The Future Is Bright

The Future Is Bright
"Thank you Brenda, you did a superb job." I shook hands with the very pretty bartender dressed in revealing clothes as the cops threw handcuffs around the wrists of drugged, oblivious Philip and Derek.
Finally, I did it. Actually, to be fair, I had help. Jared and me had tracked them to the location Denise had provided and it was true.
I realized they frequented a rundown bar at this remote area and they were smart to because no one would have ever traced them here.
"It's my pleasure. Plus, the money was too good to pass up." She seemed pleased with herself.
"Just a second." I left her to go get my checkbook and pen from my bag sitting in the car. I returned to her with these, wrote a figure and extended it to her. "This is thank you for a job well done."
She took the check, her eyes bulged in both excitement and shock. "This is freaking much! What the hell do I do with so much money?"
My eyes did a quick sweep of her work environment, then moved back to her. "You can pursue your dream, Brenda."
"I've always wanted to go to fashion school but family responsibilities weighed heavily." She was all grin, studying the check as though she was in a dream she was scared to wake up from.
"You have more than enough now to grow yourself." I went back to my car, brought out my business card and gave it her. "This is my business card, if you need anything, financial or otherwise, feel free to call."
"Thank you so much." She hugged me very excitedly.
I chuckled, matching her happy energy. "You're welcome. I have to get going, Brenda. Do take care." I bade her goodbye.
"You can take your stupid job and shove it up in your wrinkly, dry ass!"
I heard Brenda yell, I looked back to see her removing her food-stained apron and throwing it on the ground.
I heard a voice yell back at her from inside, I'm guessing that was the boss she didn't like working for.
Effusing a quiet laughter, I made my way to Jared who was done talking to the cops. He held open his arms for me, I ran into it, inhaling his scent.
"It's over, baby. You did it." He hugged me tight.
"I can't believe it myself." My voice quivered a bit.
"Save the tears for uncle Pete's wedding." He kissed my hair.
"Yeah, you're right. We have a wedding to plan!" I suddenly felt light, all the troubles I'd been put through all these years were gone.
I was free to face my future. To raise my family. I was so happy! No more antagonists mucking up my story. It was time to look beyond and move ahead.
Mia was finally picked from the roadside by a police van but by then, pictures of her in her naked, battered state filled the internet.
It was the best ending anyone could ever ask for.

"Do you, Peter Johnson, take Nancy Russell to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health?" The minister spoke in the calm, religious tone of a man who was used to hosting church weddings.
"I do." Uncle Pete was all smiles, it was pretty obvious he was happy.
"And do you, Nancy Russell, take Peter Johnson to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health?" The grey haired, neatly ironed white-robed minister with wry glasses repeated to Miss Nancy who looked stunning in her custom-made wedding dress.
"I do." Her smile was larger than life itself.
"In holy matrimony, I join you two. May the good Lord keep and uphold your union. Amen." He did the sign of the cross between them both.
Choruses of Amen followed.
"With the divine power vested on me by our good Lord, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The minister declared. "You may kiss your bride."
Guests clapped and cheered as uncle Pete and Miss Nancy clashed lips.
"Ewww." Zion made a face, making everyone around laugh.
He had insisted on being part of uncle Pete's groomsmen which consisted of Jared and Dylan who now hung out more with Jared, they were practically friends now. My son looked awesome in his well tailored suit that matched with the groomsmen.
Miss Nancy had requested just Celine and me to be her maids of honor. Our dress was the same color with that of the groomsmen.
Soon, church ceremony was over. We all moved the party to the hotel Jared had told me was his, I was too stunned to speak.
Slow music played, the bride and groom danced. Guests joined in, Jared and I danced together. Celine was dancing with Zion, it was such a cute sight to see.
Jared had now assumed his new position as a senator, he was loving every minute of it.
"You're beautiful." He was staring deep into my eyes.
Even though I'd heard it a lot of times from him, it never failed to make me flush scarlet, and that moment was no exception. "You say that all the time."
"That's because it's true. I love you more than life itself, Hailey. Thank you for giving me...us a second chance." The honesty in his eyes were my undoing.
"I love you more, Jared." I went on tiptoe to capture his mouth.
He gave in readily and kissed me back with every ounce of love in him. When we finally pulled back, Celine called out to me. "Look here, Hailey."
I turned to see what she wanted to show me but to my surprise, she said. "It's no bother, focus on Jared."
I shook my head, amused by her strange behavior sometimes, and faced my front only to jump back, feeling petrified. "Oh my goodness."
There was Jared on his knees with an open ring box. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife again, this time for true love?"
I was speechless. A part of me knew we would end up tying the knot but being faced with reality, I was still stunned.
I looked up from the beautiful ring to meet uncle Pete's and his wife's gazes, they beamed. They knew about it, Celine too.
Calling out to me had been the distraction Jared needed.
Tears welled, I struggled to keep them back but they stubbornly fell. Unable to utter any speech, I nodded, extending my left hand. "Yes."
His grin was a mile-wide as he slid the ring onto my finger. Everyone cheered and congratulated us. I was beside myself with joy.
He got up and gave me another heart-stopping kiss. When we broke off, I put my hand up for everyone to see.
Celine and Miss Nancy crowded me, uncle Pete and Dylan too. All saying congratulations with kisses and pats on the back — that was for Jared. I received pecks and hugs.
"Where's Zion?" I realized he wasn't part of the crowd which was unlike him.
"I'm here, mommy. Look who I brought."
I turned in the direction of his voice and time stopped. My brain shut down, my heart raced painfully fast. "W-what... w-what...is that...Zaya?"
Feeling so dizzy and losing control of myself, my knees buckled terribly, I slipped but was caught in time by Jared. When he called my name, it sounded far away to my ears.