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Alyssa smiled to herself. “That’s okay … at least your mother wants to be there.”

John looked over to where his mom was sitting. She had Brooke cradled in her arms as she rocked her to sleep. Even though she was driving him crazy, Alyssa was right. He was lucky to have her. He couldn’t imagine not having her around. Alyssa virtually had no one.

“She’s still here. Brooke fell asleep in her arms. I have a feeling she’ll stay past the nap too. Probably all day. Is that okay with you?”

Alyssa took a sip of her water. “Of course it is.”

John chuckled. “You sound happy about it.”

“That’s because I am,” she answered quietly.

“Good. She hasn’t had it easy either this past year with her illness and the death …” John tampered off. “I think Brooke brought her joy today, said she missed her. I haven’t seen her happy in a very long time. Thank you, Alyssa, for allowing me to stay with her today.”

“You’re welcome.” Clearing her throat, she asked, “So Brooke is okay then?

“Yeah, she’s perfect. Heated the bottle in the microwave, she wouldn’t take it so I dumped the titty juice out. Then I gave her baby food straight from the fridge like you said and let her roll around in the grass for a little while … She’s all good.”

“Titty juice?” she said, appalled. “Johnny …”

“Is that growling I hear? Oh, and I can’t find the diapers so I used an extra shirt of yours I found.” he stifled a laugh.

“Tell me you’re joking. That’s not even a funny joke, John.”

“Babe, of course I am. I knew what to do. Had I not, do you really think my mother would have allowed that to happen? No.”

“I’m going to smack you when I see you,” she said teasingly. “Listen, I need to get going. I’ll see you later. Thanks for everything, Johnny.”

“Later.”

At that, Alyssa found herself smiling and her heart softening. Maybe she shouldn’t be so hard on John after all.

Yours Truly: Are you almost done?

Yes. Just cleaning up. I should be home soon. Give Brooke a kiss goodnight for me.

That was over two hours ago. John was beginning to worry. How many nights did she come home like this on her own and so late? He didn’t like it one bit.

John would definitely voice his concern about it to her. They lived in a safe town near his base, but he still worried. It was nearing one in the morning and she still wasn’t home.

John checked on Brooke one last time then laid on the couch. It had been a long day for him. This kind of work was not something he had ever experienced. It was a different kind of tired, it was mental exhaustion. Thank goodness his mother was there to help him out.

How did Alyssa do it? How did any one person do it on their own? John’s body was falling deeper into the couch, his muscles relaxing and allowing himself to rest. He closed his eyes and burrowed his head into the cushions. Just as he was about to doze off, he heard the front door.

Jumping up, he strolled to see Alyssa closing the door quietly. Her hair was messy, strands had fallen out of her ponytail, and she had stains all over her clothes. She smelled like a walking fast food restaurant, but when she turned around and spotted him, John wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tight.

“Welcome home. I was worried about you,” he said against the top of her head.

Alyssa was caught off guard at John’s unexpected welcome. Hugging him back, she drew his scent into her lungs and relaxed. He always smelled so good. Resting her head on his chest, she could hear the thumping of his heart.

“Why were you worried?” she asked.

“Because it’s so late.”

Alyssa laughed. “I always come home late on Friday and Saturday nights.”

John pulled back. “Every week?”

Alyssa nodded.