“Or finding the right person?”
“That too.”
Parker yawned. “Can we go home now? I’m tired.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Thanks.”
Nick tilted his head. “For what?”
“Not being mad at me. I shouldn’t have snuck out.”
“I don’t blame you. Just don’t do it again, okay? I was really worried.”
“Sorry, Dad.”
“It’s fine. Let me know where you’re going in the future. That’s all I ask.”
Parker leaned across the console and threw his arms around Nick.
Nick held him tightly. He was sure this wasn’t the end of the emotional roller coaster, but at least they were making progress. Parker was still calling him dad.
He couldn’t ask for anything more.
Match
Alex rolled over and stretched. The light shining in between the blinds told him it was time to get up, but exhaustion squeezed him. No wonder, given he’d barely had two minutes to himself all weekend. Not that he was complaining—he’d do anything for friends or family, and everyone needed him. The thought sent a warmth through him. It wasn’t all that long ago that he was completely useless and nobody needed him for anything. Now he had a job, a best friend, the love of his life as his wife, three wonderful kids, and he was helping a cousin who needed him. Back when he was living alone and getting drunk every night, none of this would’ve seemed remotely possible.
He forced himself to sit up and look around. The apartment was empty—even Ayla’s bed was vacant. Hopefully the fact that he’d slept through the night meant that she hadn’t had any more nightmares.
His stomach rumbled, urging him to get out of bed. He had a lot to do today. Check on Ayla, call the Spokane police department for any updates, and make sure Nick had been able to get Parker from his girlfriend’s house. Plus, he was pretty sure Ariana wanted to show him her latest science project for an upcoming school fair. She had to have gotten her studiousness from Zoey, as it sure wasn’t from him.
Alex took a quick shower before checking his phone. He had a missed call from Sergeant Hoffman in Spokane. Alex returned the call while checking his blog comments.
“Mercer, I’m glad you called,” Hoffman answered.
“Do you have news on Ayla’s case?” Alex asked.
“Sure do. I put a rush order for the DNA samples we took at the house.”
Alex’s stomach clenched. “And?”
“Ayla Stevens was there. Her DNA was found in one of the bedrooms. But that isn’t all.”
“What else?”
“We believe both of her parents were there, too. We don’t have samples from them—we’ll have to find something in their home, but the two samples are close enough to Ayla’s. They’re a close relative, most likely parents.”
“And you have no idea where they are now?”
“No. We didn’t find enough blood to indicate anyone was killed there. We’re going to assume they’re alive until we find out otherwise. Has the girl remembered anything yet?”
“She had a nightmare after seeing the photos, but she doesn’t remember it.”
“Try showing those to her again.”
“Did you not hear me? They gave her nightmares, and she’s already traumatized.”
“It could help us find her parents.” Hoffman’s tone held a warning. But he wasn’t Alex’s sergeant.
“My sister is a child psychologist. I’ll see what she thinks.”
“See what she thinks? We need to solve this case!”
Alex sat up straight. “No. You need to solve it. I need to protect a victim from being further victimized. I’ll speak with my sister then get back to you.”
“I’ll call your captain and discuss this with him.”
“Have at it. I’ll be in touch.” Alex ended the call and took several deep breaths. Sure, Hoffman was only doing his job, but he needed to lay off. Ayla was now safe, and she needed to recover. Needed to feel safe. Yes, Alex was worried about her parents, but Robin and Brock would want him looking out for Ayla’s best interest—not further traumatizing her. This was his chance to repay their kindness to him.
He took a few more deep breaths until he felt calm enough to say good morning to his family. The last thing he wanted was to snap at anyone because he was annoyed with the Spokane sergeant.
After a minute, he went to the kitchen. It smelled of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. So much for saying good morning. It was lunchtime. Ariana and Ayla sat at the table, both writing on paper.
Ayla looked over as soon as the door closed behind Alex, and she leaped up and wrapped her arms around him. He held her close. “How are you doing?”
She actually smiled. “Ari and I are doing mazes and puzzles. She printed a bunch off, and we’re racing.”
Ariana glanced up. “She’s really good. Beat me a few times.”
He squeezed Ayla. “Great work, kiddo.” Then he gave a hug to Ariana and said hello to Kenji, who was cooking the sandwiches.
“You want one?” he asked Alex.
“Once the kids have had some. Thanks.”
“Give Dad one first, Papi,” Ariana said. “He hasn’t even had breakfast yet.”
Kenji glanced at Ayla. “What do you think?”
She nodded. “Uncle Alex should eat first.”
“You girls are too thoughtful.” He ruffled Ariana’s hair then sat between them.
They had light conversation about puzzles while they ate. It was nice to see Ayla having fun and acting like a normal twelve-year-old.
As Alex was washing his plate, he turned to Kenji. “Do you know where Zoey is?”
“She and Valerie went to the mall with the babies. Shoe sale, I think.”
Alex snickered. “Sounds about right.” He pulled out his phone. “I’m going to call Macy.”
Ariana snapped her attention to him. “Is she going to bring over baby Caden?”
“Maybe. I’m surprised you want more time with babies. Don’t the twins wear you out?”
She shook her head emphatically. “Never! I love babies, and I get to play with three of them almost any time I want. The house is kind of empty now, though.”
“But you have a cousin.” Alex gave Ayla’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, not wanting to hurt any of her cuts or bruises. “I’ll let you know what Macy says about bringing over Caden.”
“Tell her I’m begging.” Ariana batted her eyelashes.
Alex snickered. “I’m sure that’ll push her over the edge.” He headed toward the apartment.
Ayla jumped up. “I’ll go with you, Uncle Alex.”
“You can stay with Ariana. She seems to be enjoying your company.”
She slid her hand in his. “I’ll come back out here when you finish.”
“I’m just going to be on the phone. It won’t be any fun.”
“It’s okay.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t mind. Really.”
He glanced over at Ariana. “It’s fine. I have homework, anyway. We can do more puzzles later.”
Ayla batted her eyelashes just like Ariana had done.
“Okay,” Alex caved. “But it’s going to be boring.”
“I don’t mind.” She beamed and clung to his arm.
It seemed like he should urge her to go upstairs with Ari, who was closer to her age, but he was also the one she needed, the only one she remembered from before her ordeal. They went into the apartment. Alex sat at his desk, and Ayla pulled up a chair next to him and sat with her doll, fixing its hair.
He stared at his phone, wondering if he should wait to call his sister. Asking her what she thought about showing Ayla more pictures wouldn’t really be the best idea with her sitting right there, inching closer to him.
Instead of calling, he tapped out a text asking what Macy thought.
She responded, saying she’d be right over.
Family
Nick raked his fingers through his hair and looked around the
living room. Parker and Genevieve sat on either side of him on the couch, Ava was texting on the recliner, and Hanna and Tinsley were playing a game of marbles on the floor.
Genevieve squeezed his hand. “You can do this.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks for being here.”
“We’re a family. Where else would I be?”
He squeezed her hand then cleared his throat loudly to get everyone’s attention. They all looked up at him.
“What’s this family meeting about?” Ava yawned.
Parker scooted closer to him.
“And why’s Parker been acting weird all day?” Ava studied her brother.
Nick took a deep breath. “That’s what we’re here to talk about.”
Ava gave him a double-take.
“What do you mean?” Hanna asked.
Nick’s palms grew sweaty. “We found something out, and everyone needs to know.”
“What?” Tinsley asked.
He looked around the room, looking each person in the eyes, then put his hand on Parker’s back. “This doesn’t change anything, but everyone should know what we found out.”
“What is it?” Ava demanded. “You’re starting to scare me.”
Nick held her gaze. “Your mom informed me that Dave might actually be Parker’s biological dad.”
Ava’s mouth fell open. “What?”
Hanna looked back and forth between Parker and Nick, her eyes growing wider. Tinsley just looked confused. Parker sat as still as a statue. Genevieve squeezed Nick’s hand.
Nick took a deep breath. “And it turns out she was right. Dave is actually his birth father. But in every other way—in every way that matters—I’m still his dad. Like I said, nothing is going to change.”
Hanna scooted closer to Parker. “Are you still our brother?”
Parker looked at Nick. “Am I, Dad?”
Nick rubbed his back. “Of course.”
“But I mean, really? Am I really their brother?”
“You really are.”
“We all have the same mom,” Ava said. “Technically you’re our half-brother. Just like Mason.”
“I’m nothing like Mason!” Parker glared at her. “Nothing!”
“He’s your full brother.”
“Enough,” Nick warned her.
Tears shone in Parker’s eyes. “He’s nothing to me. Never has been, never will be!” He turned to Nick. “Right, Dad?”
“Right, son. You don’t ever have to see him again if you don’t want to.”
“I don’t.” He wiped his eyes.
Hanna jumped up and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re my full brother no matter what anyone says.”
“Thanks.” Parker sniffled.
Ava pulled her sweater tighter around herself. “So, what now?”
Nick sat up straighter. “Nothing changes.”
“Then what’s the point in telling us?”
“So you know the truth. Our family isn’t based on biology. You’ve all accepted Tinsley as your sister, and there’s no blood relation. Parker has always been your brother, and he always will be. He’s always been my son, and nothing will change that. I’ve raised him, and I love him. End of story.”
Tears spilled onto Parker’s face. He jumped up and fled from the room.
Genevieve squeezed Nick’s hand. “Go check on him. I’ll talk with the girls.”
“Thanks.” Nick kissed her cheek then raced after Parker, who had just slammed his bedroom door shut. He knocked.
“Go away!”
“It’s Dad.”
“I said, go away!”
Nick took a deep breath. “I don’t think you mean that.”
“Actually, I do!”
“We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t!”
Nick silently cursed Corrine for what had to be the fiftieth time that day, then he put his hand on the doorknob. “I’m coming in.”
“Whatever.”
At least he hadn’t said to go away. Nick twisted the knob then stepped inside. Parker sat on his bed, tears streaming down his face.
Nick’s heart leaped into his throat.
Parker wiped his eyes. “Why’d we have to tell them anyway, Dad?”
“It affects them, too.” Nick sat and put his arm around Parker.
“I hate this.” More tears spilled onto his cheeks.
A lump formed in Nick’s throat. “So do I.”
“Why did she have to do this to us?” He wiped at his eyes. “Why couldn’t I just be your son?”
“You are.”
“You know what I mean, Dad.”
Nick’s vision grew blurry. “You don’t have to keep calling me Dad. You’re still my son, even if you don’t say it. I’ll keep telling you until you believe it—nothing is going to change the fact. I’m not going to back away or start treating you any differently.”
Parker just sighed. “This isn’t fair.”
“No, it’s not. None of it is. But you know what?”
“What?”
Nick kissed the top of his head. “We’ll be stronger for it. It may be hard, but we’ll get through it. And I’ll be by your side the entire time. You’ll know without a doubt I’m your dad in every sense that matters. I’m not going to give up on you. You can try to push me away, but I won’t let you. I’m your dad, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing. You hear me?”
The corners of Parker’s mouth twitched.
“Go ahead, try and push me away. I dare you.”
Parker actually smiled.
“You’re not trying very hard.”
“Dad, stop.”
“Not until you believe me.”
Parker wiped his eyes again. “I believe you, okay?”
Nick pulled him close and kissed the top of his head again. “I know this is a hard hit. It’s tearing us both apart. But you know what that tells me?”
Parker shook his head.
“We’re so upset because of how close we are—how much we mean to each other. The thought of us not having our father-son relationship scares us to the core.”
Silence settled between them before Parker spoke. “I think you’re right, Dad. It’s okay that I call you that, right?”
“Nothing would make me happier, but you don’t have to say it with every sentence.”
“Okay, Dad. Sorry.”
Nick squeezed him then rose. “Why don’t you wash your face, then we can go out and do something as a family? Ice cream or bowling, or whatever you’d like.”
“I can choose?”
“Yes. Today’s all about you.”
“Laser tag?”
“If that’s what you want.”
Parker nodded, then Nick went back out to the living room where Genevieve and all three girls were playing marbles. “Who’s up for laser tag?”
“Me!” Hanna jumped up.
“Can I invite Braylon?” Ava asked.
“Not this time,” Nick said. “Today is all about family. And no more talk about Dave or Mason. Our focus is on our family.”
Ava nodded. “Sounds good.”
Relief washed through him. Everyone was taking the news better than he thought. Hopefully that would last.
Unsettled
Alex carried Ayla into the apartment then settled her into her bed. “Sweet dreams.”
Hopefully she would have good dreams. She’d clung to him all day, hardly leaving his side.
He checked on the babies, sleeping soundly in their cribs, before heading back to the living room. Zoey and Macy were chatting on the couch, and baby Caden was sound asleep in a pack and play.
“Did Ari already go to bed?” he asked.
Zoey nodded, and he sat next to her but looked at his sister. “Now that Ayla’s asleep, we can finally talk.”
Macy nodded. “You think it’s a bad idea for her to look at more pictures of that house?”
“You don’t? They’re crime scene photos, Macy. And the DNA puts her there
. She’s already traumatized from whatever happened there.”
His sister looked deep in thought. “It would do her good to remember, though. The amnesia isn’t healthy. However, you might need to prepare yourself to let her stay with me.”
Alex’s stomach knotted. “Did you notice how she didn’t want to leave my side the entire time you were here? Why do you keep bringing this up?”
Zoey squeezed his knee. “She’s trying to help, Alex.”
“She’s my cousin, too.” Macy leaned forward. “She did open up to me both yesterday and today.”
“And I’m glad, but that doesn’t mean she needs to stay with you. There’s a reason she remembers me and wants me nearby at all times.”
“I’m not trying to fight you, Alex.” Macy took a deep breath. “I just want to help Ayla.”
“That’s all any of us want. But she needs—”
A blood-curdling scream sounded from the baby monitor. The three of them exchanged worried glances.
Ayla.
Alex leaped up and ran for the apartment. She was still yelling, and now both babies were crying. He raced over to the bed and pulled Ayla close. Zoey and Macy both grabbed one of the twins and rocked them.
Alex ran his hand over Ayla’s hair. “It’s okay. Uncle Alex is here.”
She gasped for air. “Where am I?”
“In my apartment, sweetie. You’re safe. It was just a nightmare.”
Ayla shook her head. “It wasn’t. It was real.”
“Wait. Do you remember?”
“Yeah.”
“Your dream, or what happened?”
She tightened her grip around him. “My dream is what happened.”
His heartbeat quickened. “What do you remember? Everything?”
“Flashes. Like little bits and pieces running by fast.”
“At least it’s something. And you’re safe now. Is there anything specific you remember?”
She gasped for air.
“It’s okay if you don’t,” he reassured her.
“I remember one of the bedrooms you showed me. Not that I saw it, but feeling around. And I think I was in a trunk before that.”
“A car trunk?”
She nodded.
“Were you alone?”
Ayla didn’t respond.
Take On Me Page 8
