Elaine had waited quietly out of sight to hear Dale’s response after Ellie delivered the big news. She’d just gotten back from Daniel’s place, later than she’d hoped, but it seemed that it was a good thing. She’d been to her place to shower and change and crossed the street to Tasha’s home just in time to see Dale cry. She never thought the man possessed tear ducts, but less amazing things have happened. She watched the couple cry together as the rest watched on, poor Katya was so confused, only then she decided to break up the touching sight. Heavy emotions like that still made her uncomfortable. She got an itch at the back of her neck watching Derek hold Katya. A lump grew in her throat, her eyes burned, her chest felt full—all foreign feelings to her that made her a little panicky.
She stepped into the room, leaning her hip against the door jamb her arms crossed over her chest, “Well, this looks cozy.”
Everyone turned to stare at her, Katya of course with a radiant smile on her face and an enthusiastic wave. Elaine smiled back but had to hold it in place when she met Derek’s eyes. The anger and hate in them hit her like a punch in the solar plexus, and she couldn’t help but think he knew. He knew she’d spent the night with Daniel, and she was consumed with guilt.
That startled her. Guilt? She’d only discovered that feeling when all that shit went down with Tasha, now she felt it because… what? Because she spent the night with Daniel and what? Did I betray him? No! He was bed partners with Gwen for months, and he didn’t give a fig how that made her feel. Hurt, angry, betrayed. No! He didn’t deserve her sense of guilt. They weren’t together, he didn’t want a family, a daughter, he made that very clear. Then why is he holding Katya, looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Did he even realize that was what he was doing?
She pulled out of her thoughts just in time to return Dale’s hug—something new she had to get used to and was rather enjoying it—more like squeezing the stuffing out of her.
“Dale… can’t breathe…” she croaked.
He laughed loud and hard in her ear, and she cringed. When he let go, she took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief.
His hands clutched around her shoulders, and he shook her a little, “I don’t even know how to thank you…” his eyes filled and he swallowed repeatedly. Elaine gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder; he chuckled, “I know strong emotions make you uncomfortable.”
Did he notice her cringe? She gave him a sheepish smile, “Sorry, it’s something I need to get use to. But I’ve gotta say, it’s like a world wonder seeing GI Dale shed tears.”
The others laughed setting her more at ease.
“Don’t get used to it. I only cry when my kids are born. God, we have so much to get ready before they are here. Twins!” he pulled her to his side and walked with her to the dining table where the others were. Tasha had shifted on Damien’s lap and were giggling to themselves. Dale steered her until she was seated next to Derek, and she couldn’t help but think it was on purpose. Katya reached over and pressed a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
Elaine cupped her pink cheeks delicately in her palms and kissed forehead, “My love, my life my reason for being,” she whispered then loudly said, “Having fun with daddy?”
Katya pulled away, wrapped one arm around Derek’s neck and pressed a little finger to his forehead, “Daddy!” she announced.
“Yes, he is.” And to Derek and his glaring eyes she said, “I’ve being showing her your picture every night before she goes to sleep. I never thought she would make the connection once you showed.”
Derek blew raspberries on Katya’s belly making her giggle and jump, folding herself backward, but her dad had her secure in his arms. “She’s a clever girl, probably a Mensa candidate.”
Damien snorted, “What’s with you and wanting things I have? Always the copycat.”
Derek mocked glared at him, “You’re lucky there are precious little ears around.”
“And on that note, I have an idea.” Tasha announced, “Why don’t we plan a trip to the cabin?”
“With the kids?” Ellie asked.
She shook her head, “No, just us. I doubt any of us have had a holiday in recent years, and our honeymoon got cut short because of my acute morning sickness. Let’s take a week, chill out with nature, sort out a few stuff, and exorcise the red head man-eater and the nice, but interfering lawyer.”
Ellie gasped, “Tasha!”
She raised her hands, “What? It’s not like we’re all not thinking about it. Show of hands, who wants Derek with the man-eater and Elaine with the sexy lawyer?”
Elaine looked around the table, quite at a lack of words. She didn’t know what to feel either, but she did feel like she was a part of something great when her adopted family decided to vote on her love life. No raised hands.
Tasha nodded smugly, “That’s what I thought. We all want Derek and Elaine to find their way back to each other—”
“Tasha,” Derek started to interrupt her, but Tasha just spoke above him.
“For Katya’s sake. The angel deserves to have both her parents in her life, at least an effort to make that happen. And as much as I love Daniel and his sexy arms and that wide hard chest—”
“Hey!” Damien protested indignantly making the rest of them laugh.
Tasha kissed him placatingly before she went on, “I believe we need to stay a tight click, no extra wheels. Elaine and I have a checkered past, and Derek is still living his. I just… I just want to go to bed knowing we all have each other’s backs and aren’t at risk of being betrayed. That’s all.”
Seeing how passionate Tasha was about it made Elaine want to go on this trip to the cabin even though she knew it was a bad idea. But she was right, with two FBI agents who deal with the worst of the earth, a CIA agent and two assassins they needed to be careful who they invited into their circle. Ellie was the peace lover, the lynchpin, and their center. They formed a dangerous family. They needed to cement their bond.
Hell, she was starting to sound like her father, but out of the numerous things he was deadly wrong on, he was right on that.
“Could we go on this trip after my house is in order? I want to invite Derek’s parents over so that they can spend less money on the hotel and more time on their granddaughter.”
Tasha clapped happily which made Damien beam. That man lived for her. Elaine wanted that.
“Of course we can! Derek?” Tasha asked impatiently.
Elaine caught the look Damien gave him and knew Derek would have no other choice but to say yes.
“Count me in. I’ll help Elaine so we can go sooner. My parents will love the idea of moving in, thanks.” Derek said and without a glare. Elaine was impressed, but still a little freaked.
Having people she didn’t know even though they were her kid’s grandparents made her itch. It would be better if Derek were there too. And there was an idea.
“I’m having a room set up for you too. In the spirit of co-parenting and trying.” She’d put him on the spot on purpose, and he knew it.
With narrowed eyes he said, “I’ll move my stuff in right after we get your place in order. But we will need a large storage closet.”
Large storage closet, aka a hidden room he could stash his weapons and other spook stuff.
She nodded, “Way ahead of you.”
Tasha cheered loudly, “We’re going to the cabin!”
“Hey, we never said we’ll come,” Dale protested, but it was clearly in jest.
Tasha waved it off, “Oh hush. You’ll do what your wife wants just like Damien, and Ellie wants to go. Right, Ellie?”
“A week with no kids and beautiful nature to paint, how could I say no?”