Inferno Part 2

~70~ My Son

Taylor's POV

"You gotta bring your A-Game if ya wanna beat your old man, Lukie Boy" I say as I shove him lightly.

"Dad, the older you get, the more you cheat."

"I hardly see how you can cheat in Smash Brother's" I say, still doing my victory dance.

"You always choose Donkey Kong. Maybe let someone else be Donkey Kong for once, you monkey hog."

I snort "He's a gorilla, kid. Go back to school."

Luke rolls his eyes as he restarts the game. "I'm gonna be Donkey Kong. You can be that pink ball."

"You mean Kirby?"

"Yup. Let's see how good you are now."

Mason, Emma, Sasha, and Ellie are watching this spectacle with humor. Anymore, we play the Switch at night with the family. It's my favorite part of the day.

After about three minutes, Luke throws his controller down in anger, as I do my second victory dance.

"You HAVE to be cheating. There's no way this monkey was beat by a pink ball."

I'm laughing so hard I have tears. "HE'S A GORILLA" I choke out.

"What's the difference?" Luke is seriously annoyed.

"Well, I'm sure if you went up to a real gorilla and called him a monkey, he'd shove a banana up your nose" I say, still cackling.

Luke finally smirks and shakes his head. "Your turn, Emmy. You're actually good at this stupid game."

Man, I wish I always had this relationship with Luke. It was really bad for a really long time. I'm so thankful I have a good relationship with him now, but I can't help thinking about when he was younger. A particular instance is coming to mind.

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I had to work a double shift, because the Lieutenant on second shift was out sick. I'm good with that. Money has been a little tight lately. For some stupid reason, I talked Ellie into letting me buy a ridiculously expensive car, and now it's got us strapped.

I finally get home after 48 hours. I've missed my family like crazy. I get in, and Ellie is trying to get the kids ready for school. Sasha is 11, and the twins are 10.

When I walk in, Ellie is arguing with Sasha.

"Sasha Jane, you're on my last nerve. Wear this shirt or I'm going to be mad."

"Mom, it doesn't match my pants" she argues.

"SASHA!! You're wearing jeans!!!!!" Ellie says in exasperation.

"Mom, this is too dressy of a shirt for jeans" she whines.

"That literally makes no sense" Ellie snaps.

"No" she says, crossing her arms and pouts.

"You've got three minutes to march your behind upstairs and find something to wear, before I spank you. We're going to be late."

Sasha sighs loudly as she rushes up the stairs.

Ellie finally notices me, and her whole face lights up.

"Man I've missed you, Lieutenant" she says, running and jumping into my arms. I squeeze her tight. 48 hours without a hug from this woman feels like an eternity. The amount of overtime I'm going to get almost isn't worth it. I absolutely hate being away from her.