“Yep,” Solo said, holding in the choking sob that reached up her throat. “Mommy came home.” She sniffed the air when Tia kicked her legs up into the air. “Smells like someone needs changing.”
Janie threw back the covers and lifted Tia into her arms. “I’ve got you. Let’s go see if your sisters are up yet.”
Solo followed Janie back to the triplets’ room, practically gliding across the carpet thanks to the joy lifting her heart.
By the time Janie had changed Tia’s diaper and gotten her into fresh clothes, Chloe was awake too, and Luna was beginning to stir gently. When they finally seemed to register Janie was in the room, they burst into giggles and cute little exclamations. Solo inclined her head slightly, waiting for the inevitable thundering of Griff’s heavy paws up the stairs as he realized the girls wereawake and ready to play. Seconds later, he was in the bedroom too, with that happy look on his face like it was Christmas and he’d just ripped open the hugest box of bones in the universe.
Her dad appeared in the doorway, took one look at the scene and smiled. “Good night?” he asked her quietly.
“The best,” Solo said, her heart pressing against her chest like it might burst with the amount of love contained within its walls.
He drew her into a bone-crushing hug. “Good. It’s about damn time.”
Once they got the girls dressed and ready, they went downstairs and made breakfast together. Janie scrambled eggs while Solo handled pancakes, both of them dodging triplets who were determined to assist in their own special way. Her dad supervised from the table, drinking coffee and offering unhelpful commentary like it was a football game and the triplets were on the offence.
“I was thinking,” he said as Janie plated the eggs. “You two seem to have things well in hand now. And Carmen’s working out great. Maybe it’s time I think about moving on.”
Solo froze, spatula suspended over the griddle. She hadn’t wanted to think about this part of being reunited with Janie. Having him there had been such a lifeline. She wouldn’t have survived without his steady presence, his help with the girls, and his gentle wisdom whenever she’d faltered, which had been a lot. “You don’t have to go,” she said quickly. “We love having you here. Right, Janie?”
“Of course. You’re always welcome,” Janie said.
But her response was a beat too slow, and Solo caught the hesitation, filing it away to think about later. Her dad noticed too, of course he did, and he gave a sage nod.
“I’m not leaving tomorrow,” he said. “But I don’t want to overstay my welcome either. You two need to figure out your rhythm as a family again, and that’s going to be a lot easier without an extra person in the house.”
Solo flipped the pancake as it started to burn. “But?—”
“We can talk about it later,” her dad said, stopping Solo in her tracks. “For now, let’s just enjoy breakfast.”
They ate together, and the triplets made their usual mess. Solo tried to push away the sudden anxiety about her dad leaving. She’d gotten so used to having backup, but she’d also enjoyed spending so much time with him again. The thought of going back to just her and Janie, even though that’s what she wanted, seemed like it might be too much for the two of them to handle and too soon to try.
As if she was able to read Solo’s mind, Janie took her hand and held her gaze, her understanding clear. They’d figure it out together.
On Monday morning, Solo walked into the garage feeling mighty pleased with herself. Sunday with Janie and the girls had been a lazy dream of a day filled with cartoons, playtime, and naps. Janie had stayed until after dinner before heading back to her apartment. Solo hadn’t wanted her to leave, but she had to work, and her files were there. Solo didn’t press the issue, not wanting to pierce the bubble of happiness they’d created over the weekend. They’d kissed goodbye at the door like teenagers, and Solo had watched Janie drive away, a smile on her face instead of an ache in her chest.
“Well, well, well,” Woody said, the moment Solo entered. “Look who’s glowing like she got some.”
“Shut up,” Solo said, then grinned widely.
“Oh my god, you did!” Woody whistled. “You totally did!”
Gabe emerged from the office, followed by Shay. “Did what?”
“Solo had sex!” Woody announced to the entire garage.
“Jesus Christ, Woody.” Solo punched RB’s shoulder, but in truth, she’d been desperate to get to work to share the news with her chosen family. “Can I have coffee before we discuss my sex life?”
“Nope.” Shay motioned to the couches. “Spill. Now.”
They gathered in the break room, and Solo told them everything. Not the intimate details of Saturday night, buteverything else about her perfect weekend. When the conversation inevitably turned to the custody battle she and Janie were gearing up for, the lightness she’d been feeling when she walked in began to fade, and fear invaded the vacuum.
“That fucking woman,” Gabe said, her expression fierce. “What can we do? How can we help?”
“Testify as character witnesses,” Solo said. “David, our lawyer, said we need to line up people who can speak to our fitness as parents.”
“I’m in,” Gabe said.
Shay nodded. “And me.”
