Page 31 of Doran

“Nope. Family drama. I’m staying out of it, but if she does come, I’ll make damned sure she goes home peacefully and with the kids here safe and sound.”

I dipped my chin in acceptance.

“Yes. They can come, as long as she stops upsetting the children,” Sarah replied, once more finding her voice, her eyes looking at me in gratitude.”

“Mama, there’s someone at the door.”

“Look through the peephole, baby. You’re still at the hotel, right?”

“Uh-huh. Oh, it’s a Mylos, and he’s holding up an ID.” She stopped speaking to us as she went to open the door. “Mama, I’ve got to go now. He says they’re almost to where Grandma is and they’ll meet us at the shuttle.”

“Confirmed,” Xero replied.

“Okay, baby. Mama will see you soon.”

“Thank you for being brave and coming for us.”

“I found the number for the Mylos center on Google.”

“Love you, baby girl.”

“We’ll be waiting here for you,” I added.

“Okay,” she said, her voice sounding a bit steadier now. “Bye.” The voice comm ended.

“Lieutenant Hurthor reports they are gathering up the suitcases belonging to your young along with their souvenirs. And Lieutenant Jirok and Gith have arrived at the 7-11 and blocked your mother’s rental car in. She’s just sitting there and not making a move to stop the young from getting out of the car. And now they are out and secured. Your grandfather also answered his phone and has been informed of their location and is en route.”

“Thank you so much, Xero and Bob. Never in a million years would I have dreamed she’d do something like that. Kick up a fuss, sure, using words, but this? Never.”

“Emotions can run high and make people do unusual uncharacteristic things. I’m glad we could help. Xero out.”

“I’ll notify you when they leave orbit. The long range shuttle is on its way to Anaheim now and should touch down in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Peace, out.” The comm call ended. Sarah turned and stared at the eggs in the bowl, not moving. I walked over to draw her into my arms. “It’ll be okay.”

She clutched me with her free hand. “I know. It’s just…”

I pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Are we still getting waffles?” Matt asked, and Darren shushed him.

Sarah laughed, brushing her tears off her cheeks with her forearm. “Yes. I think after that, a full carb breakfast with some bacon is just what we need.”

19

SARAH

I didn’t know what to think. My mother had left Dad behind, as well as Emma? And then what exactly? Hide from the Dragonii, Mylos, and human law enforcement? No. It had to have been a moment of madness, with Grammie’s move being the straw that broke the camel’s back. She obviously had realized she’d effed up big time, as she’d pulled into that parking lot and simply sat there. Still, I was furious with her. For scaring Emma and probably Caleb and Lucy, not to mention Dad. And worrying me and Doran. For thinking, even for a split second, that it was an okay thing to do. That she even had a claim on my kids that made where they lived a choice that was hers to make. She’d always been opinionated and loud about it, but she had gone too far this time.

Half of me wanted her to go to hell. The other half wanted my mama to come, apologize to me, and give me a hug. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen. Oh, I had no doubt she’d come. She might even give a half assed apology but then turn it around on me just like she always did. I could hear her now.

“If only you’d gotten together with the dentist. You could have kept your own last name, you know. You wouldn’t have to use Winkleman if you didn’t want to.”

Oh yeah. She’d lead with that, for sure. Then she’d paste a smile on her face, the one that said, “I’m trying, but this hardship,” and wear it during our wedding. Dad would just look bemused, and usually he’d follow her cues, but after what she pulled today, he was probably going to be mad at her, and so he’d simply be Mr. Stoic.

Why the hell had I asked the Mylos to bring them along?