planned to storm it when it just so happened that Ryan and I picked the right exit and there you were, being led out in a wheelchair by the suspect.”
“I’m sure God Almighty had a hand in that.” Liliana made the sign of the cross on her chest and forehead.
“I don’t get it,” Charlie stated as she went to the kitchen and got herself another cold beer and slice of pizza. The girl was a bottomless pit, but you’d never know it. “What was his plan?”
“Whisk me away to Mexico and live happily ever after.” I shivered and Killian tucked me closer to his chest, arm around my back where I leaned into him fully.
“Gross. He would have ruined Mexico for you and Mexico is so fun!” Charlie scrunched her face into a sour expression.
I laughed.
Genesis looked over Blessing’s shoulder from across the couch. I followed her gaze to find Rory tossing the ball for Brutus across the long expanse of open space. Brutus dutifully chased the ball, ran back to her, and dropped it right at her feet. She squealed and patted his head every time he did it. My dog was in love. Made me want to give him a baby of his own, one from Killian and me. I sighed dreamily. One day. We would have lots of time now that all of this was over.
“And how are you doing with all of this?” Mama Kerri asked in that forever worried tone every mother carried around with them.
I cuddled deeper into Killian. “Now that I’m here with my guy and all the people I love in the world, I’m perfect.”
“Mmm,” Mama muttered noncommittally as though she knew something I didn’t. “You let me know if any problems arise or you need to talk. No matter the time of night or day. Okay, chicklet?” She reiterated something I already knew but it was still wonderful to hear.
“Of course, Mama.”
“Do you want to stay with me?”
“Mama, you’re not making us all stay again, are you?” Blessing frowned. “After months I was finally going to go back to my place.”
Sonia stood. “No way. I’ve got way too much work and you guys complain when I work late. Which I do every day of my life so it’s normal for me.”
“That isn’t normal for anyone. SoSo,” Simone fired back. “You need to get a life.”
“Yeah, Ms. President!” I teased.
“You heard that, did you?” Sonia looked away thoughtfully.
“The entire world heard it. Is that really a thing?” Charlie asked, her tone now introspective.
Sonia sighed and shrugged back against the couch. She put her hand up to her forehead and rubbed at her temples with her thumb and forefinger. “I don’t know. It’s so strange. The request is coming out of nowhere. It’s like the first case ignited the concept and then this case fueled the fire. My office was hit with over a thousand calls today from media sources all over the nation who somehow think I’m running for President and want a quote or a sound bite.”
“Well, are you?” Blessing asked with a wide smile.
Sonia shook her head. “Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it. I’m pretty young for a senator as it is and haven’t been in this side of the political pool for that long. It wasn’t ever something I’d considered a possibility.”
“And why not? My daughter is an amazing senator, and everyone thinks so. You’ve got an uncanny ability to speak for all people—Democrat, Republican, Green, and Independents alike.”
“But I’m young. Unmarried. Never served in the military and haven’t been in the arena my entire life like the rest of the candidates have. Which as you know, are all really great reasons to hire an experienced Commander to represent and lead our country.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Killian and I would vote for you,” I praised. I could feel Killian nodding behind me.
Every last one of my sisters agreed.
“For now, I’m going to put it out of my mind. There’s so much work to be done and I have an endless number of meetings that were cancelled due to everything that’s been happening the past several months. We’re all free of that horror and can finally move on.”
“Here, here!” Charlie lifted her beer.
Everyone followed along lifting their drinks, pizza slices left on the table or in their laps.
A round of “Cheers,” sprang from each of us.
Simone lifted her glass. “And to my upcoming nuptials,” Simone blurted.
All pairs of eyes went directly to Simone who was smiling like a Cheshire