Love and the White Wolf - Book 2

26. Coming Home

The day after we returned home my period started and I informed James I wasn't pregnant. He was of two minds about it. He had been sincere about wanting another child but had realized it likely was a reaction to projections of his death. Steve was also a handful and once he started walking he would require more vigilance. We started using condoms again.

In other developments Sarah said yes to Marcus's proposal. They hadn't set a date yet but she asked me to be her matron of honour, which I accepted gladly, provided I wasn't too pregnant by then. I told her about our little run of reckless behaviour. She wasn't surprised but thought we were crazy wanting another so soon.

Ma did a video call to ask us again about coming for Thanksgiving. It would be too cold for us to stay in the pool house but they had lots of room in the main house. She and Gus had just done a cruise from Boston to Montreal to see the fall colours. It had been a wonderful trip and she asked me to thank Dr. Banner for his experimental treatment again. Steve was sleeping when she called so we took the phone into his bedroom and showed him sleeping. She was overcome with emotion and had to end the call. James booked the flights immediately after.

The house construction was progressing after some delays. The infrastructure for the Friday AI had finally been completed after waiting for the completion of the window installation which would be integrated with Friday once the IT people installed the software, holoprojectors and audio receivers. They were now ready to install the drywall. We spent a weekend with Mike picking out flooring, cabinetry, bathroom tiles and fixtures, lighting, and anything else that needed choosing. It was exhausting but once it was all ordered the end was in sight.

James was called out a particular mission in early November. A bus load of female students in a middle eastern country overrun with religious extremists went missing and it was feared the students were being married off to the kidnappers. The government asked for the Avengers help but requested that it be an under cover assignment and that everyone look like a local. James could grow a full beard in less than a week so he was in. He had to wear brown contact lens as his blue eyes would be a dead giveaway. Scott, Torres, and two members of James security team with Middle Eastern background completed the team. One could speak Arabic and one could speak Pashto so they gave James a crash course in both languages. There would be no access for me to watch.

As he checked his go bag and packed his knives and gear Steve and I watched from the bed. When he was finished James sat on the bed with us. Steve wanted to stand on his lap and made jumping motions. He was only wearing a diaper and James picked him up and blew a raspberry on his belly. They both giggled and found it hilarious.

"Dada loves you very much," he told Steve. "You be good for Mama and I'll be home soon."

Steve hugged James and gave him his famous open mouthed kiss. He had started teething and was drooling a lot although a tooth hadn't erupted yet. When he pulled away from James he pulled a trail of saliva with him. James wiped it off with the back of his hand.

He looked at me and laid himself partially on me. With his arms around me he kissed me sweetly and then buried his face in my neck. His longer than normal beard tickled my neck and I laughed.

"You like this?" he asked. "I could keep it for a while after I get back."

"We could try it for a while," I agreed.

We kissed again, deeper this time. He stroked my hair before whispering "beautiful."

"They have a safe house for us," he said. "I will try to make a video call when I can. When I'm in country only our contact will have a phone. Oeznik is around and Sam will check in on you. I'm coming home, I promise."