That made him laugh.
As he reached the library, he found Michael sitting in there on the couch, with the big journal nearby.
“Our mom wants to talk to you.”
He heard the words, and wasn’t shocked at all. After all, he knew Elizabeth was a good person.
So, he patted the couch and took the phone, so they were both facing her.
“Hey, Cupcake.”
She called him that, or buttercup, when they worked out in the gym together. You hadn’t lived until a woman who was a third of your weight took you down, and then sat on you laughing.
The nickname stuck.
“Yes, Crazy Train?”
She winked at him.
“Do you like it there?” she asked.
He nodded, and held his husband’s hand. He’d just been sitting there thinking about the castle, and how it was spooky, but calm most of the time.
“It’s nice here with Graham. I’m calm, and it’s always awesome not to get shot at. I like a country with some gun restrictions, and some control. Who knew?”
She laughed.
“Ouch. That resembles me a hella lot, andNOTthe US.”
Oh, he was aware.
Now, he knew what they’d talked about, and he wasn’t sure of the outcome. Graham seemed calm, but he had watery eyes.
He doubted Elizabeth made him cry.
“For the record, Crazy Train, for you, I’d get shot at. You know that,” he admitted, and he would. “I love you, Mom, and if I can help keep you alive, I’ll do my duty. You are, after all, the Deputy Director of the FBI, and the only woman I’ve loved like this.”
Yeah, except she wanted more for her kids—even the ones that were Marines and not of her body.
It was time to let another baby bird fly the nest. First, it was Koda, and ironically enough, he was back. Now, it would be Michael.
Uriel…he was possibly up after him.
It was a difficult thing to do, but she knew it was the right thing to do. To keep him with her was selfish when he had a whole new life and adventure waiting for him.
“I want you to do me a favor.”
He waited.
“I want you to stay there, and help Graham keep the castle safe. She needs two caretakers. Plus, if we have to come there, you know how to lock the place down for the family.”
Oh, immediately, he knew why she was doing it. She was giving him the safest chance in his life. What could happen to him in Scotland?
Once more, Mom was momming.
“Are you sure?” he asked, beyond grateful that she was doing this for him.
That was a complete mother move if he ever saw one, and he knew it was a sacrifice.
