48. Zombie
FORTY-EIGHT
ZOMBIE
The past month had been a whirlwind. Chief had kept me in the loop, Sarah was confirmed as dead on scene and all but three of the buyers had been arrested and were beginning to be prosecuted.
The team had all stepped up during my recovery and watched over Ryann, making sure she got the best care I could ask for.
Toby had even stepped up during my absence and confirmed through a paternity test that Ryann was my daughter.
I had wanted to be a hundred percent sure she was mine in case Ricci had some other love child that I didn’t know about.
It was still hard to wrap my head around that fact, I had a daughter.
I wanted the best life for her even though she was a stranger to me.
I didn’t know a father’s love was possible for me because of my deep-rooted grief.
But it was there and nothing would stop me from making sure she had the best life.
I glanced over at Lennie as we drove down the road, trying to believe my new life.
Not only had Lennie moved in with Georgie and I, we welcomed Ryan into our home after clearing out Arrow’s room.
Today we were bringing some of his belongings to his parents and introducing them to Ryann.
We pulled up to the Texan ranch far enough off the street that you couldn’t hear the cars pass by.
Arrow’s parents stood on the porch waiting patiently.
After much discussion, Amelia and Arnold, Arrow’s parents, had decided to buy a house in the neighborhood where I lived so Ryann would have the grandparents that she wouldn’t have otherwise.
The pair had been so grateful that I had called them with the news and immediately asked when we could visit.
We had also decided that while I was at work or on missions that Amelia and Arnold would look after Ryann.
The amount of relief I felt knowing that I had an even bigger support system was overwhelming.
We got out of the car and unbuckled Ryann from her car seat. She clung to me and her stuffed bunny, named Bun-Bun, as we walked closer to the elderly couple.
Amelia, Arrow’s mother opened her arms wide as she came down the front steps. “You made it! Oh, Dante, honey, it is so good to see you!” She embraced Ryann and I before moving to Lennie and giving her a kiss on the cheek with a hug.
Arnold, Arrow’s dad followed suit, hugging all three of us.
“Come on in, we have lots to discuss.” Amelia said and we followed them into the house.
After going over Ryann’s schedule and the logistics of the couple’s big move up north I sat my little girl down on the plush, country-style couch and kneeled before her.
“Hey princess, how do you feel about grammy and grampa moving close by?” I asked, already knowing the answer. We facetimed them every day so she was very aware of who they were to her.
She looked at me with wide eyes and gnawed on one of Bun-Bun’s eyes before dropping the bunny and hopping up and down. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Amelia brought us to the room she’d made up for Ryann. Even though they were moving they had turned their guest suite into a wonderland fit for a princess. I was filled with gratitude for these wonderful humans in my life and so excited that soon they would be living right down the street.
After Ryann was put down to bed, Lennie and I walked downstairs where Amelia and Arnold were going through some of the stuff that I had brought for them. Currently they were flipping through an old photo album, smiling and crying as they turned the pages.
Amelia looked up as she heard us approach with a smile and glassy eyes. “Thank you so much, Dante, for bringing us these.”
I gave her a nod. “Of course. I know he would have wanted you to have them.”
Amelia stood up and gave me a strong hug that let me feel the love that she had for me.
When she released me she pulled back and held me at arm’s length. “I was blessed to not only have Aaron as my son, but also you, Dante. And now you’ve given us a new lease on life with that beautiful girl in there. We are so grateful to call you family.”
Tears filled my eyes as I gave her another nod. I couldn’t speak.
“I’ll leave you guys to it. We have an early flight tomorrow.” Lennie squeezed my hand knowing I was feeling emotional by the look on my face. I was beyond grateful for these amazing people in my life, for the woman on my arm, and now my beautiful angel he was fast asleep upstairs.