Laken hands Charlie, Coop’s mini-me, to Wes before she pats Barron on the back of the head.
“Poor baby.” Laken sighs at the sight of his bright red eyes. “We’ve got to run. I’ve got an appointment with the OB in ten minutes.”
Wes and Laken say a brief goodbye before taking off, and it’s just Gage, Skyla, and me. It feels right and entirely wrong at the very same time.
“Hey, buddy.” Gage tries to pick Barron up, but Barron strikes back with his fist, pummeling his father’s thigh five times in a row.
“Go away! I want Mommy!” He extends the words as Skyla struggles to pick him up.
“I got it.” I hoist Barron up and lean him against Skyla as he snuggles his wet face close to her neck. Skyla can’t pick up the boys anymore, not with her belly in the delicate state it’s in.
“Barron, baby, it’s going to be okay.” Her own voice breaks, signaling that it’s not. “Mommy and Uncle Logan are going to be right back.”
“Me, too,” Gage offers and Barron gives him a swift kick to the gut.
Nice shot, kid.
I can’t help but blink a smile at my nephew, and Gage is quick to return it with a frown.
Emma comes out and moans, “Oh dear. We’ve got a clinger.” She winks at Gage. “This is why we start the year off on a Friday. It’s the perfect way to wet their whistle. After the weekend, the kids are so much more relaxed and acclimated to the idea. In fact, they’re usually looking forward to coming right back. Come to Grandma.” She wiggles her fingers at him. “I’ll be here all day long, and I will never leave you.” She pries Barron off me, and he slowly conforms to her body. She whisks him inside, and we watch for a few minutes as Emma takes Barron to each of the stations and he slowly seems to warm up to the idea.
Gage scratches at the back of his head, always a sign of his discomfort.
“Maybe we should get the boys into counseling.” He takes a breath. “I don’t want them to hate me right now.”
Skyla huffs at the thought, “Oh, settle down, Gage. The boys will hate you eventually.” She looks my way. “Logan, I’m going to find a toilet that’s not meant for preschoolers. I’ll be right back.” She takes off, and Gage grunts my way.
“Feeling crappy?” I slap him on the arm as we head in the direction Skyla took off in.
“To say the least.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you surrender your throne, give the people back to Skyla, rescue those Celestra you shoved on Raven’s Eye, and beg the world’s forgiveness? Once Skyla is in her rightful place, nobody will hate you—least of all your children.”
His brows bounce as if he knows better.
I shake my head as we walk through the damp fog. The day is cloaked in darkness, a thick layer of navy clouds has settled over the island and it looks more like evening than it ever does morning.
“Why do you do it, Gage? Why do you work so hard for something I don’t think you really believe in?”
“I only believe in one thing.” He slaps me on the shoulder, and a dull laugh bounces through him. “I’ll see you later. Tell Skyla I said goodbye.”
He takes off, and I think about that one thing Gage Oliver might believe in.
If I knew him at all, I wouldn’t need to ask.
If he were still the old Gage, I’d say he believed in his love for Skyla, for their family.
But this new version is riddled with question marks.
* * *
Skyla and I head straight for Whitehorse and rain starts to pepper the island just as we duck inside.
Lexy and Michelle are having lunch in the living room with a box of pizza laid out on the coffee table as they watch their favorite reality show.
“I haven’t seen this one.” Skyla helps herself to a slice and falls on the loveseat as she puts her feet up.
“I’ll be downstairs,” I say as I head that way to speak with Ezrina. Coop texted and let me know he’d be here. Coop, Ellis, and Brody were supposed to swing by this afternoon to get their levels checked for signs of the markers. So far so good, but Ezrina is worried about how often she’ll have to do upkeep. As of now, there is no magic bullet to keep the markers hidden for good. She’s hoping the missing link will be those genetics she’ll be able to tap into once Skyla gives birth.
