Page 16 of Her Last Warning
Her fingers brushed against her temple, where a dull ache had taken residence.The day's frustrations weighed on her like a physical thing, pressing down on her shoulders as she gathered her computer bag from the passenger seat.But as she pushed open the front door, the sight before her washed away the exhaustion: Jack and Paige sprawled on the couch, illuminated by the TV's blue glow, sharing a large bowl of ice cream between them.The domesticity of the moment tightened her chest a bit as it warmed her heart.
"Well, look who finally made it home," Jack said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.He was still in his work clothes, tie loosened and sleeves rolled up, looking as tired as she felt but smiling nonetheless.
Rachel dropped her computer bag by the door and collapsed onto the couch beside them, letting herself sink into the worn cushions.The case files could wait fifteen minutes.Just fifteen minutes to be present with her family, to breathe in the simple routines of family life.She hated that moments like these were becoming less and less common.
"Want some?"Paige held out a spoonful of ice cream, the chocolate sauce dripping precariously over the edge.
"What kind is it?"
"Rocky Road," Paige announced proudly, digging her spoon in for another bite."Jack got it on his way home.We've been waiting for you to join us."It was said in jest, though; they both knew Rachel hated everything about Rocky Road.
Rachel's nose wrinkled."No thanks.Gross."
"Gross?"Jack's eyebrows shot up."That's fighting words in this house.Rocky Road is a classic."
"Please," Rachel scoffed, tucking her feet under her on the couch."Everyone knows mint chocolate chip is superior.It's refreshing, sophisticated—"
"It tastes like toothpaste," Paige cut in, making an exaggerated gagging sound."Mom, I love you, but that's like eating frozen Colgate."
"Take that back!"Rachel grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it to her chest."At least I'm not the one eating rocks."
"They're marshmallows!"Paige protested, brandishing her spoon like a sword."Perfectly soft, wonderful marshmallows."
"Rocks," Rachel insisted."Little chocolate-covered rocks.And don't even get me started on the nuts.Disgusting."She felt that warm surge in her heart again, amazed at just how easily it was for her to make this transition.
Jack shook his head solemnly, reaching over to pat Rachel's knee."I can't believe I married someone with such terrible taste in ice cream.Maybe we should get divorced."
"Oh yeah?"Rachel challenged, fighting back a smile."What's your perfect flavor then, Mr.Ice Cream Expert?"
"Cookie dough," Jack said without hesitation, sitting up straighter."The perfect balance of vanilla and—"
"Raw eggs," Rachel cut in, dodging the playful swat he aimed at her.
"Chunks of heaven," Jack corrected, his voice taking on a dreamy quality."The exact right ratio of cookie dough to ice cream, with those little chocolate chips mixed in..."
Paige rolled her eyes so hard that Rachel worried they might get stuck."You're both wrong.Rocky Road is clearly the best because it has everything.Chocolate, nuts, marshmallows—"
"Rocks," Rachel coughed into her hand.
The debate spiraled, each of them defending their choices with increasingly ridiculous arguments.Jack launched into a detailed history of cookie dough ice cream's invention, while Paige insisted that Rocky Road had actually been created by ancient civilizations who discovered frozen chocolate in mountain caves.Rachel felt the tension in her shoulders loosening with each laugh, each playful jab.These were the moments she'd missed during her illness, the simple joy of being together, being alive.And now she knew that her job might also be in the process of stealing it again.
That, or Cody Austin.
At nine-thirty, Jack clicked off the TV."Time for bed, kiddo."
"Heeey!"Paige groaned, drawing out the word."None of my friends have bedtimes anymore.Sarah stays up until midnight, and Jessica—"
"Well, it's a good thing they're not my kids then," Rachel said, standing and stretching."Come on, I'll walk you up."
As they climbed the stairs, Paige launched into a detailed account of her day, her voice echoing off the walls.Rachel listened intently, drinking in the normalcy of it all—the drama of sixth-grade lunch tables, where Cameron had maybe-sort-of asked out Lily but then denied it completely, the upcoming science project on plate tectonics that Paige was partnering with her best friend Emma for, the way her history teacher Mr.Peterson had accidentally written on the SmartBoard with a regular marker and spent ten minutes trying to erase it while the class watched in horror.
In the bathroom, Paige scrubbed her face while Rachel leaned against the doorframe, asking questions about her classes, her friends, the upcoming weekend.It struck Rachel how grown-up her daughter looked now, caught in that delicate space between child and teenager.The time she'd lost to work, to illness, pressed against her heart.
"So Emma thinks we should do our project on earthquakes," Paige said, patting her face dry with a towel."But I think volcanoes would be cooler.What do you think?"
"Definitely volcanoes," Rachel agreed."You could do a model with real eruptions."
Paige's eyes lit up."That's what I said!We could use baking soda and vinegar and food coloring."
