Buried

CHAPTER 44 | aim

📎A/N .. that tree took longer than expected ;-) I hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Although she was loath to get her expectations up, Kaitlyn couldn't help the hope that flashed through her.  She had to hold on to the belief that her mother was at the same location as her watch and they hadn't discovered that it was transmitting its whereabouts.

Kaitlyn raced into her bedroom, changed out of her suit and into dark track pants and a hoodie ‑ something more suited to what they were about to do. She unlocked her safe, pulled out her gun and grabbed two extra magazines.  After attaching the gun to her holster, she was ready.

"Okay, let's go," she said as returned to the others and grabbed her bag.

Joshua paced the small lounge his usual relaxed expression now wore a pensive worried one.  The lines etched into his face had aged him in the short time since her mother's abduction. Across the room, Kaitlyn spotted Liam and Molly huddled together.  They were looking at each other with intent.  She recognised this as a sign they were speaking telepathically.

Murphy, who had been leaning on the breakfast bar, stood up nodded at Kaitlyn and headed towards the door.  At his sudden movement, all eyes turned to him. "Take mom back to the house," he said to his father, "I don't know how long we'll be."

"No."

The curt reply from Liam had Murphy halting in his tracks.

Before his son could respond, Liam continued with, "We're coming with you."

Murphy's eyebrows shot up.  "Pardon?"

Liam trailed behind Molly, who had made a move towards the front door.  "You heard me," said Liam, "we're coming with you."

"Why?"

"I hope I didn't raise an idiot," Liam said as they stopped in front of Murphy.  "I would have thought that obvious.  The last time you went up against Elijah, I failed to support you.  Had I been a better parent I would have ignored the council's decision and my duties as an elder.  I won't make that mistake again," he vowed.

Liam paused and took a deep breath.  "We will take Elijah down – as a family.  June was not just your mate; she was part of our family.  We can do this together ‑ If you'll let us."

Kaitlyn's throat constricted as she watched the two men face off.  It never ceased to amaze her how similar they were.  Liam's heartfelt plea couldn't help but affect her.  Her own trouble suspended, she watched the scene anxiously.  Liam's black eyes, the mirror of his son's, were projecting a silent and raw plea for forgiveness.

This was something that any other day, Kaitlyn would not have thought possible.  Molly had become teary as Murphy, instead of replying, reached a hand out towards his father. 

The past few days had been a series of compromises for both men.  They had somehow managed to put aside the animosity towards each other, and the rift that had festered for decades had begun the slow healing process.  Molly had already confided to Kaitlyn that she had been waiting for the bubble to burst.  She was sure it wouldn't last.  They were too alike.  Molly knew that they were civil to each other for her benefit only.

Instead of taking the offered hand, Liam pulled his son in for an embrace.  Molly let out a small whimper as she brought her hands up to her mouth as if in prayer.  Kaitlyn couldn't help but be affected, her throat dried and she felt the back of her eyes prick as she fought to keep the tears that threatened at bay.

"That's enough girly who-har," Joshua said from the door, interrupting the tender moment.  "We need to be going."

Kaitlyn suppressed a smile.  She could see that the emotional scene had affected even her grandfather.  His glazed, blinking eyes had given him away.  After locking her newly fixed door, they raced downstairs.  Their focus now on rescuing her mother.