Page 134 of Kaine

Epilogue

HIM

Three months later.

“I’m nervous,” I tellthe smiling woman in my arms.

“Don’t be, you’re going to be great,” she tells me.

And as with everything she says, I believe her completely.

“You ready?” Xavier says, coming up to us, giving us a big smile. “It’s time.”

“We’re ready,” I nod, saying with a renewed conviction, and take Jade’s hand in mine.

Xavier grins and gives us a wink.

“I’m so bloody happy,” Jade says, smiling up at me. “I can’t believe this day has come.”

“I know. I’ve waited a long time for this too. Let’s get it done.”

The music starts and we stroll hand in hand through the crowd who gives us wide grins as we pass them.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Xavier’s voice comes over loud and clear on the speakers, “it is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. Kaine Ashley, founder and CEO of ASH Industries!”

The applause is deafening and it stops me in my tracks for a moment. But there’s a nudge on my arm, and Jade is pushing me, smiling, but pushing. Supportive but firm, the way she has been through the entire ordeal of the last three months to get to this day. I join Xavier on the podium and take the microphone from him.

I take a deep breath before saying, “Ladies and gentleman. It is my life’s honor to present to you today, ASH Industries’ pride and joy, the FireFree.”

I point to the covered display in the middle of the room, and on cue the sheet drops, revealing the entire range of our new product.

There’s a gasp from the crowd as a holograph of an enlarged 3D representation of the FireFree appears. A recorded voice-over, loud and commanding over the speakers, introduces the features and benefits of the FireFree and I watch, my eyes flitting over the faces, wide with awe, my chest filled to overflowing with pride.

It’s been a hard three months since the fire, dealing with the aftermath of Jemima’s work. Doing endless damage control, explaining what had happened and that none of it had been the doing of our company, nor indicative of the efficacy of our products.

So, here we are, three months later, in the repaired and reconstructed New York Genealogy Library, doing what should’ve been done a long time ago, bringing the FireFree to the public, and finally kicking off our campaign to end unnecessary deaths by fire in the home.

ASH Industries’ pride and joy.

And yes, my pride, too.

But not my ultimate joy.

That lies in the hands of the smiling woman standing by the side of the podium, clapping and cheering along with the crowd.

The woman who brought me back to life and gave it meaning.

The woman who will not just be my love, but after tonight will hopefully be my betrothed, my fiancé.

I walk over to her and she holds out her arms to me, wrapping them around my neck and placing a kiss on my left temple.

I haven’t worn a hoodie since that afternoon in her apartment.

I no longer have any reason to hide.

Harriet comes over to us and gives us each a hug.

“Good job, guys, it’s turned out brilliantly.”