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After the massive success that was our infiltration of Vorchenkovitch’s plutonium last month, the upper-ups at Interpol are more willing to turn a blind eye when our favorite undercover agents need to confer with us on a case. Gabriel can normally do a lot of his information gathering at home in our basement hideout, but sometimes it’s necessary to step out once in a while. As the old adage goes: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
I rub my belly. Our son is due any day now, my estimated delivery date quickly approaching. While I’m definitely over the sore back, aching feet, and the additional weight I’ve been carrying around for nine months, I think I’m going to miss being pregnant. That being said, my excitement for what comes next knows no bounds. Motherhood is just another grand adventure, and I absolutely can’t wait to get started.
Keys jingle at the front door. Gabriel steps in, shrugging off his jacket just in time to catch Odette as she hops off the couch and runs to him, throwing herself into his strong arms. He greets her with a laugh, kissing her cheeks.
“How are my favorite girls in the whole world doing?”
“I helped Mom beat the level!”
“Did you now? Such a helpful girl.” Gabriel sets our daughter down and ruffles her hair. “Go wash your hands, ma chérie. We’re having your favorite for dinner.”
“Mac and cheese with hot dog bits?”
“Of course, what else?”
Odette skips off quickly with an excited gasp. I giggle. She’s got so much energy that I sometimes wonder how I’m able to keep up.
I’m just about to pull myself out of my seat when Gabriel hurries over, offering me one hand to hold while the other goes to the small of my back for support.
“Easy, mon amour,” he coos before kissing me on the lips. “How’s little James been treating you?”
“Kicking around like it’s the final minutes of the FIFA World Cup, but apart from that…” I grin up at him. “How did things go?”
“Straight forward, as usual. This time tomorrow, we’ll have taken out half of the Italian mafia’s European assists.”
“That’s amazing, sweetheart.”
“You know, there’s something nice about working from the sidelines. It’s still a job well done, but we get none of the heat.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Oh, yes. It’s very gratifying.”
“What took you so long to get back?”
Gabriel holds up a finger, suddenly reminded of something. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small wooden box. “I have something for you.”
I pluck the box from his hand and look at it with suspicious amusement. When I try to slide off the lid, it doesn’t budge. “What is it?” I ask. “Why can’t I get it open?”
He kisses me on the forehead. “I can’t tell you. You’re just going to have to figure it out.”
I arch a brow, questioning. Gabriel gives no further hints before starting toward the kitchen to make dinner. I examine the little box curiously, shaking it near my ear. Something metallic rattles inside. A coin, maybe? I flip the box over and over again, studying all the sides. Completely by accident, one of the sides moves two inches to the right.
“It’s a puzzle,” I realize aloud.
“See if you can crack it before bedtime,” Gabriel calls from the kitchen casually.
I smirk. “Sweetheart, do you even know who you’re talking to? This’ll be a cinch.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Returning my attention to the box, I get to work, trying all sides of the box to find the next step to unlocking it. I used to play with puzzles like this all the time as a little girl. The trick is to be patient and to think outside the box. These things are made with several interlocking pieces, all fitting into place snuggly in a very specific order of placement. It’s a matter of reversing the process, bit by bit.
Gabriel cooks while Odette helps set the table. Meanwhile, I’m seated and struggling with Gabriel’s silly gift. I work on it throughout our meal and even dessert, but progress is slow.
“Can’t you just tell me what’s inside?” I ask him, a bit miffed.
“You’re not giving up yet, are you?”
