They’d do more than deal with it. They’d thrive, because her kids were amazing.
“Bye,” Niall muttered, as though he couldn’t wait for the call to end.
“Bye.” She swiped the screen with her finger, and shoved her phone into her pocket. Whatever Niall decided to do didn’t really matter. They’d be okay. Because she’d make sure they were.
The same way she always did.
They were sitting in the living room when lights swept over the window. Even though it was dark, Mia hadn’t closed the curtains. She was too desperate to keep a watch on the road outside for that. After she’d explained the situation to the police and then spoken to Niall, she’d called the number Cam sent her, her heart pounding against her chest as Brian answered, and Josh’s voice echoed down the phone line.
He’d sounded so young as he kept saying sorry over and over. She hated that she couldn’t hold him. Because he didn’t need to be sorry – that was her job.
Michael was the first to jump up from the sofa when the headlamps hit. He had better reflexes than she did, but it was only a heartbeat later that she was joining him at the window, her breath caught in her throat as she saw Cam’s blue Audi pull into the driveway. The police officer joined her, and all three of them stared out of the window.
“He’s here,” Michael shouted. Sam lifted his head up, blinking. He’d fallen asleep about an hour earlier.
They rushed into the hallway, Michael yanking open the door and running onto the porch, Mia right behind him, followed by the officer. Then Brian climbed out of the car, opening the rear door so Josh could hop out, and the tears started stinging at her eyes again.
Josh looked tiny next to the car. He had a bottle of water in his hand as he stared wide-eyed at the three of them standing on the porch. There was a wary expression on his face, as though he wasn’t sure what his reception would be. Mia held her arms out, and his face crumpled as he ran the distance between the car and the steps, taking them two at a time.
His body collided with hers, the force winding her, but she ignored the pain and wrapped her arms around her son, hugging him tight.
“Oh my god,” she whispered. “Oh Josh. You’re here.” It was hard to breathe.
“I’m sorry,” he sobbed into her chest. “I’m so sorry.”
Michael wrapped his arms around them both, his head resting on her shoulder, his hand cupping Josh’s back.
“It’s okay.” She stroked Josh’s head. “Nobody’s mad at you. We were just so scared. You can’t run away like that without telling anybody.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Brian told me you were all really sad.”
Lifting her head, she looked over Josh’s shoulder at the young man. His hair was looking worse for wear, the sleek ponytail of earlier all twisted and fuzzy. He was hanging around the car, twisting his hands. He swallowed hard when he realized Mia was staring at him.
“You must be tired,” she called out. “Would you like a drink?”
“Come on in,” Sam called out. “I’ll put some coffee on.”
“I could really do with a bathroom break,” Brian said, his cheeks reddening. “And then coffee would be great.”
As he passed Mia, she lifted her hand from Michael’s shoulders and grabbed Brian’s, squeezing it tight.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice low. “Thank you for bringing him back.”
“Am I in trouble?” Brian asked, glancing warily at the officer.
“No trouble,” the officer told him. “We can talk inside.”
Sam, Brian, and the officer walked into the house, leaving Mia and Michael on the porch with Josh. She hunkered down into a squat, checking Josh over with her eyes and her soft hands. “You sure you’re okay?” she asked him.
“Yeah. I’m tired, though.” He yawned. “And hungry. Brian wouldn’t stop for food. Told me Cam wouldn’t let him.”
Mia smiled with relief. She could deal with hunger and exhaustion. She had a little of that herself. “Let’s go in. I’ll make you both a burger.”
“Actually, I brought some food with me.”
She looked up to see Cam standing at the bottom step, his duffle slung over his shoulder and two brown takeout bags in his hands. Her heart seemed to freeze in her chest for a moment, her breath catching in her throat as she took him in.
It had been less than two weeks since she’d seen him, yet it felt like a lifetime. His eyes were soft as his gaze caught hers, and she felt dizzy, as though she was falling.
“Cam!” Josh shouted. “You’re here.” He pulled away from Mia and threw himself at the tall, muscled man. Cam put the takeout bags on the steps and caught him easily, lifting him into his arms. “Hey, pal. You okay?”
Josh nodded, as Michael walked over and stood in front of Cam. “Hi,” he said softly. “I’m glad you came.”
Cam swallowed, his neck undulating. “I am, too,” he said gruffly. “Thanks for calling me.” He held out his hand to Michael, but instead of shaking it, Michael hugged his side. Cam met Mia’s eyes over Michael’s shoulder, and curled his fingers to beckon her over.
Mia walked down the steps as Cam gently put Josh down on the ground. Her heart had started up again, hammering a fast rhythm against her chest.
“Hi,” she said. Her cheeks lifted in an attempt to smile.
His gaze didn’t waver from hers. “You doing all right?”
She tried to nod, but her body wouldn’t play ball. Instead, she swallowed a sob as she shook her head.
“Come here,” he told her, wrapping his warm, strong arms around her, cradling her against his body. “It’s okay.”
