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Archie had actually brought the minivan. The first one we’d ever owned, but we actually needed the space when all of us wanted to ride together. It amused us both to be the minivan dads but here we were. It also had entertainment in the back for the kids—and sometimes us when we wanted to keep playing a video game on the way somewhere.
We picked up a small order of burgers and fries. Including extras for Frankie and Bubba. They might not be piping hot when we got there, but no one wanted Frankie getting in a car that smelled like food if there was nothing to share with her.
Their flight landed before we even got to the exit for JFK. Bubba and Frankie both messaged that they were on the way to luggage claim.
“We want to park, or do you want to drop me off, circle and come back, and then we’ll meet you?”
We could do it either way. Archie glanced at the dashboard clock then at the traffic in front of us. “Message Bubba and ask him to tell us when he has luggage. If it’s before we get up there, I’ll drop you off, if not…”
Well, if not, we’d just pick them up. I fired the message off and got a thumbs up back. Archie drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Impatience crept through his careful facade.
Behind us, Transformers played to keep Josh entertained. We’d seen the movie so many times at this point, I could quote it.
And once upon a time, I’d actually liked the movie.
It was also why we were working on making him a remote control transformer for Christmas. It wasn’t quite working yet. Still had a few bugs to work out. Traffic crawled but we made it to the arrivals lane and started to circle up as my phone buzzed.
“They have the luggage.”
“Yes,” Archie said and made a fist.
“Yes!” Josh yelled enthusiastically from the back seat and we were both laughing by the time I caught sight of her red coat and gorgeous blonde hair.
“You want me to drive back?” Cause otherwise, I was tossing Bubba up here and climbing in back with her myself.
“I got it.” He flashed me a grin.
Then we were there and I was out. The bump was looking fantastic, though nowhere near as fantastic as she did. Her smile was equal parts relieved and elated. I picked her right up when she wrapped her arms around me.
Bubba chuckled as I cradled her, but he went ahead and got their luggage and guitars stowed away. Frankie dug her fingers in so tight I rubbed her back gently.
“What is it?” I murmured.
“Just happy to be home,” she admitted.
“That’s all?” Worry crested right through me as I set her down carefully. The chaos of passengers arriving and getting into cars and rushing around faded as I studied her. The lack of tears in her eyes was a good sign, but her grip was firm as hell.
“Talk later?”
“Mama!!” Josh was waving wildly and she glanced at him before looking up at me.
“Promise me it’s not bad and we can wait. But I need to know you’re okay, Baby Girl.”
“I promise,” she offered it so easily and without hesitation. “Just, it was a very long eighteen days. I’m ready to be home with the trees and the fire and the kids and you guys.”
“Well, we’re definitely ready to have you home.” With that, I opened up the back sliding door and helped her inside. Josh cheered as she slid into the seat next to him and then he was trying to get out of his car seat.
“Nope,” Frankie told him when he would have unbuckled himself. Then she started dropping kisses all over him and he squirmed, but laughed.
“Hey, Babe,” Archie said over his shoulder. Then Bubba was in the passenger seat and I moved to the other side to get in on Josh’s left.
“Hey,” she said, smiling at him. “Kiss you when we’re home.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he told her and I wasn’t the only one chuckling. Still, I kept a firm eye on her all the way home. Josh populated the car with conversation as he told her all about ice skating and his new coach.
The tired radiating off of her utterly softened for our son. She listened, she played, she commented and once she glanced up at me and made a comical face. I was pretty sure that by the time we got back to the house, Josh had her briefed on every single second from when she left to when we picked her up.
At the house, Coop and Izzy came out to greet her and the volume increased as the kids vied for her attention. We got the luggage inside along with the guitars. Bubba went on child distraction while Coop got her upstairs so she could shower and change.
