“Yes, your honor,” the Chairwoman responded.
“What is the jury’s decision?” Judge Cane asked.
Dante still didn’t look up. After four months of being a part from her, his mind scattered.
Laurie leaned over the Marshal to her right, and Dante saw Dean say something to her. Then she turned her head, to smile at him.
His heart almost leapt into his throat. He felt light headed. Dante sat close enough to touch her. He grinned at her, and she locked gazes with him.
They stared at each other while they listened.
“In the case of the People of Hawaii vs. Kaimi Quamboa, on two counts of murder in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant guilty,” the Chairwoman announced.
All around Dante and Laurie, the men and women who had gathered began cheering. Dante’s heart burst with joy to think of Kaimi behind bars; that these families present there today, and Katherine and Easton, finally had some justice. Danny turned, flashing a smile at his key witness, but her smile was only for Dante, and she didn’t even see it.
“On two counts of kidnapping in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant guilty,” the Chairwoman continued.
More clapping surrounded Dante and Laurie, as they sat staring at each other. Laurie let out a quiet laugh, and Dante fought the urge to kiss her.
“Thank you Madam Chairperson,” Judge Cain said. A fresh round of cheering broke out before the judge began tapping his gavel with an impatient glare.
“The case of the People vs. Kaimi Quamboa is now closed. The court will adjourn until a sentencing hearing on July 15. Bailiff, please escort Mr. Quamboa from the courtroom,” Judge Cain ordered.
The bailiff came forward, to lead a thin and solemn Kaimi away in handcuffs.
Judge Cain tapped his gavel a final, definitive time.
“All rise,” the bailiff called again as the judge rose.
As everyone rose, Dante watched Jason help Laurie to her feet. She turned, and Dante felt his heart trip over itself as her pregnant belly came into view. She had barely been showing when he saw her last. Now her pregnancy was round and heavy on her small frame. Dante’s eyes widened.
The judge left just as swiftly as he came.
Dante and Laurie were both grateful. The courtroom chatter became a roar. The people spilled out into the hallway from every door. Dante watched as Dean, Jason, and two other Marshals he didn’t recognize, led Laurie out from the side door. Dante felt the light in the room grow dimmer when she left, but he knew it wouldn’t be long now. The trial was over. She would be back with him in less than an hour.
He turned his back on the courtroom. He had come to see her, even for that brief moment, and he had come to hear the final verdict. Now he raced from the courthouse, his excitement peaked by his fleeting encounter.
He got into his truck, slamming the door so hard it shook his mirrors. He started the engine and blasted the radio as he peeled away from the curb. Dante scanned the roads as he drove, looking for a Marshals vehicle, but he didn’t see it. He sped down the road, driving to his favorite spot overlooking the city. He had chosen it purposefully. It was secluded, away from the tourism path. It was also where they had spent their last evening together so many months ago.
When Dante arrived, the overlook was deserted. He parked where he could see oncoming traffic and waited. He turned up his radio. After one long, crooning ballad went by, he began tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. A few cars went by, but there was nothing. After ten minutes of waiting, he started to worry. He called Dean, but it went right to voicemail. He called Rick, but he didn’t pick up.
Dante started thinking about everything that could have happened on their way to the meet-up spot. At first, it was a stream of horror stories, but then he began to convince himself there was another accident in town, or they had to get her bags from the office, or any number of things. Then he tried to call Dean again, but there was no answer.
Then a familiar truck pulled in. Dante let out a sigh of relief. Laughing at himself, he tore open his door. He ran to the other truck.
Dean got out first, then Laurie slid out of the truck behind him.
Dante enveloped her as best he could, circling her before he stepped to the side of her pregnant belly and held her that way. Before they even spoke, he rushed in for a kiss.
Laurie kissed him back hard, running her hands up his chest. She cupped his face in both of her hands, staring into his eyes. It was all finished. Seeing her again was like coming home after a long journey.
They heard a catcall behind them.
“Well, now I can see how she got pregnant.” Dean smirked at him.
The other men laughed. Dante broke off the kiss. He rested his chin on the crown of Laurie’s head, pulling her upper half to his chest.
“Dean, you’re lucky I’m busy right now.” Dante rocked Laurie in his arms.
“Well, it’s only fair after you kept calling me. A little impatient were we?” Dean chuckled.
“Yes. Yes, I was and I have a right to be.” Dante heard snickering behind him, but he didn’t care. He leaned down to press his forehead to Laurie’s.
“I hope they treated you better than this.” He smiled. Laurie laughed.
“No, they teased me mercilessly the whole time,” Laurie pouted.
Dante nodded.
“I thought so.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I think it’s time to tell them all goodbye.”
Laurie smiled as she reached up on her tiptoes to give him another quick kiss. Then he released her so she could say goodbye.
“All right. I want her bags, her doctor records, and all of your reports. Let’s go.” Dante turned around.
They stood ready; Jason had the files in hand, while both of the other Marshals had Laurie’s bags.
“Dante, man.” Dean lifted his arms. “We’re on top of it. I know how you work.”
Dante laughed, as he slid his hand up Laurie’s spine. He tossed Jason his keys.
“Go ahead and put it in the back of my truck. Don’t scuff up anything though. It’ll have a new owner tomorrow.” Dante winked. Jason smiled back.
“We’re not going to have a car?” Laurie rested her hands on her stomach.
“No, not here.” Dante shook his head. “I sold it to Jason. He’ll pick it up from the airport tomorrow.”
“What?” Laurie raised her eyebrows at him.
“We’ll talk about it in the car.” Dante gave her a little push. “Go tell these clowns goodbye.”
Laurie went to the men who had protected her for the past few months. She hugged them each in turn, and thanked them. Then she got a little bleary eyed, as she stepped back into Dante’s arms.
“I’ll miss you guys.” She clutched at Dante’s arm.
“We’ll miss you too.” Jason nodded. “Take care of our baby for us.”
Laurie smiled until she gasped in pain and dug her nails in to Dante’s arm.
“What? What is it? Are you okay?” Dante gripped her shoulders.
She grabbed his hand, pressing it to her growing stomach. Dante felt a sharp movement beneath his hand. His heart danced. The little movement pressed against his hand as Laurie winced.
“Oh God,” Dante whispered.
“That’s our baby.” Laurie looked up into his eyes. Dante felt light-headed, as he felt Laurie’s stomach ripple beneath his hand. Then the tiny movements stopped.
“That’s our baby,” he said back to her. Then he turned to the men with a foolish grin on his face. “That’s our baby. I felt our baby.”
“Yeah, yeah, we know.” Dean rolled his eyes.
Dante laughed, then he threw his arms around Laurie. He felt more alive than he had in months. So, he kissed her again.
“Jason, can we get out of here before I get sick? I can’t take any more of this.” Dean averted his eyes.
Dante and Laurie laughed. Dante shook their hands and said his own goodbyes. He was in their debt more than he could say. Then he pulled Laurie toward him again, as they watched all of the men get into the truck.