Is the baby coming home today?” Gina asked as soon as I placed her breakfast in front of her.

“Yes.”

She giggled with glee.

“Just as soon as you finish your breakfast.”

Her eyes widened before she started to scarf down her food.

I chuckled, watching her shovel cereal into her mouth.

Meanwhile, I sipped on my coffee – black, no sugar. I was nervous. This would be a huge commitment, especially with a woman I knew so little about.

Just then, my phone rang. Cruz’s name appeared on the screen. I hesitated to answer it. Would it really be my friend, or would it be Dean, once again trying to torment me?

Eventually, I gathered the courage to pick up, walking into the living room for some privacy.

“Hello?” I answered, a bit of trepidation in my voice.

“Franklin! Today’s the big day, isn’t it?”

My shoulders dropped in relief. “Yeah, I’m bringing her home today. Have the guards picked up anything suspicious?”

“Nothing. The hospital’s been quiet. I think Dean went into hiding.”

“But… why? It doesn’t make any sense. First, he kidnaps Lauren and then he leaves me an obnoxiously easy message to decode. I thought for sure it was a trap, but when I got to the park, there she was, completely unguarded. It feels too easy.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing. Trust me, I have most of VanGuard trying to find this guy, but he knows how to stay off the grid. But don’t worry, we’re going to find him. In the meantime, I’ll keep security tight. Nothing is going to get to her again. I can promise you that.”

“Good.”

“Are you at least wearing the gun I gave you?”

“You know I don’t do guns. Besides, I’m not going to carry a gun with me around my newborn child.”

I could almost hear Cruz rolling his eyes.

“Look, if push comes to shove, I think I’m stronger than Dean, even on a bad day.”

“Don’t underestimate him. He’s spent a long time in jail. He’s had more than enough time to bulk up. You, on the other hand, are not the same man who served as a Navy SEAL. Remember that.”

“Are you calling me old?”

“No. I just don’t want you to underestimate your enemy. In our line of work, that could be fatal.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Anyway, Amelia and I will be there in the afternoon to meet the little guy.”

“Great. Um… do you think Amelia could make something for dinner and bring it over?”

“I’m sure she’d be happy to. If not, I’ll pick something up on the way over.”

“You’re the best.”

“I try.” With that, he clicked off.

Gina was standing in the middle of the living room, already zipped into her jacket. “I’m ready!” she exclaimed, looking like a tiny soldier about to fulfill marching orders.

I chuckled. “Someone’s excited to meet her baby brother.”

She nodded so hard that it looked like her head would pop off.

“Alright, let’s go.”

* * *

When we arrived at the hospital, Lauren was already in a wheelchair, holding Frankie in her arms. He wore tiny blue socks on his feet and matching mittens on his hands.

Gina ran up to Lauren and peered at the baby, curiosity in her eyes.

“Careful, he’s not a doll,” I warned. “You have to be extra gentle with him, okay?”

She nodded. “Can I touch him?”

Lauren took her hand, letting her fingers sweep across his chubby cheek.

“He’s so soft!”

Lauren chuckled.

“I thought babies didn’t have hair,” she observed, pointing to the tuft of blackness on her brother’s head.

“Most babies don’t, but some do,” I explained. “So, what do you think? Do you like your new brother?”

“I do! Can I hold him?”

“As soon as we get home, okay?” I answered.

“Okay.”

We waited a few more minutes for the release papers. Oddly enough, there was a golden envelope clipped to the documents. A corner of it was discolored, as if it had fallen into water.

Lauren’s eyes flashed with fear when she saw it, but she didn’t say a word. She just held it in her hands for a moment, her fingers shaking.

“What is it?”

She shook her head and shoved it into her bag. Quickly, she signed the necessary papers, looking like she was all too eager to get home.

Not wanting to delay a moment further, I grabbed the handles of her wheelchair and pushed her through the maze of hallways.

In the parking lot, I grabbed Frankie and strapped him into his car seat. He gurgled at me, blowing a bubble between his lips. I smiled at him and bopped his nose. The soft giggle that emerged made me feel like the happiest man in the universe.

Gina took her seat beside him. She had graduated to a booster seat with her sudden growth spurt right before school. She didn’t take her eyes off her brother. I could tell that she was going to be an amazing older sister.

When I emerged from the back seat, Lauren was trying to get to her feet. “What are you doing? Let me help you.” I grabbed her by the elbows, steadying her before she could fall. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

She blushed slightly as she looked at me, our faces dangerously close. I remembered the kiss we had shared right after Frankie’s birth. It had been quick and spontaneous, but it was something that had been replaying in my mind in a constant loop. I had thought about kissing her again, but I could never find the right moment. Now, however, I allowed my inhibitions to melt away as I leaned her against the car and kissed her sweet, sweet lips. My hands fell to her hips, holding them tight, letting my emotions come to the forefront.

I couldn’t tell whether I genuinely liked this woman or if it was the fact that she had given me a son, but I could feel a fire burning inside of me. I wanted to hold her close. I wanted to keep her in my arms – forever.