Epilouge
Epilouge
Kaylen picked up her small carry on bag from the floor and headed out of the plane with Ashton. The lovers walked hand in hand and went through the tunnel into the terminal where immigration was the next stop. The one thought that was constantly running through Kaylen�s mind was a picture of the last time she had been here, on her way back from New Zealand with Alex and the Chapmans. It had taken over two years for her to return to this scene and she was definitely not experiencing Florida with the original person she thought would be here. The couple pushed their bags outside and into a waiting taxi where they sped toward the train station that would take them to Palm Beach and Albert and Charlotte�s beach house. Kaylen smiled as Ashton told the taxi driver a joke he had learned from one of the other airplane passengers. The Chapman�s plane had been offered to the couple but they had declined, it was enough they would be able to stay at the house and use it as their base for the American adventure they were beginning.
The last couple of years had taught Kaylen a lot about wealth and the quality of housing afforded by the Chapman�s. On the approach to the Palm Beach house Kaylen and Ashton were definitely not surprised with the level of accommodations they would be hosted by for the next while. Some people took a honeymoon of a couple of weeks; Kaylen and Ashton were going to be away for a couple of months at least. They had chosen USA because neither of them had spent much, if any, time in the country. It was also an opportunity to spend some proper time with Ashton�s parents.
Ashton had quit his government job well over a year and a half ago and taken up a role in a very highly respected law firm specialising in corporate and property. He had to suffer a large pay rise with many benefits, which he didn�t mind very much. Kaylen�s risk taking had given him the motivation to pull off the job acquisition. She remained very much the owner of her little bookshop, which had become very successful. Kaylen was so successful that she had been able to hire an extra staff member. The extra help was dearly needed as Kaylen had put a lot of time into her novel writing. One was in the latter stages of editing with the publisher Albert had provided access. Her second novel was still being completed and Kaylen had been allowed to bring her laptop on holiday. While away Kaylen had asked Emma-Leigh to take on even more jobs and was the sole employee of Literally Speaking. Emma-Leigh was completing a gap year (or two) before launching herself into higher education. She was renting one of Kaylen�s apartments and was also in charge of watering Kaylen and Ashton�s plants. The penthouse apartment had been Ashton�s home for the past year.
It might be of interest to the reader that Emma-Leigh had also found herself a nice boyfriend who was approved of by Caroline and Jonathon Chapman-Leith. This was none other than Ethan, Kaylen�s cousin. He no longer had anything to do with his mother who had recently been trying to get back into her son�s good books. Most agreed this was mostly because of Emma-Leigh�s connections. Carolyn was still in contact with both the niece and nephew mentioned in this story, and had even ventured into the good part of the city to stay with Kaylen on several occasions.
As Kaylen and Ashton relaxed in the pool overlooking the beach, they smiled at each other. Things were going great for them and they were going to be bringing a new life into this world. A little over two years ago and Kaylen would never have wanted to force anyone to live in this horrid world but things had changed. She had gotten to know her father and his children were really her brother and sisters. Will was even there to give Kaylen away at the wedding. She had never imagined Darrell walking her down the isle but Will was different, he was a dad and not just a father. The wedding was held in the grounds of Musgrove Hall because Lady Penelope said that was what would be done. The reception was held in the ballroom and the wedding night was spent at a bed and breakfast in the nearby village. Averill had moved to England and met up with Kaylen one day on the tube about a year ago. They had renewed their friendship and she was one of the bridesmaid�s along with Emma-Leigh and Dee Dee (Candida). Alicia�s youngest daughter was the flower girl.
Kaylen had lost contact with Alex, although she had never wanted to retain his friendship. He had never approached her again in any situations where they may have been together. From Caroline, Kaylen had discovered Alex moved to Dublin and bought a pub. When she met up with Averill, she was given even more information. He had remained in contact with Rachel who eventually left her boyfriend after getting back to Canada after the accident. Rachel had moved to Dublin and was now happily involved with Alex. He had seemed to mellow after all the stuffiness and moving away from the confines of his mother. Kaylen wished Rachel all the best and was happy that now she did not have to worry about bumping into Alex around town. Lucy had stayed in Australia and was now heading up the corporate banking ladder of Sydney.
After completing their tour of the United States of America, Ashton and Kaylen planned to meet up with Will, Jennifer and their family on their way to New Zealand to spend some time with Will�s parents. Kaylen would have the opportunity to return once more to her sanctuary and also see her family in their right place. Her paternal grandparents had travelled to England for the wedding and had offered the young couple a place to stay if they were ever in the area.
Things had finally come full circle for Kaylen. She was married, pregnant, had a good job and a happy family. Her home was set up and her job was permanent. Kaylen was in love and was also loved by those who knew what she had been through in the last few years. She had made the sad journey to her mothers� graves and paid her respect to both women who had given her so much. One had given life and the other had given love. No matter what had happened in the past they would both be a part of Kaylen�s future, even if they lived no more on this earth. She felt that peace had been made and it was time to move forward and make a new life with her new husband. Ashton was the best man whom she had ever known. All the past mistakes in her life, all the pain and hurt, the loss and the death. None of this mattered because she had the love of the two most important people in her life - Ashton and their unborn child. Kaylen knew that this child would have so much love in its life. She also knew that this child would only have to know one mother and one father. Kaylen�s life had taken an unexpected turn several years ago, but looking back she knew that the opportunities and changes that had developed were definitely acceptable and desirable. Kaylen would not go back for anything in the world.