They had reasons to celebrate and Red had insisted on preparing a decadent brunch buffet for his close friends and family to do so. Lizzie was impressed with the penthouse in Chevy Chase where she, Mr. Kaplan, Dembe and Red were now gathered. Red had told her that it belonged to a friend who was currently out of the country, but had been kind enough to allow them the use of it. Looking around at the tastefully decorated space, she got the distinct impression that it was really Red's apartment as the furnishings reminded her of the shipping container she and Red had used to get out of DC.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Red exiting the kitchen and announcing, "My last two guests are in the elevator. Dembe, please let them in. Ladies, if you'll follow me," he said as he led the way into the kitchen. Opening the aluminum wrapped trays of food, he said, "We have freshly made poached salmon, Eggs Benedict with your choice of Canadian bacon, smoked salmon or crab cake, French toast and bacon. There is classic Hollandaise sauce and herbed Hollandaise plus we have fruit, orange juice, coffee and champagne. Please, help yourselves and I will meet you in the dining room."
The doorbell had rung as Red was speaking and he went back to the living room. "Wow," Liz said softly as she picked up a plate and began to fill it, "this is one nice spread. Red really is a good cook."
"Raymond is very generous, especially when he's happy and he has a lot to be happy about now, as do we." Kate poured herself a mimosa, took a sip and sighed, "This is wonderful. Let's go sit."
Liz could hear voices heading from the living room into the kitchen; mostly Red's, but also Dembe's and a female voice that was unfamiliar to her. Moments later, Dembe entered the dining room followed by a young woman. "Lizzie, I want you to meet my daughter, Isabella. Isabella, this is Elizabeth Keen."
Liz was stunned. "Your daughter?" She regained her composure and extended her hand. "Hi. Call me Liz. I didn't know you had a daughter. It's lovely to meet you."
"It's a pleasure," Isabella said as she shook Liz' hand. Turning to Kate, she bent down to kiss her cheek. "How are you, Miss Kate?"
Kate kissed her back and patted her shoulder. "I appreciate the respect, but when you call me 'Miss' I feel like some old schoolmarm. If you must, call me Mr. K."
"Okay, Mr. K."
"Good. Where's Ellie?"
"She's right here!" Red replied.
Liz glanced his way and was astonished to see Red with a plate of food in one hand and an armful of smiling baby in the other. He sat at the head of the table, settled Ellie on his lap and accepted the flute of champagne Dembe offered him. When Dembe returned with his food and sat, Red raised his glass. "I'll make this short as I don't want the food to lose its optimum temperature. Dembe is alive and here with us, Isabella and Ellie are safe, Lizzie's name has been cleared and she's no longer a fugitive, Mathias Solomon is in jail for the moment and the Director is gone for good. Our little family has survived all the challenges, threats and dangers that have been thrown our way since September and for that, I am eternally grateful. To us!"
"Hear, hear!"
They all took a drink of their champagne or mimosa and then proceeded to enjoy their meal. Amid all the conversations, Lizzie observed Isabella and how she interacted with her father and "grandfather." Because that's what he is to her, a grandfather. That would make that adorable little girl on Red's lap that he's feeding his great granddaughter! My God! "Isabella, do you live close to here?"
"I have a house in Columbia, Howard County; about a half hour's drive away though ever since that monster showed up there and took my baby I've felt a little less safe." She turned to her father. "I actually want to talk to you about moving."
Dembe leaned forward to kiss his daughter's forehead. "We will talk." He looked at Red. "The three of us will discuss it later in private." He smiled and said, "Isabella is quite the artist. Tell everyone about your latest projects."
Two hours later, Red, Lizzie and Ellie were seated outside on the terrace taking advantage of the unusually warm weather. Kate had things to do and Dembe had allowed Isabella to talk him into going to the movies when Red had made it clear he was not quite ready to hand Ellie back to her mother. "Really, Isabella," he had said, "Go spend some time with your father. I hardly ever get to have quality time with Ellie."
"May I hold the baby, Raymond? She's so cute and you've just been monopolizing her time."
"Perhaps I have," Red agreed as he stood and placed the little girl in Lizzie's arms. "You're good with her. I think she likes you."
Lizzie bounced the child gently on her lap. "Well, I like her!" she declared as she covered Ellie's forehead with kisses. "And her mother is beautiful, too."
"She is," he concurred as he returned to his chair. He sat back down and watched a bit as Lizzie fussed and cooed over Ellie. He settled into his chair more comfortably and lifted his face to the sun. The very fact that Ellie and Isabella exist is something I couldn't imagine happening years ago.
