Page 40 of Protecting Addison
“They did not tell us why. It was scary,” Artem told MacGyver.
His heart broke. “I know. I’m so sorry. I did everything I could to get you back as soon as possible.”
“Why did they take us?” Artem asked.
“Honestly? I don’t really know. All I can assume is that it may have something to do with how you came into the US. Someone obviously thought things weren’t legal and proper. But I promise you that I have friends who are making sure this doesn’t happen again.”
MacGyver hated the look of skepticism on both boys’ faces. They’d been let down too many times already in their short lives, and he wished he wasn’t another person adding to those feelings…even inadvertently.
“It was not because you decide you no want us?” Artem asked.
“No!” MacGyver said loudly. He took a deep breath to try to control his emotions. “I want you. All three of you. You saved my life back in the Ukraine. But even before that, something between us clicked. I felt as if you were meant to be mine. To come to the States and live with me and grow up to do amazing things. You’ll never know how sorry I am that you were taken away without a word from me. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I swear. And when I found out, I did what I could to get you back as soon as possible.”
Artem nodded. Then his little lips quirked up. “The lady who pick us up was very nice this morning. Asking many times if we were okay. She seemed…I do not know word.”
“Nervous? Anxious? Worried?” MacGyver suggested. He’d noticed the woman was being overly solicitous when she’d dropped off the kids. Had apologized for the mix-up several times and swore more than once that the kids had been well taken care of. He suspected Tex had put the fear of God into several people at CPS. He appreciated the men and women who did the job, because it had to be emotionally and physically stressful, but he wasn’t ready to forgive anyone who was involved in taking his kids away from him.
“Yes!” Artem said happily.
“Well, you’re home now, and Addy and I have arranged for a little party. She’s made your favorite foods, a special cake just for you guys, and Ellory has been fussing over the decorations.”
“A party? For us? We have never had party,” Borysko said, his eyes big in his face.
“Just for you,” MacGyver told him. “I’m so glad you’re home,” he added, feeling emotional about holding these three kids in his arms once more.
“Home!” Yana said. She had tear tracks on her face, but MacGyver was happy to see her smiling again.
He felt a touch on his shoulder and looked up to see Addison standing behind him.
“Addy!” Yana shouted, pulling away from MacGyver, circling around him to hug Addison. She snuggled into her, then lifted her head and said, “Cake!”
Artem and Borysko also hugged Addison.
“Yana is right. She smells like cake,” Artem said with a smile.
Addison laughed. “That’s because I’ve been in the kitchen making an extra-special cake for three extra-special children I know.”
“Us?” Borysko practically yelled.
“Yes.”
“We go inside now?” Artem asked.
“Yeah, go on. Remember to thank everyone for coming to your party,” MacGyver coaxed.
“Yes! Will!” Borysko said, then the three kids hurried for the front door and their party.
MacGyver slowly stood. “There are going to be some difficult times for them when the excitement dies down,” he said sadly.
“Yeah, but we’ll be here for them. We’ll make sure they understand that what happened was an anomaly,” Addison said, slipping her hand into his and leaning against him.
MacGyver immediately put his arm around her waist. He loved being able to touch her like this freely and without wondering if she thought he was overstepping some imaginary boundary. Now that she’d told him that he could touch her whenever he liked, he found he couldn’t keep his hands off her.
Last night, when the movie was over and they’d woken up on the couch stiff and sore, he’d walked Ellory to her room, then joined Addison in bed. She hadn’t hesitated to curl into him, and this time she hadn’t been asleep. Last night wasn’t the right time to show her how attracted he was to her, but that moment was coming. Of that, he had no doubt. And the anticipation was both a blessing and a curse.
But one thing MacGyver knew was that he’d never take this woman for granted. In his eyes, she was Superwoman. She stepped up without any complaints. Working her ass off for not only her business, but to keep their household running smoothly and with as much love as she had in her heart. He couldn’t have chosen a better woman to marry. Their marriage of convenience was quickly turning into his dream relationship. Who would’ve thought?
The afternoon was full of laughter and way too much sugar. The kids stuffed themselves with the special cake Addison had made for them. By the time everyone went home, it was past seven o’clock.
