Page 198 of State of Alert

“Is that my cue to get the hell out of here?” Scotty asked.

“Hush and say hello to your father.”

“Hello, Father. How are you?”

“I’m tired and ready to come home. What goes on there?”

“All the usual stuff, except Mom helped to solve two murder cases with one arrest today.”

“I heard about that. Well done, Mom.”

“Elaine Myerson gets the full credit. She was investigating her sister’s cold case and led us to the guy we arrested.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Thank goodness for her, because I was on my way to charging at least one of her children with murder.”

“Everyone has told Mom that she didn’t do anything wrong and that she followed the evidence, but she’s still beating herself up over it,” Scotty said.

“That’s because she cares so much.”

“I’m going to bed, parentals. You can make kissy faces and other gross things with the child out of the room.” He kissed Sam’s cheek as he got up. “I’m not gone yet.”

Nick laughed. “He’s too much.”

“He’s full of beans lately and such a huge help with the twins.”

“I’m calling with very good news.”

“I could use some of that. Lay it on me.”

“Andy heard back from the grandparents’ lawyer. They’re dropping their quest for custody.”

“Oh, thank God. That was all I could think about tonight when I had them cuddled up to either side of me earlier as we watchedStar Warsfor the nine-hundredth time. Like what would we ever do without them?”

“That’s never going to happen. Andy has begun the paperwork for us to adopt the three of them.”

Sam’s eyes flooded with tears. “I’msohappy about that.”

“Eli is, too. He said he never imagined he’d want that, but whatever it takes to make our family official.”

“Our family… It’s a miracle born from multiple tragedies.”

“And born from love.”

“So much of that. When will you be home? I miss you so much.”

“I miss you, too. I’ll be there by one o’clock tomorrow afternoon to change and pack for the weekend. My afternoon is free and clear for my family.”

“We can’t wait.”

“Neither can I.”

After lunch the next afternoon,Sam was notified thatMarine Onewas due to land on the South Lawn at any moment. She gathered the kids and Skippy and went outside to greet their favorite guy.

While they waited, the kids chased each other and Skippy around on the lawn. For a second, Sam could pretend they were like any other family greeting a returning traveler. The presence of Secret Service agents as well as the White House press corps with their long-range lenses trained on Sam and the kids shattered that illusion.

But nothing could dull the elation of seeingMarine Onecome into view, bringing Nick home to them.

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