Home. The word still caught her sometimes, the weight of what it meant now. Not just a house on the outskirts of Phoenix Ridge, not just her and Zeus anymore, their family.
The elementary school parking lot was chaotic with kids streaming out, parents calling names, and the organized disorder of pick-up time. Maddox spotted Emma before Emma saw her, the dark ponytail bouncing as she ran across the playground with two other girls.
Then Emma’s head turned, and her whole face lit up. “Mom!”
Every time she said that word, it hit her chest.
Emma crashed into her legs, her backpack swinging wildly. “You came! I thought Mama was picking me up today.”
“She got held up at work.” Maddox steadied her, then crouched down to her eye level. “How was school?”
“Good! We learned about fractions and I got all the problems right, and at recess, Autumn said I could come to her birthday party next month, and—” Emma sucked in a breath. “Is Zeus in the truck?”
“He is.”
“Can I sit in the back with him?”
“If you promise to stay buckled the whole time.”
Emma was already running toward the truck before Maddox finished standing. By the time she caught up, Emma had her face pressed against the window, Zeus’s tail wagging hard enough to shake the whole truck.
Maddox opened the back door and Zeus immediately pushed forward, licking Emma’s face while she giggled and tried to hug him. He was gentler now than he’d been three years ago, but hisdevotion hadn’t changed, just expanded to include one small girl who thought he hung the moon.
"Okay, okay, let him breathe," Maddox said, helping Emma into her booster seat. Zeus settled beside her, close enough that Emma could rest her hand on his back during the drive.
In the rearview mirror, Maddox watched Emma chattering to Zeus about her day, the dog's ears perking at her voice. His muzzle was graying now, white spreading from his nose toward his eyes, and he didn't move quite as fast as he used to. He still worked a few times a month and demonstrated for the recruits, and his new job—guardian of one six-year-old girl—he took just as seriously.
“Mom?” Emma’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Can we have tacos tonight?”
“We’re having whatever Mama already planned.”
“But I want tacos.”
“Then you can ask Mama very nicely when we get home.”
Emma considered this, then nodded seriously. “I’ll ask very, very nicely.”
Maddox bit back a smile and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward the house that had somehow become the center of everything that mattered.
Jade's car was already in the driveway when they arrived. Maddox felt the familiar ease settle into her shoulders. Everyone was home and safe.
Emma bolted from the truck the second Maddox opened her door, Zeus following more carefully, his movements still confident but measured. The front door opened before Emma reached it, and Jade stood there in jeans and a soft sweater, herhair loose around her shoulders, smiling at the chaos heading her way.
"Mama!" Emma launched herself forward, and Jade caught her.
"Hi, baby. Good day?"
"Really good! And Mom said I have to ask you very nicely if we can please have tacos for dinner?"
Jade's eyes found Maddox's over Emma's head, warm with amusement. "I already made tacos."
Emma gasped like she'd witnessed a miracle. "You knew!"
"I'm magic like that." Jade set her down and Emma ran inside, Zeus trailing after her. Jade stepped out onto the porch, and Maddox met her there, pulling her close for a kiss.
"Rough day?" Maddox asked when they separated.
"Long. Two group sessions back-to-back, then a meeting with Diana about expanding the program to the fire department." Jade leaned into her, solid and warm. "But good. How was training?"
