Page 78 of Protecting Addison
“All right, I’ll forgive you this time. Butnexttime, you had better call me the second those wheels touch down.”
MacGyver chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.” He studied her for a moment. “You good? You look exhausted.”
“I think that’s my line,” she joked.
“Addison,” MacGyver warned.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired. I thought being a single mother to one kid was hard. Four is a whole new level.”
MacGyver felt guilty for leaving her.
But she shook her head and said, “No.”
“No what?”
“No, you aren’t allowed to feel guilty. You’re doing what you’re meant to do. I can handle the kids while you’re gone. But I did miss you. I thought about you every second of the day. Wondered where you were, what you were doing, if you were hurt…it wasn’t fun.”
MacGyver’s heart skipped a beat. What was she saying?
“I understand what Caroline, Alabama, and the other women tried to tell me now. That while being a Navy wife isn’t easy, it’s damn hard at times, but it’s also rewarding. Knowing that I’m taking care of things here while you’re off doing your job…it makes me feel needed.”
“Oh, you’re needed, Mrs. Douglas.”
She smiled a little at that. “Mrs. Douglas. I still haven’t gotten used to that being my name.”
“And speaking of names…don’t think I missed Artem calling you ‘Mom.’ I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it when he said it, because I didn’t know if it was a regular thing by now or what. How do you feel about that?” MacGyver asked.
Addison smiled. “It’s awesome,” she whispered. “And that was the first time,” she added, still grinning.
“This has been the best homecoming I’ve ever had. You, the kids, hearing Artem call you Mom…it’s all more than I ever thought I’d get.”
Addison hugged him tightly and MacGyver closed his eyes, appreciating the hell out of the woman in his arms. He pulled back and slowly threaded his fingers through her auburn hair. The strands clung to him as if they were just as glad to have him home as he was to be there. “I’m dead on my feet,” he admitted. “All I want is to sleep in my own bed and hold my wife.”
“I think that can be arranged,” she said with a smile. “Go on and shower. Wait, where’s your bag? I can get that from the car while you clean up.”
“Leave it. It’s full of nasty-smelling stuff you don’t want any part of. I’ll take care of it tomorrow. I don’t have to go in until noon. We have a debrief meeting with the commander and that’s it. I’ll pick up the boys tomorrow.”
Addison sighed. “I missed you so much. I swear I’ve put at least a thousand miles on your car driving everyone around.”
“I think it’s about time we got the boys on board with taking the bus to and from school. They’re more comfortable in their surroundings and their English is so much better.”
Addison nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. It’s a lot, dropping them off and picking them up every day, along with Yana and Ellory.”
“Come on. No more shop talk. Our bed is calling our names.”
Addison smiled and tilted her head. “Is that what that sound was? I thought it was a hallucination.”
He loved this woman. So damn much. After making sure the house was locked up tight, MacGyver headed for the bathroom and a much-needed shower. By the time he was done, had scrubbed his teeth three times, and even put on some lotion—the heat in the Middle East was brutal on his skin—Addison was in bed and waiting for him.
Sighing in contentment at the feel of clean sheets and a comfortable mattress, MacGyver had barely settled onto his back before his wife was in his arms.
Closing his eyes, he did his best to control his emotions. His reunion with his kids had been poignant, but this…lying here in his bed, his wife in his arms, was overwhelming.
“Welcome home, Ricky,” Addison whispered against his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too. So damn much.”
MacGyver thought he’d lay awake for a while, enjoying the feel of being home, being clean, and having Addy in his arms. But instead, he fell asleep almost instantly. Feeling safe and loved—along with being up for almost thirty-six hours—served as a great sleep aid.
