Page 64 of Secret Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Four

The smell of pancakes hit Zack as he walked through the front door of his home, exhaustion was heavy as he steered Ava towards the kitchen. The growl coming from his stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten since yesterday evening and he was starving.

Walking into the kitchen behind Ava, he came face to face with Helen. She was busying herself around the hob, pouring batter into a hot skillet. Celeste and Riley were at the table eating, and Frank was hovering over his wife looking worried.

Ava went to her son and scooped him up in a sloppy kiss that made the boy giggle. Putting him down, she turned to her mother, “I see you’re feeling better mom.”

Zack sat in his usual chair, smiling at Celeste in greeting as he ruffled his son’s hair, noticing that most of the cut-up pancake on Riley’s plate had somehow made it to the floor, what remained was being shovelled in his mouth as if he hadn’t been fed in years.

“Oh, I am, sweetie, I feel much better. Almost like a new woman. Not that your father believes me,” Helen said casting a dark look at her husband.

“Woman was at death’s door for six days, and now she’s like a spring chicken. It doesn’t seem right to me. She needs to take it easy.”

“Stop fussing Frank,” Helen huffed as she plated up another stack of pancakes. “Come get some food, you must be starving. Then I want to hear all about those babies,”

Frank sulked at being admonished, even as he let himself be steered to the table along with Ava, who frowned but didn’t argue.

Zack dug in and filled his plate, helping Riley as he dropped his fork on the floor every two minutes, by picking it up, until Ava laughed.

“He is totally messing with you.”

Zack looked around and noticed everyone grinning and then burst out laughing. “You messing with me, son?” he asked Riley with a grin. The child giggled, and the adults joined in again.

“So, Ava and I have some news, Frank, Helen,” Zack said not wanting them to notice the ring before they could confirm it. He took Ava’s hand in his and kissed her fingers, “I asked her to marry me last night, and she said yes.”

“About damn time!” Frank decreed, and Helen gave him the look again. “What? You were thinking it. I just said it.”

“I know honey, but little ears!”

“Fine. Congratulations and welcome to the family son.” Frank said and got up to shake Zack’s hand, while Helen and Celeste kissed Ava and then him.

“This is so exciting, I’m so happy for you both,” Celeste smiled.

“Thank you, Celeste,” Zack said.

“Wow, what an amazing twenty-four hours. Engagements, babies, balls.” Celeste exclaimed.

“I know, and they are so beautiful!” Ava returned, her face getting that gooey look women got around babies.

Zack felt his phone buzz in his pocket and excused himself as the women talked babies and childbirth. Walking into the hall, he answered. “Yes?”

“Race one is covered,” Roz said simply. They had agreed that Hamilton would go by that code name.

“Good, and thank you.”

“Whatever, Zack,” Roz replied coldly. “Danes kids okay?” she asked nonchalantly.

“Yeah, all good. Let’s meet tomorrow for a de-brief.”

“Fine.”

Zack listened to the dial tone as the woman hung up. K must be insane to want to go near her. She might be beautiful, but she was the coldest, most hostile person he had ever met and on top of that she could cause pain in a hundred different ways without killing a person.

He felt a presence beside him and looked down at Samson. “Hey boy,” he said and squatted to stroke his hand over the dogs back. “Thanks for watching them for me.”

“Celeste went home, and mom is going to watch Riley for a few hours so we can get some sleep.” Ava slid her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “Can we go see the Estate later? I would love to show Riley his dads childhood home.”

“Sure baby, whatever you want.”