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“Oh, I will! He’s the best!” Alex says excitedly. I would be offended if he was talking about anyone else, but our son’s words couldn’t be truer.
I stare lovingly at the two most important men in my life and send up a silent prayer—doing as Patrick had just suggested—thanking God for bringing Patrick back to me.
“I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m ready to get out of here,” I say.
Patrick barks out a laugh, “You really don’t like being in confined spaces.” He moves Alex to hold him with one arm, extending his other for me to take. I do, and we head upstairs to see what awaits us.
Savannah is the first to notice our arrival as we exit the stairwell, informing us that everyone is waiting. Before we leave, Patrick asks her, “Have all the men been detained?”
“Yes, they have. If there are any more, they haven’t made their presence known.”
“That’s because my daddy is Superman! No one can defeat him!” Alex exclaims.
“You’re right about that, Kiddo. He’s the bravest man I know.” She gives him a wink and tickles his sides. Patrick has to set him down because of all his squirming. Still giggling, Alex gives Savannah a big hug.
“One day, you’re going to make a great mommy just like mine is,” Alex tells her, beaming a wide smile. She smiles back, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I give Patrick a look that says, “I need a moment alone with Savannah for some girl time.” Thankfully, he understands and escorts Alex out of the room. When she sees I have something private to say, she removes the communication device from her ear and turns it off.
I give her a genuinely affectionate hug before placing my hands on her shoulders. I want her to know that I mean every word I say. “Alex isn’t wrong. You are going to make a great mom someday. I want you to remember that you don’t have to give birth to a child to love them as your own, and you have so much love to give, Savannah. God isn’t going to waste that by leaving it to sit in your heart unused. When the time is right, you’ll know.”
“Thank you,” is all she says in response, leaving me to wonder if she took my words to heart. I give her a little wave before heading off to find my family.
Coming from the garage means I have to go through the kitchen before reaching the hallway to the living room. The gurgle of the coffee pot snags my attention, and I look at my watch to note the time.
“I know it’s late, but my son and his team will be up for quite a while sorting out this mess. Care for a cup?” Charlie asks.
“No, thank you. I have enough adrenaline coursing through my body. I doubt I’m going to be able to sleep for a week.”
She laughs. “I know what you mean. When Don got shot, I went into full ‘mama bear’ mode and took down three guys in quick succession with those nifty tranquilizer bullets. He may be my husband, but that doesn’t make me any less protective of him. It doesn’t matter that he can hold his own; no one messes with my man.”
I adore my mother-in-law and start to tear up when I think about what my own mother had done.
“Aw, don’t you go crying, Sweetheart. If you cry, then I’ll cry, then the men will wonder what they did wrong and pester us for a week about it. They’ll keep asking if we’re okay and wait on us hand and foot, trying to make up for something they think they did. Actually, that sounds mighty nice, and I need a good foot rub. Let’s go ahead and cry,” she teases.
“I feel like I’ve cried more in the past week than I have in my entire life. What is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be a strong, independent woman who is capable of running a country.”
“Ariella, there is nothing wrong with crying, and it doesn’t make you weak. The good Lord wouldn’t have given us tears if we weren’t meant to use them. We women cry when we laugh. We cry when we’re angry. We cry when we’re sad. Heck, we even cry when we’re happy! It’s a wonder we get anything done!”
She cackles long and loud, and I can’t help but join her. It feels cathartic and releases the tension I’d been holding in. By the time we finish, we’re both wiping tears from our eyes.
“See what I mean?” she says, bursting into another fit of laughter.
Once our giggling is under control, I say, “I should go find Patrick and Alex and see what they’re up to.”
Charlie waves me away. “They’re out front.” I give her a quick hug before leaving, grateful for such wonderful in-laws.
“Thanks, Mom,” I tell her. This time, the tears in her eyes are from pure joy.
Floodlights from the house illuminate the spacious lawn out front, and a gaggle of men are milling about. It’s not hard to spot Patrick with Alex attached at his hip and both our fathers standing next to him. His face lights up with happiness when he sees me walking in his direction. I’m almost to him when Kiernan steps in my path.
“Did you miss me, Honey?” he asks playfully.
“Who are you again? I can’t tell under all that bruising.” The casino’s thugs really did a number on him.
“I thought my brand of handsome would shine through. No? Okay then. Let me introduce myself. I’m Kiernan, your best friend.” He offers his hand for me to shake. I don’t take it, but I do wrap him in a hug.
“You know I have a bone to pick with you, Mister. How could you keep your gambling a secret from me? When I found out about it, and you became a suspect, it broke my heart.”
