"Well, hello there," I said softly. "You've had quite a day, haven't you?"
He grabbed my finger with a surprisingly strong grip, and something warm settled in my chest. Here was this perfect little person, completely safe and unaware of the danger that had circled his family today.
"You're a natural," Elena observed, setting out ingredients for what looked like enough pasta to feed a small army.
"Don't let him fool you," Sofia called from the pantry. "He's plotting something. Look at those eyes."
I laughed, studying Marcello's serious expression. "I see it. Definitely scheming."
The coffee finished brewing, filling the kitchen with rich aroma. I managed to pour myself a mug one-handed while keeping Marcello secure. He seemed content to study my face while I sipped, occasionally making soft baby sounds.
"So," Meredith said, pulling out a massive pot. "Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes them to actually eat once they get here? My money's on Elena and Jackson disappearing for at least twenty minutes."
"Hey!" Elena protested, but she was blushing.
"Please," Sofia said, emerging with her arms full of canned tomatoes. "Gray's going to want to check every lock and window in this place before he even thinks about food."
I shifted Marcello to my shoulder, patting his back gently.
"Leo will probably want a full security briefing. Complete with diagrams," Meredith joked.
"Of course!" Sofia grinned. "Now we just need to figure out how to make them actually sit still long enough to eat."
The normalcy of it felt surreal. We were making dinner and coffee, holding babies and teasing each other, as if this was any other evening. As if we hadn't spent the day terrified and waiting for news.
Maybe that was why we were trying to make it feel normal.
I checked my phone, unable to wait any longer.
When will you be here?
45 minutes. Need to clean up
Okay. I'll wait
Forty-five minutes. I could feel something flutter in my stomach. Part nerves, part anticipation, part relief. He was coming. He was safe and whole and coming here.
"Good news?" Elena asked, noticing my expression.
"Eric's forty-five minutes out." I checked the time on my phone. "Seven-thirty."
"Perfect timing," Sofia said, stirring sauce that was already smelling incredible. "This'll be ready by then."
I found myself watching the clock on the microwave, counting down. Forty-three minutes. Forty-two. Like I was waiting for Christmas morning.
"You know," Meredith said, following my gaze to the clock, "watched pots never boil."
"Neither do watched clocks," I muttered, making them all laugh.
But I couldn't help it. Every few minutes, my eyes drifted back to the time. Thirty-eight minutes. Thirty-five. Each minute felt like an hour and a heartbeat all at once.
Then Jackson came through the door first, and Elena made a small sound before rushing into his arms. He caught her easily, burying his face in her dark hair.
"You're okay," she whispered.
"I'm okay."
Leo and Grayson followed, both looking tired but unharmed. Leo went straight to Meredith, pulling her into a careful embrace before kissing her thoroughly. Grayson did the same with Sofia, then reached for his son.
