Page 26 of Nick

“You be careful. I would die if something happened to you.”

“I wanted to ask you something. Jax said you had a doctor’s appointment. Are you sick?”

“No, sweetheart, I’m as healthy as a horse. You know that.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too.”

Leave it to Amber to tell Jax about my doctor’s appointment. I need to go through Luca’s trial papers for tomorrow.

What a rough two weeks it had been. I sat down on the sofa to look at the paper work but fell asleep. I was soon awakened by strong aromas filling the room.

“You two will spoil me if you keep this up. I love tacos. Thank you,” I said walking to the dining table. Dinner was sensational as usual.

I finished the dishes and decided my emotions were way off, so I went to bed. I woke up at three and realized that Axel still wasn’t home, and I called him, “Where are you, sweetie?” I asked when he answered.

“We are on our way home. We have Jeff with us. He said he got away from the men when they were fighting.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m going to tell Tina right now. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

I walked into the kitchen, and Tina was drinking a cup of coffee. “They have him. He’ll be here in a little bit.”

“Thank you, Lord,” she said with her hands clasped under her chin. When she was done rejoicing, I sat next to her as she cried. “I’m so happy. I can’t wait to hold him in my arms. We are so lucky he had Luca as a cellmate.”

“Yes, we were fortunate. Have you had any sleep?”

“No, I couldn’t sleep.” I decided to stay with her. We were

at the table together when we heard the vehicle pull up out front. Tina opened the door, and when she saw her brother, she cried his name and ran to him. They embraced.

I stood there crying when Axel walked up and put his arm around me. “You’re the best mom in the world. Have I ever told you that?”

“Yes, but I like hearing it.” I waved to Jax as he drove off. I hugged Axel, and we all went inside. Axel went to bed, and I left the siblings to talk by themselves. I went back to bed, when I woke up, Tina and Jeff were already up.

“I’ll stay with you until Luca gets out. Jeff is going to take my car home.”

“Tina, you don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to stay and help you.”

“I’ll never want you to leave if you keep this up. Between you and Grandpa helping me out, I have it made.”

“We all know how much work you do. I’m thinking about moving here. No one knows about what happened to me. They don’t stare when I’m in town. People greet me when I walk by.”

“If that’s what you want to do, this is a beautiful place to live. People already know you. Grandpa won’t feel he has to show up if you are there. I mean, you might want to work somewhere else, but—”

“I would love to keep working for you. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Yay! You’re staying. You can stay with me until you get your own place. Take your time.”

“I’ve already been looking. There is this cute little cottage I found. I can buy a bike and be at work in no time.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Also, Jeff can live with me and drive to college if he wants to do that. He might want to get an apartment, I don’t know, but at least it’s an option.”

“I’m so happy you’ve made this decision. I have to leave now. I’ll see if Jenna is ready.”

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