I grip them tighter in my arms, and I could just burst into tears. We hold on to each other tightly for a long time, and I’m quite sure everyone around is watching.
I take their hands, and we get into the elevator. “Do you know how dangerous that was? How th
e hell did you get on a plane, anyway?” I ask.
“With your credit card.”
My mouth falls open. “You stole my credit card?” I gasp. “Oh my God. Harrison,” I scold him. “You are unbelievable.”
“No, I borrowed it. It was in Mom’s drawer.”
The credit card I had given to Claire for emergencies. The one she refused to use.
“You are grounded for life,” I whisper as I hold his hand.
He smiles cheekily up at me, and I smirk down at him.
I fucking love this kid.
We get to my hotel suite, and I flop onto the lounge. They both sit nearly on top of me. They tell me how they lied to Bob and to Claire and sneaked out and caught the train to the airport and then somehow got on a plane without being stopped. They tell me every single detail about their last fifteen hours, and I can hardly believe it.
Patrick’s little arms are tight around my neck as we converse, and Harrison’s hand is on my thigh. They are animated and cutting each other off and so proud of themselves for actually pulling it off.
“Why did you come here?” I ask as I look between them.
“Because we love you,” Harry says. “And we’re staying with you until you come home . . . and you can’t make us leave. You’re our dad, and dads belong with their kids.”
I pull them close and hold them tight. “I love you too,” I whisper into their hair.
My heart bursts with love for these boys.
I smile. It seems all this lying makes for two sweaty kids. “And you two need a shower. You stink.”
They moan.
“Where’s Fletch?” I ask as I lead them into the bathroom.
“He wouldn’t leave Mom alone for the weekend.”
I smile proudly. Always looking out for his mom. “That’s my boy.”
It’s just now 3:40 a.m., and the text I’ve been waiting for arrives from Claire.
Just pulling up at the hotel now.
She’s here.
I text back.
Concierge knows you are coming,
They have a key for you.
A reply bounces back.
See you soon.
I begin to pace; my heart is in my throat. Claire’s going to flip her fucking lid.