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The next few hours passed in a blur of laughter and stories from the week. Even his ranger buddies and the lieutenant joined in, sharing family tales and funny moments from the field. Eventually, the evening drew to a close as people began leaving.
Daniel waved goodbye to his sister from his perch in the recliner, then ran a hand over Owen’s curly locks. The little boy clasped the coffee table tightly with one chubby hand. Drool dripped from one corner of his mouth as he grinned and bounced in place, tiny feet eager and wiggly.
“Dude, we gotta work on your saliva situation.” Daniel wiped at Owen’s mouth with a napkin.
Ellie laughed. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, picking up toys strewn across the carpet. “He’s teething. His poor nose has been a faucet, and his gums hurt too.”
Owen took a careful step to the side, still gripping the table. His grin widened.
Daniel’s brow lifted. “He working hard on walking, isn’t he?”
“He can stand on his own, but every time I think he’s gonna take a step, he falls down.”
“Huh.” Daniel shifted in the armchair and gently coaxed Owen to let go of the coffee table. “Come on, little man. Let’s see what you got.” With careful hands, he steadied Owen and slowly pulled back. “El, call him over.”
She set aside the toy and opened her arms, her expression glowing. “Come here, Owen. Come to Mama.”
Owen shifted his weight from one foot to the other, tiny hands flapping for balance.
“That’s it, buddy,” Daniel murmured, his voice low and encouraging. “You can do it.”
He wobbled, his little legs like jelly, and for a terrifying moment, it looked like he might flop onto the floor. Daniel lunged forward instinctively, catching his tiny arm and steadying him again. “Whoa, easy there. One step at a time, okay?”
He let go again, though his hands hovered just out of reach. “Try again.”
Owen’s round cheeks puffed out with a determined huff. He took a step. Then another. His eyes locked on Ellie’s face. Her arms stretched out, voice sweet and full of love. “Come to Mama, Owen!”
One more wobbly step. And then he was there, collapsing against her with a squeal of triumph and a giggle that burst out of his chubby cheeks. Ellie wrapped him in a hug, tears shining in her eyes. “You did it!” She covered him in kisses, eliciting another round of giggles from Owen.
Daniel had never seen a more beautiful sight. His throat constricted sharply.
“Please tell me someone got that on video.” Ellie looked up, her eyes shining brightly with excitement as Daniel’s family clapped and cheered.
Marta stepped forward, holding her cell phone. “I got it. Don’t worry.” His mother’s gaze slid Daniel’s way, and for a moment, he had the impression that every emotion flooding his insides was written clearly on his face. He tightened his jaw and swallowed down the emotion threatening to drown him. “Great job, Owen. I knew you could do it.”
Ellie beamed. “He’s going to keep going now. He’ll be unstoppable.”
Daniel smiled. “Just like his mama.”
Their eyes met, and Ellie’s expression softened. She rose, with Owen in her arms, and brushed a kiss across Daniel’s cheek. “Thank you.”
The warmth of her lips against his skin, the simple gratitude… it all tangled in his chest. He didn’t dare speak. Instead, he just nodded.
Owen fussed and rubbed his eyes. Ellie hugged him closer. “Today completely wore him out. I’d better get the bedtime routine started before he has a tantrum.” She turned and hugged Marta. “Thank you for recording it. I’m gonna watch the clip a hundred times.”
Ellie said goodbye to everyone and disappeared into the back bedroom with Owen. The house grew quieter as the last of the family left. Daniel stayed in the recliner, his foot propped up, staring out the window into the night. Outside, Jonah and Cole passed by, their silhouettes moving through the shadows as they did their perimeter rounds. A constant reminder of the danger Ellie was still in.
“You look troubled, papi.” Marta set a mug of tea down on a coaster at his elbow. Her blouse was speckled with water spots from doing the dishes, but there was no sign of weariness inher expression. His mother lived to feed and care for her family. Having them close always brought her happiness.
She pushed aside the magazines on the coffee table and perched on the edge. “What’s going on in that head of yours? I have a feeling it has something to do with our Ellie.” She gave him a knowing smile. “You’re falling in love with her, aren’t you?”
“No.” The word came fast, automatic and without thinking.
His mother didn’t flinch. She just lifted an eyebrow. “Try again, papi.”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m not in love with her. I can’t be. We barely know each other.”
“Your father and I dated for two weeks before we got married and had twenty-five beautiful years together. Time doesn’t always count in matters of the heart.”