Chapter 13 #2
“Back at ya, Daddy,” I say, holding back tears. It’s been a long time since everything felt this right in my life. “Bye, and give Mom a hug for me.”
Wire sets the phone down and holds me in his arms without saying a word. I turn my head to look up at his handsome face. “I should have asked you first, but are you okay with having dinner with my parents?”
“Babe,” he says with a grin, shaking his head in amusement.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Yeah, it’s cool. If I had a daughter as beautiful as you, I’m not sure I could ever let her out of my sight.
Your father is a good man who went through a terrible ordeal and saw his daughter in a state that would gut any dad.
It’ll be good if your parents come over more often and see that you’re doing well. It might be good for all of you.”
“I think you’re right.” I sigh. “I’ve been so busy trying to get back to normal”—I use air quotes—“and thinking about myself. Mom is going to be all over you, asking a million questions.”
“I think I can handle it.”
“And Dad—”
“Your Dad and I are good, babe. He knows the kind of man I am. He wants you to feel loved and safe. I can do that. We’ll be cool.”
“My dad’s never been cool. He’s a genius and a geek, and I love him just as he is.”
“Then I’m a computer nerd. It’s my gig,” he says.
“Nope! You’re a sexy, hot, military guy with a geeky passion that makes you even hotter and sexier,” I declare, making Wire chuckle.
“And you’re my creative, boho chic, beautiful girlfriend with a heart of gold,” he says. I feel the heat creeping into my cheeks. “Every time I give you a compliment, you blush. It’s fucking cute.”
“Cute enough to make out with me?” I ask, finding my inner sex kitten and running my hand over his bulging arm muscles.
“I got about half an hour before the program I’m running is done, so that’s an affirmative on the making out,” Wire responds.
He lowers his mouth, and just as his lips touch mine, his cell phone sounds off to the tune of “We Are Family,” by Sister Sledge.
“Shit! I gotta get that.” He reaches into his back pocket to take out his phone.
The screen flashes to a man who looks a lot like Wire, only older and with salt-and-pepper hair, who, given the amazing resemblance, must be his father.
I move to get off Wire’s lap, to give him space to speak with his dad. Wire holds me tighter, keeping me put, while picking up the call.
“Hey, Dad.”
“It’s been a while, kid.” His father’s voice is deep and strong, and on the screen, I can see his eyes are the same steely gray as his son’s. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Actually, it’s a good time. This is Remmi,” Wire says, moving the phone to frame us both on the screen. “Remmi’s my girl.”
His father’s smile widens.
“Hi, sir.” I give a little wave.
“Hello, Remmi. This is a nice surprise,” his father says.
“I haven’t had a chance to call you. We’re new, but we’re solid,” Wire tells him.
“I’m happy for you, Colt. Your mother is going to have a fit that she’s been kept in the dark.” His father laughs.
“Don’t I know it, but stuff’s been going on. I’m in the middle of a mission. Not that that’s going to work as an excuse for Mom.”
“How did you two meet?” his father asks.
“Colton saved my life,” I tell him. “I was abducted, along with my father. If it wasn’t for Colton and the team, I’m sure I’d be dead by now, or worse. You have a wonderful son, sir.”
“Jackson. Please call me Jackson, or better yet, call me Jack,” his dad replies. “Colton’s a good man, and I’m glad he’s found someone to keep him grounded. His job is difficult, but you know that already, don’t you?”
“Honey, who are you talking to?” a woman says as she comes into the background.
Jack looks over his shoulder and waves his wife over. “It’s Colton and his girlfriend, Remmi.” His mother quickens her pace and comes into view.
“Colton Reid, you get a girlfriend, and you don’t tell your mother?” his mom says in a high-pitched squeal. “Hi, I’m Cynthia, but call me Cindy.”
Before I can get a word out, Wire hugs me closer. “Mom, this is Remmi.”
“Hi.” I do my little wave again. It seems lame, but I’m not sure what else to do.
“You’re beautiful, but then again, I would expect nothing less from my Colton,” Cindy says. “When are you coming for a visit so we can have a proper introduction?” Then, looking at Wire, she says, “I’ll make all your favorites. Homemade mac and cheese and burgers,” she says to tempt him.
Jack jumps in. “Give them time, babe. Colton’s on a mission.”
“Are you safe, honey?” His mom’s brow wrinkles with concern.
“It’s good, Mom. You know I can’t talk about it, but suffice to say, we have it under control,” Colton tells her.
Cindy manages a shaky smile. She puts on a brave face, but it’s clear that she worries about her son. I worry too. But to be part of Colton’s life means that I have to accept him as he is, just as Colton sees me for who I am.
“Don’t worry, Cindy, I’m keeping my eye on him,” I joke to lighten the mood. His mother still looks concerned, but her smile gets a little brighter.
Wire chats with his parents for a little longer before hanging up.
“Your parents seem pretty cool,” I say.
“Dad understands me because he was a soldier. Sometimes it makes things harder, because he knows the ugliness that happens,” Wire shares.
“When Dad came home after serving three tours in the army, he was different. It took him a long time to assimilate into civilian life. He didn’t want me to join, so when I did, he was not happy. ”
“I can understand that,” I reply quietly.
“Some days, he still feels it. It happens more when I go home. Maybe because when he looks at me, he remembers his past experiences.” His eyes grow sad.
“We have to go visit. We promised them.” I kiss his cheek.
“We’ll go, and it’ll be fine.”
“You can’t feel guilty. This isn’t about you.”
“No, I know, but I hate that it still affects him this way,” he replies with a sigh.
“Do you have some of those, uh, feelings?” I ask.
“I did at first, but I have Rebel, Bull, Phoenix, Falcon, and Archer, so I can talk it out, or sometimes we fight it out in the gym, but we work through it. Dad came home to his family and kept it bottled up until Mom stepped up and made him talk to her. He adores my mother, and she loves him, and she wasn’t going to let him live through the hell he witnessed without doing something about it. ”
“You think you’re a constant reminder of his time in the army, but maybe he misses his son and wants to see you. It could be that he’s worried that you’re going through what he suffered through and needs to know you’re okay,” I suggest.
“Yeah, maybe.” He shrugs. “I’ve avoided talking to him about it, but you could be right. Next time we go back, I’ll find time to speak with him.”
I’m pleased that he’s considering my suggestion.
“My parents have always kept me safe, and they didn’t like it when I moved away from home.
You get that Dad is super smart, but we never thought he’d be a target.
Dad was so focused on work that he just did his job.
Mom is the one who makes sure Dad eats, takes time for family, and has a little fun.
She reminds my father that life is more than numbers, strategies, and business.
It was Mom who asked my dad out on their first date.
To this day, Dad says it was the best day of his life, next to the day I was born.
It seems that strong women run in our families. ”
“The family tradition continues, babe, because you’re one of the strongest women I know,” Wire says, caressing my cheek. He kisses me sweetly because the alarm on his computer goes off. “My program’s done. Sorry, Remmi, but I have to get back to work.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’ll make a fresh pot of coffee and bring you a snack.” I shimmy off his lap. He gets to his feet and goes back to his office. I watch him disappear, and I have to say, Wire’s ass looks amazing in his jeans.