Chapter 5



Renee and Gabriel watched as Amie grabbed onto the couch and pulled herself to her feet. Using the couch for support, the fourteen-month-old took a step. At her parents' applause, she let go of her guide and fell to the floor. Renee started to go to her, but Gabriel held her back. "Let her learn."

Amie grabbed onto the couch again and got to her feet. There was a stubborn expression on her face that her parents couldn't help but laugh at. "She gets that from you," Renee told Gabriel.

"No. Must be from you."

Amie looked over at the adults, and Renee went and picked her up. The little girl yawned. "Yeah, I think it's time for your nap, too."

"I'm gonna go down to the shop," Gabriel said. "Need to get some stuff done. Should be back up in about an hour."

Renee nodded and watched him as he walked down the stairs. Then, she turned and took her daughter up to her room. Once Amie was in the crib, Renee turned on some soft music. It was about the only thing that could get her to sleep.

Gabriel turned on his computer downstairs. He looked at the boxes that had been delivered the day before. He needed to get them unpacked sometime. He turned back to his computer just as a hand jerked him from the chair. He let out a strangled cry, but a hand quickly covered his mouth. "You wouldn't pay to save your niece, but maybe you will to save yourself."

Gabriel bit down on the hand that covered his mouth. The man let go with a yelp, then he threw Gabriel to the floor. His shoulder hit against the hard surface, and he groaned. The man threw a kick to his stomach, doubling him over in pain. Gabriel struggled to his feet and examined his attacker. He wasn't too tall, blond hair, blue eyes. He was wearing an expensive suit, and his shoes had recently been polished.

The man sent his fist into Gabriel's stomach, but he was already moving in this time. Gabriel hit him with a left hook then followed with a right to his stomach. The man just laughed at him. He sent two fists into Gabriel's stomach. As he doubled over in pain, the man rammed his elbow into the center of his victim's back. This sent Gabriel crashing to the floor. He struggled to his knees, weakened by the attack. His assailant kicked him in the ribs, then drew his gun and aimed it at Gabriel's head. "Now, transfer the money to my account."

Gabriel coughed before glaring at him. "I've been threatened before. You'll get as much as anyone else has ever gotten."

The door crashed open before his attacker could land anymore blows. Sensing help had come, Gabriel collapsed to the floor. The bracelet on Sara's wrist turned into a metal gauntlet, and she sent it crashing against the man's jaw. The man slumped to the floor. She drew his hands behind his back and handcuffed the there. Then, she ran over to Gabriel.

"Hey, buddy. You okay?"

He opened his eyes slightly. "Yeah. Be fine."

"Here, let's get you upstairs." She put her arm around his shoulders and helped him up to the living room.

"What happened?" Renee asked, rushing down the last few steps. "He can tell you. I need to get back down there and get my prisoner before he comes to."

Renee sat beside Gabriel. "What happened?" She repeated.

"The man who took Meghan came after me. Still wanted money. Thought I'd give it to him in exchange for my life."

"Guess he doesn't know you very well."

Gabriel grinned at his wife. "He didn't want to take no for an answer. I was on the floor when Sara arrived and took care of him."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit sore."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm definitely sore."

"Smart-ass."

"That's me," he said with a grin.

"We don't have to worry about him anymore?"

"No. Sara got him. He'll be away for a while."

"Good," Renee said as she leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.

*******

Meghan walked out of the courtroom and ran over to her aunt and uncle. "I was sca'ed," she said as she threw her arms around Gabriel's neck and broke into sobs. "The bad man was there, glarin' at me."

Sara walked over to them. "She did wonderful in there. This guy's going away. We just have to wait for the jury to convict him."

"When will they?"

Sara shrugged. "Can't tell. Hopefully, not long."

A half hour later the jury returned from deliberating. Gabriel lifted Meghan in a hug when the jury announced their decision. "On the charge of kidnapping, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of assault and battery, we find the defendant guilty."

The judge banged his gavel to get the attention of the trial's onlookers. Once the room had quieted, he said, "Sentencing will be a week from today."

*******

"Mr. Kief, please stand to receive your sentence."

The defendant got to his feet and waited quietly. "For the charge of kidnapping, you have been found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of thirty-five years incarceration. For the charge of assault and battery, you have been found guilty and sentenced to fifteen years incarceration. Mr. Kief, your family has a good name and money. That fact has gotten you out of trouble before. It won't this time. Case dismissed," the judge said, banging his gavel again.

The man glared at Gabriel and his family as the guards marched him out of the courtroom. Gabriel moved protectively in front of Meghan even though he knew the man wouldn't be able to come after them. Everyone in the room filed out the doors. Gabriel and Renee took the kids to the car and went home.

*******

"I will not go."

"Renee, I'm sure your dad would really like to see you. And know that he will soon have two more grandchildren."

Renee ran her hand over her stomach where the twins were developing. "I can't, Kota. The doctor doesn't want me under a lot of stress for the next three months. Since Amie was born premature, and twins are usually born early, he says there's a chance they could be. He doesn't want me to take any chances."

"After they're born then."

"Dakota, why are you so insistent?"

"Don't you think your parents should be involved in their life?"

"My mom will be involved. My dad won't. He was barely involved in mine."

"Renee, will you just think about it?"

"No."

The phone rang before Dakota could argue with her anymore. Since she was closer to it, she answered it. "Hello? Yeah, Uncle Mike, she's right here."

Renee took the phone from her with a glare. "Hi, Dad." As she talked, she continued to glare at her friend. "Not for three months. Yeah, maybe sometime after that. Sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you before her. Yeah. Bye." When she hung up the phone, she demanded, "Why did you tell him?"

"What?"

"Oh, that I'd be down to see him sometime and that I was pregnant again."

"Because you wouldn't."

"You know, I hate you."

"No you don't."

Renee nodded and smiled. "You're right. I'm still mad at you though."

"I'll go with you. Will that make it better?"

"You'll still have a month to go after these two are born though. Are you sure?"

"Renee, stop worrying about everyone else. Yes, I'll go with you. We can wait until the twins are a month old."

"Kota, have I ever told you what a great friend you are?"

"All the time, Renee."

*******

"What are their names?" Jason asked as the four men, Jason, Gabriel, Ian, and Conchobar, looked through the glass window.

Gabriel pointed out two babies in the nursery. "The boy is Aidan Sylvester. The girl is Allanah Mackenzie."

"They are beautiful, Gabriel," Ian told him.

The young man smiled at his friends. "Yes, they are." He addressed Ian and Jason, "It's your turn next month. I'm going to see their mother."

When he opened the door, Renee smiled tiredly at him. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I just expelled two small bodies from mine."

Gabriel laughed. "That's understandable." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep. They're in good hands."

She closed her eyes and was instantly asleep. Gabriel sank into a chair to watch over her as she rested. 'My angel,' he thought, then laughed to himself. She always called him that as a joke. 'She's so peaceful laying there. Why wasn't she always like that?" Then the answer came to him. 'If only her dad wasn't such...no, Gabe, don't go there. After next month, you will make peace with the man. Then, he won't bother her anymore. She'll be at peace. If he doesn't treat her with the respect she deserves, she'll finally kick him out of her life for good.' He hoped he was right. "If she doesn't, I will," he mumbled to himself as he closed his eyes.