Chapter Twenty-Two #2
“I did, too, but he rolls with it. He’s so proud of you and doesn’t care at all about the BS that comes with being your kid. He’d take you as president over any other dad in the world.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“He’s super proud of you, too.”
“We’re the luckiest parents ever.”
“And Alden calling me Dad… I almost lost it right in front of them.”
“I could tell! That was so sweet, and I love that it just felt… organic, meant to be at that moment.”
“I’d give anything to undo the pain of their parents’ deaths, but I’m so thankful to have them in our lives.”
“Me, too. They seem to be doing really well, which is a relief.”
He kissed her cheek and then her lips. “How are you doing after this traumatic day?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“It was a doozy. I wish I’d listened to you and your famous gut when it came to Gretchen.”
“The interesting thing is, I don’t think the vibe I picked up had anything to do with her cavorting with Russians.”
“You sensed she had it in her.”
“Maybe.” She looked up at him. “You must feel so betrayed.”
“I’m confused more than betrayed. She’s smart as a whip and understands how things work in this town. I just don’t get what the hell she could’ve been thinking trying to keep it a secret.”
“That’s a good question—and I want to know how she got away with more than one visit at the observatory from a freaking Russian.”
“Trust me, that’s one of my top questions, and I’m expecting to fire more people because of that lapse.”
“Ugh.”
“What’re you hearing about Joe and Jeannie?”
“He’s anxious to get back to work, and she’s settling into motherhood, six weeks sooner than expected. Thank goodness mother and baby are safe.”
“Just when I think we’ve seen everything one day can deliver…”
“I know.” She rested her head on his chest and was still there when Scotty came back, looking for more ice cream.
“Good Lord, you two. Do you ever take a break from each other?”
“Not ever,” Nick said while Sam cracked up. “Not for one second. Quit being a buzzkiller.”
Scotty quickly dished up a second bowl of ice cream. “Taking extra for the siblings. And reminder, there are children in this house. Behave.”
“I cannot with him,” Sam said. “He’s the best.”
“Yes, he is. Want to make a bet?”
“On what?”
“A year from now, he’ll have a girlfriend and not want to hear how disgusted he was to be asked to a dance by two girls this year.”
“I’m going to bet on two more years. He still prefers dodgeball to girls.”
“Shake on it?”
“What’s the wager?”
He waggled his brows. “Winner’s choice.”
She stepped back to shake his hand. “You’ve got yourself a bet, my friend.”
Tracy had ushered Ethan and Abby through dinner, homework and showers and was sitting on the sofa with them watching KPop Demonhunters for what had to be the fiftieth time. Abby was obsessed with it, while Ethan finished some homework.
Ethan was keeping up with assignments while hoping to go back to school for half days starting next week.
He swore he was ready, and his therapist concurred.
Tracy was terrified the other kids would be cruel to him or unfeeling about what he’d been through, but Ethan had assured her he could handle whatever the other kids had to say.
Tracy hadn’t told them that their father was coming home, because she didn’t want to get their hopes up in case something happened to delay his arrival.
Tracy appreciated his dedication to their nephew Jack, who needed Mike every bit as much as his own kids did.
That poor kid had suffered terribly over the sudden loss of his dad, who’d also been his best pal.
She’d felt a thousand times better after their session with Dr. Trulo and the conversation at the coffee shop.
The blinding anger she’d been carrying since Ethan’s abduction had given way to a spark of hope that they might be able to put their marriage back together.
However, she was under no illusions that the path forward would be easy, but at least they’d be working on it together.
When the door to the kitchen opened, both kids looked to her for an explanation. “Go see,” she said.
They got up and ran for the kitchen, where they greeted their dad with hugs and kisses.
Abby squealed when she saw Mike’s suitcase. “You’re back to stay?”
“I’m back to stay.”
“That’s great news,” Ethan said in the stoic tone he’d adopted since his ordeal.
Abby took Mike by the hand and led him to the living room. “We’re watching KPop.”
“Again?” Mike asked with a sympathetic look for Tracy.
“We love it,” Abby said.
“You don’t say.” Mike took a seat on the sofa next to Tracy, and Abby crawled into his lap.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said as she laid her head on her dad’s chest. “Even though I saw you all the time, I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too, sweetheart.”
Mike glanced at Tracy in the same second she looked at him.
When he smiled, she felt a sense of calm come over her that had been sorely lacking since the first minute she’d realized their son had gone missing.
She hated that it’d taken such a traumatic incident to shake her and Mike out of the apathy that had overtaken their marriage and hoped this fresh start would put them back on track.