“Language, son. There are ladies in the house.” I remind him firm but fair.
Already, Officer Harrison Holmes makes me proud. He’s a few years away from the academy, but he’s gonna do just fine.
I’d be honored to work a case with him anytime, side by side. Father and son.
And no.
I’ve never sat him down and told him about the ‘gift’ he seems to have inherited. He hasn’t even pegged it out for himself yet.
But he will.
No doubt too, he’ll come to me with questions as he has ‘em. But it’s such a personal thing. I know I’ll only ever be here to support him.
I can’t know everything. And I hope he has an easier time with it than I did.
But like being a cop. That other thing? It’s in his blood. My blood mixed with his mom’s.
And so far, I think he’s the only one out of the six kids we have that does have it.
Both Harrison and I exchange a not-so-certain look when we overhear Molly some more.
“…And don’t tell Harrison I put you in the laundry basket. We’re just helping him learn. Aren’t we?” she asks.
Harrison shoots me a wounded look. Silently asking if I’m in on this somehow. But my conscience is clear.
I can only give a shrug.
“I’ll get it!” Molly calls out again. Addressing the whole house and making me wonder if she’s coming down with something.
Kids act weird on a good day. But she sure is acting more than just a little odd lately.
She struts past us both, reaching the front door just as the bell chimes.
“It’s Uncle Frank,” she informs us both, sounding very matter-of-fact. “And Mom….” Harrison adds. Almost looking a little annoyed. Jealous even, if I didn’t know any better.
Beat ya to it did she, son?
Maybe this ‘gift’ is running a little deeper than I thought…
They’re both right.
And once Harrison moves over to the door and swings it open, I can see Megan balancing baby Josh on one hip while she fumbles for her keys.
My old boss Frank frowning. His arms piled high with boxes and his fingers a deep purple from the bags or groceries he’s carrying.
“Did you get it, did you get it?” Molly squeaks, already harassing her mom for something.
And long before I can even get my hands on her, I already feel just how much I’ve missed her.
I let Harrison help Frank with the groceries, and overriding Molly’s demands, I lift baby Josh and kiss him gently. Cradling his tiny body in the crease of my arm.
Leaning in to kiss my wife. My best friend, my everything.
“I missed you,” I tell her honestly. My free hand resting on her belly carrying our seventh child.
“I missed you both,” I add, making sure to let the baby due soon I’m already watching out for them.
“We were gone a half hour,”Frank snaps, rolling his eyes before he studies us both.