Phillip nodded seriously. “I drawed him a picture.”
Marty smiled at him. “He’s going to love it.” He led them to the bedroom. Eddie was trying to get out of bed, and Marty glared at him until he lay down once more.
“Hi, guys,” Eddie said. Phillip climbed up on the bed and sat next to Eddie, giving him the drawing.
“I made this for you,” he said in a whisper. “It’s you and Mr. Marty for when you get married like Uncle Daddy and Papa Kerry are gonna.”
Eddie grinned. “You’re going to make it official?” He took Brian and Kerry’s hands. “That’s so wonderful.”
“We were wondering if you’d perform the ceremony. Phillip is going to stand up with me, and Henry will stand up for him. But we’d like you to perform it in uniform,” Brian said.
“I’d be honored,” Eddie said.
Marty turned away to wipe his eyes.
“Are you crying?” Phillip asked. Marty was about to say no, but it seemed Phillip was asking Eddie. “Are you sad?
“No, I’m not sad,” Eddie said, blinking.
“People cry because they’re happy sometimes,” Henry explained in that wiser, big-brother way before coming around, getting on the bed, and lying on the other side of Eddie.
“Is there other news?” Marty asked.
“Yes, and it’s all good. The bad guy tried to bargain, but the DA isn’t having it. We were able to find the passwords on your boss’s computer and transferred all the remaining cash back. Since we can now prove it was gotten through illegal means, we’ve confiscated all of it. The bad guy was denied bail, so he’s going to be locked up for a very long time.”
Kerry came around and hugged him. “I know exactly how you’re feeling,” he whispered. “And it’s truly over.”
It was. Except for the fact that he had no job, it was over, and he—no…they—could move forward with their lives.
Kerry released him. “Boys, say goodbye to Uncle Eddie. He needs his rest. You’ll see him soon, I promise.”
“Can we bring Pebbles next time? He misses him too,” Henry asked.
“I’ll be better in a few days, and then I’ll come see all of you and Pebbles too. Okay?” Eddie said, and each of the boys hugged him before climbing down off the bed. Kerry guided them out of the room while Brian stayed behind.
“What else is there?”
“Haver’s board met and declared bankruptcy,” Brian told him.
“Not a surprise,” Marty said.
“I suspect they’ll be getting touch with you about working with the attorney for the creditors to help manage the liquidation. That will keep you busy for months, and by then,you should be able to get another job. Also, there going to be an opening in the department if you’re interested. It should be posted soon.” So it sounded like something was definitely happening in the department. That was good.
“Thanks, Brian.”
“I had little to do with it.” He smiled and left the bedroom. Marty showed them out and locked the doors behind them.
“It looks like you’re going to be busy,” Eddie said.
“As long as they ask me to help.”
“They will.” Eddie coaxed him onto the bed and put an arm around him. “Now, where were we?”
“We were about to watch another episode,” Marty told him, cheekily.
Eddie swallowed and shook his head. “I didn’t mean that, sweetheart.” He drew Marty closer and kissed him.
Epilogue
