Page 444 of Chaos has a Name
“In Utah? InDamascus? Really?”
He nodded.
“I grew up locked away from the world inNew Orleans. I’ve never been to a reservation with the chance to stay here. It would have been cool. I feel…Native here. Like back home, I’m Koda, and white, but here, I’m part of my past.”
That was the most Timothy thing she’d heard him say. It was also something she knew Ethan would say too.
Then hate himself for bringing it up.
“Can we stay?” he asked.
She sighed.
“Koda, this place isn’t the same for us. A lot of things happened fifteen years ago here. It ran us through the wringer. The dads don’t like it here, and I’m on team vacate.”
He understood.
“Would you be angry with me one day if I came here? You know, after I become an agent? After I learn to be…you?” he asked.
She turned and faced him in the elevator after hitting the stop button.
The elevator came to a halt.
“Why would I ever be angry with you for spreading your wings and becoming the person you’re meant to be, Koda? That would never happen. The day you leave will be difficult, like when you went to bootcamp, but as a mother, I know I can’t keep you under my wings forever.”
He hugged her in his big, bear arms and held her against him.
“You did so much for me. I want to honor you, Mom. I’m a Blackhawk, but I’m Elizabeth’s son more so. When people say‘who was your mother’, I want to be able to tell them the best fucking agent that ever worked for the FBI.”
She sniffled.
What always did her in was her tender heart for her children, and the fact that this boy was so much like his father.
He got Callen’s gentleness and sweetness.
That was for damn sure.
“And when they ask me about my son, I will tell them that he’s the bravest, smartest, and most amazing man in the world. I just gave you the tools, Koda. This is who you were always meant to be. I keep telling you. You saved me. You’re a good father and husband, and that’s just you. I’ll be proud of you no matter what you do.”
He set her free and wiped the tears on her cheeks.
“I love you, Momma. No matter how old I get, you’re my momma and always will be.”
She was glad for that.
Elizabeth wouldn’t trade the last four years for anything.
“Let’s go find a killer,” he said, holding her hand as she hit the start button. “The family that chases the crazy together, stays together.”
She snorted.
“That works for me, Son.”
When the door opened, they headed out, back across that FBI emblem, and toward the offices.
“Have you seen Duke?” she asked Vivian, since he’d left a message for her.
The woman pointed.
