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And he loved her for it.
“And you, sir,” the chief said, turning to Khall.
Khall braced himself. He didn’t care for praise or attention himself.
“Well, son,” the chief said, undeterred. “We’ll see to it that your precision crashing of that ship, and saving so many innocent lives is the first thing anyone ever sees when they search your name.”
He was clearly trying to say they would bury the calendar photo, without saying the words.
“That sounds damned good,” Khall said. “But it’s unnecessary. Plenty of other interesting things happened in the city today.”
The chief roared at that and slapped him hard on the back.
“That’s a good one, buddy,” he chuckled, heading out the lobby doors. “Sun gods preserve us from anything more interesting than that.”
And just like that, they were nearly alone.
Deerborne was still in the hospital, but in stable condition. He would give his statement to the police tomorrow when he was feeling better. His second in command had stayed late, but he was dozing off at the front desk. There was only the sound of the rain outside and the recessed lights reflecting on the polished stone floor.
And the silence between them, so filled with possibility.
Khall turned to April, wondering how to tell her what was in his heart without terrifying her.
“I guess we should get the kids,” she said softly before he could think of a single word.
He nodded. She was right, of course, as usual.
They stood up from the lobby bench together and headed over to Mrs. Ginger’s door.
April tapped softly.
A moment later, the door opened slowly, allowing the delicious scent of fresh baked cookies to waft out.
“They’re both sleeping,” Mrs. Ginger whispered, gesturing to her Great Room sofa.
Khall looked over to see the girls lying on the two sections of the corner sofa, their heads together, feet apart.
Mrs. Ginger must have known he would be a while. The girls had pillows and fluffy blankets. A movie about a hardworking nanny and her charges was playing quietly on the hologram.
And the floating coffee table held two empty mugs and a huge plate with nothing but cookie crumbs on it.
“Wow,” he said. “It looks like they had an incredible time. Thank you so much.”
“Please don’t wake them,” she said. “I haven’t had children here in years. Why don’t you and April take a night off? I’ll cook a big breakfast for all of you to enjoy tomorrow morning when you come to pick them up.”
“You don’t have to do that,” he said quickly.
“It’s my pleasure,” she assured him. “Besides, I think I owe you two one after my nincompoop of a nephew posted April’s photo online. I’ll bet that’s how the rascal found you, isn’t it?”
“None of it matters now,” April said with a smile. “Things worked out just as they were supposed to. And I think it’s wonderful of you to keep the girls for a sleepover here. If they wake up and want us though, I’ll come right down. It doesn’t matter how late it is. Or early, I guess, at this point. So long as it’s all right with their father.”
“Of course,” he said quickly. “We’re very grateful.”
“Off you go then,” Mrs. Ginger said, with a twinkle in her eyes. “Oh, wait.”
Khall bit back a sigh. Gods, but he wanted to get April alone.
“Here you are,” Mrs. Ginger said, scurrying back with a foil wrapped package in her hands. “Cookies for you and April. I’m sure you could do with a bedtime snack.”
“Thank you so much,” April said, taking it. “See you in the morning, or whenever they need us.”
