“My sweet boy, you’ve been fighting this by yourself so long. I worry you’ll be alone, especially if things keep happening to Gwendolen. She can’t be there for you if she’s incapacitated,” she pleaded with him in Greek.
“Momma, please stop. Don’t upset him now,” Sofia asked in English.
“Momma, do you ever do anything anyone tells you?” Evie huffed.
Troy exhaled. His family was bickering around him in a mix of Greek and English.
“Momma, please. Sit. I need to talk to you.” Troy patted the bed, answering in English.
“Oh my god, you’re dying!” she cried in Greek. When Troy dropped his head to his chest, Fani shrieked loudly.
Dan Bishop, Noah Paulsen, Gwen, Eric and four familiar faces pushed through the door, getting stuck in the process.
Tim held his hands up and tapped the comm in his ear. “This is Dutch Boy. All units stand down. The Cat’s Meow is secure.”
“Momma, no more screeching, please.” He held her hands. “This is my last reminder to you. I love Gwendolen. We both have dangerous jobs, and that’s part of the reason I love her. I know you’re scared for me, and you say things you don’t mean. But please try not to.
“Now, do you remember Eric, Pete, Jaime, Seth and Tuck? You met them in Iowa,” his voice cracked. “They’re going to take good care of me.”
“Thank you. My boy has such caring friends.” Fani teared up.
“Mrs. Bremen, spend a few more minutes with your son. Then I’m going to ask you to leave. We need to get him ready for tomorrow, and then he needs his rest,” Eric said.
Gwen stood in the corner as Fani said a prayer and kissed Troy before finally stepping outside. Before Gwen could follow, he reached for her. Pulling her down and placing a soft kiss on her lips, he said, “Get some sleep tonight. I need you. I love you.”
Gwen blinked away a tear. “You’ve got me. I will try to sleep. See you in the morning.”
* * *
“That was tough.You’re not going through that again. I’m going to give you something to relax.” Troy didn’t object as Tim injected the low dose of versed.
Tuck walked in with Pete, each carrying a tray. “Fani hasn’t changed, huh?” Pete joked.
“Not one bit. Tim, they sent you the big guns,” Troy sighed.
“Upper bowel prep, then we need to clean out the rectal stump,” Tuck advised.
“All I’m telling you is I’ll be mighty upset if Beth and Humphries can’t put Humpty Dumpty back together.” He looked at the three PAs. “I’m kidding; I know the percentages.”
* * *
After everyone climbed in,Noah moved to the driver’s seat. “This is Bravo 2. Momma Bird, Baby Birds, Flyboy and Witch on board. Transport to Family Suites, La Jolla.”
The transmission engaged as they drove along the tower’s exit path, and Gwen’s heart fluttered. A look at Troy’s face and she knew his family upset him. His mother screeched so loudly because she thought he was dying. She also felt Fani’s behavior change again since she’d been so kind to her.
“Ladies, while we’re out, do you need anything?” Gwen treaded lightly.
“Does your father know what you do for a living?” Fani asked.
A shiver ran down her spine. “Yes, ma’am, and so does my brother.”
“Scott, what do you do?” Evie asked.
“I’m a captain in the Navy. I fly planes,” he said.
Gwen smiled. He flew fighter jets off the USS Nimitz, the most prestigious aircraft carrier in the Navy.
“Where are your people from?” Fani continued her interrogation.
