Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Mom?!”
The second Ellory entered the house, she was hollering for Addison.
She turned from the tower of brownies she’d made into a cake and hurriedly wiped her hands on a towel before Ellory ran into the kitchen.
“Is it true? Did they take Artem, Borysko, and Yana? Are they coming back? What happened?”
Addison hugged her daughter tightly. It was times like this when she was reminded that she was still basically a child herself. She was visibly overcome with worry about her brothers and sister.
“It’s true. But they’ll be back. Hopefully tomorrow. Ricky has a friend who’s helping us cut through the red tape.”
Ellory’s eyes filled with tears. “Why’d they take them away? Did they not think we were a good enough family for them?”
Addison’s heart broke at that question. She hated seeing her daughter in pain, and while this wasn’t a physical pain, it was still hurtful.
“Come here, El,” Ricky said, putting his hands on Ellory’s shoulders and turning her to face him. He knelt down on the kitchen floor so he was eye-level with her. “Honestly? We don’t know what happened. But no one is going to break up our family. Your mom and I will fight to get Artem, Borysko, and Yana back where they belong. Sometimes in life, things don’t go the way we want, but we don’t give up. We keep fighting for what’s right and fair.”
“Like me having Crohn’s,” Ellory said with a sniff.
“Exactly. It’s not fair, but none of us are just going to shrug our shoulders and say ‘oh well,’ right?”
“Uh-huh. Is it because they were taken out of Ukraine without any paperwork?” Ellory asked, with far more insight than Addison expected.
“I’m guessing yes. Obviously, it’s illegal for people to be transported to another country without the proper permissions and paperwork. But it wasn’t as if we had a choice.”
“Because Borysko was hurt,” Ellory said with a nod. She wiped her face and nose on her sleeve.
“Exactly. And as soon as we could, your mom and I took the necessary steps to make it legal for them to stay here.”
“You got married,” Ellory said.
“Well, not exactly. We filed the paperwork with the Navy and the country, to grant them asylum, and then we did what we could to make the decision for them to stay with us easier to make.”
“By getting married,” Ellory repeated.
“Yeah,” Ricky agreed with a shrug.
“If they get taken away forever, will you and my mom get divorced?”
Ricky’s gaze met hers, and he let out a little huff of laughter. “No, Ellory. Your mom and I aren’t breaking up. No matter what.”
“Promise?”
“Well, I don’t know what the future holds, but I can promise you this…I’m going to do everything in my power to make your mom never, ever want to leave me. I’m going to give her—and you, Artem, Borysko, and Yana—the best life possible. I’ll be the best dad and stepdad I can. How about that?”
Ellory nodded. Then she turned and looked up at Addison. “Can we have a party when they all get back? I think they’d like that.”
“Sure,” Addison agreed without hesitation.
“Okay. Mom, you should’ve seen Ricky and his friends today. They were awesome!”
Addison used to be surprised by her daughter’s abrupt change of topics—and moods—but she’d mostly gotten used to it. Ricky stood and leaned against the counter.
“That’s right, I forgot with all the other stuff happening. How was Career Day?” Addison asked.
Remi, Wren, and Kevlar had gone into the living room, giving the trio a little privacy, but they returned to the kitchen eagerly when they heard the subject change.
“We flexed and proved that we were the biggest, baddest guys in the school,” Kevlar joked. He’d stepped up against Remi’s back, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her back so she was leaning against him.
Remi rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, like that’s hard when you outweigh everyone and are older than them by decades.”
“Don’t make it sound like I’m an old man,” Kevlar complained.
Addison chuckled at her friends’ banter.
“The SEAL sessions were the most popular,” Ellory gushed. “Everyone wanted to meet them, and when they did the obstacle course after lunch, even the old SEALs were impressive.”
Addison met Ricky’s gaze and suppressed her laughter as much as she could. “Oh yeah?” she asked, encouraging her daughter to continue.
“Yeah. But the best part was when Ricky gave Chrys a smackdown.”
“What?” Addison asked, somewhat alarmed.
“Not physically, just verbally. She asked a dumb question, and he came back and told her to her face that bullies were stupid and told her to go listen to the song ‘Sk8er Boi’ by Avril Lavigne. Oh, and he’s gonna give us self-defense lessons so if she tries to sic her girl posse on me, I can kick their butts. It. Was. Awesome !”
Addison raised her brows as she looked at Ricky in surprise.
“I’m gonna go clean our room so it’ll be ready for Yana when she gets home. I want to set up her Barbies so they’re all waiting for her.” Then Ellory turned and hurried out of the kitchen, toward her room.
“Um…want to put all that in plain English for me?” Addison asked Ricky.
He chuckled. “That wasn’t exactly how it went,” he protested.
“I don’t remember any mention of Avril Lavigne, but he did basically say that the nerds of today could end up being very important people in the future. He made some really good points that hopefully the flower chick will take to heart,” Kevlar explained.
“I’m not holding my breath,” Addison muttered.
“I want to get in on those self-defense lessons,” Wren said eagerly.
“Me too!” Remi agreed, looking up at Kevlar. “When can we start?”
“As soon as you and the others can make the time,” Ricky told her.
“Sweet!”
“I’ll call Josie and Maggie. Wait, Maggie can participate even though she’s pregnant, right?” Wren asked.
“Of course. We’ll just be careful about what she does,” Ricky said.
“You guys good?” Kevlar asked. “I want to get home and touch base with the commander, and maybe even Tex. Want to give him some time to calm down a little though. Don’t think my tender ears can handle any more of those f-bombs he was throwing out.”
Ricky glanced at Addison. “We good?” he asked.
“I think so. I need to finish this brownie cake, then start something for dinner.”
“Pizza. I’m thinking a movie night with the three of us on the couch together is called for.”
Addison agreed. She was still feeling a little raw, and the house would feel super empty tonight without the other kids. “Sounds good.”
“You want company tomorrow for your coming-home party?” Remi asked.
“That would be nice.”
“When I call Josie and Maggie about the self-defense lessons, I’ll let them know we’re all getting together over here tomorrow night. But if anything changes, if you don’t think the kids are up for it or if you need a quiet evening at home with just the family, let us know. We won’t be offended.”
“Thanks. We’ll play it by ear. As much as you guys say this Tex guy is good, I’m not as confidant things with CPS will move quite so fast,” Addison said a little hesitantly.
“Tex isn’t just good. He’s the best. If he says the kids will be home tomorrow, they’ll be home tomorrow,” Kevlar said firmly.
Addison walked everyone to the door, along with Ricky. He thanked Kevlar for picking up Ellory and for the ride home. His teammates had already arranged to get his Explorer from the middle school and return it to him later.
Soon it was just the two of them, standing in their foyer again. Addison felt a little nervous about what would happen with Artem, Borysko, and Yana, but having Ricky at her side helped. A lot.
“Did you really tell Chrys off?”
“It probably went over her head,” Ricky said with a nonchalant shrug. “But I couldn’t stand there and not say anything. She’s pretty, and she knows it. She’s already learned that she can use her looks to get attention and praise. And that the meaner she is, the more attention she gets. I doubt what I said will change things much, but maybe it’ll make her think twice about continuing to harass Ellory. If nothing else, our girl will learn to hold her own, and she’ll be able to ignore her in the future.”
Ricky standing up for Ellory meant the world to Addison. She wanted to kiss him again. To show him without words how much he meant to her. But she had a cake to finish, a pizza to order, and a daughter to check on to make sure she was handling the latest crap life was throwing their way all right.
“Have I told you lately how glad I am that we met?” she asked.
Ricky smiled. “No. Not today at least.”
Addison grinned. “I’m glad we met,” she repeated.
To her surprise, Ricky stepped toward her and pulled her roughly against him. Her hands braced on his chest as she looked at him in surprise.
“Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. And I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass. I wake up feeling excited about each day, rather than ambivalent. The house always smells delicious, I’m always laughing now, and I have no worries that you’ll be able to handle whatever comes up while I’m deployed.”
Addison frowned. “Is that coming soon? You leaving, I mean?”
“Probably.”
“What do I do if CPS decides to take the kids away while you’re gone? Or if they have some sort of major psychological relapse? You’re their whole world, Ricky. Without you, I’m not sure they’d do half as well as they’re doing now.”
Ricky laughed, and Addison blinked in surprise. She was kind of offended that he was laughing at her fears.
He must’ve read her dismay in her expression, because he sobered and shook his head. “I’m not laughing at you, sweetheart. I’m laughing at the fact you think I’m the reason the kids are doing so well. Addy, you’re the one who feeds them, plays with them, helps with most of their homework, fixes their lunches, and a million other things. Sure, they’ll miss me, but they aren’t going to blink when I’m gone…because you’re home with them.”
Addison wasn’t so sure. Yeah, she did her part to help take care of the kids, but they’d bonded with Ricky while he’d been in Ukraine in a way that couldn’t be replicated.
“You’re an amazing mom,” he went on. “You’ve taken on three kids who barely speak English and are learning a new culture. All while dealing with a preteen who has a chronic illness. And if anything happens while I’m deployed, you call Wolf. He’ll do whatever’s necessary to make sure you’re all taken care of. Better yet, I’ll give you Tex’s number, you can call him directly. But I have a feeling after this colossal screwup, no one will dare even think about removing our kids from our care again.”
“I know dealing with deployments is a part of being a military wife…but I don’t think I’m going to like it,” Addison admitted.
Ricky smiled again.
“What? That makes you happy?” she asked, feeling frustrated.
“No. But I don’t want to leave you or the kids. And knowing you feel the same…I’ve never had that. Never had anyone who cared if I left or came back.”
“I care,” Addison told him.
“And that’s why I’m smiling,” Ricky said. He licked his lips, and his gaze locked on her own. “May I kiss you?”
It was Addison’s turn to smile. “You’re asking this time?”
He looked a little sheepish as he met her gaze. “Yeah. I realize that I haven’t exactly gotten your consent before kissing you, both earlier and recently.”
“You have my permission,” Addison said seriously. “Anytime, anywhere, any way you want to touch me. You can.”
His pupils dilated as she stared into his eyes. “Don’t say that unless you mean it,” Ricky warned.
“I mean it. I don’t know what will happen with us in the future, but I’m done lying to myself…and you. I want you, Ricky. Sleeping next to you every night has been torture.”
He groaned—and moved quickly. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he bent forward, leaning her backward until he was basically holding her up.
“Ricky!” she exclaimed, grabbing his arms. “Don’t drop me!”
“Never,” he breathed. Then he lowered his head.
Addison forgot all about the fact that the only thing keeping her from crashing to the floor was Ricky’s arms around her. All she could think about were the electrical impulses shooting from where their lips met, throughout her entire body. Trusting him to hold her up, to not drop her, made the kiss even more powerful somehow.
“Ewwwww, gross.”
At Ellory’s words, Addison felt Ricky smile against her lips. He stood upright, bringing Addison with him, but didn’t remove his arms from around her.
“If you’re done smooching, can one of you come help me move some furniture?”
“What in the world, El?” Addison asked.
She shrugged. “I just thought that since Yana likes to go into Artem and Borysko’s room and sleep in one of their beds, maybe I’d try pushing our beds together. I know I’m not like her brothers, but maybe it would make her feel better to have me closer.”
Addison’s heart melted. Her daughter was awesome.
“I’ll help. Your mom needs to finish up that brownie cake,” Ricky said.
“Thanks.” Ellory spun around and headed back toward her room. But she turned at the last minute and said over her shoulder, “Don’t start smooching again or you’ll never get that cake finished!” Then she giggled and walked out of view.
Addison thought she should be embarrassed, but she couldn’t muster the feeling.
“Soon,” Ricky said in a serious tone. “I’m gonna make you mine in more than name only.” Then he kissed her hard and fast before following behind Ellory.
Addison stood in the kitchen and tried to get her libido under control. The man was lethal…and he was all hers.
Sighing, she turned back to her brownie cake creation. She had to hurry now if she wanted to be finished by the time the woman who’d ordered it arrived for pickup. And as worried as she was about Artem, Borysko, and Yana, she was going to need that night of snuggling on the couch with Ellory and Ricky.
* * *
Later that evening, while the classic movie Pretty in Pink played, MacGyver sat between his girls and let his mind wander. Ellory was sound asleep against one side of him, and Addison wasn’t too far behind her daughter. Holding the two of them seemed like a dream. How he’d gotten so lucky to be the one to look after them was a mystery.
There he’d been, minding his own business, living the life of a single Navy SEAL, and the next thing he knew, he was a father of four with a wife he could barely keep his hands off of. He was a lucky son-of-a-bitch, and he knew it.
And as much as he loved this—all the bonding with his girls tonight, and another serious talk they’d had about bullies—he desperately missed Artem, Borysko, and Yana. MacGyver wondered if they were all right. If they were scared…
Of course they were. They’d been taken from the only home they knew here in the US, didn’t know if they’d see the people they’d come to rely on ever again.
He had no idea what happened. If someone had made a complaint against them, or if someone in some office somewhere had taken offense to the kids coming into the country illegally on the military transport plane. Their foster parent application had been rushed through the system, thanks to Tex, and it was possible a mistake had been made somewhere. But he doubted it. Tex didn’t normally make mistakes.
“They’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it,” Addison whispered from next to him. His arm was around her shoulders, and she was snuggled into his side.
“Yeah,” he agreed. She was right. Together, they’d do whatever was necessary in order for the kids to feel safe once more. He leaned in and kissed the top of Addison’s head. The feelings he had for her were almost overwhelming. He wasn’t sure how Kevlar and the others did it. How did they go on missions, knowing they were leaving behind the most important people in their lives? The thought of leaving her to wrangle four kids by herself felt incredibly selfish and cruel.
“I only have two cakes to make tomorrow. I’m going to get up early to start, well before Ellory leaves for school. I want to be done by mid-morning, so I can be ready whenever the kids come home. They’ll probably be hungry, so I’ll make a large lunch, just in case they’re home early. If they don’t get returned until the afternoon, we’ll have an early dinner, then they can eat junk during the welcome-home thing. I need to go to the store and get some finger foods, and we need more milk. Ellory’s running low on chicken too. Oh, and I want to do a load of laundry, so they can sleep on clean, fresh-smelling sheets tomorrow night.”
MacGyver smiled as he stared blankly at the TV. There he was, worried about Addison being able to handle four kids, but it seemed she more than had things under control. “Okay. Let me know what you want me to do.”
“Your job will be to reassure the kids that it wasn’t us who sent them away. That if someone takes them again, we’ll do whatever we have to do in order to get them back. Wait, don’t say that, it might make them worry about it happening again. Just love them, Ricky. They’re going to need that most of all.”
“You don’t have to tell me to do that, hon. That’s the easy part.”
“Yeah,” she agreed.
It wasn’t long before Addison fell asleep against him as well. MacGyver hated this damn movie, but he didn’t move to grab the remote because that might’ve woken up one of the girls. Instead, he sat very still, the arm that was around Addison going numb, but he didn’t care. He loved being a pillow. Loved the trust they showed in completely lowering their guard with him. This was what he fought for. What men died for. To keep their families safe and happy.
Closing his eyes, he rested his head against the back of the couch and eventually fell asleep himself.