Previously in "Angel of Destiny", Lexi gets an unexpected phone call from a young man who tells her that he is Lee's son from a one-night stand that Lee had when he was on a business trip in Colorado.

Epilogue: Part One

The Next Day – Richmond…

Lexi walked in with Jade on one hip and Kol standing beside her, his hand resting on her lower back as they walked into a restaurant in Richmond. When they reached the table nearest the back, Gary saw them coming and instantly stood up. "It's good to see you again, Lexi. And I would be remiss if I didn't first extend my condolences. I was out of town when I heard about Lee's death and I realize it's a little late, but…"

"You don't have to apologize, Gary," she replied. "I appreciate it." She looked at Kol. "Gary Preston, this is my husband, Kol Mikaelson. He's going to be helping us." She then looked at Jade. "This is our youngest daughter, Jade. We also have twins, Xavier and Nadia."

Gary nodded at Kol. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Mikaelson."

"The pleasure is mine, Gary," Kol said with a smile.

Gary nodded at Kol. "Well, now that the formalities are out of way, we can proceed with what we came here to do." The couple nodded before Kol took Jade so Lexi could sit down first then sat their daughter in a high chair that a waitress brought over. As soon as everyone was seated, Gary took out the paperwork he promised. "I'm surprised I was able to find all of the paperwork. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find it. Twenty-four years is a long time."

"I'm glad that you found it though," Lexi said with a soft smile.

Gary nodded and handed the paperwork to Kol. "Yeah, I am too. I'm glad I'm able to help you and your husband like this." He raised an eyebrow. "Exactly what is this puzzle that was handed to you? I don't mean to pry, but I'm curious."

"I got a phone call. From a man who told me that he was Lee's son from a one-night stand that Lee had with the man's mother…in Denver, twenty plus years ago," Lexi replied.

Gary nodded. "Oh, I see." Suddenly, his eyes widened. "You know something…I think I knew about what happened then. Lee was being particularly secretive when he got back. I asked him what happened, and he wouldn't tell me. Now that you've told me, I understand what happened. In all the years that I knew Lee, I never pegged him as being a man who used his business trips to have clandestine affairs, especially not when he was committed to such a wonderful woman like you, Lex."

Lexi smiled at Gary. "You're such a wonderful man, Gary. And your wife is very lucky to have a man like you," she said.

Gary smiled. "Yes, she certainly is, and I'm definitely going to tell her you said that."

"Do that. And tell her that we should go shopping sometime. I miss spending time with her as a friend," Lexi said.

"I'll definitely tell her," Gary said. "Heather constantly asks about you, since she last saw you at Lee's funeral."

"Yeah, it's been a while. Grace is almost out of college, and she's getting married," Lexi said with a smile.

"Oh, wow, she is? Really, that's awesome," Gary said, returning her smile.

"It is," Lexi said. "Her fiancé, Rowan Hastings, is a very wonderful young man. As a matter of fact, his twin brother, Robert, just married our niece recently."

"Ah, yes, the Hastings boys," Gary said with a nod. "I remember them well."

"They're good boys," Kol said, who was still reading the paperwork. "Grace and Evelyn are happy with them and that's what counts."

"It does count. Tell your daughter I said hello, will you?" Gary said.

Kol nodded. "We certainly will."

"Mummy, can I go play on the play-ground set?" Jade asked. She had finished the food her father put out for her and Lexi smiled over at her daughter.

"Of course you can, sweetheart. Come on," the doctor said as she moved out of the booth, lifting Jade free of the highchair before taking her to the play area, sitting down in one of the assortment of chairs to supervise Jade.

Once Lexi and Jade were gone, Kol looked up from the paperwork again, which alerted Gary. "Find anything interesting?"

"Yeah, very interesting," he replied. "It says here that on the day that Ryan was conceived, Lee met with a woman by the name of Sonia Browning. Does that name ring any bells?"

"I think I may know who that is," Gary said. "She came to the office once, saying that she was interested in investing with our company. Unfortunately, that's also how Lee met her. They had drinks after said meeting, but that was the extent of it. At least, I thought it was, until we went to Denver."

Twenty-Four Years Earlier…

Gary and Lee walked into the Denver hotel where their conference was being held, laughing at a joke Gary had shared but Lee stopped short when his phone went off in his pocket. "It's Alexia. I should take this," he said. Gary nodded and sat down in a nearby chair to wait for his friend and co-worker to get done on the phone.

Lee smiled as he answered the phone. "Hey, Alexia; how's things at home?"

"Quiet without you," she replied. "I know you're only going to be gone a week, but a week without you is like an eternity."

"I know, sweetheart," Lee said. "I'll make it up to you when I get back, I promise."

"You better," she said, smiling on her end even though he couldn't see it.

"Oh, I'll definitely make this up to you," Lee said. "I love you, Alexia, you know that, right?"

"I love you too, Lee," Lexi said. "And I'll be counting the minutes until you come back to me."

Lee smiled then ended the phone call before returning to find Gary nursing a bottle of water at the hotel's bar. Gary looked up from his water bottle and smiled. "Hey, buddy. How are things at home?"

"Things are good. I miss being there with her though, Gary," Lee said.

Gary nodded. "I know how you feel. I miss Heather as much as you miss Alexia. I know this is for work, but I just…hate being away from her, you know?"

"I know what you mean. Is she ready to deliver at any time?" Gary's wife was expecting, and she was ready any day, but she'd still encouraged her husband to go on his business trip.

"Yes, she is," Gary said. "I hate that I'm not going to be there when she has the baby, but she encouraged me to come here anyway."

"That's one devoted wife you have, G," Lee said with a smirk, chuckling when Gary punched him in the arm.

"What can I say? Heather knew a good thing when she saw it."

"I just hope that Alexia feels that way when I plan to propose after I get back from the trip," Lee said with a grin.

"It's about dang time, Carter!" Gary said in a loud voice.

Lee rolled his eyes. "Will you shut up? I don't want the whole hotel to know about it!"

"Oh come on, man, it's been a long time coming and we both know it. Heck, even Heather knows it," his friend said.

"I know, but you didn't have to say it so damn loud," Lee said. "Suppose one of the cleaning ladies heard you?"

"They're called housekeepers, and I doubt it. I wasn't that loud," Gary said.

Lee sighed. "Whatever. Let's just get our rooms, okay? We can worry about the other stuff later."

Gary nodded and got up off the bar stool to follow his friend over to the elevator. When they got to the fifth floor, Lee and Gary went down the hall toward their rooms, which were located down the hall from each other. Soon after Gary got into his, the phone in the room rang and he rushed to answer it. "Hello?"

"Gary, baby, I know you said to wait until you got back, but I'm afraid our baby couldn't," his wife's panicked, sobbing voice said on the other end.

Gary heard her sobs. "Heather, please don't cry. What happened? Is our baby okay?"

"The baby is fine. I…I just wish that you were here with me, because…" Heather trailed off.

Gary nodded. "I know. Did you still want me to be there? I could catch the next flight home."

"Please, baby?" she asked in a soft tone.

"Yes, I'll be there soon," Gary said before hanging up, heading out of his room and down to the one that Lee was in, gently knocking on the door.

Lee answered the door to see Gary looking nervous. "Gary, what is it?"

"I have to go, man," he replied. "Heather called just now. She's having the baby and I have to be there with her. I know we're supposed to do this together, but my wife needs me."

"Nah, go man," Lee said with a smile.

"Okay," Gary said. "I'll call you tomorrow." He hugged him. "Good luck with the presentation. I know you'll kick ass."

"Get out of here!" Lee said, pushing his friend away. Gary nodded, grinning like a fool as he climbed onto the elevator. As soon as Gary was gone, Lee closed his door and continued to unpack his things. He knew that he would have to explain why he was doing the presentation solo, but he also knew that Heather needed Gary at home, and that the newest member of the Preston family couldn't wait to make his or her appearance in the world.

He was concentrating on putting things away into the dresser when he heard the knocking on his door. Not sure who this was, Lee walked over and opened the door. When he did, he saw the one person he thought he'd never see again. "Hello, Sonia."

Sonia smiled at him. "Hello, handsome. Surprised to see me?"

"Surprised isn't exactly the word I would use. So, what are you doing here?"

She pouted, her hand reaching out to stroke along the shirt covering his chest. He grabbed it, in a slightly forceful manner. "I was lonely. And I thought you could use some company," she replied.

Lee didn't like where she was going with this. "I told you, Sonia, I'm not interested. I have a girlfriend, whom I love very much."

"But, she's not here, is she?" She smiled and kissed him. "Come on, baby, one night isn't going to kill you. Just one night and you'll never have to deal with me again."

"Fine, but just tonight," he said, stepping out of the doorway to let her inside.

As soon as she was in the room, Sonia wasted no time in attacking Lee's lips. Against his will, Lee returned the kiss, telling himself it was only tonight and he'd never have to deal with her again.

Meanwhile…

Gary arrived in Richmond at the hospital where he was told Heather would be, rushing to the maternity ward, where he collided with Lexi's friend Meghan Fell. Gary saw that she was about to fall, but caught her. "I'm sorry about that, Meghan."

"It's all right," she replied. "You're anxious, it's understandable." She saw the look on his face. "She's doing fine, Gary. She was asking for you."

"Can I…can I go in now?" he asked nervously.

Meghan nodded. "Of course you can. She's in the room down the hall."

Gary nodded as well and went down the hall. When he got to his wife's room, he saw her smile at him and he said, walking into the room and kissing her forehead, "Hey there, beautiful."

"Hi," she said with a tired smile.

Gary smiled back at her. "I caught the first available flight out of Denver. I knew that you needed me."

"Well, the baby is coming. Just…slowly," she told him.

Gary nodded. "Well, at least I know I'm here in time. And I'm going to stay by your side the whole time, Heather because there's no way I'm missing the birth of our child."

"Have I told you how much I love you right now?" she asked, snuggling into him gently.

Gary shook his head. "No."

"Well, I love you so much, Gary Preston," Heather said. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"And you are too. And this baby," he said, smiling at her.

Heather was about to answer when a sharp pain went through her. "Gary, I think this is it!"

Back in Denver…

Sonia pushed Lee back onto the bed, climbing astride him and continuing their kiss as she then began to rip his shirt right down the front of him. Lee reached behind her to undo the zipper in back of her dress, earning him a moan from her against his lips. Sonia smiled then dove for the button and zipper on his jeans, unbuttoning them and lowering the zipper. Lee moaned as he felt what she was doing to him. He had to admit, although he knew that this was wrong, he was enjoying it. "Smile, Lee. It will make you feel better," she told him softly.

Lee groaned at what she said. "What would make me feel better is if Lexi was here instead."

Sonia pouted. "Maybe you can picture her in my place?"

He shrugged then took her suggestion to heart, moving until he was the one on top, gliding his throbbing member into her waiting core. Once he was in position, Lee began to thrust hard and fast into Sonia, growling as he increased his speed. His eyes caught hers, but instead of Sonia's, he saw his beloved girlfriend's eyes. Lexi smiled at him. "Hey, baby."

"Hey, you," he said, rocking against her before kissing her softly.

Lexi returned his kiss and nibbled on his bottom lip. "I love you."

Lee smiled at her words. "It's not half as much as I love you, Alexia."

"Oh, yeah, that much and more," she said, shifting to kiss along his jaw line.

Lee groaned as he felt her lips along his jaw line. The groans got more intense as he felt her move toward his neck. "Alexia, don't tease me. It's not nice."

"My poor, handsome Lee," she said, smirking against his neck.

Lee panted as she said that, grabbing her ass none too gently as he thrust hard and fast into her. Lexi pulled away from his neck, letting out a pleasurable scream, not caring if anyone heard her. The only thing she cared about was being with the man she loved.

Present Day – Somewhere in Tokyo…

Lee rubbed the scruff on his face as he looked through the photos. His little Grace was a beautiful woman now, and it made him tear up at how much she'd taken after her mother. As he continued to look at the picture, Lee let out a shaky sigh. "I'll find you again, Gracie. I'll find all of you again. Your mother has probably moved on by now, and I don't blame her if she has, but I just want to see my family again."

He glanced up when there was a gentle knock on the door. "Are you ready to go, Mr. Carter?" the person asked.

Lee nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."

The woman nodded and helped him stand, giving him his cane. Lee shakily stood up and grasped the handle of his crane. He wasn't sure how Lexi was to react to this, especially since she thought he was dead, as did Grace and Evan. However, he wasn't going to let that deter him from making his return. He also knew he would have to face Lexi's new husband and also meet the children she had with him, but that wasn't an issue. All that mattered was seeing Lexi and letting her know that he had been alive this whole time.

Author's Note: I'm evil, right? I just HAD to bring back the husband from the dead. Well, there will try to be a sequel, but not right away. We want to give you all time to heal from this unexpected end!