Page 39 of Inevitable Dream

I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s only ten in the morning. “Sadie, what’s happening in that head of yours? It’s ten o’clock. Your parents told you on the way over that they had a huge breakfast before they boarded the plane. You’re looking like you’re walking a tightrope a hundred feet in the air without a net. Your parents have been great. You’ve been a basket case,” I tell her, coming closer. I clamp her waist and pull her up flush to my body. “What are you afraid of?”

“They have to like you,” she blurts out.

“What makes you think they don’t? I’m likable,” I tease, giving her a little shake.

“I love my parents, and I love you. I’ve seen what happens when families don’t get along. My friend Suzie, back home, she fell in love with this great guy. Her parents hated Bill from the first moment they set eyes on him. I never understood it. Bill is so good to her and loves Suzie so much that when she was pregnant, he literally carried her around so that she wasn’t overexerting herself. It was ridiculously sweet. It got so bad when they were dating that Bill didn’t go over to her family’s gatherings anymore. They would meet up or go to his place. They nearly broke up because Suzie would go to her parents’ house for dinner without him, and her parents would have other guys over for dinner to try to break them up. Bill finally had enough and gave her an ultimatum: her parents or him.” Sadie squeezes my biceps, tears threatening to fall. “Your job is dangerous, and my whole life, my parents have tried to protect me from getting hurt. I don’t want them to react that same way to us.”

“What did Suzie do?”

“She chose Bill. They’re happily married, with a little girl, Ruby, and Suzie is pregnant with her second.”

“And her parents?”

“They’ve never forgiven her for choosing Bill. To this day, I’m not sure they’ve ever seen their granddaughter. Suzie has an older brother and sister. They all get together with their families, but if her parents know that Suzie and her family are invited to one of her siblings’ homes, they won’t go.”

“Her parents are idiots. They’re missing out on seeing their grandchildren because of pride. It stopped being about Bill a long time ago. Her parents turned it into a control and pride issue. Your parents aren’t them, and this is not the same situation. I’m hoping that if Robert or Nancy have an issue with me, my work, or anything, they can come and talk to me about it. We might not always agree, but I’ll respect their opinion, as long as they respect mine,” I tell her, caressing her cheek and kissing her forehead. “I can’t foresee the future, but I can promise that I’ll always do my best to make you happy.”

We both hear the sound of a man clearing his throat, and we turn to face Robert and Nancy. Nancy is tucked into Robert’s side, looking upon us with soft, warm eyes.

“A father holds his baby girl for the first time and vows to never let anything hurt her. He watches her skin her knee or get the measles, and he sits up all night until whatever is hurting her is gone. The day you left home, I saw you get on that plane, and I thought my heart would never feel whole again. I couldn’t protect you anymore. I couldn’t chase away the monsters that hid under your bed. And I sure as hell wasn’t around to stop a mugger from beating you. But my little girl is still standing. Stronger and smarter than ever. And she found herself a man who would give his life for her. I’m not going to miss out on seeing my grandchildren. Your mother and I are going to babysit every chance we get. Christmases are going to be big family events, where Jasper and I are going to go out and cut down the tallest tree we can find and come home to watch the family decorate it. That’s what our future holds,” her father says, holding open his arms.

Sadie rushes into his arms, and the three huddle together. Both Nancy and Sadie sob tears of joy. I give them a minute before interrupting.

“Babe, I think they’re ready for Gertie,” I say with a chuckle.

Sadie sputters a laugh, which leads into a hard belly laugh, as she grips her stomach. “You better go see if she’s ready for the McCowans,” Sadie replies. I think the better question is if the McCowans are ready for our Gertie.

The father-boyfriend talk was slated to happen eventually. Ours happens on the way to the grocery store to pick up the list of items the women need to make enchiladas. At first it was only Gertie joining us for dinner, but the invitation has now been extended to Phoenix and Kailyn, Maya and Bull, and Wire and Falcon. As soon as Falcon found out that Wire declined, he opted out as well. Chances are Falcon’s making a trip out to see Wire to see what’s going on with him.

Remmi’s abduction has had an impact on him, and I’m not sure why. Then again, everyone on the team has seen and done things in the heat of battle that trigger us to this very day. We were all affected by Cory’s death, Phoenix more than the rest of us. But other situations have happened that have scarred us brothers in one way or another. I wouldn’t say Wire’s reaction is typical, but it is understandable.

Falcon has been the one who talks us off the edge and brings life back into perspective. It’s one of his many talents, but basically, he’s the older brother we all need and the greatest leader there is.

Even with Falcon and Wire missing, there are many mouths to feed; Hubert makes the tenth. Sadie wanted to have her father meet the man who took care of her when she first arrived, and Hubert was happy to be invited to a family dinner. Our place isn’t big enough for all of us to have a sit-down meal, so Gertie suggested dinner on the roof.

I didn’t even know we had a rooftop sitting area. None of us did. That’s when Gertie said, “Why would you? I never told you. It was put in for me.” Gertie’s been in this building the longest, and she and the owner are close. When Gertie started her battle with cancer, the owner put in a rooftop patio for Gertie to go and spend time outdoors without having to leave the building.

So here we are, with all the plans made. Robert and I are on our way to the store, and Bull and Phoenix are setting up tables and chairs on the roof.

Robert doesn’t beat around the bush, and as soon as we’re off the main road, he says, “You love her.” It’s not a question but a statement.

I glance in his direction. “More than anything.”

“She loves her job.”

“I know it. We met while she was looking after me.”

“What I mean is, she wants a career.”

“Then she should have what she wants.”

“Double shifts, long hours. That can be hard on a marriage,” Robert says. I see what he’s getting at. Many marriages begin with the best intentions, but people grow apart.

“I have a challenging job too. It’s something that Sadie and I have discussed at length. There are nights that she’ll sleep alone, and nights that I’ll sleep alone. But our plan is to have as many nights as possible together and make our time about quality moments,” I tell him. He seems satisfied with my answer. A father needs to know that his daughter is safe, so I decide to give him my plan. “Sadie needs a car. I plan on taking her out to buy one. No more waiting at bus stops. And I know how she is when she’s working. She forgets to eat. When she works nights, I’ll bring her dinner when I can.”

Robert grins, shaking his head. “I can’t wait to see how she reacts when you try to get her to buy a car. I’ve offered a hundred times, and she’s refused every single time. She can be as stubborn as a billy goat.”

“I’m not asking Sadie. I’m driving to the lot, and I’m telling her to pick one or I will. I can’t do my job if I’m worried about her safety. One mistake and it can cost a life. We saved a father and daughter the other night. It was a dangerous situation. I need to be focused on every mission because my brothers are counting on me. Sadie gets that, and if she doesn’t, I’ll buy a car anyway. Sooner or later, she’ll cave.” I shrug.

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