Charlie and Jeremy were playing on the rug. The floor was covered in soft toys. Jeremy gave me a gobby grin, so I picked him up, threw him into the air, and caught him. My young nephew squealed with delight. Sure, I was covered in spittle streaks, but I didn’t mind.
“He’s in an excellent mood,” I said as I watched Jeremy crawling at speed toward Bella, the family’s Golden Retriever.
“That’s because his teeth are finally out,” Inessa announced happily as she entered the living room, scooped up her son, and gave him a zerbert on his chubby cheek.
“Hoorah!” Charlie chanted. “Mommy and Daddy are catching up on some much-needed lost sleep.”
“You hear that, Jeremy? You’re the hero of the day,” I smiled.
“How’s Angel?” Charlie asked me.
Inessa and I shared a knowing glance.
“She’s chilling at home. My son is a handful already.”
I hoped my half-assed excuse was at least a believable one. Charlie seemed to accept it, as he continued to the next topic. I was grateful, although I still wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of the safe house.
“Poor thing. Give her my love, will you?”
“Of course.”
I thought it best to have dinner before I burst my family’s euphoric bubble.
“Grub’s up,” Inessa announced. “Hon, will you put Jeremy in his feeding chair, please?”
“Sure, Babe. Let me clean up his hands first.”
“I’ll help you carry the dishes to the table, Sis.”
“Are you okay?” Inessa asked me while we were alone.
“I suppose so, under the circumstances.”
“How’s the sting op coming along?”
“Sting op? I had no idea you were so well-versed in police operation lingo,” I grinned.
“I watch television,” she winked.
“I need to talk to you about that after dinner.”
Nicely done, Max. Drop a few crumbs.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. Let’s eat then we can talk after I put Jeremy to bed.”
Dinner was eventful, as expected when one of the diners was a nine-month-old food slinger.
“Okay, wow!” Inessa said afterward. “Looks like I’m going to have bath Jeremy before I put him to bed. He’s wearing his meal again.”
“That’s okay, Babe,” Charlie laughed. “I’ll bathe him. You relax and chat with Max.”
“Ah, and that’s why I adore you,” Inessa smiled and kissed her husband.
“Come along, Charlie Brown. Bath time.”