, and Ethan let it go for a minute, but when the family started to get up and swarm toward him and Rachel, he held up his hands.

“Just a minute. There’s something else you should know.”

Marlene’s mouth flapped open, and she stared between Rachel and Ethan as if trying to decide if it was good news or bad news. She stopped halfway over to where Ethan and Rachel stood, and Frank came to a halt beside her, sliding his arm around her.

Ethan glanced down at Rachel, love warm and alive in his gaze. He squeezed her to him, and in the background, Rachel could hear the soft sighs from those who stared at the two of them. But her focus was on Ethan and the promise in his eyes. The promise of a wonderful future so bright she could barely imagine it.

Then he looked back up at his family, his face about to crack under his enormous smile.

“We’re not just having one baby. Last week we learned that we’re having…twins.”

A series of gasps, exclamations, and sounds of complete surprise echoed across the room. Excited babble. Joy and enthusiasm danced tangibly in the air.

Marlene could no longer contain herself. She converged on Rachel, her hand waving excitedly in the air as squeals of excitement burst from her lips.

“Oh baby,” Marlene exclaimed as she pulled Rachel into her arms. “What wonderful, wonderful news. I’m so happy for you and Ethan.”

“Thank you,” Rachel said, returning her fierce hug.

“How frightened you must have been through all of this,” Marlene said, sympathy shining in her warm, brown eyes.

Frank pushed his way in and gathered Rachel into a huge hug, but he was extremely gentle, careful not to crush her. He kissed her cheek, and when he spoke, his voice was clogged with emotion.

“I couldn’t be prouder,” Frank said. “What a blessing two more grandchildren will be. You take good care of yourself, young lady. I’ll be watching.”

Rachel grinned. Oh but she was about to burst from the joy of it all. “I know you will.”

“This calls for a toast,” Sam called out, holding his glass high.

The room went silent again as the oldest Kelly son smiled in Rachel and Ethan’s direction.

“You’ve long been special to us all, Rachel,” he said.

Everyone was quick to agree, their smiles as bright as the sun. She basked in those smiles. At the love and acceptance that shined as brilliantly as a million stars.

“You’re also one hell of a kickass woman. I don’t know of many other people as resilient as you. And even after all you’ve endured, you’ve still remained the sweet and loving Rachel that we all fell in love with all those years ago.”

Tears burned her eyelids until she gave up trying to hold them at bay. Sam was so serious, giving her no doubt he meant every single word.

Donovan broke in, looking directly at Ethan.

“If your children—Rachel’s children—inherit even one half of their mother’s spirit and determination, then you’ll have yourself two children who’ll never be beaten down in life.”

“Hell, they’ll rule the damn world,” Garrett muttered.

Laughter swept through the room, relieving some of the solemnness.

“Thank you,” Rachel said, her voice as watery as her eyes were. “I’m so grateful for you all, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She looked directly at Marlene and Frank, her love for the older couple so powerful that it was hard to even put into words all she felt and all she hoped for.

“My hope for my children is that I can be the kind of parent that you are to your children and to the people you offer that unconditional love and support to.”

“I’ll second that,” Ethan said, wrapping his arm around Rachel.

Rachel looked around the room, at every single face. “My babies will be the luckiest children who ever lived to have such a wonderful family. I’ll never forget how much you’ve helped me overcome in the past few years.”

Sean cleared his throat. “Rachel, honey, just do me a favor, please? Given all that you and I have gone through together, when you go into labor, make sure I’m nowhere in the vicinity.”

The room burst into laughter, and Rachel laughed along with them. She closed her eyes, simply absorbing the vibration of so much joy.

She was no longer a victim of the past, held prisoner by the demons who haunted her mind. She was moving beyond that, into a future filled with the promise of brighter days and happier times.

She was a Kelly. And she was loved.