Missing in Action

Chapter 021

"Will you calm down, Brendon! Look, Isaac even thinks you're making a fool of yourself. You didn't forget anything, Ryan is waiting for us, so you're going to march right up to that door and knock. Now!" Jenn finished firmly, pointing at the door expectantly and bordering on sneering at Brendon. Isaac giggled behind his hand before huffing and hurrying towards the door. He was excited to see Ryan again, and maybe if he knocked, they would see each other faster. And while Papa was arguing with Matante Jenn, well, maybe he'd have Ryan alone for a few seconds. Taking a deep breath, Isaac knocked loudly on the door, smiling widely the whole time.

Inside, Ryan had been helping Lucía with some of her summer homework, incredulous, really, that they'd give kids this young stuff to do over the summer. But then he supposed he gave her enough vacations over the year as it was, what with taking her out of school when they went to Spain and everything. He just didn't like the thought of her staying with a sitter for days on end, and he knew she was smart enough not to fall behind because of it. He started slightly when he heard the knock before getting up, grinning down at his daughter who was pouting at the small addition and subtraction problems she'd been working with. "Who do you think that is?" he asked, already making his way to the door. Lucía squealed, the pout turning into a grin as she got up and latched onto his hand just before they reached the door. At first Ryan didn't see anyone, but then he felt a tugging on his pant leg and looked down to see a familiar mess of black hair and a grinning child face, and with a laugh he bent down and scooped Isaac up, giving him a tight hug before putting him down again. "Hey there, little guy," he greeted with a wide smile. "How was the flight?"

"Not little," Isaac muttered, puffing out his chest. "I'm four!" he exclaimed proudly, drawing the attention of his father and Matante. Jenn smiled, pushing her dark hair away from her face and walked over to where Isaac was standing. Her eyes were twinkling in that endearing way she had and she was giving everyone a thousand-watt smile that was completely genuine. She looked up briefly when Brendon joined them, and then turned back to Ryan.

"Hi, I'm Jenn," she said, putting her hand out for Ryan to shake, even as Brendon groaned and muttered something under his breath.

Ryan smiled back, reaching out and taking the offered hand to give it a small squeeze and shake before letting go. She had dark hair and eyes and he realized her features were close enough to Brendon's that they could almost have passed as brother and sister. It wasn't odd at all that Isaac had wound up looking so much like Brendon, because that kind of meant looking like his mother too. "Ryan," he stated. "It's nice to meet you." He nodded towards the small girl next to him who was practically bouncing on the soles of her feet. "That's my daughter, Keely," he added and turned back to Isaac, leaving the girls to get acquainted. "You are!" he stated with a grin. "I nearly forgot. Happy birthday! I think we might even have a present stashed away somewhere in here, how's that sound?"

"Yes!" Isaac shrieked, causing Brendon to look pained and mutter some more. Jenn, on the other hand, chuckled softly before crouching down a bit and offering her hand to Ryan's daughter. "Hello, Keely. I've heard so many good things about you from your uncle Jon," she said, winking and offering another smile.

"Thank you," Brendon said, addressing Ryan. "For riling up my son and getting him beyond excited," he said wryly. "I hope you're ready to tuck him into bed, because I'm sure not going to fight with him about it." He paused for a moment before breaking out in a grin and chuckling softly, patting Isaac's head when he looked up, frowning and pretending to be offended. "How've you been?" he asked softly.

Ryan laughed, shaking his head. "You know you love it," he stated. "And I've been fine. A bit busy, but I made the deadline and made songs for three different bands, so I feel pretty accomplished." He took a deep breath and shook his head slightly. It wasn't supposed to be this awkward, and so he decided to break that atmosphere by leaning in and wrapping his arms around the younger man in a tight, if brief, hug. "I missed you," he muttered before pulling back, still smiling. "What about you? How are things?"