Chapter Fifteen

After making sure the popping cork had not awakened the girls, Jaime closed the bedroom door and returned to Steve, sharing a joy-filled toast and then a kiss. She settled back into the crook of his arm and sipped her champagne. “So....what'd the monster say?” she asked, suddenly serious.

“Russ and I agreed to make him believe we'd gotten all the details from the twins – and before he was even all the way awake, he sang like a canary.”

“He killed Jacob.”

“Yeah. He wanted to surprise Sylvia and bring the girls to their new home a day early, but of course, Jacob wouldn't let him take them,” Steve explained. “He claims he didn't know the girls were in the room until much later, when they started waking up with nightmares and started – as he put it – looking at him like they knew.”

“And now that they're a little older,” Jaime concluded, “he was afraid they might tell someone what they saw.”

“Exactly.”

“But why bring them all the way to the States to....to kill them?”

“His political position back home had gotten very shaky. Chances were good that he'd be replaced after this conference, so he figured if the meeting was disrupted he could hold onto his power a little longer – and maybe even salvage it.”

Jaime shook her head sadly. “So he brought the girls here, took them to the OSI Headquarters, went up to the third floor and sent them down to the basement...then set the bomb. And the fire.”

“No – just the bomb, to start with. He left the building and waited....but nothing happened. Apparently, the timer was faulty. So he went back up and started a little fire to hurry things along...”

“And just didn't make it out on time,” Jaime deduced.

“Right.” Steve gave Jaime a tender squeeze. “We got everything we needed – got it on tape – with Interpol right there to witness. It's pretty clear now that Sylvia is completely innocent.”

“I'm glad,” Jaime sighed, holding out her glass for more champagne. She raised her newly-filled glass to Steve's. “To my hero,” she toasted.

Steve looked deeply into Jaime's eyes. “I was only doing my job,” he said softly. “We all know who the real hero – I mean heroine – is.”

Jaime was determined to be strong for the sake of the children. This was a positive, happy day for them, and she would not let them see her cry – not even tears of joy. After a week of meetings with Interpol, the OSI psychologist and child development specialists, Sylvia was about to meet Jaime at OSI Headquarters....to take custody of her daughters. Jaime wanted Katie and Kathy to remember her smiling....the tears could come later.

The girls and Jaime waited in Oscar's office, their belongings in two brand-new suitcases stashed neatly behind Callahan's desk. Jaime held them both in her lap, whispering soft words of encouragement, hope...and love. She heard the elevator's arrival, and knew it was time. “Your Mommy's here!” she told them.

“Yay!” Both girls flew into their mother's embrace and Steve stepped over to stand with Jaime, an arm around her waist in loving support.

“My babies....we're going home!” Sylvia cried. “A new home, just the three of us – I can't wait for you to see it!” She looked up and led the girls to where Jaime stood watching. “I can never thank you enough for giving them back to me...”

“They've been a joy,” Jaime assured her.

“You....will come to visit?”

Jaime smiled. “I promise.” She kissed each girl on the cheek, hugged Sylvia...and the little family was gone. Jaime turned to Steve – and surprisingly, her face was tear-free and shining with happiness. She gazed at Steve and her eyes grew dreamy. “Someday....I hope....”

Steve brushed a gentle hand through Jaime's hair, knowing exactly what she was thinking about. “Sweetheart, you'll be a wonderful mother; I guarantee it.”

END OF EPISODE SIX