CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Elena had quickly gotten over her aversion to milk products during pregnancy. She drank three large glasses at dinner, asked for ice cream for dessert, then wanted pudding. Major could only laugh, smiling at his wife.

"Hey, brother. How's it going?" asked Moose.

"Great, man. Moose, this is my wife, Elena. I think you and Erica were out of town when we got married."

"We were brother. We hadn't really had a good honeymoon, so we spent a few days in North Dakota in a cabin on a lake. Peaceful, quiet, and my wife all to myself. Well, her and the baby in her belly," he laughed.

"I get that," laughed Major. "Elena, this is Moose, but it might be a good idea for you to know that his real name is Major as well."

"You're joking?" she smirked. "Two men on this property with such an unusual name."

"We have so many people it's not surprising," smirked Moose. "But don't worry. I don't use my given name. I like Moose better."

"It suits you," smiled Elena. "I think I met your wife earlier. You have a daughter and a son on the way."

"We do," he smiled. "Never thought it would happen to me."

"I met her brother as well. He was very kind."

"He's, uh, different." Moose nodded, trying to give his new brother-in-law the benefit of the doubt.

"Well," laughed Elena, "he was very kind to me and seemed a loving husband to his wife."

"I'll tell him you said so," smirked Moose. "It was great seeing you both. If you need help, brother, let me know." Major nodded at him, then kissed his wife's temple.

"Have you had enough, or do you want more?" he smirked.

"Are you making fun of my appetite?" she smiled.

"Not at all. You're growing a very large baby inside your belly. My baby. If he's anything like his father, he has an enormous appetite. Anything you want, we'll get for you." Elena had tears in her eyes, then shook her head.

"Baby? Elena, what's wrong, honey?"

"Who made her cry?" came the big baritone voice. "Who made that gal cry?"

"George, I didn't make her cry. She's just, uh, crying," he frowned.

"You made her cry. What did he do, honey?" Elena laughed at the older man, shaking her head.

"Nothing, George. I promise. He's been very caring and loving. I think that's what made me cry."

"Honey why would that make you cry?" asked George, sitting beside her and grasping her hand. He pushed Major aside, letting him know that he had control of this situation now.

"Because as much as I loved my father, adored him. He never showed love and affection to my mother in front of others. I don't remember him ever asking her if she was hungry or wanted second helpings. I don't remember him buying her a birthday cake or a gift. She didn't either, but I didn't see that. How in the world was I lucky enough to find a man that offers the things that my heart, my soul needs?"

"Oh, honey, that's a Belle Fleur mystery. Love always finds a way and love always finds its target. At least here. It's a strange phenomenon, but one we embrace with all our hearts."

"How can that be, George?" George laughed, shaking his head.

"Oh, it might be faith. It might be magic. It might just be that we have been lucky enough to have the finest men and women on the planet find one another. They were raised in love and faith; they were taught to treat others with kindness first. Until kindness doesn't work. Their fathers and mothers showed them how to treat their spouses. Either way, I don't question it."

"What if he wakes up one day and regrets this? What if he realizes that we barely knew one another when we married and had a child together? What if that's what happened to my parents? They grew apart, George. My mother regretted having me."

"Honey, your mama didn't regret having you. She regretted choosing a man she didn't love. She loves you. Always has. Just because she didn't understand you doesn't mean she's not still your mama. Do you regret getting pregnant?"

"No! No, absolutely not! I'm thrilled about this. I never thought I would have children of my own. I always hoped, but I just never believed it would actually happen. I've loved Major nearly from the moment I met him."

Major just smiled at her, kissing her cheek as she spoke to the older man.

"I've loved you from the first moment as well, baby."

"See, now that's what I like to hear. Y'all are in love, honey. Everything else will work itself out. Love conquers all. Just ask Matthew." He stood, waving at the kitchen staff. "Get this gal another bowl of ice cream. This time with caramel sauce and peanuts."

"Ooohh! That sounds so good," she smiled. Major could only laugh, watching as she dug into the ice cream. He didn't care. If it made her happy, she could have as much as she wanted.

As night fell, Bull, Amanda, Erica, and Mia gathered in the grove to play some of their new music. The sounds of strings floated through the air as Erica played her cello, Mia her violin, Amanda her guitar. Bull sang a sweet melody about love healing all wounds, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Each of them played a solo, then Erica and Amanda played a duet on their violins. When they were done, it was as if the music had made them all relax, ready for a good night's rest. For Major and Elena, it was a chance to enjoy another erotic shower together, expressing their love once again in their passion for one another.

Elena was sleeping so soundly she didn't hear her phone buzzing beside her, but Major heard. At first, he was going to let it go to voicemail, but he noticed her mother's name and decided to answer.

"Good evening, ma'am. This is Major, Elena's husband."

"Oh, dear. I've forgotten about the time difference, haven't I?" He smiled at her proper accent.

"Yes, ma'am, but it's alright. Elena is sleeping, and I'm in the living room now. Is everything alright?"

"Yes. I think so. I spoke to Efram earlier, and I wanted to tell Elena to let this go. Do not get mixed up in this nonsense." Major frowned, unsure of what to say.

"Ma'am, I'm not sure I want to tell your daughter to drop anything. Whatever your late husband was looking for has followed Elena. We, my team and I, believe that someone wants her, believing she knows something about what was in that tunnel."

"It's all nonsense!" she said sharply. Major let out a low growl, not realizing he'd made the sound. She gasped, then calmed her breathing. "I apologize. This is nonsense. Holy relics in Egypt is absurd."

Major was silent for a moment, just listening. He heard rustling in the background but couldn't be sure if there was someone else there.

"Ma'am? Are you safe? Is there someone with you?"

"Are you listening to yourself? What an absurd thing to say. My husband is with me. There is no one here, no one searching for me or for Elena. It's all accidental."

"Accidental? Ma'am, a doctor tried to abort our child. That's not accidental. It was intentional. Whatever your late husband was looking for is important enough for someone to want your daughter, want his old diaries. Doesn't that bother you at all?"

Again, there was silence. He could hear her heavy breathing, and then she was speaking in a low tone to someone.

"My husband is overnighting a journal to you. Send the address to this phone number. If you're intent on this foolish search, then perhaps this will help you both meet a quicker death." She hung up, and Major stared at the screen.

"Note to self. Don't have dinner with my mother-in-law."