Page 36 of Amethyst Queen
Everyone froze. Their eyes riveted to Amalee as he leaped into her arms. Her eyes were welled with tears as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him against her chest.
“Holy shit.” Onika blurted out, “He called you momma.”
“He did… didn’t you, Baxter.” Amalee laughed through her tears of joy.
Dante tugged them both into his arms, surrounding them with his love, “He knows… deep down, he feels the connection.”
Amalee could hear the hurt in his words, “He’ll have that connection with you, too.” She gave him a smile, “Anyway… back to the matter at hand. Helix. What are we going to do?”
“We keep searching. Investigate every potential connection this guy has.”
“And we keep looking for this Rock Garden. It’s all coming together – in no time, we will bring her home and this Helix clown to justice.” Constable Harold slammed his fist to the table as if to make a statement.
Once the room was cleared, Amalee walked out to the living room. Setting Baxter down, she hugged Julie tight. She knew the little girl was stressing over her brother’s whereabouts.
“Don’t worry. We will find him, Julie. I promise.”
Julie snuggled against her, “Thank you, Amalee.”
Amalee kissed her head and held her close. She watched as Baxter toddled around the room, bumping into things as he moved around the furniture.
Dante scooped him up and shoved his head beneath the toddler's shirt. He tickled his tummy, pressing kisses to the exposed skin as he did.
“Pop it, dada,” Baxter giggled and squirmed beneath his touch.
“What did you say?” Dante peeked up from under his shirt.
“Pop it, dada.” Baxter tried to push his head down, “Down, peeese.”
“Oh my god.” Amalee had her hand over her mouth, “he said, dada…”
“Yes…” Dante grinned, “he did. Julie,” he called the little girl pressed against the love of his life, “I think this calls for ice cream. What about you?”
“Can we,” she glanced at Amalee, seeking permission.
“I’d say there is no better reason than that. Let’s go.”
The four of them headed toward the kitchen. And for a moment, she felt as though life was semi-normal. They were onto something. Something that would give them the upper hand and maybe, just maybe, win this war against evil.
