Page 68 of Wizard's Spitfire

“My sisters have agreed to let me speak. We were out on the lawn on break in between periods. It’s one of our two longer ones that gives us an extra ten minutes to stretch our legs. We walked toward the complex to meet with the rest of the cheer squad. We wanted to go over our newest cheer for next week's game.

“It’s one we’re still working on. Lucia and I were going over the new moves while Franni was teaching us the words. Crab and Flea came running in our direction and told us there were bad guys on campus. The team scatters and then we hear pop, pop, pop.”

My anxiety climbs as she describes what happens next. It’s ten minutes of cat and mouse through the campus as the triplets and the prospects play keep away. The prospects trade off searching the grounds for the Russians while two stay with the girls.

By the time she finishes the story, tears are streaming down all three girls' faces. I start to speak, but Valentina holds up her hands. She swallows back a sob.

“I.. have... something... else to say.” She takes deep breaths between each word, struggling to get them out.

“I’m sorry Ma, for everything. I’ve been an ungrateful brat. I listen to Dad’s words and let him poison my mind. I mean, he was sleeping with other women, and he blamed you. He convinced me to blame you.”

Tears stream down her face.

“You didn’t deserve that.” She hiccups and breaks into tears for a few seconds.

Charlie pulls the teen onto her lap. The girl keeps repeating the words “I’m sorry” repeatedly while she sobs. I can’t stand it anymore and I pull them both on my lap. Sure, it feels a little odd for a second, but when I wrap my arms around both, that feeling disappears.

I hold them while they cry. Lucia and Francesca joined our hug, one from each side.

“It’ll be alright. Together, we can get through anything.”

“Wizard?”

“Yeah, V?”

“V?” she asks.

I look down and see a smile on her face. I nod.

“I like it and I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. No need to say more. We all make mistakes. I’m just glad you realize your mom is not a bad person. That she loves you and only wants the best for you and your sisters.”

She nods her head. “I realized that today. I was so scared, and I wanted my mom, not my dad. I knew she’d protect me.”

“Oh, baby girl,” Charlie says. “Of course I’ll protect you. I’ll always protect you. If I had more training, you bet your ass I would’ve been there today.”

“I thought I was going to have to tie her to a chair,” Bug says, with a laugh.

“When we build the house, do we each get our own room?” asked Francesca,

“Do you want your own room?” I ask.

I see the girls look at each other for several seconds in silent communication. I’ve seen them do it before.

“No.” They respond in unison.

There’s a knock on the door. Gambit goes to answer it and comes back with Marshal Hayes.

Riley

“GOOD EVENING, FOLKS, I hope I’m not interrupting. I wanted to stop by and give you an update.”

“Not at all,” Gambit says. “We were talking after dinner. Would you like some pizza? There’s plenty.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “Maybe after I fill everyone in. I’m not sure how much you want the girls to know, Charlie.”

“Give them the basics for now. Wizard and I can fill them in later,” Charlie says with a smile.

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