In the Name of Revenge

Part III/Chapter Fourteen

PART III

FOURTEEN

Felice was overjoyed to have her little girl back. She desperately wanted to find the bastard who took her. Even though she knew he was busy with more than just her case, it had been days since they heard from Detective Wolters. There was some comfort in knowing that whoever took her seemed to have taken care of her. However, the worry that person caused her and Darryl…kidnapping her daughter was an unthinkable, horrible act. Who would do such a thing and why? Would it happen again?

She and Darryl didn’t really understand. They discussed it at length and each came to the same conclusion. It didn’t matter who it was that took her, they wanted to see the person pay for what they did, for what they put them through. They were both frightened and worried that it would happen again or that they would attempt to kidnap Glenn or Gabriella.

It was late morning. They sat on the living room couch while the twins played in their rooms and Rita Grace napped in her crib next to them.

“My god, Darryl, who would want to kidnap an innocent baby, just to return her unharmed?”

“I don’t know. However, as much as I hate to bring this up, I think we need to consider the idea that it could have been Pavel.”

“It doesn’t sound like him. After all, he left me because I was pregnant with her.”

“Like the detective suggested, what makes you think he hasn’t just changed his mind?”

“We’ve been over this. He would have called.”

“Maybe, maybe not. If he thought you would still be furious enough with him not to let him see her, then…who knows?

“I don’t want to believe he would do such a thing.”

“Me either. I’m just thankful our baby was not hurt and was returned to us.”

“Did you just hear yourself?”

“What?”

“You just said, ‘our baby.’”

Felice smiled up at Darryl and wrapped her arms around him.

“I did, didn’t I? I’ve always thought of her as part of me, but I guess I never vocalized it until now.”

“Thank you, Darryl. I love you for that and many other things.”

“Yeah? Show me.”

He kissed her gently on the lips, but any other thought of romance was interrupted as Glenn and Gabriella raced into the living room.

“Whoa,” Darryl said. “What’s up with you two?”

“Nothing,” Glenn answered.

“Yeah, we’re just playing.”

“Playing? What are you playing?” Felice asked.

“Cops and robbers. You know, I’m the bad guy and Gabby is trying to catch me.”

“Glenn says we can practice.”

“Practice?”

“Yeah, so next time, when someone tries to take our sister, Glenn and I can chase them.”

Darryl and Felice looked at one another. She didn’t know how to react or what to feel. It was heartwarming to see the twins wanting to help, because they obviously care about Rita Grace. At the same time, it pained her to see that the twins felt they needed to act more like grown-ups by catching the bad guys than children enjoying an innocent game of fun.