Page 121 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“We stood in the back. I wasn’t sure if you’d want me there, but I needed to know you were going to be okay.”

Echo’s chest tightened.

“As clear as my dislike has been for Maelstrom—his affection for you is just as clear.”

Echo’s gaze whipped to his mother’s.

“I know you told me his brother’s death had been an accident, but I didn’t believe you. I thought he’d likely lied to you. Then I saw the pain on his face when you stood up for him.” She shook her head. “No one’sthatgood an actor. I could feel his pain coming off of him in waves all the way in the back of the auditorium.” She clicked her tongue. “I might even have teared up a little.”

Echo let out a light snort of laughter.

“Since yesterday, I’ve been sitting with the fact that you hop, skipped, and jumped so easily to that accusation. I had a talk with Daddy about it and… I’m going totryand make a few changes. Compliment you more. Work on boundaries. Stop picking on you about stuff that worries me. He says I’m projecting my fears and that’s unfair to you, so I’ll work on that.”

Echo smiled. “All I ask is that you try. Even if you mess up, don’t give up. Keep trying. If you can do that, maybe we can figure this whole mother-son thing out eventually. And it would mean a lot to me if we could figure it out.”

“Me, too,” she whispered. “Because even if I’m not the best at this, I really, really do love you, Echo. You’re my baby.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

“Can I get a hug?”

Echo nodded.

She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. When she backed away, she rubbed his belly a little. “I think you’re going to be a really good papa.”

“I hope so, but I could always use a pointer or two.”

“I’ll do what I can,” she murmured.

“Well, Mael’s stuffed in my car, waiting. I should get going.”

His mother looked past him at where Mael waited. “He looks like he’s going to need a can opener to get out of that thing.”

Echo chuckled. “It was that or his motorcycle.”

“Oh, gosh no. You two need a bigger car for my grandbabies.”

“We’ll sort it all out soon enough,” Echo said. “We’re going to needa lotof things.” He backed away. “Tell Dad I said hello.”

His father peeked out from behind the door. “Dad heard.” He winked at Echo.

Echo spun and marched back to the car.

“Hi, Maelstrom,” his mother called from the front step.

Mael peeked through the window and waved in her direction with a smile.

As soon as he slipped into the passenger seat, Mael eyed him. “Sounds like that might’ve gone well.”

“Well enough. It’s a start.”

Mael grinned before trying to move his long legs and get comfortable. “I’m going to go buy the biggest SUV I can find at the first possible moment.”

Echo grinned. “Mom said you looked like you’d need a can opener to get out.”

“She might be right,” Mael said before leaning over to steal a kiss. “Home?”

Echo nodded, suddenly exhausted. “Then boat… and a nap.”

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