Debt Collector's Due

“Is it.. over?”

“Can’t say. I need to look into it more. For now, we’ll have peace, though.”

“You’re sure.”

I nod my head.

“I was so scared.”

I move to kneel beside her and kiss her hand. “And I’m sorry about that. You won’t be left alone again that way. Not with all this uncertainty going around.”

She nods her head in agreement, and I can see how frightened she truly is.

“Hey, you did amazing.” I cup her face. “Without you, he would’ve gotten away.”

She gives a shaky smile, and I press my lips to her. She returns my kiss with pressure and passion that makes me moan. I pull back. “Leave him here. He needs the rest.” I stand.

“Where are you going?” She grabs my hand.

“To hop in the shower.”

“And then you’re coming back?”

“You want me to?”

“I need my family in one place tonight.”

The words make me smile despite the situation.

“Then, they will be.”

***

Nothing brings a family together like a near-death experience. The things that once kept us apart suddenly seemed small and unimportant in the face of the home invasion. Kier was easing into his new life bit by bit. He’d made the futbol team at his new school along with a couple of mates. Which is where he is now. An entire day to ourselves is worth taking advantage of. I wander the house until I find my wife perched on a window sill with a medical book in he

r lap. She’s ready to take the test, which will allow her to practice here soon. It was a lot of cutting red tape, testing, and proving she knew what she knew to be allowed to practice here.

The process gave her something else to focus on and allowed her to acclimate.

“You study anymore, and your brain is going to start leaking out of your ears.”

“Alfie.” She sets the book aside and stands with a bright smile that still makes me feel like an infatuated teenager. I open my arms and wrap them around her waist as I pull her body flush to mine. “Why aren’t you at work?”

“I had it on pretty good authority the boy will be out all evening with his friends, so I came home early to enjoy the quiet with me wife.”

She giggles. “Well, your wife is studying.”

I move my head back and shake my head. “Not anymore.”

“No?”

“That’s right. We’re going to do a little husband and wife bonding.”

“Is that what they’re calling it now?” she teases.

I nod my head as I nip at her full bottom lip. “We need to destress you.”

“You have some thoughts on how to do that?”