by Jericho

Chapter 14

Cameron carried Amanda into the foyer at the Cory house. He had insisted upon carrying her no matter how many times she had protested. Amanda's eyes sparkled as she gazed into his. She leaned forward slightly to kiss him. They had a lot to talk about and she knew it would have to wait for now.

"Mom!"

Alli ran into the foyer. The happiness glowed on her face as Rachel appeared behind her. Amanda smiled at them and tried to remove herself from Cameron's arms but he held on tight. He carried her to the living room and placed her gently on the couch.

"Are you hurt?" Paulina asked anxiously.

Amanda smirked at her, "No, he's just being a little over protective."

"I think he has good reason," Rachel told her as she sat down beside Amanda on the couch. Cameron smiled at her in a silent "thank you" from where he sat on the arm of the couch.

They told them what had happened with Stark at Lumina. Amanda looked at Cameron. There was more she wanted to tell them but could she?

"Cameron, can I?"

Cameron nodded and turned away. He walked to the fireplace and faced away from everyone else.

"Gary remembered what really happened when Cameron and Gary's father was killed. Cameron did not kill his father. Gary did in self defense. Cameron went to prison to protect his brother."

Cameron couldn't take anymore. He walked out onto the terrace leaving them to discuss all of it. There was too much to deal with right now. He'd been running on adrenaline for days and now the full weight of everything that had happened weighed heavily on his shoulders. He folded his arms and looked at the sunset. His fear for Amanda was still very much present in his thoughts even though Stark was gone. He felt the lump in his throat as he remembered everything. He'd been so afraid of losing her. He jumped when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He didn't turn around.

"Cameron, I don't know what to say. Thank you. I'm sorry. I was wrong. I don't know where to begin."

"You don't have to say a thing, Alli."

Alli stepped in front of him. She was surprised to see the unshed tears in his eyes. She felt so guilty. Her eyes filled with tears of her own.

"I know how much you love Mom. I should have seen it the first time we met. I was a brat."

"You were just reacting to the man you saw. I understand."

"But I don't understand. I was mean to you, Cameron, and you were always nice to me. I was wrong about you and I'm sorry for the way I've treated you."

"It's all right."

The tears spilled down Alli's cheeks, "No, it's not!" she cried.

Cameron put his hands on either side of her face. His own tears slid down his cheeks.

"I'm just a man, Alli, and I've made terrible mistakes. All my life I thought that I could never be strong or good. I believed that. Then I met your Mom. She makes me believe that I am strong and good. And I want to be that for her. Falling in love with her was the best thing that ever happened to me. She brings out the best in me and I do love her with all my heart. I think you know that now. What I'm trying to say is that we all make mistakes and we can all change."

"I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I promise."

"You don't have to promise me anything. Just love your mother and cut me some slack when I give your boyfriends the third degree."

Alli smiled for the first time and threw her arms around his neck. Cameron smiled hugging her back. A new beginning.

Amanda smiled from where she watched the two people she loved most in this world. Finally, things were the way they should be.

Amanda slept peacefully for the first time in weeks. She had come upstairs to take a short nap before dinner and had fallen into a deep sleep instead.

Cameron watched her sleep. He brushed a tendril of hair from her face. He probably should have been asleep beside her but he was afraid to close his eyes. He was afraid she'd disappear again just like she had that night Stark had taken her.

Amanda stirred. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Cameron watching over her like a guardian angel. She held her arms out to him and he let her pull him down to her. Their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. When Cameron finally pulled away, they were both breathless. Amanda continued to smile which in turn caused Cameron to smile.

"Joe's here. He wants to talk to everyone about something. Come on. Let's go."

Amanda pulled at his hand, "No wait. There's some things that I want to tell you."

"Can it wait?"

Amanda shook her head. Cameron sat beside her on the bed. Amanda took both of his hands in hers and held on tight.

"I love you Cameron Sinclair. Do you believe now?"

Cameron didn't have to ask her what she was talking about. He remembered the conversation in the chapel when she had vowed that she would show him how strong their love is. The smile left his face.

"I believe, Amanda. Our love is stronger than anything. . . . anyone. It is eternal. I love you."

Amanda touched his cheek, "I will love you forever and ever. And I don't want to wait any longer to be Mrs. Cameron Sinclair."

Cameron raised his eyebrows at her, "What exactly do you have in mind?"

"The marriage license is still good. I want to get married tomorrow."

"Tomorrow. Amanda, don't you think you should rest a little longer?"

"No, I can wait until tomorrow, Cameron, but I can't wait any longer than that. Will you deny me my wishes?"

Cameron saw the defiant look in her eyes. He knew better than to argue with her. She had made up her mind and not even he could convince her to do anything else.

"Tomorrow it is, Ms. Cory."

"Good," she breathed as she wrapped her arms around him.

"We need to get downstairs before they come looking for us."

"I have one more thing."

Cameron sighed and sat back. She had that look again.

"Since we're getting married tomorrow, I wanted to give you your present tonight."

"Amanda, we don't have time. . ."

"Not that!" she laughed and gave him her most admonishing look.

Cameron smiled and tried to remain patient with her. He could tell that there was nothing he could do to rush her.

"What, Amanda?"

She giggled. Cameron sighed. She was like a child with a secret.

"I've known for a few weeks now. I just wanted to wait for the right moment to tell you. In about six months, there's going to be a new Sinclair in Bay City."

"What Sinclair? What have you been up to, Amanda?" he asked not understanding what she was trying to tell him.

She smiled at his confusion, "Anything I've been up to you've known all about. There's going to be a brand new Sinclair in town. Cameron, you're going to be a daddy. I'm pregnant."

Cameron didn't know what to say. He couldn't even express the shock and joy that filled his heart at the same time. He tried to talk but nothing came out so he pulled Amanda to him hugging her tight. He hadn't expected that.

"Well, are you going to say anything?"

Cameron turned his face into her hair and smiled as he felt the mist in his eyes.

"I love you," he choked.

Amanda leaned away from him and held his face in her hands.

"You're going to be the best father in the world, Cameron Sinclair."

"Amanda, I wasn't. . . that is I. . ."

"Speechless. I've rendered you speechless. Now, this is a day to remember."

Cameron laughed, "Yeah, I guess you have. I can't wait."

"I can't wait, either, to see you hold your new son or daughter in your arms."

Cameron hugged her again. He smiled. He believed. Yes, he believed.

Finally, the entire family was gathered in the Cory living room. Cameron and Amanda had joined them. Both of them were absolutely giddy. The entire room was filled with more happiness and joy than it had been filled with in a long time. Alli's usual frown was gone. Joe cleared his throat as he faced them all.

"Well, this family looks like it needs a little good news by the looks on these faces."

Everyone laughed and Joe continued.

"Normally, I would have pulled Rachel aside and told her this privately but I think this is something that the entire family needs to know. We've had a short time to look through all of Jordan Stark's papers and computers. Margaret Allen and Zak Wilder have been surprisingly helpful. My guess is that they're hoping to remove themselves from any charges that could be pinned on them by association but whatever it takes to get them to tell us what they know."

"Joe," Paulina said impatiently.

"I'm getting there, Blue Eyes. It seems that somehow Jordan Stark managed to find the Cory money that we've all been looking for. This whole file is just on it. It looks like all it will take is a couple of phone calls and all of it will be back where it belongs."

Cries of joy and excitement filled the room. Rachel smiled and hugged her children.

"What a wonderful day this has turned out to be," Rachel exclaimed as she faced them all.

"And it only gets better," Amanda told them bringing everyone's attention to her. "There's going to be a wedding tomorrow."

Chapter 15