Lucas pushed a leg forward and Nicholas too did the same. Three men came tumbling down onto the floor. Uncle Joe switched on all the lights, stunning them altogether. Lucas kicked the gun out of the hands of the fourth man and pointed it at his head while his other hand grabbed hold of his neck, pinning the criminal against the wall. Before his accomplices could get up and shoot them, officer Berkeley and his team appeared from their hiding places. They instantly handcuffed Danny Morgan and pointed their guns at the three men trying to get up.
“Your game is up,” said the officer. His men confiscated the weapons and hauled up the men, handcuffing them and leading them away. After arresting the fourth one, officer Berkeley applauded Lucas and Nicholas.
“Excellent work, both of you,” he said. “I’ve recorded their conversation as proof of the crime they were about to commit. Our men have raided the house next door where they were staying. We have confiscated all weapons and arrested more men who were hiding there. We have sealed the place and summoned the owner. I think that’s enough action for tonight. Why don’t you sleep? My team is still outside,” said officer Berkeley.
“Weren’t they there before? How did these criminals enter the property, officer?” asked Joe Smithfield.
“We had purposely gone into hiding to make them think that the coast was clear for them to fulfill their plans tonight. We have arrested John Morrissey while the rest of the guards cooperated with us,” said the officer. They thanked the officer for everything and finally, he left with his men. Nicholas slumped to the couch nearby.
“I thought I would die on an empty stomach tonight!” he grumbled, holding onto his stomach. Lucas chuckled and gestured to Mrs. Jenner to serve them dinner.
Their mom emerged from the kid’s room with a pale face. “Did you two have to risk your lives? What if officer Berkeley wouldn’t have arrived on time? You almost gave me a heart attack!” she scolded her sons.
“What choice did we have mom? Could we allow them to kill Marcus and Cara instead?” said Lucas, making their mom’s eyes go wide with horror.
“Good that everything’s solved and no one’s hurt. Let’s have our dinner and retire to bed. I’m already dead tired,” said Uncle Joe.
They all sat down to eat. “How is it that Cara and Marcus didn’t hear a thing with such chaos going on in the house?” asked a worried Lucas.
“The master bedroom has soundproof walls,” informed Joe Smithfield. Nicholas grinned and concentrated on his food.
“That’s why!” exclaimed Lucas.
“So are we bringing the children home tomorrow?” asked their mom, eager to see her grandchild.
“Yes, I’ll go in the morning with Uncle Joe,” said Lucas.
“Marcus will be so shocked to see Marianne. He doesn’t know anything about her,” pointed out Nicholas.
“Let Cara break the news to him. They need to clear their misunderstandings as well,” said Lucas. They finally finished dinner and went to bed after a long day!
Cara stirred feeling a warm touch on her cheek. Unconsciously she leaned into the touch she knew and loved. It was Marcus’s touch, loving, tender and familiar. Even with her eyes closed, she could recognize it. It made her heart beat faster, and fill up with more love for him. Slowly she opened her eyes and locked her gaze with Marcus’s intense ones.
“Good morning, mia Cara!” whispered Marcus, his mouth inches away from hers. Cara’s heart skipped a beat hearing his husky morning voice. She had been dying to wake up with him again like she used to. She was dying to hear him call her that! She touched his cheek tenderly.
“Good morning, Marcus,” she whispered, getting up.
“Where are you off to? I thought you would kiss me?” asked Marcus, looking offended. They hadn’t even kissed after being reunited and here she was again thinking of escaping. He was sick and tired of being bedridden. “Damn!” he grunted in pain as he tried to get up in a hurry.
“Marcus, please be careful. You’re injured. I will kiss you but I have a very pressing issue to take care of,” she said, wringing her hands nervously.
“Yeah, I can understand. Everything is important apart from me,” he sulked like a child.
“You’re wrong, Marcus. Yesterday, Lucas rescued Adam and Vera but Liam and Marianne are still missing. There’s no news of their whereabouts. I fainted last night from the shock and Lucas gave me a sedative and put me to bed. Marianne is just a baby. She can’t survive Frederick’s torture,” cried Cara, as big fat tears fell from her eyes. Marcus looked at her with confusion.
He remembered having met her three siblings but never heard of Marianne. “Oh, I see. It seems I’m not a part of the family at all since I hardly know what’s going on,” said a grumpy Marcus, as he tried to get up and go to the washroom. Cara rushed to help him into his wheelchair and then pushed him to the washroom.
She helped him to the toilet seat and walked outside, waiting for him to finish. Her heart constricted with worry when Marcus’s mom knocked and entered the room.
“Is everything alright? Where’s Mark?” she asked, seeing a distraught Cara standing indecisively near the washroom door.
“He’s in the washroom. He’s upset that we didn’t update him about what’s going on,” said Cara.
“How could we? He was unconscious and now he’s still drowsy under the effect of the painkillers,” said his mom.
“Any news of Liam and Marianne, Mrs. Donnelly? I have no idea how I overslept,” she said looking clueless.
“I’ll be happier if you call me mom, Cara. Just like Mark does,” said Mrs. Donnelly. Cara stared at her with surprise. They never mentioned their past interactions nor did Marcus’s mom ever apologize for her behavior. However, Cara noted that she didn’t hold any grudge or malice against her this time when they met. Cara left it at that but she never forgot her place.
“I’ll try, Mrs. Donnelly but honestly I’m not in the position to call you that,” she said in a small voice. She was the daughter of an employee of hers who had also worked as a maid at her house. Marcus’s mom stared at her with surprise.
“What rubbish! Just call me mom,” she said, walking away. “By the way, freshen up and come out. Liam and Marianne have been found. Lucas and Mr. Smithfield have gone to get them. They should be here in ten minutes,” informed Marcus’s mom, smiling at seeing the jaw-dropped look on her face. After Marcus’s mom left, she knocked and went inside to see a scowling Marcus trying to get up and sit on the wheelchair, totally ignoring her. Cara went forward to help him. She helped him with his morning rituals of brushing and cleaning and then pushed the wheelchair back to the bed.
“I’ll be back with your breakfast,” she said, helping him to the bed.
“No need, Mrs. Jenner can get it. You might be having other priorities,” he grumbled. Cara smiled at his childish behavior and her heart danced with joy. Her Marcus hadn’t changed at all. He was still the same, impossible and demanding just as she remembered.
“Yes, right now my priority is the washroom,” she said, chuckling as she went inside. Marcus rolled his eyes but a small smile played on his lips as he sat on the bed waiting for her to emerge. He had been dying to kiss her and he would. All the other things could wait for a while.
After five minutes, the door opened and Cara walked out. Her glance went towards Marcus who lay on the bed waiting for her. “Come here. I’m your priority now,” he demanded. Cara blushed but went up to his bedside and sat down beside him.
“What now?” she asked shyly, her cheeks flushing with color.
“Come closer,” he said, his eyes gazing into hers. Cara went a little closer.
“Now?” she whispered.
“Now kiss me,” he ordered, not taking any initiative at all. Cara looked towards the door hesitantly. Should she close it first or not?
Marcus waited patiently since he wasn’t in any position to grab her and kiss her senselessly. His whole body was still numb with pain, the broken ribs would take time to heal, and the lumbar region would take longer. Cara touched his cheek lovingly gazing into his eyes.
“I will always love you, Marcus. Even if we don’t get to kiss right now with everyone around, you ought to know that this time we’re together for life. We will have our moments. I want you to get well soon,” she said, leaning closer and planting a kiss on his lips. It seemed Marcus had other plans as he caught her cheek and claimed her lips, refusing to let go. It was the sweet elixir, the secret potion, the magic that would help him heal faster. There was no better remedy than love!
He groaned with need as his tongue pushed, seeking entry into her mouth. He bit her lips with longing and she opened her mouth to him. Marcus wasted no time and plunged his tongue into her mouth, devouring her sweetness. A moan escaped her at the heavenly pleasure that he made her feel. After facing torture for the last three months at Frederick’s hands, this was all she could dream about. She just couldn’t believe that it was finally happening, that they were alive and in each other’s arms again!
The door opened and Lucas cleared his throat. Cara blushed and released Marcus, jumping away from him with embarrassment. He grinned and walked in carrying Marianne in his arms who completely resembled Marcus. He was followed by a proud-looking Liam and Marcus’s mom. Cara’s eyes popped out seeing them all.
“Mummmm, mumm,” said Marianne, holding her arms out to Cara.