The London Paradigm (book 4 of Adopted by the Josephs)

11. Tyler

It was the second night Samantha hadn't called us. No one was answering any of their cell phones and no one was answering at the house. I didn't have any other contact numbers and no one else to call. I had Mark's business number, but by now, if he even was at work this week, he would have gone home. It was late there now. Almost nine at night.

I paced around the house.

"Tyler, relax," Jenna said.

"I can't relax. It's been two days, Jenna. She hasn't texted today, she hasn't called in two days, no one is answering their phones."

"Maybe they went to a show in the city. It's only nine there. They'd have their phones off or on silent if they're in a show. Or if they're in the subway, they might not have service. She'll probably call later, when they get home."

"I don't know Jenna. I have a bad feeling. I've had a bad feeling from the minute Mark suggested Samantha go to England to visit."

"You're being overprotective, as usual," Jenna smiled at me, bouncing Rosie on her knee. "You can't stand that Samantha is becoming more independent."

"I love that she's becoming more independent. But I don't like not knowing where she is."

"Tyler, she's in London, with her uncle and his family. She. Is. Fine. You have to believe that. You're going to drive yourself crazy if you're going to be like this for the whole month that she's away."

"I want to bring her home. I don't want her gone for a month. I'm going to keep calling until I get someone, and I'm going to tell them that Samantha has to come home next week."

"You're going to do no such thing Tyler Robert Joseph. You are going to let our daughter enjoy her time with her uncle and aunt and cousins, and you are going to let her decide if she wants to come home early. You are not going to ruin her vacation."

"I can't stand not knowing what she's up to. She's an ocean away, Jenna. And I haven't heard from her in two days!"

"I know, I know. I'm worried, too. A little. But Tyler, please relax. They're probably at a show in the city. They said they were going to get tickets and you know they take the Tube everywhere, so underground they won't have service. Give them a few more hours, won't you?"

I sighed.

My phone started ringing, hoping it would be Samantha I grabbed it without looking at the display.

"Hey, Ty," Josh's voice came through the phone.

"Oh. It's just you. Hey Josh."

"Just me? That's a little insulting."

"Sorry. I was hoping you were Samantha."

"Why? What happened. Is she okay?"

"I don't know. She hasn't called or texted in two days, and no one is answering their phones," I said.

"What time is it in London right now? Like, nine?"

"I think so, yeah," I said.

"They're probably at a show. Or out for a late dinner," Josh said.

"That's what Jenna said," I said.

"She's a smart lady. You should listen to her." Josh said. I sighed.

"I don't know," I said. "I just feel like something's wrong."

"Dude," Josh said. "You are so overprotective of that kid, it's kinda bordering on obsessive. She's probably fine."

"You're probably right," I said, to try and get both him and Jenna off my back about being worried. "Sorry, why'd you call? What's up?"

"Well, one, your wife is worried about you spiralling because you're so worried about Samantha, so I wanted to check in on you," I shot Jenna a look. She shot me a look right back. "And two, Debby and I are coming out to Columbus in a couple of days."

"Oh yeah? What for?" I asked.

"We're thinking of moving to Ohio," he said. "I kinda miss my family, and your family, and seasons."

"Sam's going to be thrilled if you actually move here," I said.

"What?" Jenna said, pulling out her phone and texting, Debby presumably.

"Well, nothing's written in stone just yet, but we're thinking about it and I think Jim would like the chance to run in leaves and snow. And I know in Ohio, we can get a killer house on a good piece of land for Jim to run around on."

"So, did you need a place to stay or something?" I asked.

"No, thanks. We're going to stay at my mom's. But I wanted to let you know we were going to be in town so we could get together. Maybe take your mind off things for once."

"Funny. But yeah. We'd love to see you guys. Can't wait. Let me know when you're in town."

"Will do, my brother," Josh said. "And relax. She's fine."

I smiled.

"I'll try."

"Peace out," Josh said.

"Peace out," I said, hanging up.

"They're thinking of moving here?" Jenna asked, looking at her phone.

"Evidently," I smiled. I love Josh and Debby. And having them in Ohio full time would be amazing.

"Dada!" Rosie said, putting her arms up for me to pick her up.

"Uncle Josh and Aunt Debby might be moving here little Peanut!" I said, swinging her around. Rosie laughed and her magical laugh lifted some of the weight off my heart.

I still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but everyone was right. I just needed to relax and wait a little bit.