Chapter 20 #3
Leo gazed at the woman he saved years ago, knowing their relationship grew into more of a big brother-little sister role.
“We’ve gone through a lot together, PITA.
I’m spinning up tomorrow. Kit Kat will be by herself, and she’s not happy about this pregnancy.
If I’m not back in time and she decides, will you tell her I support her decision?
We haven’t spoken about it much. I don’t want her to feel guilty about anything. My mistake put us here.”
Kassie leaned her head against his arm and took his hand.
“She’s my best friend. I’ll support her no matter what.
Pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s body.
You made a mistake, but she’s not punishing you.
She’s barely recovered from Derrick, and she’s exhausted and sick.
I’ll rearrange her hours and ensure she has support.
I won’t leave her alone until you return. ”
Leo nodded. He got what he came for. Doc and Kassie’s words were as good as gold. Rising, he shook Doc’s hand, each sharing a silent communication. Kassie rose and hugged him tightly.
“Stay safe and don’t worry about things at home. I won’t let her do this alone,” Kassie promised.
“I’m holding you to it, PITA,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m going home and enjoying the peace for another hour with my wife before my little monsters arrive.”
Leo turned and headed for the door and opened it. He glanced back at one of his best friends and practically his little sister. “I love you, Doc and PITA. Thanks for everything.”
“We love you, too, Leo,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
He gently shut the door behind him and headed home.
Entering his house, he heard music coming from the bathroom. Following the sound, he found his wife deep into a bubble bath, moving her head to and fro with the music as she sang at the top of her lungs.
He leaned in the doorway and watched her with amusement.
“Oh,” she said when she saw him. “Leo, you scared me half to death,” she exclaimed as she turned the music down on her phone.
“I’m sorry. The view caught me off guard. It’s nice to see you smiling,” he said, sitting on the edge of the tub.
“After you dropped me off, I finished my assignments, and Kassie drove me home. I took a three-hour nap, and I actually kept food down. It made me feel a bit better,” she explained.
“Good. Call me before you step out of the tub. I don’t want you falling. Saint’s bringing the kids home in about an hour,” he said softly.
“I thought everyone volunteered to watch them?” she said, confused. “Guess what? Kassie gave us the plane for the next three days, and we’re flying to a nice, secluded beach in California. It’ll give us time to talk and relax.”
“Kit Kat,” he said gently. “I heard from the colonel today. We’re spinning up in the morning.”
Catherine’s eyes grew teary, and she glanced away. “Hand me the towel, and I’ll get out. I’m sure you’ll need to pack and make phone calls,” she said, standing.
Leo wrapped her up, lifted her, and then set her down gently. “I didn’t plan on leaving this soon. When I return—”
“Yeah. I know. We’ll go some other time,” she finished as she angrily dried herself off and slipped into a robe.
“I ordered pizza for dinner, and I’ll make buttered noodles for Grace,” he offered, trying not to upset her more.
“I wanted to spend one last night with all my family under one roof. Do you have any frozen breastmilk? I’ll put Derrick down for the night, and I’ll start Grace’s bath before dinner arrives. ”
Catherine nodded, tugged at the barrette holding her hair, and brushed through it before walking out of the bathroom.
Leo hit his head against the bathroom wall in frustration.
Letting the water out of the tub, he rinsed it and scanned the bathroom for anything needing his attention.
He went to the closet, pulled out the remaining laundry, and then checked the kids’ rooms for more.
Throwing a load into the washer, Leo took out his phone and ordered a pizza, chicken nuggets, a salad, and cheese sticks.
When he entered the living room, he saw his wife wiping her eyes. Leo sat beside her and pulled her into his arms.
“Damn it, Kit Kat. I’d like nothing more than to whisk you away for three days, especially right now. I hate leaving you like this.”
“It’s your job,” she sobbed. “I know what I signed up for when I married you.”
“Yes, but you didn’t agree to me acting like a shitty partner. I should’ve followed up on the doctor’s appointment. I let things fall through the cracks. You didn’t deserve it,” Leo said softly.
The door opened, and Melody ran inside.
“Hi Dad,” she exclaimed, hugging Leo and then Catherine. “Uncle Saint said I can sleep over at Nugget’s house next weekend. Can I?”
Catherine smoothed the riotous, red curls from Melody’s face. “We’ll talk about it later. Give your uncle a kiss goodbye and thank him for bringing you home.”
“I’ll help him with the babies,” Leo said, rising and heading to Saint’s truck. His friend held Grace in one arm while unlatching little Derrick’s car seat. “Thanks for bringing them home.”
“No problem. Did you tell Catherine?” Saint asked.
“Yeah. It went over like a lead balloon. How are Bryanna and Nugget doing?”
“Bryanna expected us to leave sooner. When I told her, she said, the sooner we leave, the faster we’ll get back,” Saint said, chuckling.
“I’m concerned about Knight and Patch. I wish I could leave them here. Especially Knight, he missed Gabby’s pregnancy the first time,” Leo said, genuinely sorry for both men.
“Hey, it’s not like we’ll be there forever,” Saint said as he handed him the diaper bag. “We have these wonderful, encrypted phones. We can check in on them daily.”
“You know it’s not the same,” Leo said as they walked toward the house. “We’ll hit the ground running and get home.”
“Sounds good to me,” he said as they entered the house.
“Bryanna bathed Derrick. She said to call if you need anything,” Saint said to Catherine.
“I’ll call her tomorrow. I’m sure you’re anxious to get home,” she said, standing and hugging Saint. “Stay safe. Keep an eye on my husband. Do you need his bug mask? It might come in handy for something.”
Saint laughed. “We’re trying not to attract any attention. Otherwise, I’d take you up on it.”
“Daddy’s leaving?” Melody asked with tears in her eyes.
“Hopefully only for a little while, June Bug,” Leo said, crouching to her level. “I ordered us a pizza, chicken nuggets, and some cheese sticks to have a party until I come home.”
“Can we have another party when you come home?” she asked.
“Yeah. It sounds like a good idea. Did you finish your homework?” he asked.
“Yep, Aunt Bryanna helped me with my math. Do you feel better, Mom? She said you didn’t want us to catch anything,” Melody informed her.
“Oh, yes. Much better. Why don’t you run and take your shower before dinner gets here, and we can have a pajama party in the living room?” she suggested.
“Oh yeah,” Melody said, running to her room.
Saint nodded at Leo and squeezed Catherine. “Take care. Don’t do too much.”
“I’ll do my best,” Catherine said as Saint left.
Derrick started crying, and Leo took him out of his car seat. “How’s my boy? Did you get hungry coming up the mountain with Uncle Saint? Let me change you, and Mommy can feed you while I get your big sister bathed.”
“I put Grace’s things in our bathroom. She squealed and woke Derrick up. It’s easier to bathe her in there,” she said as she slid her robe to the side and fed Derrick.
Leo let the water run while he removed Grace’s clothes. He lifted her into the bathtub and handed her the tub toys to keep her occupied while he washed her body. She played with a rubber duck and glanced up to smile at him. Leo traced the little red curls framing her face.
“You and Melody are the spitting image of your mother. I’ll be in a load of trouble when you two start dating,” he said, watching her run the toy through the bubbles.
“Duck,” Grace said, proudly holding it up for him to see.
“Daddy loves you, Grace,” he whispered. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“I wuv you, too,” she whispered. “Daddy, you sad?”
“No, pumpkin,” he assured her. “Do you want noodles or pizza for dinner?”
“Noodles,” she said with glee.
“Let’s wash your hair, and then I can make them,” he said, hoping she’d cooperate.
“No, me no washy my hair,” she said stubbornly, reminding him of Catherine.
“Do you want a cheese stick? If so, Daddy has to clean your hair and get your pajamas on you,” he bribed.
“Me, no like it,” she said as he poured the water over her head.
“Oh, sure you do,” he cajoled. “Oops, I see a bunny hopping in your hair. Can you help me catch him?”
The room filled with giggles as Grace helped him wash her hair while he searched for the magic bunny.
“Let’s rinse it, and we can find him faster,” he said, using the sprayer for her hair. “Then, you’ll be nice and clean.”
He pulled the plug and let the water drain as he finished rinsing the bubbles from her body.