Page 29 of Adventures in Spring

They both laugh.

Francesco crouches down to their level.

“That’s what my daughter says too. She’s the same age as you two are. I think after all this is over, you need to come to Lake Renegade. My Saoirse wants to meet you both.”

“Can we go there, Mommy?” Miyuki asks.

“Yes. After all this we’ll take a vacation.” She smiles at them.

The kids go back into the house and Valentino follows them.

“Oh shit. We need to tell Mom and Dad who he is,” Tadashi says as he runs after them.

We all laugh as we hear their mom scream.

“I don’t think he made it in time.” I chuckle. “So what’s our plan? We’re in court tomorrow?”

“Yes, at eleven. And we have a new judge. I can’t say if this one has ties to the Summerses. But we’ll see when we get there. I still have the venue change in the system. And when we win this, it’ll be moved there because I can monitor it better.”

“Is there a chance they can take them from us tomorrow?” Emiko asks as her voice trembles.

“No. If they somehow get the ruling in their favor, they can’t take them from court. Also, the judge will be talking to the twins. And because of their age, I’ll be in there with them.”

Emiko nods. “I need to spend time with them.”

We all head inside to talk and spend time with the kids. Lorenzo and Sal need the kids to tell them what happened when they were with the Summerses. Hearing it in their little voices makes me even angrier.

ChapterFourteen

Emiko

Today is the day that a total stranger gets to decide what’s best for my babies. Having our support team behind us makes it a little easier. But it’s still the second worst day that I’ve woken up to. I can smell the breakfast my mom is making. I roll over and see that Rhett is gone. But there’s a note on his pillow and I smile as I read it.

My love,

I wanted you to sleep as long as you could. I’m downstairs with our babies and whoever else is up.

I love you,

Rhett

I stretch, get into the shower and get dressed. Then I follow the smell of food into the kitchen. I chuckle at the sight of all these huge men sitting at the table with my family. Also knowing that Valentino is here to help protect my babies is such an overwhelming feeling. To know that someone who doesn’t even know me or them is willing to protect them.

“Morning, Mommy.” Kaito smiles.

“Morning, baby.” I smile back.

Rhett stands up and gives me his seat as he kisses me. I thank him as I sit down.

“Breakfast smells delicious, mom.”

“Oh my god. It’s so good,” Francesco says. “Thank you again for making all this.”

“We appreciate all of you coming to help us.”

“We’re family. And that’s the one thing we do best is protect our family,” Salvatore says.

“I’ve been considering a move back to Illinois. Would you by chance have any openings in your department?” Tadashi asks Salvatore.

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