“I was always comin’ home, Sunshine.”
She sniffed, kissing my chin as she said, “I want you to know, I almost killed Minus.”
I chuckled. “I understand that feeling.”
“But then he really came through and Clutch helped me with all the gun lingo. So, I let him keep his head. I got the impression Cricket was on board to help me hide his body.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded.
I stroked her back and smiled. “Cricket has always been overly protective when it came to all of us.” I had three brothers, all younger, and Cricket was not only the baby, but also the only girl. As protective as she was with us, we were ten-fold when it came to her.
“Mom!”
Maisie sat up. “Shit! He’s home early.”
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “He’s not, actually. We lost track of time.”
“Mom!” Flash called again.
Flash’s real name was Parker, but we’d called him Flash ever since he was little because as soon as he could walk, he was off and running. Jamie, our youngest, would be home shortly, so it was time to cut our reunion short.
Maisie was already out of bed and pulling on her clothes, I did the same, and we headed downstairs. “I’m here, love. And I have a surprise.”
I walked into the kitchen with a grin. “Hey, bud.”
“Dad!” he shouted, and made a run for me.
I grabbed my son up into a bear hug and held him tight. “Jesus, I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Flash said, hugging me harder. “Are you out out, or out on bail?”
“Out, out,” I said. “All charges dropped.”
“Awesome! Jamie’s gonna shit himself.”
“Parker,” Maisie warned.
“Sorry, Mom, but he’s gonna be really excited, and it’s quite possible he’ll defecate in his underoos.”
I couldn’t stop a laugh as Maisie rolled her eyes and made her way to the fridge. “You hungry, baby?”
Flash and I both answered, “Yes.”
She grinned, rushing over to hug us both before stepping back to the stove to make food.
Flash and I sat at the kitchen island while Maisie cooked, and she set grilled cheese sandwiches in front of us just as the front door slammed and Jamie called, “Mom, I’m home.”
I slid off the stool, making my way out of the kitchen and smiling as Jamie slid off his shoes. “Hey, buddy.”
He spun with a gasp and made a run for me. “Dad!”
I lifted him and held him tight as he hugged my neck. “I missed you.”
He turned watery eyes to me, then hugged me again. “Are you gonna leave again?”
“No, buddy, I’m here for good. Mom’s made grilled cheese,” I said. “Come and eat.”
