His eyes widened. When he registered the sobs that had erupted from my chest, he dropped his phone to the floor and pulled me into his chest.
"Shh…we are going to find out what happened. I promise, we will. Cole will be found." He kissed the top of my head over and over, trying to soothe me.
Two weeks later we were dressed in black and sitting in a large brown and cream colored room. The amount of flowers that covered the room could almost make you forget that they surrounded a casket, almost.
We found out a week after the bodies were discovered that Loreley had returned to Gideon’s home to either confront him or to find incriminating evidence. He found her in his house and apparently flipped out. Stories from the staff varied from him screaming and throwing her around, demanding to know where the child was to Loreley simply waiting to kill him.
In the end, the autopsies and the investigation were concluded to Gideon having shot Loreley first. The shot wouldn’t have been fatal if it had been treated immediately; however, Loreley pulled out her own gun and shot back. Gideon’s injury was immediately fatal, a bullet straight in the heart. The remaining shots that killed Loreley had been inflicted by Gideon’s security guard, Felix. Felix had been caught and was awaiting his trial. His other guard, Lawrence, could not be found. Only his gun was found.
Tears flowed freely down my face as I listened to the words spoken by other people on their behalf. I had wanted to speak on Loreley’s behalf but I just couldn’t compose myself. Feeling disappointed with myself, I hadn’t even noticed that Aidan wasn’t sitting next to me any longer. It wasn’t until I heard his voice that I realized that he had gone up to speak. I raised my head.
"Loreley wasn’t necessarily raised to be ‘friends’ with my family. None the less, my wife took Loreley in when no one else would, without question. Loreley was truly a great friend to my wife and loved her very much. For that, I am thankful to her and proud to say that my wife was her best friend."
Aidan sat back down next to me. I immediately kissed him.
"Thank you." I whispered against his lips. For the remainder of the service he wrapped his arm over my shoulders and placed his hand on the active bundle of baby inside of me.
Another two weeks had passed and we still had yet to hear anything about Loreley’s son. We had sent investigators back to her aunt’s house, but there was no one there and, by the looks of it, hadn’t been there for a while. I felt defeated, only find solace in the fact that Gideon couldn’t get his hands on him anymore.
During a small family gathering, a celebration for Elora and James who were were expecting their second child, Jay interrupted an active conversation.
"Dixon will not be in there this time." James chuckled. "Been there and done that, not happening." Elora laughed and patted his leg.
"Excuse me, Mr. Iverson?" Everyone turned to see Jay standing in the doorway.
"Come on in, Jay." Liam was inviting him to sit with us.
"Thank you, sir, but I’m afraid we have a visitor." Jay’s eyes shifted to me and then back to Aidan.
I stood up and headed toward the door, Aidan quick on my heels.
"Who is it, Jay?" Aidan asked.
Stopping in the foyer in front of a small plump gray haired woman, I smiled. Less than a second later, I noticed the baby that she was holding. Taking a sharp intake of breath, I felt realization consume me.
"Mrs. Iverson?" I nodded. "I’m Beth. Loreley’s aunt." I nodded and felt the tears slip over my cheeks. She turned to Aidan. "Mr. Iverson, I presume?" She nodded to him.
"Y-yes…" I knew that he was as focused as I was on the little boy in her arms.
"May I?" I breathed out and motioned toward the boy. She nodded and handed him to me. Once he was in my arms, I sunk to the floor, cradling him and crying. Aidan wrapped his arms around us as he sat behind me.
"Oh, Aidan! It’s him…it’s Cole." I cried out, relieved and happy.
I looked up to Loreley’s aunt.
"Thank you for letting us know that he was okay." I sobbed out. "I was terrified that something happened…" she cut me off with a couple of large envelopes.
Aidan reached up and took them. He stood up and then helped me to stand while still holding Cole.
"She left these for you both. There is also a letter for Cole…" she looked nervous, "I’ve been reading it to him every night before bed." I watched tears slip down her face.
"You must be exhausted from traveling. I’m so sorry!" I exclaimed. "Please come." I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me to the living room.
Everyone turned when we walked in and Aidan helped Beth to a seat.
Viola was on her feet and in front of me immediately.
"Is this him?" She breathed out. I nodded and heard Elora and Anne both gasp.
"But…how..?"