Page 53 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“Call me anytime, Mr. Logan.”

I hung up the phone with my lawyer and felt Catherine wiggle closer into me. She was officially sleeping, and I figured I’d sit there and let her sleep. My mind was swirling anyway, and I had a pretty good feeling that Michaela was asleep in her new pop-up tent. If she wasn’t, she would’ve come barreling down the stairs at the sound of my voice. I slid my fingers through her hair and leaned my head back, sighing as I closed my eyes. I wrapped my arms around Catherine as tightly as I could and pulled her into my lap, feeling her curl up and ease her head onto my shoulder.

I hated that she experienced that kind of fear and terror. I knew what it was like with Anya. To feel so worried for the safety of the kids while wishing none of it was happening. And to have her own sister thrown into me mix? It made me sick with anger. I knew Anya had her issues. We all did. But willingly dragging someone else’s family through the mud just so she could air her own dirty laundry?

The last piece of who I knew the woman I once married to be was gone.

I stroked my fingers through Catherine’s hair and closed my eyes. The boys would be home in about an hour and I wanted to see them off the bus. But up until then? I wanted to rest my aching mind. I wanted to relish the feel of Catherine’s body curled up in my lap. I wanted to replay my lawyer’s words in my head over and over again until I convinced even myself that he was telling the truth.

That Anya couldn’t take these kids away from me in the condition she was in.

The next thing I remembered, I heard the bus pulling up at the end of the driveway. I picked Catherine up and settled her back down onto the couch and quickly covered her with a blanket. A knock came at the door and I rushed to it, trying to get it open so no one would wake my girls up.

My girls.

I smiled at the thought.

“Daddy!”

“Hey there, boys,” I said as I hugged them close.

I looked up at the bus attendee and smiled at her.

“Thank you so much for walking my boys to the door,” I said.

“It’s not a problem, Mr. Logan. When your nanny called, we figured it would be best if someone rode on their bus today.”

“I really appreciate it. Can I tip you or something?”

“No, sir,” she said with a giggle. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Then tell the school to expect a donation for their vigilance in keeping them safe.”

“I’m sure it will be very much appreciated,” she said with a smile. “You guys take care.”

“Thank you.”

“Where’s Miss Cathy?” Dmitri asked.

“Is she cooking dinner?” Ivan asked.

“Actually, no. We’re going to order pizza for dinner tonight. Your sister’s napping and so is Miss Cathy, so try to keep it down,” I said.

“Oh, can we have pepperoni?” Ivan whispered.

“And pineapple?” Dmitri asked.

“Since when do you eat pineapple on your pizza?” I asked.

“Since Miss Cathy cooked it for us for lunch one day. It’s really good,” Dmitri said.

“Then a pepperoni pizza and a pineapple pizza it is,” I said with a grin.

“Pizza?”

I looked up the steps and saw my beautiful little girl. Dragging her blanket behind her and rubbing her eyes, she started down the stairs. I went to the bottom and held my arms out for her, then held her close and smothered her cheeks with kisses.

“Yes, princess. We’re going to do pizza for dinner,” I said.

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