16

Monica waited for a letter from Candice. James was happy for his brother but down about himself. Monica told him not to worry. Olivia was seeing her suitors again and James was her chaperone, so it gave him a distraction.

The butler came in one morning and presented Monica with the letter she had been waiting on.

                                                            Monica,

Kiera has given birth to healthy baby boy she has named Jason. John has given it the Bradford name. Unfortunately, we discovered that Garret does not know about his son and thy left and bad terms. She wants to visit once she is healthy, but her father is keeping a close eye n her since recent events. She is very changed, not the same young girl we once knew. John and I hope to be home within the week. See you soon.

                                                                        Candice Braford, Duchess of Williamshire

Monica showed James and Olivia. Olivia was face with joyful and sorrowful at the same time. James was confused and ashamed. Monica only hoped the Duke and Duchess provided more answers.

Monica took a stroll outside to clear her head when she thought she had seen a ghost. She saw Dale walk across the lawn and dash behind the tree line. She ran in and told James.

“You and Olivia stay upstairs. I won’t let anything happen.”

Monica and Olivia went upstairs and locked themselves in the library. Guards were posted as James went back inside. After two days of watching and waiting, nothing happened. By the time John and Candice came back, everything was quiet. They were informed and everyone stayed alert.

Everything went back to normal with exception of waiting to hear from Shawn or Jared about Kiera and Jason. Olivia actively sought out her suitors, thinking Jared wanted nothing to with her. James kept a wary eye for Dale or his thugs. Patrick had passed away, but Monica thought Dale killed him. He was now an Earl with all his father’s wealth and men.  Monica was afraid of Dale coming full force. James was afraid of this to. John was tempted to send Olivia to London and finally decided to do so when he got Shawn’s letter.

                                                                                    John, my friend,

Kiera is miserable here. I think she misses Garret but refuses to talk about it. I am hoping her being around Monica and Olivia will help her. I am sending her, Jason, and Jared to you for a couple of weeks.

                                                                                                                        General Shawn

John showed the letter to Candice and she beamed. Monica and Olivia were overjoyed to see Kiera again. James wanted to meet the future duke, having no doubt the title would be passed to him. He was no longer sad, but was joyful Kiera held the future. They prepped a guest room as a nursery and another for Kiera.

Monica was having breakfast with James when she had to ask him.

“James, are you going to be alright with Jason coming?”

“Of course. I can’t wait to meet my nephew.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, my love. I no longer feel down about it.”

“Good. So how do you think we should approach her?”

“Very carefully.”

“Jared?”

“She and Jason are getting out now.”

They got up and followed Jared and met John, Candice, and Olivia at the door. Kiera walked up the steps, slowly, with Jason in her arms. They walked in and she looked around.

“It’s just as I remember. Thank you for having us.”

“Think nothing of it. You have always been family.”

She smiled at John and nodded. She looked to Candice and grinned.

“Would you like to hold him?”

“Very much so.”

Kiera handed the little infant to his grandmother and walked into the parlor. Monica and Olivia followed her and shut the door. Kiera poured herself a large glass of whiskey and downed it and then brought the bottle to the sofa. Monica and Olivia sat across from her.

“Jared told a summarized version and what happened.”

“How are you?”

“You want the detailed version?”

“Yes.”

She sat up and told her two closest friends everything that had happened to her since they last heard from her. From Dominic finding out Garret had been with her to him beating her and raping her. She told them of Jared coming to save her and decided to wait for Garret. She told them everything that happened with Pierce and discovering she was pregnant. She told them of her thinking she had lost it and Garret coming to save them. She told them of what Garret was like, full pirate that he was and how in love she was with him. She told them of their fight about the baby and how the storm granted her wish that night. She told them it was Dominic’s daughter and how she tried to kill herself. She told them of how shameful she was when she brought the dead babe to Dominic and basically spat in his face. She told them of how her and Garret found their way back to each other to just have Dominic plant doubt that wasn’t all a lie. She let him charm her with his island home and she learned about Shelia. She told them the entire story of Shelia, Pierre, and Star. How furious she got at finding Dominic being tortured. How she found out she was pregnant to only think she lost it thanks to Shelia. She told them about the slap in face she felt when Garret trusted Shelia over her. She told them about Choi and his first mate that had made friends with that got her and Dominic out. Finally, she ended with hers and Dominic’s divorce and the misery she now felt as her heart cried out for Garret. She then broke down and cried. Monica and Olivia came next to her and held her as she cried.

James and Jared stood outside and teared a bit at hearing Kiera cry. She had talked about everything, but could she be happy again?

Monica sat up first. She patted her hand and waited for her to look at her.

“Candice had rooms made up for the both of you and Jared.”

“oh.”

Candice walked in with a fussy Jason, who clearly needed to be fed.

“I think someone is hungry.”

“Candice, if it’s all right with you, id like to stay in Garret’s room.”

“Of course, honey. I’ll have them clean it.”

“No, please leave it.”

“Alright.”

Kiera took Jason and went upstairs to feed him, in Garret’s room.

Monica stood with James as they watched her.

“Everything still clear?”

“I’ve filled Jared in with what has been going on.”

“Good. I don’t want anything to spoil this. She is damper as it is.”

Monica and James walked back to the breakfast room. Jared was sitting, drinking a cup of coffee. He looked upset.

“Has your sister been like this for long?”

“Yeah, but I’ve grown used to it as of right now.”

“Then why do you look so pissed?”

“Jared said nothing as his scowl deepened at hearing Olivia’s laugh with her current suitor. He got up and walked outside. Monica couldn’t believe it. She went to find Olivia.

“Olivia, a word?”

“Of course. Monica, this Larry Sutter. He is a Viscount’s son. Larry, this is my sister-in-law and future Duchess of Williamshire.”

“A pleasure.”

“Olivia.”

“Right. One second, Larry.”

He smiled as she walked out of the room with Monica, leaving Candice and Larry alone. Olivia turned to Monica.

“What is it?”

“I think Jared is jealous.”

“What?”

“He heard you laughing and stormed out.”

Olivia’s face lit up and she walked back in with Larry and Candice.

James walked up to Monica, startling her.

“Forgive me.”

“Nothing to forgive.”

“Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?”

“I would love to.”

“Monica?”

“Hold that thought. Yes, Kiera?”

“Can I talk to you?”

“Of course.”

Monica walked up with Kiera. Inside Garret’s room, Jason was asleep on the bed. Kiera walked over to the window and Monica followed. Jared was in the middle of a fight.

“Tell me that’s a servant.”

“Oh no. James!”

James came running up and saw. It was one of Dale’s thugs.

“Get them somewhere safe.”

“James, what about Olivia?”

“They are safe where they are.”

James ran down to help Jared. The attacker backed off and Dale stepped out.

“Jared, back again?”

“Brought my sister and her son to see the rest of their family.”

“Come again?”

“Kiera and Garret’ son are inside. I’m sure you have the stories about my brother, Dale.”

“Is he here?”

“If he was, you’d be dead already. Jared, can you imagine what Garret would do when he finds out that Dale here had threatened Kiera and their son.”

“I’ve done no such thing.”

“Who do you think he’ll believe? You or us?”

“Hide behind your pirate brother, James. It’ll keep you safe, for now.”

With that, Dale ran off. Jared turned to James.

“Hiding?”

“Not really, but Garret has come close to killing him three different times.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, next time might be the last if the stories are true.”

“According to Kiera, every single one of them are.”

“Does he know about Jason?”

“No. She left before finding out the babe lived, and she never bothered to tell him.”

“Damn, was that bad?”

“Kiera says so. She told Monica. Ask her.”

They walked back inside, and Kiera ran up to Jared.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry after me.”

“I can’t help it.”

Monica and James stood with them and comforted Kiera as much as possible, hoping she would be her old self again.