“Twelve years isn’t that big a deal. Hell, Doug is nine years younger than Beth,” John clapped me on the shoulder.
Somehow, those three years made all the difference.
Doug was an adult with a full military career behind him.
Nina hadn’t earned her degree yet.
Doug was over thirty and had traveled the world.
Nina didn’t know her real name or birthday until I’d told her.
Our situations were different.
John stopped me outside the conference room door.
“Let me give you some fatherly advice.” He waited for me to object. When I didn’t, he continued, “Don’t deny yourself the chance at love because the math doesn’t work inside your head.”
Damn, twenty years later and John still knew how to cut to the quick when I had a problem.
“She’s innocent.”
“No, Austin, she isn’t. Not anymore.”
Because I took it from her.
“Before you blame yourself, remember that they would’ve found her, eventually.”
“Maybe.” It was the closest I’d come to conceding. “But I opened Pandora’s box and brought this to her doorstep.”
“You did, but you also gave her the parents she can’t remember, her history, and her name.”
I had, but the price could still be too steep.
“They’re waiting,” he said, ending the conversation.
With John’s words echoing in my head, I watched Nina as she flipped through the photos Doug had printed for her.
“Thank you,” I said when I walked over to get my earwig.
“It’s nothing.”
“I meant for the pictures; you went above and beyond.”
He smiled. “It’s what we do for family.”
I looked around the room. Nina had no idea how much love surrounded her. She’d convinced herself her only family was her grandmother.
She’s wrong. She has one hell of a family here at SSI, and at Grannie’s.
I smiled.
“Jesus Christ, that’s scary,” Jay said, walking up beside me.
“What’s scary?” I asked, my eyes lingering on Nina as my head turned towards Jay.
“You smiling, Cuz, it’s fucking terrifying.”
“Shut up.” I wiped the inappropriate smile off my face. “Who’s following us to the safe house?”
