Blind Promises

55. SEATAC

Once the arrival gate was open and most passengers had disembarked, they'd made their way with Cooper to meet with William. Lacey was over all of the people stopping to salute or thank them for their service. Gwen was glad Hal hadn't made her wear cammies, for one, she was pretty sure they wouldn't fit. For another, just no, for someone like Rich, this was fantastic. For her, it was a nightmare. Even Cooper was freaked out. His vest had the bridge handle for leading on it, she kept a firm grip. The only reason they'd worn their cammies in the first place is so William and Alex could get back to wait.

"Don't let go of this handle. Please. I know everything is overdramatic to you, but just trust me when I say that shit gets real fast, 'kay? I'm not your dad, I don't care what you're fighting about this week, I just want to get to the car without incident. This is stressing me out and it's not good for either of us, yes?" Guilt never hurt anyone, Gwen was sure of it.

Lacey was wide-eyed and a little scared herself. She was an old pro at airports, even tackling them on her own, but this was all new, "Okay, yeah, I totally get it. I understand."

"Liam!" Alex was running. She took a flying leap into his arms. It was funny how she could be a serious doctor one moment, a child the next, then a jock on the couch having a beer right after. "Oh my gosh! Why didn't you tell me? What sort of brother are you? I'll tell you, the rotten sort who keeps me in the dark about everything."

"To be honest, he didn't know until today." Gwen tried to save her husband.

She lowered her chin, gave him a look, "How do you not notice? Are you blind? She's glowing, look at how beautiful she is! Not to mention, ahem, the bump."

Liam looked down at the tiny swell evident now that she was back to wearing her own clothing. "She's been wearing my tees, I didn't know."

"I didn't want him to be distracted, it's my own doing. I want him to be safe. But I also don't want anything to happen in case somehow the information has been leaked into the wrong hands," Gwen explained.

Alex only believed parts of her story, her face was generously skeptical. She still asked, "Can I feel?"

"I don't mind, not much to feel but whatever."

Alex ran her hands over the bump, it was getting weird. People were starting to gather, fight or flight was about to kick in, she was ready to leave a glass slipper on the steps. "Alex, we're drawing a crowd," Liam warned.

Alex didn't take her eyes off Gwen, "Correction, you and Rich are drawing a crowd, I'm simply meeting my niece or nephew for the first time. Do you know?" She had a point but more people were gathering, some people were taking photos, "No, we don't. They call them the quiet professionals for a reason, I'm about to die to death of horror. Pictures, people are taking video, Alex. Please stand up." Gwen whispered through a smile.

William ambled up with Ava, "Well son, I see you've managed to make me a grandfather again." He shook Liam's hand and clapped his son on the back.

Gwen looked at William, "Hey, I'm doing the hard part here." She fussed. He laughed heartily, "You sure are, and I must say, you look stunning, my dear." Gwen blushed, "Thank you, Mr. Halstadt.

"I insist on William."

Sure that every video would pick up the crimson hue, "Thank you, William." He smiled, devilishly charming, "That's much better."

Ava was standing by her mom looking up at Gwen. In a small voice, she asked her mom, "Does that mean she's got a baby in there?" Eight-year-olds were funny creatures, she was the baby in her family, this was going to be an adventure for sure.