“Why would I come along?”
“You need to show me all the archives of that night. I have a theory.”
“Can’t it wait till the morning?”
“Why would it?”
“Why would it not?”
After some arguments, they finally agree to head back. They even wake my father up in the middle of the night so they can borrow his private jet.
After they change, Reina and I walk them to the entrance. She hugs them together, then one at a time while smoothing invisible wrinkles from their clothes.
“But I still didn’t get my fill of you, boys.”
“We’ll come back, Mom.” Gareth grabs Killian in a chokehold. “I’ll make sure to bring this idiot, too.”
“Who are you calling an idiot, wanna die?” Kill tries to get out of his hold and fails.
Gareth only releases him when he hugs me goodbye. “See you, Dad.”
“See you, son.”
Killian is about to turn and leave, but I grab his shoulders and for the first time since he was a kid, I wrap my arms around him and bring him close.
It takes him a moment before he stiffly pats my back. It’ll take him some time, but he’ll get there.
“Stay out of trouble, son.”
He grins as we break apart. “How else will you ask about me?” I narrow my eyes and he laughs. “That was a joke.”
Then they get in the backseat of the car so my chauffeur can drive them to the airport.
Reina and I remain at the door long after they’re gone, arms wrapped around each other as she sniffles.
“Why do they grow up so fast?” she grumbles but then sighs and smiles up at me. “Silver lining, I’m so glad we had that conversation tonight as painful as it was.”
“Me, too.”
She strokes my cheek, her touch soft, loving, and the only thing I need. “I know it must’ve triggered that horrible trauma, but I’m so glad you could look past it and talk to Kill. I’m so proud of you.”
I can die a happy man if my wife is proud of me. No questions asked.
“I love you, Ash.”
“I love you, too, prom queen.” I tug her closer. “Do you think he’ll be able to get Glyndon back?”
“Oh, I’m sure he will. He looks at her the way you look at me.”
I raise an eyebrow. “And how do I look at you?”
“Like you’ll destroy the world as long as I remain safe.”
“It’s true. Now, tell me, what did you whisper to Kill earlier?”
She smiles as she stares in the distance. “That we love him no matter how different he is.”
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