The two little hellions screamed with laughter as their shots hit their mark, and I heard Lily praising Catalina over the ringing in my ears. “See, I told you.” I’m pretty sure my subordinate was holding back her laughter, but who can blame her? I bet I make a sight.
“Geez, I need to sit down.” I did, but I didn’t, so I watched for a little while longer until the two of them headed in the direction of the stables. It was almost half an hour later when I intercepted Catalina on her way to the lab. "Hey, kiddo, how’s it going?”
“Uncle Hank.” She ran over and wrapped her arms around my thighs.
“Hi uncle Hank, did the plane leave yet?”
“He’s almost ready, I wanted to talk to you about that, but there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about first. Catalina, those words you gave the senator, where did you hear that song?”
“Grandpa always listens to that stuff when he’s doing one of his experiments.
“What experiments?”
“With the grow.”
“You…”
“Don’t worry, uncle Hank; I’ve never seen grandpa smoking before; he always goes into the other room.”
“If you haven’t seen him, how do you know that that’s what he’s doing?” She gave me a look that made me feel stupid. “Sorry I asked.” I waited a couple beats before carrying on.
“Catalina.”
“Yes, uncle Hank?”
“How smart are you?” Her laugh though bold and full of mirth, was tinged with a hint of innocence. It’s that innocence that had me promising myself to always shelter her from the storm.
“No matter what, I will always protect you.”
“I know that, uncle Hank. And I’ll protect you, and daddy and all the uncles.” She nodded her head once as if to put a stamp on it.
“What do you mean?” She looked at me with knowing eyes, eyes that were too old for the young girl standing before me. “Nothing, uncle Hank, when is the plane leaving? I don’t want to miss my stuff.”
“About that, how did you find that person?”
“It was easy; I looked for the best. That’s what daddy always says to do.”
“What do I always say to do? Why’re you so sweaty?” Lyon appeared out of nowhere to join us.
“I was riding, daddy.”
“Okay, it’s almost time for your class; you ready?”
“Daddy, you’re not bringing the trips, are you? I can’t concentrate with them in the room.”
“Tough, now let’s go.”
She huffed and stomped her way down the hallway before disappearing into the lab.
“What’s that about?”
"Her mother seems to think that one of us needs to be there when she does her online Chemistry classes. Apparently, that one’s been trying to teach the teacher, and it pissed her off.”
“Since Kat pretty much lets her do what the hell she wants, it’s up to me to corral her ass, and this particular class happens to fall at about the same time I have daddy duty today. The asshole twins have gotten good at evading; who knows where the hell they are. Any more questions, Nancy? You’re beginning to sound like one of Ty’s bitch-made fucks.”
I have no words. He walked away, mumbling some shit about Kat and her kids, and I headed in the opposite direction. Shoot, I never got to ask Catalina why she’d ordered so many hanbok dresses and why all the way from South Korea. Father and daughter are going to make me mental.
No time to dwell. I joined the long line of men who were filing into the playroom, which is basically the only place the women allow us to be alone with the babies. I looked around the room five minutes later, where everyone was either spread out with a kid on their chest or rocking a bassinet with a kid on the way out.
With a jolt, I realized that this was my life. A completely different one than the one I’d imagined for myself. How did I get here? And why am I not the least bit sorry for the path my life had taken? I looked around at all of them; men who only a few minutes ago were either swearing or making threats against the ones we were hunting were now cooing to their sons and daughters with pride. Even the senator, the man I knew for a fact was tough as nails, hovered over his granddaughter as her dad Brandon held her.
The old man always seemed to have a tear in his eyes since coming here, a tear of gladness. It might be tough to do, but I’m going to find us a place where we can all stay together. I’d not given it much thought before.
It’s true that in the past, some members stayed together in one place from time to time, but it’s never been done where the whole squad lived together with women and children permanently. But things were different back then. Now the thought of us all staying together made more sense. I just have to convince Lyon, and the rest would follow, I’m sure. My work is never done.