This chapter is rated M for mature content

Chapter 28

His left index finger pulled the trigger releasing a bullet into his attacker's chest. Before he could get off another shot, he saw three more enter the man's head. The slain guard's body landed on the floor next to him.

"Frank?" A worried Karissa called out as she and her father ran into the room.

"Are you hurt?" Agent 18 asked.

"I'm fine," he began to sit up.

Her eyes became big when she saw him, "You've been shot!"

"It's ok, he was wearing his vest," Agent 18 couldn't hide the relief in his voice and on the face.

She looked at the bullets embedded his vest, "Your ribs are at least bruised. Probably broken.

He accepted their hands and got onto his feet, "Where's Bryant?"

With a smirk Agent 18 answered, "He took care of Mr. Bale. He told us that he will meet us tomorrow. Tonight, he is going to be with Odette and Jack."

"How many men did we lose?"

"A few were hurt and there are two in critical condition but with our EMTs close by..it looks like everyone will make it," Karissa nodded as they walked.

"The Organization is number one for a reason, Sweetheart," he told his daughter.

"And it still is," Agent 47 said with a subtle pride.

In one week Nika would be the mother of four. All she could think about was when Agent 47 would return home. During their last conversation, he assured her that he would be back before the birth of the twins but he wasn't specific.

The warm water flowing through hot tub comforted her bare feet while she sat on the tub's stone ledge. Behind her in the backyard Tiska and Lena played tug-of-war with a Kong rope but then abruptly stopped and held their heads high in the air before quickly running away.

"Where are you two going?" she asked as she dried her feet and put on her sandals.

Once she followed their lead to the front of her home, she froze the second she saw a black Audi coming down the long driveway.

The moment he saw her emerge from the backyard he felt excitement swell within him. She looked even more beautiful than the day he first saw her on his computer monitor. Her radiance was what captivated him because of the lives she had inside her. He slowly pressed the brake when he approached the garage and quickly got out of the car.

Her jaw dropped when he stepped out of the car. His smile was full of love and on top of his head were short dark locks that lay flat. She never thought he could become more handsome, until now.

They ran to one another unable to contain the joy overtaking them. Their arms and lips passionately met savoring their long overdue reunion. Her fingers ran through his soft hair.

"Welcome home," she held his face unable to hold the smile that was engraved on her face.

"It's great to be back," his left hand gripped her face as the other rested on her large belly. For the first time in his life, he had a home and he never felt so grateful to have one.

"You have hair," she held his hand and led him into the house.

He shrugged, "I decided to follow your suggestion."

"Well you looking amazing!" she reached up and touched his hair.

"Oh hey look who's back? And my God your hair makes you look so hot!" Trent happily said as he and Madison sat in the kitchen.

"Hi Frank, welcome back," Madison went over him gave him a hug.

"Thank you Madison, it's nice to see you," he smiled and handed her the keys to his car, "the red suitcase is for you and Mai."

"I can't wait to open it!" she kissed his cheek and ran out the door.

Trent went over to them, "I love this," he gestured to Agent 47's entire head with his hand and then his body, "and I've always loved this."

"I know!" Nika gleefully stated, "he looks so great and," she broke into tears.

Confused, he asked his beloved, "What's wrong?"

"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me you got sexier?" She yelled out.

Trent sympathetically tapped his shoulder, "Welcome back home..and to hell."

Mai came through the open front door, "Hey Frank you're here, great! Oooh and you have hair! Elaine and I just came back from Mr. Chow's with dinner."

Nika ceased her crying, "FOOD!" She then pushed Mai out of the way and bounded out the front door.

Agent 47 helped Mai off the floor and in a concerned voice asked, "Are you hurt?"

With a small smile she took his hand and stood up, "No, I'm ok. I forgot to get out of her way. Whenever Elaine or anyone else brings home food it's dangerous to be front of her."

"She's right," Trent said, "The other day, Bryce brought chicken empanadas and she shoved me into the counter just to get to them! If it weren't for her walks she'd be huge right now!"

"Madison's calling for me to help her carry your suitcase!" Mai said before running out the door.

Nika returned holding a white plastic bag as she finished eating an egg roll, "We can eat later," she placed the bag on the counter and took his hand. "I want to show you the nursery!"

"I look forward to seeing it," he gripped her hand.

They stopped at the double doors, "I wanted to surprise you," Nika said before opening them.

A pleased smile spread across his face as his eyes admired the tastefully designed nursery. The pink, navy and white colors reminded him of his suit and the supplies they had both bought were stocked on shelves in the closet and baskets. Stuffed animals sat in the toy bins. Two cribs were at opposite ends of the room, one was pink and the other navy.

"So?" she looked at him with expectant eyes.

He wrapped his arms around her, "It's wonderful."

"Really?"

"Yes," he gave her a reassuring kiss.

A soft exhale left her lips, she loved the taste and feel of his mouth on hers, "There's one more surprise." She reluctantly let go of him and went into the huge walk-in closet.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

With great adoration she held up a miniature version of his suit, "I had it made! Isn't adorable?"

A small chuckle came from him, "It's perfect."

"I'm not going to be the kind of woman that makes her man and son wear those silly sailor outfits for photos," she hung the suit on the crib and embraced him.

"Thank God," he leaned down and tasted her lips, "did you make any changes to the bedroom?"

Her nose crinkled at his flirtatious question, "Come and find out."

The sounds of their lips hungrily meeting filled their bedroom. She suddenly pulled away from him and started bawling.

"What now?" he asked her.

"Look at you! You're gorgeous! And me? I've gained twenty-fucking-pounds! I'm a whale..a huge pregnant whale!"

"You're beautiful," he stroked her face and unzipped the back of her dress with his free hand.

She sobbed, "Stop! Ok? I am so horny and but I don't feel sexy! How can we make love?"

His hands slipped off her dress and held his finger to his lips, "Sshh..I've been reading…" he guided her to the bed and slowly removed her bra.

Feeling unconvinced, she spoke as his lips kissed her shoulder and collarbone, "I'm not the same woman you knew.."

"No," he slipped off her panties, "you're better."

Her lips curled into a big smile, "Kiss me."

He obliged then began undressing himself.

When she pulled off his tank top she nearly cried and touched the tattoo of his company's insignia that lay on his heart. Her ring that bore the same symbol brushed against the tattoo. They kissed as he laid her down on the bed.

His skilled mouth and tongue traveled to her breasts.

"Ooohh, I've missed you so much." she moaned upon feeling his wet tongue and lips on her.

"Me too," his left hand held her stomach as the other felt her desire. He was pleased to see that the books that he had read were right. His lips kissed her stomach, their children. She ran her fingers through his hair before bringing his mouth to hers.

"I love you," she told him.

"I love you too," he turned her onto her side, placed himself behind her and embraced her stomach with his left arm. A consuming sense of ease spread through him when he breathed in the sweet scent of her luscious locks.

"Please…" her voice was filled with desperate yearning.

Almost instantly they both moaned once their bodies joined together. His lips kissed her neck matching the movement of his hips. The wet warm embracing sensation of her drove him close to the edge but he refused to be abrupt. She interlaced her fingers with his and continued to encourage him with her words while enjoying the firm consuming feel of his love. He knew what would soon happen and decided to enhance her satisfaction by untangling his left hand to stroke her. A loud animalistic scream came from her when they both reached their desired destination. The sound of their haggard breathing was soon replaced with gentle kissing.

During breakfast, they looked at one another and smiled. Agent 47 felt blessed to be able to sit down with his loved ones and enjoy a meal with them. Most families took moments like this for granted, he knew that he never would. While Robert and Elaine discussed their plans for the day, he leaned towards Nika.

"I have a surprise for you..but we have to drive," he told her.

Intrigued she answered, "I won't take too long to get ready," she leaned his forehead against his.

He simply replied, "I'll drive."

Five months earlier, the boys and young men who attended Gateson School for Boys had been moved out of the country and placed into a hotel for three months. It was strange for them because for the first time in their lives they were given time off after only four hours of their daily training and were then encouraged to partake in the hotel's recreational activities. While some continued to train during their free time, most swam in the hotel's pools, learned to play sports, or would explore the town with a chaperone/instructor.

The instructors who weren't abusive were kept on and those who were, had been permanently terminated and replaced. Diana oversaw the students during this time and she loved every moment. Being a mother and grandmother made her appreciate the exuberance she saw in their faces upon each new discovery they made. On their last day at the hotel, they were brought into a large conference room.

Agent 47, Agent 18, Diana and the instructors stood in front of them. The two assassins looked at one another both feeling unnerved and yet grateful to be looking at ghosts of their former selves. When they all took their seats Agent 47 began speaking.

"Agents, my name is Frank Holt my number was 47. This is Miguel Vasquez, his was number 18 and he is your new headmaster. We've made changes to how this school will operate," he looked into their eyes and then at Diana.

Diana stepped forward, "Your studies have been expanded to include history, social studies, literature, the arts, vocational classes, and life skills such as socialization. These are lifetime skills that you will need. There will only be six hours of classes per day.

"Based on your recent behavior, you will have no classes on the weekends. You will be free to choose however you please to spend your time, whether it be on school grounds or outside with a chaperone. A weekly allowance will be given to you based on your behavior during the week.

You will all work a minimum of eight hours per week at the offices of Platinum Force Security once you turn fourteen. Until then, you are all expected to clean your dormitories and participate in a minimum of two hours of community service each week."

Agent 47 spoke again, "With a few exceptions, you will have options concerning your career choice. Handlers and agents will be selected based on personal preference, combat and marksmen skills, physicality, intelligence and the results of various psychological exams. We have absorbed the Franchise's assassins so there are only a few select positions available for agents. Only fifteen percent of you will be chosen to be agents."

She took his cue and said, "After you graduate if you choose to further your education by choosing to attend a college, university or trade school we will pay for your tuition. This will only occur after you sign a contract agreeing to work for Platinum Force Security after completing your education. You must work as a handler or agent for a minimum of two years. During this time you will be paid, room and board will be provided. If you choose to become an agent or handler, you will have the option of retiring at the age of thirty-five or taking on a reduced work schedule if circumstances permit."

He stared at them with threatening eyes, "If you constantly misbehave or betray us before graduation your memory will be wiped and you'll be abandoned. You'll be thrown into this world the same way you entered it, alone and unwanted. If you betray us while working as a handler or agent you will be killed. As long as you remain loyal this won't be an issue."

The students looked at one another scared, shocked and uncertain yet intrigued.

His face softened, "You are not disposable, and you have a place this world. Until you find it for yourself, it will be with us. I encourage you to not let this opportunity go to waste."

Diana handed them folders, "Mr. Holt is your legal guardian. You have all been given names and identities. If you have questions regarding your training, education or personal matters there will be counselors on school grounds."

Agent 18 stepped forward and smiled, "I will also be at your disposal, just make an appointment with my assistant and we will discuss whatever is troubling you. But do not forget, you are brothers now. So you will treat each other with respect and compassion. Disputes will be handled with words, not violence."

"You'll be moving into your dormitories today." Agent 47 said with a small smirk.

Nika listened to Agent 47 explain how he had reformed his training school as he drove. She couldn't help but be impressed by all the time, energy and work he had put in to it.

"I made sure to choose property that wasn't too far away from home," he told her.

"Of course you did," she leaned over and kissed his cheek, "I'm so proud of you!"

His lips curled into a small smile, "I'm doing what's right."

"And that's why I'm proud! So, where is your work?"

"It's not far from the school. Diana will be handling PFS's daily operations with me and I'll teach some training classes at the school," he explained to her.

Her head tilted to the left as she asked him, "How about your assignments?"

After moment he stated, "I'm taking six months off to be with you and the children. Then for a year and a half I'll only do one assignment a month, locally."

"And after?"

"I wanted to talk to you about it," he looked at her.

She nodded and held his hand, "I don't want you to work on holidays or special events like birthdays, recitals, soccer games and I want you to take December off."

He liked her suggestion, "Sounds fair. I was thinking about doing two assignments a month for special cases."

"Like with that pedophile?"

"Yes."

"I can live with that. But I don't want you to go overseas too much."

"I'll only take two overseas assignments a year and I won't be away for longer than four days."

With an approving nod she said, "I think we just made a compromise."

"We did, we're here," he pulled up to brass gates that read Holt Academy. The security guard in the booth happily tipped his head and opened the gates for them.

In pure wonderment Nika admired the large brick buildings. Boys with short hair and shaved heads played soccer and football on the green lush grassy fields in front of the main building and in between the dormitories. Others simply laid or sat underneath trees reading books, some spoke to one another or basked in the California sun.

Like the gentleman that he is, Agent 47 helped Nika out of the car and linked arms with her.

"Good morning George, Leo and Patrick," he said to the boys approaching them.

"Good morning, Mr. Holt and Mrs. Holt," they all said in unison with polite grins.

Surprised that they referred to her as his wife, Nika smiled and answered, "Thank you boys. I hope you all have a good afternoon too."

"Thank you, Mrs. Holt," they said before walking away. One of the boys whispered, "Dean Vasquez was right, she is hot!"

Agent 47 and Nika smirked before entering the building.

Once inside, she was amazed to see how sleek yet welcoming the design of the school was. Students continued to politely greet them and refer to her as Mrs. Holt. He introduced her to the staff then showed her a suite where a pair of senior students lived and one where four freshmen slept.

"It looks very nice..you allowed them to pick out furniture didn't you?"

"Yes, they all learned a valuable lesson in compromise that day. I'll show you my office and then Miguel's."

"Ok.."she smiled at him wondering if she should ask why everyone was calling her by his last name.

He opened the door for her and thanked him. Like him, the office was modern, simplistic and impeccable. Her heart rose once she saw a framed photo of them at the aquarium with the girls on his desk.

"I love it! It's very..you." she kissed him.

"Thank you," he held her face taking in her beauty.

Agent 18 immediately got off his desk and warmly greeted Nika with a hug, "It is a great pleasure meeting you, Karina."

"It's nice to meet you too Miguel," she hugged him and could see Karissa's eyes in his stare.

"Just lovely," he smiled at her, "Frank, I was just about to leave when Diana called and she said that Bryant is waiting for you in your office at PFS."

His eyebrows furrowed, "I didn't expect to hear from him again."

"Neither did I. It must be important. Well, Karina you are a divine woman but I must leave. I have an important matter to attend to at home," he opened the door and followed them out of his office.

With a kind smile Diana shook Nika's hand the instant she and Agent 47 stepped into Platinum Force Security's lobby.

"Hello Diana," Nika brightly greeted her.

"Mrs. Holt it's lovely to finally make your acquaintance. Forgive me but I must speak with your husband in private. My assistant Charlice will be your guide," Diana politely explained to her.

"I'll see you in my office," Agent 47 grinned, kissed her cheek and then followed Diana.

A young brunette appeared before Nika, "Mrs. Holt I'm Charlice. Are you thirsty or hungry?"

"Oh..I..could have a some juice if it's no trouble," she sheepishly asked.

"What kind?"

"Apple."

"Right then," Charlice smiled and touched the ear bud in her right ear.

Second later a young blond haired man approached them holding a bottle of apple juice and wearing a big smile, "Here you are, Mrs. Holt. I'm Cedric, Charlice's assistant. If you need anything else don't hesitate to tell her. Have a good day."

"Thank you, Cedric," Nika smiled at him as he walked away.

"Bryant, I didn't expect to see you again," Agent 47 said as he shook his hand and sat down at his desk.

With a curious grin Bryant asked, "I hope that's not a complaint."

He shook his head, "Just a thought."

Bryant nodded, "Odette and I have been talking and we're going to take a few months off. Jack is learning to walk and there are a couple of other things we need to catch up on. We bought a house not too far from here."

"I understand..but that's not why you're here."

"Of course not..Odette and I have been talking and even though we can retire. We don't wanna be idle."

He leaned his head to the left, "You both want to work for me?"

"Odette wants to know if this place has a daycare for Jack."

"We have the best and you?"

"I'm interested in the monthly schedule that you told me about."

"It can be arranged," he was quietly satisfied to know that he had another colleague.

"Ok," he stood up, "I don't have to call you boss, do I?"

"No," he held back a grin.

"Good," he said with a small chuckle.

"There's something else," he reached into his desk drawer and handed him an envelope.

After reading what was in the envelope, Bryant smiled, "Count on it."

Author's note: Next week the very last chapter will be posted. Thanks again to everyone who has favorited and reviewed this story so far. It's been a long five-month journey that I was honestly unsure of it because I had no idea if anyone would accept a story where these two characters evolve. I know that a lot of you loved how they were in the film and I did too but I want to go a different route for this fic.

The initial inspiration was two scenes that popped into my head was their first love scene (during Christmas) and the reunion that took place in this chapter. I knew I couldn't take how they were in the movie and just throw them into those two scenes. I'm so grateful that you guys are so patient and accepted and supported the direction I took them in. Thanks again!