The Revelation Code

Epilogue

‘Welcome home,’ said Eddie, unlocking and opening the door. ‘Both of you.’

‘Thanks,’ said Nina with relief as she entered the apartment, her newborn baby in a sling against her chest. The little girl — impossibly little considering the size of her bump after nine months of pregnancy, she still couldn’t help thinking — had been asleep during the ride from the hospital, but was now starting to stir again. ‘Hey, honey,’ she cooed. ‘This is where we live! It’s Mommy and Daddy’s home — and now it’s yours too.’

‘Mummy,’ said Eddie with a grin as he followed her in.

‘Mommy.’

‘Mummy!’

‘Am I wrapped in bandages? Then it’s Mommy. Although you’ll be wrapped in bandages if you say it again,’ she warned him jokingly.

He leaned in closer to his daughter. ‘Mummy’s bad-tempered and violent because she’s got red hair,’ he said in a stage whisper. ‘You want to be more like Daddy.’

‘What, going bald?’ In fact, they weren’t sure what colour the baby’s hair would eventually become, as it somehow managed the feat of seeming blonde, dark or even red depending on the light. ‘Don’t listen to Daddy — he’s British, he talks in a weird way. And he’s from Yorkshire, so that makes him even weirder.’

‘Tchah!’

‘See what I mean?’

Eddie took off his leather jacket. ‘Okay, then. Let’s show the little one her room.’

They went through the living room, pausing en route at the shelf of mementoes. Nina gently shifted the baby to see one photograph in particular: that of Macy Sharif. ‘Macy… meet Macy.’ She didn’t know which Macy she was addressing, but decided it didn’t matter. Macy Laura Wilde Chase blinked her wide green eyes in response, then made a soft mumbling sound that her mother decided meant hello.

Eddie smiled. ‘Macy would have loved that. Big Macy, I mean.’

‘I know.’ A moment of sadness as she regarded the picture of her friend, then she looked back at her namesake. ‘When you’re older, I’ll tell you all about her.’ Her gaze moved again, this time to the photograph of herself with her parents. ‘And I’ll tell you all about my mommy and daddy, too. They would have been so happy to meet you…’

‘You okay?’ Eddie said softly, after a moment.

‘Yeah.’ There was a hint of sadness to her voice, but it vanished as she regarded her daughter once more. ‘But that can wait for another day. Let’s get you into your bed.’

They continued to another room. What had previously been the study was now a nursery, the desk replaced by a crib containing a Moses basket. Nina went to it, taking a deep breath. ‘Okay, I practised this with a doll, so hopefully I’ll manage the real thing,’ she said, gingerly unfastening the sling with one hand while supporting the baby with the other.

‘You’ll do it,’ Eddie assured her. ‘Trust me, you’re not going to drop the baby. You could be juggling hand grenades and you still wouldn’t drop the baby!’

‘I hope you’re right…’ The sling came free, and she took Macy’s weight with both hands, carefully lifting her out and lowering her into the cot. ‘Yes! I did it! I actually did it — and she didn’t even cry!’ Macy squirmed in her new bed, but didn’t make a sound. ‘Oh my God, Eddie. Look at her. Isn’t she beautiful?’ She felt tears swelling in her eyes.

‘Yeah, she is,’ he agreed. ‘My baby girl. Wow.’ He made a sound that was half chuckle and half disbelieving gasp. ‘I’m a dad. I’m a bloody dad!’

‘That only just sank in, huh? I thought you looked a bit spaced out at the birth.’

A grin. ‘Having her here at home is what did it. We’re an actual family now.’ He reached down to stroke his daughter’s cheek; she wriggled in response. ‘So are you ready to be a mum?’ he asked Nina. ‘Or a mom, even.’

‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘I’m ready — I really am.’ The admission was entirely truthful, and it felt good. ‘Though I know it’s going to be hard work. She’s quiet now, but… well, you heard her at the hospital before I fed her! I don’t know how she fits such big lungs into such a tiny body.’

‘At least we can concentrate on her. Your book’s finished, and you’ve optioned the movie rights to Grant, so we don’t need to worry about money. You don’t have to go chasing after any more archaeological bollocks for a while.’

Nina laughed. ‘Just because I’ve become a mother doesn’t mean I’m going to stop doing what I do.’

‘Yeah, I was afraid you’d say that. Oh well…’ He let out an exaggerated sigh, then wrapped his arms around her, looking down at their sleeping baby. ‘It doesn’t matter right now, does it?’

‘No, it doesn’t.’ She smiled, then kissed him. ‘We’ve just started a whole new adventure.’