Fanny embraced him and then quickly kissed him and released him.

"So long, Fanny." She stared at me and then she turned away to gaze out her window. Once again she was to be alone. Perhaps Randall would return, I thought, especially when he found out how much money Fanny was going to have. Only that didn't make me feel better for her. "Don't let your lawyer take advantage of you, Fanny," I advised. She nodded without turning my way. "Okay, Drake," I said and we started out.

I looked back after I got Drake into the car and saw her face pressed against the window, framed in the frost, a portrait of loneliness. She would be rich, rich enough to feel she had caught up with me, but she would be so poor.

Drake was silent in the car as we rode back to the Hasbrouck House, but when we pulled into the driveway, I saw his face light up like a Christmas tree.

"My fire engine still there?" he asked.

"Of course it is, honey. All of your toys are still here."

He opened his door and ran around the car. I followed him to the door. As soon as we entered the house, Logan came out of the study and his face brightened instantly.

"Hey, champ," he said, "welcome back."

I nearly cried again when Logan rushed forward and took Drake into his arms, covering his cheek with kisses.

"He hasn't had any supper yet, Logan."

"Oh, no? Good, because Roland's made a roast. A big beautiful roast. How do you like that, champ?" Drake smiled and then thought.

"I love roast beef, it's my favorite meal. That's what I always got on my birthday. Is today my birthday?"

Both Logan and I laughed hard. It felt so good, I didn't want to stop. Our outburst puzzled Drake, who finally smiled and then laughed himself.

He was really home, and in that moment I saw that we already were a real family.

NINETEEN The Music Box

THANKSGIVING WAS TRULY A FEAST OF THANKS THAT YEAR, with Logan and Drake and Logan's parents, and my baby growing inside me. By Christmas I began to feel its little kicks, as if life both inside and outside of me were dancing in celebration. Drake loved to put his warm little hands on my burgeoning belly and feel the baby moving inside me. For the first time in my life, I had my own home, my own family, my own happiness.

Logan never asked me what I had offered Fanny to have her give up custody of Drake. I never told him that I had telephoned Steine to contact Tony and ask that he transfer one million dollars to Fanny. I knew Tony would do it; I knew he still hoped he could buy my affection again. But I had neither thanked him nor even acknowledged his compliance. That would come another time, when old wounds were better healed.

One night before bed Logan smiled and said, "Drake's a wonderful little boy. I'm glad we've got him back."

"Oh, Logan. Thank you." I hugged him. "Thank me? For what?"

"For loving us as much as you do," I sobbed. It

made him laugh.

"Couldn't stop that if I tried." He kissed me

softly on the forehead.

A few days later Logan returned from the

factory to tell me he had heard Randall had left Fanny

and gone back to college, but Fa ny wasn't very upset

about it.

"Some of my employees were jabbering about

her during lunch. Seems Randall told some people

how she treated him. She said," Logan continued,

Tags: V.C. Andrews Casteel Horror
Source: readsnovelonline.net