Author's Notes: The story is definitely getting into angst but will have a happy ending. In the next chapter the fate of the baby is revealed. Reviews are greatly appreciated and inspire me to continue the story.
Part 44
Age 34 Years 7 Months
Jack rapidly donned a disguise and loaded Issac's corpse into the back of an old pick up truck with a tinted truck cap. Driving out of the warehouse he only had a little ways to get to an abandoned boat launch where he had another vehicle waiting. At the boat launch, Jack maneuvered the vehicle into position and placed a stick against the gas pedal. The truck disappeared into the murky waters and would remain sunken until the current swept the truck down the river into the Mississippi.
If and when the body was found it would cause havoc in the FBI, ballistics would match the bullet to a revolver that was supposed to be in evidence at Quantico. Soon he would replace it, in the mean time, he changed disguises in his vehicle and stopped a bank and placed the gun in the safety deposit of a fake identity of his. From there Jack took his second vehicle to a parking garage, and changed disguises and vehicles one last time before heading back to the warehouse.
"Ah my Samantha, " Jack purred as he drove.
He couldn't remember feeling so happy since the first blissful days he was married to her. Nothing would come between them ever again, Jack thought contentedly. Soon he would marry her again to make their marriage legal and they could begin their marriage again. Together they would eliminate anyone who had conspired to keep them apart. The fire in her eyes when she'd held the gun on him had been glorious and luckily he'd calculated the correct number of shots.
Although he knew where they would live, he wasn't entirely certain about how they would live. There was Samantha's Daughter to contend with. If she wanted to keep her Daughter with them, he would allow it, but somehow he suspected Samantha would be willing to make another arrangement. For all her coworkers fawned over her skills as a Mother, he could tell Samantha avoided time with the child when possible. However, Jack decided, for her, there was nothing he wouldn't do. Holding and loving Samantha had made all his sacrifices and pain worthwhile.
When he arrived at the warehouse, Jack stopped in his little office where the monitors and controls were to grab a gift for Samantha. Bag in hand he walked to the faux apartment, humming as he entered. Walking to the couch, he kissed her and sat beside her holding the bag out to her. Mechanically she took the bag from him, uncertain how to proceed.
"What's this?" she asked with a forced smile.
"One of those ridiculously prim suits you seem to favor," Jack teased and grinned. "I think Mrs. Newquay that we're going to have to rethink your wardrobe eventually. A woman's clothing shouldn't be a form of armor, it should flatter and caress her curves."
"I'll try to keep that in mind."
"Get dressed, I'm going to change and then, we'll swing by my grave, bid the past adieu and start our new life together," Jack instructed cheerfully as he moved to a small dresser and pulled out a change of clothes.
Samantha pulled the clothing out of the bag, it was a plain black jacket and pants with a lavender shell for under the jacket. Putting it on she tried to think of how she would tell Jack. She was fighting back tears as she watched Jack get dressed, he was so damned happy, he didn't deserve to have it taken away again.
Don't tell him, a voice in the back of her mind pleaded. He's happy, you're happy. What good is it going to do either of you?
I have to. After all these years of lies keeping us apart, I can't be with him and lie to him, I'd be no better than his parents or my Father. I have to do this.
Samantha you're going to break his heart. The man waited for two decades and now you're going to destroy him.
Maybe. But he he deserves to know and I deserve his judgment.
Her mind argued, It's not your fault. You don't deserve to be punished-
Yes I do! Her heart screamed. I should have known better I should have fought harder! I don't deserve Jack's love! Or to be his wife! What I deserve is to be another faceless victim.
"Ready to go?" Jack's voice intruded on her internal struggle.
Wiping her eyes she turned around and asked, "Jack, would you hold me before we go."
"Of course," he responded and held her tightly. Pulling back slightly he inquired, "Are you okay? You're shaking."
"I just want to get this over with," Samantha told him honestly.
"Samantha we don't have to go."
"Yes we do," she answered sadly. "I think it's time we do this."
When she gathered a pair of roses from the vase on the table, Jack laughed, "Honey I wasn't going to put roses on my grave. Is this necessary?"
"I'm afraid it is."
Jack opened the car door for Samantha on another vehicle which he'd reserved for their excursion. Unlike the other vehicles he'd driven today which were old and meant to blend in, the sleek black Lexus still had it's showroom shine. As Jack drove, she knew he'd bought the car because of her and the lump in her throat grew tenfold. All this time he'd fought so hard to reunite them and because of her mistake it would end.
Drawing nearer the cemetery, Samantha closed her eyes and hot tears started to flow. Inhaling the scent of the roses in her hand, she took comfort in them. At least Jack would take care of things after she was gone, she knew he would. When they paused at a stop light, Jack shot her a worried look and handed her a handkerchief.
"Samantha, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just-"
"Emotionally overwhelming?" he suggested.
"Most definitely," she agreed.
The car pulled up to the gates of the cemetery. After parking the car, Jack got out and held Samantha's door. Woodenly she got out and stood as he took a step to enter the cemetery.
"Coming?"
No! A voice screamed in her head and aloud she said, "Yes."
After they took a couple steps, Samantha cried out, "Wait!"
Wrapping his arms around her, Jack demanded, "Samantha what's wrong? Don't tell me it's nothing, you're shaking and are very pale."
"Before we go any further, I have something to say and a request."
"All right."
"For almost twenty-two years, you've loved me and waited for me. I want you to know how much I love you and that I understand all the sacrifices you've made for me. For a long time I refused to see your offerings to me as gifts, but I need you to know how very touched I am and how much every one of them means to me."
"Are you planning on leaving me?" Jack asked, half jokingly and half fearfully.
"No, " Samantha shook her head. "No matter what, I will never leave you. I just want you to know that I love you with everything fiber of my being."
"And I love you my Samantha," Jack responded sincerely.
"That was what I had to tell you. My request is, would you kiss me?"
"Of course," Jack laughed and drew her in his arms. "Samantha I plan to spend whole days kissing you to make up for lost time."
No you won't , she thought as she surrendered her lips to his...
