Before Sunrise Page 46

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  It was Kennedy’s turn to laugh. “No thanks. Just be civil. After today, we’re moving in with you. We’ll have Mackenzie’s furniture delivered to the new house. This place belongs to Phil. We shouldn’t stay here. Oh, and I’ll need to meet with him. Work out our separation, financial things. You understand.”

  “Hallelujah!”

  Kennedy smiled.

  “Mommy!” Mackenzie screamed.

  Liam let go a deep sigh of relief. He didn’t want to hear of her feelings for Phil. He said he would listen to her and understand her more, but fuck it, he had his limits.

  “I guess our daughter is up.”

  “Let the fun begin,” he said, rising, extending his hand. She accepted and Liam spun her then brought her into his arms. Kennedy giggled. “Merry Christmas Baby!”

  “Our first Christmas with you home. Mmmm, I’m so happy.” She hugged him.

  “Later, me and you, I got something special for you.” He kissed her forehead.

  “I can’t wait!”

  “Mommy! Ooooh! Oooo-weee!”

  “Your daughter’s happy. Go join her.”

  Liam let her go. Dragging his leg, he went in search of another ray of sunshine.

  Mackenzie peeled long strips of shiny silver and white Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper from a large box on her lap. Liam lowered to the floor. Kennedy could hear Andrew and Gail descend the steps behind her. Everyone arrived in time to see Mackenzie reveal a pink Barbie mini-van.

  Gail gasped. “Oh darn it, I got to get my camera.” She turned for the stairs. But Andrew stopped her. He showed her the camera in his hand.

  Gail smiled up at him. Kennedy caught the exchange between her parents and had to double blink. It appeared the tender moment she witnessed yesterday between her parents was lasting. Her mother had had epiphanies before. But something was different about them. It was the holiday for miracles, fresh starts, forgiveness.

  “Turn around for Grandma, sweetheart, and let me see,” Gail said.

  Mac stood holding the box with a Barbie grinning behind the wheel of her souped-up minivan. Gail snapped the picture. Next Gail ordered her granddaughter to pose with Liam. Mackenzie rushed to her father and nearly bowled him over backward when she plopped on his lap. Immediately she gathered more presents. Gail captured each moment. It took a good twenty minutes to get through most of the presents. There would be more brought over for the birthday celebration. Kennedy slipped away and headed for the kitchen. Her mother handed the camera to her father and followed.

  “They’re so cute,” Gail said.

  “Who’s cute?” Kennedy yawned.

  “Mac and Liam, silly! Don’t pretend you didn’t notice.”

  Kennedy nodded. “I’m just glad you noticed, mom. Thanks for taking those photos, I want a copy of each.” She reached for the frying pan and placed it on the front burner of the stove.

  “I’m not heartless. She’s his daughter, and she loves him. He loves her.”

  “He does love her. He’s trying really hard to know her, make up lost time for all those years he missed. That’s why this Christmas is important to us both. Do you understand?”

  Gail sighed. “I owe you an apology.”

  Kennedy smiled. “Let’s just forget yesterday and start again.”

  “No, sweetheart I did something wrong. I um, I think I caused you more problems.”

  “The press conference?” Kennedy asked, going to the fridge and removing a cold pack of bacon. When Gail didn’t respond, she stopped. She saw her mother with her eyes cast down and arms crossed over her bosom. “What? What now?”

  “I gave Phil the impression that you had an abortion.”

  “You did what?”

  “I implied it. After talking to that lady—”

  “Sweet merciful Jehovah!” Kennedy snapped. She threw the bacon in the sink.

  Gail put her hand to her brow. “Let me explain.”

  “How could you do something like that? Say something so cruel to him when you knew what he was going through. Let alone think so little of me!”

  “I’m sorry, Kennedy. I thought I was helping.”

  “That’s the problem mama. You didn’t think you were helping. Let’s be honest, you were trying to force me to stay with Phil. You were interfering.”

  Gail approached. Kennedy took two steps back, seething with rage.

  “You’re right, honey. I’m your mother and I’ve been acting like anything but since he returned. I know I’ve punished you and Liam both unfairly for years. The two of you made a choice I didn’t agree with, yes, but it doesn’t give me the right to interfere in your lives. Not anymore. I know we don’t talk about it, but I was so miserable when you ran away. It hurt so bad to lose you to him. I never let myself forgive. Still, you are my daughter, my first born. I should have dealt with everything better than I have.”

  “Mom, it’s just too much. I’m tired of this.” Kennedy put a hand to her brow. “Leave me alone.”

  Gail smiled. “Of course you’re tired. It’s Christmas. We’ve seen God’s miracle with Liam returning to you. Today isn’t the day for drama, meddling, bickering. I wanted to apologize to you now, tell you what I did so I can prove to you that I’m ready to change too. I don’t know why it took me so long to see you’re your own woman. Now I do. That’s why I will fix this between us. Forgive me. I’ll speak to Phil and explain I was mistaken—”

  “You lied! That’s not the same as a mistake!” Kennedy said through clenched teeth.

  “Kennedy, sweetheart, please.”

  Kennedy gave a defeated sigh and turned away. She put her hands to the sides of her head. Her mother’s meddling wasn’t the worse of it. The repercussions could blow up in her face and undo everything she and Liam were trying to build. How did her mother even know she’d thought she was pregnant? “What woman?”

  “Huh?” Gail frowned.

  “What woman? You said you told Phil this after some woman said something to you.”

  “Oh, it’s the military lady. Liam’s friend. Alexa?”

  Kennedy narrowed her eyes. “Really? So Alexa is going around saying I’m pregnant by Phil?”

  “Well…she said Phil told her.”

  “This is unbelievable. I’m not pregnant. I don’t believe this mess!”

  “What can I do? Tell me. I want to fix this Kennedy.”

  The request seemed earnest but Kennedy was emotionally exhausted. Dealing with Liam and their problems had taken its toll, and now this. What if Alexa told Liam these lies? He’d lose it. She was certain of that. “I’ll handle Alexa. Just stay out of it. Can you do that?”

  Gail’s tear-streaked cheeks glistened with joy. “I love you. I love Mackenzie, and I do care about Liam. I’m happy you two are going to begin again. I swear it. Give me another chance to prove it.”

  An inexplicable feeling of understanding befell her. Kennedy released her anger. There was no reason to hold on to it. She embraced her mother. Forgiveness, like a warm, cozy blanket, covered them both. It felt genuine, and a bit surreal. How many times had she pretended they were closer and her mother rejected her choices? How often had she closed her eyes to the truth? She and her mother needed closure, and this was the first step. Silently, Kennedy prayed that this Christmas would heal her family.

  “Well, this is a beautiful thing.”

  Kennedy lids flickered open and her gaze met with the most caring pair of blue eyes, looking down from her over her mother’s shoulder.

  “Hi,” she said.

  Liam smiled. He only did so with her and not often, but when he smiled all the worry in her heart seem to evaporate. She could survive off of his smiles from this day forth. Her arms fell away from Gail, who turned to see Liam as well. Thankfully, she and her mother were all cried out. The only thing Liam could witness between them was love. And that’s what the day would be for her family. Love.

  “Excuse me,” Gail said as she left the kitchen. She sto
pped in front of Liam then threw her arms around him. Liam blinked, surprised, but welcomed the embrace.

  “Welcome home, son.” Gail lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek. “We’re all happy to have you home again.”

  Gail glanced back at Kennedy and winked before leaving.

  “Wow.” Liam touched his cheek from her mother’s kiss. “Guess Christmas is the day for miracles.”

  Kennedy beamed proudly. “Is Mac done? Already?”

  “She wants you to come see. Me too. We need some of mommy’s attention. Can breakfast wait?”

  “For you two, yes.” She gave him another hug. Her hand rubbed up and down the center of his back. Liam’s brow quirked. The misty blue swirls in his irises became clearer than ice and more hypnotic. Kennedy pressed her body against his hard frame and felt her heartbeat ease up to a racing flutter. When his hand gently grasped the back of her neck she immediately lowered her gaze to his mouth, licking her bottom lip. The kiss was brief and sweet but she became lost to it. Lingering on the edge of desire and lustful want, she tried to capture his mouth for more.

  “Our daughter is waiting,” he said, only inches away from continuing the kiss.

  Kennedy blinked. “Um, right. Okay.” She pushed free of him and tried to ignore the moisture that gathered at the seat of her panty and the throbbing in her core. It sent spasms of lust through her pelvis. His body had become a magnet. She was drawn to him each and every time he was near. How had she ever survived these years without this joy?

  “C’mon sexy, let’s finish opening presents. I got to get home, shower, bring Sally and my gifts for my girls.”

  “Oooh! Let me go get yours.”

  “Hey.” He caught her by the midsection and spun her back to him. “Wait until we can exchange them properly.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  ***

  “Mom!” Liam yelled as he entered the door with the aid of his cane. He closed it and headed toward the stairs.

  “Up here! About to get in the shower!” Sally called down.

  Liam figured he’d shower first when he arrived home. The cold had his body aching all over for a massage of the warm spray. Still, he felt happier than he’d been in a long time. He really felt like he was making progress. First the talk with Kennedy that proved once again loving her was the best thing he’d ever done. Second came the biggest reward, Christmas morning with his little girl. Nothing compared to the family moments with Mac. This holiday wasn’t a day he remembered or missed during his captivity. Sometimes it would cross his mind. He’d wonder if Kennedy and his baby were able to have the love and sanctity of the season without him. Now he knew they thrived and it filled him with small measures of peace.

  There was something else, a new truth, more profound. Though he’d had his bleak moments, they were fewer. He now slept without nightmares. And the dark anxiety gripping him since his return lessened to a mere shadow as well. Did that mean he’d healed, somehow? As a SEAL they’d trained him for torture, combat, stealth take downs, and controlling one’s consciousness over horrors witnessed. Those methods were locked in the deepest chambers of his mind. Having Kennedy and Mackenzie filled him with such a positive energy that no darkness could linger. He was winning, overcoming; he could feel his strength returning. Fuck, yeah, he’d be okay. Hell, he didn’t need a stranger poking around in his head. He was still his own man after all.

  The phone rang. Liam paused, surprised. He thought Eric had turned the service off so they could order their own after the holiday.

  “Answer it, Liam. Kennedy had the line turned on yesterday and she gave me a phone to bring.”

  Liam shook his head, smiling. He should have known his sweetheart was on top of things. Tossing his keys to the kitchen counter, he picked up the phone. “Hello?”

  “Morning, brother.”

  “Eric?”

  “You know it.”

  “How did you get the new number?”

  “Your wife was passing it out last night.”

  Liam chuckled. “Yeah, well she forgot to give it to me.”

  “Catch you too early?”

  “Nah, opened presents with Mac. Got to get Sally back over there for breakfast.”

  “Man, I sure would like a invite.”

  “You know it’s cool.”

  “Yeah, well that’s not why I’m calling.”

  “Okay.”

  “Had a visit last night.”

  “Should I ask?”

  “Couldn’t tell you if you did.”

  “So what’s the news? How bad is this?”

  “It’s okay. Alexa has been neutralized.”

  “You got your appointment.”

  “That’s confidential.”

  “Shit. I’m never going to get used to you guys keeping me out of the loop. But I understand it.”

  Eric paused. Normally he’d have a quick comeback. Something sounded off in the stillness that settled between them on the phone. “What is it, man?”

  “Vice president wants to meet with you.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow, when you get your Purple Heart.”

  “What? Purple Heart? You shitting me? They’re going to take it that far? I don’t want no…wait? Did you say tomorrow?”

  “President wants you there at 0800. He’s going to surprise the press with it. Make a big fucking deal. I got my orders to bring you to Washington.”

  “Fuck no.”

  “Liam. This one you got to do. Alexa has planted the seed that you are critical to some hot shit we’re trying to contain. She’s got two senators backing her now. The Vice president and the SecDef are pretty clear on their wishes to sit down with you. They want a debrief on Scorpion.”

  “I told you that I don’t know—”

  “Doesn’t matter. I can’t get into it over the phone. Just know that this is the best compromise I can swindle.”

  “Shit, man, I got my family. I got—”

  “Bring them. It’ll only be a two-day trip. I think little Mac will get a kick out of it. Got a private jet idling to take you in.”

  “It could be cool if I stood in front of the media with Kay at my side. Let the world know we’re family. I see the shit they are saying in the news about us.”

  “True.”

  Liam mulled it over. “Is there something else?”

  “There always is.”

  “Lay it on me.”

  “You’re not going to like it.”

  “What the fuck is it, Eric?”

  “DoD is under pressure to pull you back in. Clayton is leading the campaign. Alexa has done some damage by insisting Sarkhir had plans for you. Um, that you might actually be a security risk. Thing is, people are starting to listen. Brother, you stayed alive for five years in some hot shit. Even if you don’t think they had a purpose, it doesn’t mean they didn’t. You could um, have some things in your head you aren’t aware of. Things we need to know. I can’t get them to cut you loose, man. Not yet. Not until…well, until we know what they want, Liam.”

  “No. No way man, I’m done. I want my fucking life! I earned it. I can’t go in the tank. Have them poke and prod me again. I got my own doctor. I let them get in my head and I-I—I won’t survive this time..”

  “Liam! Stop. It’s an order, Lieutenant. You know how this will play out.”

  “With all due respect, Commander, I don’t give a fuck!” He slammed his fist into the refrigerator door. He paced and tried to steady his voice. When he spoke, his vocal cords trembled from the forced effort. “Okay. Maybe Sarkhir knew why we dropped in. Maybe he used those villagers as human shields to get those warheads off the mountain. Maybe I know that Clayton is tied to how that fucker got them in the first place—”

  “Liam, enough. Do not say another word.”

  “Fuck it! Maybe I can tell you something, Eric, something useful. I’ll meet with them. And I’ll try. Then they need to cut me loose. I saved your fucking life. I sent you out in the first wave. Save mine,
dammit! Don’t….” Liam closed his eyes to the weakness he heard in his voice. “We go in knowing we will die, Eric. That’s the truth my baby Kay doesn’t know. When I joined the brotherhood with you I knew it would end bad. The thing is, I didn’t mind the sacrifice. I owed it to Kay for taking her from her family. She gave up so much to be mine, so I could deal. But five years, man! I had to sit and remember why I loved her in the first place. What life could be like if I had one more chance. Help me. Don’t make me beg.”

  “Help yourself, brother,” Eric said. “You’re right, you belong to the pack first. A choice you made, man. You can’t turn on it now.”

  “I can’t go into my head and dig up every fucking detail of the past five years and be the same man. You hear me? I can barely get through the day without that shit making me want to gut a motherfucker. What they’ll have me do. Put me through. It’ll tear my family apart. I-I…I will lose her.”

  “Slow down. You still have options.”

  “No, I don’t. They dig, they’ll find something, Eric. Then they’ll never let me go. My head’s not right.”

  “We can’t get into it. Trust me, man. I’ve never turned my back on you.”

  Liam paused. Eric hadn’t been just his second-in-command. He was much more than that now. He would know things before Liam even conceived them. And the government wasn’t releasing their prized POW to wander the streets unchained. They had eyes on him.

  “You know already, don’t you?” Liam said.

  “The car chase? The near miss on First Street? Yes. I know.”

  “I thought it wasn’t real. I mean I couldn’t remember if I was chasing someone or if someone was chasing me.”