CHAPTER FOUR

Riley, Gabi, and Kennedy waited at the helipad for the chopper, a wheelchair and stretcher ready, just in case. Sam and Mia held one another, praying that their daughter was okay. When Sebastian told comms she was fine, just shaken up, they were all relieved.

As Garr led her from the Osprey, Sam ran forward, grabbing his daughter in a bear hug.

“Macie! Macie, baby, are you okay?” he asked, swallowing back the tears.

“I’m okay, Dad. I’m shaken up, but I’m not hurt. Garr got to me. He and the others got to me in time,” she said, smiling.

Sam and Mia grabbed Garr, hugging him fiercely. Sam pulled back, his trademark tortoiseshell glasses on his nose. He smiled up at Garr, slightly taller than his own six-feet-one.

“I can never repay you,” he said, smiling at Garr. “You saved my daughter. I’m not even pissed that you didn’t tell me where you were going and what you were doing. Thank you, Garr. Tell me what you need, what you want. You can have anything I’m capable of giving.”

“Sir, you owe me nothing,” said Garr, shaking his head. “But since you asked. I’d like to formally request that you allow me to date Macie, with every intention of one day marrying her.”

Sam laughed as Mia smiled, nodding her head.

“Told you,” she grinned.

“You knew?” frowned Garr. “How could you know?”

“Son, you’ve been mooning over Macie for ten years. I could never figure out why you didn’t just ask her for a date. Five years is nothing when it comes to love, Garr. We’d be proud if you wanted to become part of our family.”

“Thank you, Dad,” said Macie, hugging her father then her mother.

“That’s what I wanted for Christmas, Macie,” said Garr, pulling her into his arms. “I didn’t want a damn sweater or cologne or anything else. I want you.”

“Oh, Garr,” she sniffed. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stared at everyone, then the waterworks began. She started crying, and they didn’t think she would ever stop.

“It’s shock,” said Kennedy. “Let’s get her to the clinic and give her something to calm her down.”

“No,” said Garr. “I want to take her to my cottage.”

Sam and Mia nodded in agreement, and Doc drove the ATV toward Garr’s cottage. Inside, he lay Macie on the sofa, covering her with a warm blanket, starting the fire, and watching as Doc gave her a sedative.

“She’ll sleep for a while,” he said. “Just watch her to be sure she doesn’t try to get up by herself.”

When his door opened with his teammates entering, he looked at Doc and frowned.

“You guys okay?” asked Doc.

“Yes, sir. But there are nineteen dead at the mall. They were coming from both entrances. Six men, multiple weapons, random shooting. From what the witnesses said, they just lifted the weapons and started firing. No aim, no intent other than to kill as many as possible.”

“If there were six men and as many weapons, nineteen doesn’t seem like a lot of deaths,” frowned Doc. “Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise that they were shitty shooters.”

“Amen to that,” said Sebastian.

“Anyone taking credit for the shootings? Any terrorist groups?” asked Gabi.

“Nothing yet,” said Leif.

“Forrest! Forrest!” yelled Code, running toward the cottage. “Maddie’s in labor! Gray said get your ass to your cottage. They can’t move her.”

“Shit!”

Forrest took off running, and Garr looked down at Macie’s sleeping face. She was going to be pissed that she missed the birth of the quads, but he didn’t give a damn. She was safe and sound, and he was going to hunt down the shooters.

“Brother, I can stay here if you want to be with Forrest and Maddie,” said Doc.

“No. No, this is where I need to be,” said Garr. “Please go and let me know how it turns out. I’m praying for them.” Doc laughed, shaking his head.

“You just need to pray for Forrest. He’s about to have four babies all at once.”

“I’m so proud of you, Maddie,” said Forrest, kissing her forehead. The four pink-skinned bundles were in their arms, two for him, two for her.

“So, are we in agreement on the names,” smiled Maddie.

“I think so. Let’s get our folks in here before they break down the door.” Forrest stood, opening the bedroom door to find his parents and hers standing on the other side, waiting not-so-patiently.

“About damn time,” smirked Robbie. Carrie pushed past him to stand by Maddie.

“Oh, my goodness,” she sniffed. “They’re beautiful.”

“Holy shit, kiddo,” smiled Chief. “You did it. You really did it.”

“I don’t think she had a choice, honey,” laughed Rachel. “I’m so proud of you, Maddie. I know it wasn’t easy, but they’re beautiful. But what are they? Boys? Girls? A mix?”

“Well, let us introduce you,” said Forrest. He handed one tiny bundle to his father, watching as he expertly held the infant. “Dad? Meet your grandson, Hudson Robert Robicheaux.”

“Hudson,” smiled Robbie. “It’s a good name.” Forrest took the other infant, laying it in Chief’s arms, and smiled up at his huge father-in-law.

“Chief? Meet your second grandson, Briggs Eric Robicheaux.” Chief swallowed back his tears, nodding at them both.

“Now, that’s a fine name,” he smiled. Taking an infant from Maddie’s arms, he handed it to her mother.

“Rachel, this is your granddaughter, Hattie Rachel Robicheaux.”

“Oh,” she said as her voice cracked.

“Last but not least,” he said, lifting number four. “Mom, meet Beatrice Carrie Robicheaux. I’m sure glad we had four to spread the love of the names.” The room chuckled, everyone watching the proud grandparents.

“Fine names,” nodded Matthew. “Beatrice and Brady, Hudson and Hattie. Fine, fine names, Forrest. Well done.”

“Thank you, Uncle Matthew,” he smiled.

“You feelin’ okay, Maddie?” asked Irene.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m actually feeling good. They were all right at six pounds. I can’t believe I carried them for so long. My stomach will never be the same, but I really don’t care,” she smiled.

“Your stomach will be just fine,” said Gray. “You can go to the pond in a few days, and it will be beautiful again. They’re all perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

“Thank you, Gray,” nodded Forrest.

For the next hour, people filtered in and out, oohing and ahhing over the babies. Four. Four all at once, all healthy, all beautiful. Who could ask for anything else?

“Cam? Luke?” whispered Hiro. They turned to see him jerking his head toward the front porch.

“What’s up?” asked Luke.

“We’ve got a group claiming the attack and claiming there will be more before Christmas Eve. Several more.”

“Who?” asked Cam. “Who are they?”

“Well, I’m not sure it’s real or not.”

“Who, Hiro?” insisted Luke.

“The Boy Scouts.”

And that’s when the floodgates opened.