She stopped him.
“You can be honest, Michael. A mother knows. I’ve been wrangling Marines for a long time. I just had a very similar conversation with Uriel.”
Taking a deep breath, he let it out.
“I don’t think I am. If I leave, am I still family?” he asked. “Even far away?”
That was poppycock.
“Michael Robert Graves. Do you think I’m letting you leave this wackadoo circus of crazies? Once you’re in, you’re committed until you’re actually committed.”
He felt calmer.
“I’m going to let Graham decide. I forced his hand last time, and it blew up. This time, I’m going to do the right thing. I had parents who raised me right,” he said, meaning them.
“I love you, Michael. I’ll always love you. I know Callen, Chris, Ethan, and Gene feel the same. You’re part of us no matter how far you travel. You can always come home, Buttercup. I promise.”
He laughed.
She called him that when she beat his ass in the gym. Funny, he felt just as sore—leaving them…that was going to be a hard pill to swallow.
But he’d man up.
When he sniffled, she shut that down.
“No sadness. We’ll cross that bridge then, when we get to it. When you go to get married, make sure you have Ian call. I want to watch one of my Marines find his joy and his happily ever after. I love a wedding.”
He kissed the phone.
“I love you, Mom. I love you so much, and I’m glad you loved me the second you met me. I needed you and our journey to become this man again. I will never forget the nights you would sit with me and let me talk to someone, or let me cry. You are the most amazing mom and woman in the world, and I’m grateful that you are mine.”
“Always, Saint Michael. Don’t tell the others, but you’re my favorite.”
He wiped his eyes and laughed.
“I know for certain, you’ve told Gryphen, Uriel, Demeter, Jet, Benning, Gunny, Raphael, Saint, Muriel, and the other Marines the same damn thing.”
She was honest.
“This time, you can bet on it. You needed me the most, and a mother’s heart needs a child who relies on her. I’ll miss you, but it’s not goodbye, buttercup. It’s see you at the holidays with your new man.”
He got it.
“I’ll be home, Mom. I promise.”
She didn’t doubt that.
“It’s been a pleasure having you on my team, Michael. Don’t forget where you came from on this new adventure. If you ever need me…or you just want to talk to your mom, call me. I’m here.”
He wiped his eyes.
“I will, Mom. The pleasure was all mine. Protecting you and the family was my greatest joy.”
Now, he was weepy.
So she had to stop this, or they’d be crying, and today wasn’t about weeping.
It was about celebrating.
