35. Maggie

Maggie

T he morning sun peeks through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I lie in bed, my eyes heavy with exhaustion. The thought of going to work feels like an insurmountable task, my body aching for just a few more hours of sleep. I've only just gotten back home after hours at the hospital with Harry. Thank God he's going to be okay. He punctured a lung, but surgery went well, and he's expected to make a full recovery, albeit a slow one.

Grayson, already dressed, comes into the room with a mug of steaming coffee. "Morning," he says, his voice annoyingly chipper.

I grumble a response and grab the drink, feeling like a caffeine-seeking zombie. It smells perfect, and I gulp down some, even though it burns my tongue. Ah, pain—now I know I'm alive.

"Are you going in today?" he asks.

I nod. "I have to. They got plates on the van, and I want to follow up on it ASAP."

After taking another drink, I look at him. "Are you gonna be okay here alone? I know last night probably freaked you out." I hate that our first night was plagued by the shooting. Deep down, I know it was Don. I feel it in my bones. Maybe Harry doesn't know it yet, but I'm certain he saved Grayson's life by approaching that van.

"I'll have help today," he says, a hint of mystery in his voice.

Before I can inquire further, the doorbell rings through the quiet house. Grayson smiles knowingly and goes to answer it. I get out of bed, trying to smooth my hair down before wandering into the living room. George is watching some cartoons, but when he sees me, he sprints over.

He collides with my legs. "Oof, morning, little crime fighter." He's still clinging to my leg as Grayson lets two people into the house.

Standing in my foyer is Henrietta, radiating a very unappreciated chipper energy. She has glasses low on her nose and a giant bag slung over her shoulder. Her gray, curly hair is cut just above her shoulders. Behind her stands a massive, bald man, imposing like a buffalo but with a calm demeanor. I blink in surprise, trying to process the unexpected visitors.

George releases his grip on me only to run over to Henrietta. "Gam gam!" he yells.

Grayson points to her. "Maggie, you remember Henrietta, Tommy's mother and our unofficial grandma. This is her bodyguard, Mack."

"Yes, of course. Hello again," I say, immediately regretting my stiff, formal words.

But Henrietta wastes no time, throwing her arms around me. "Oh, baby, you look so tired. You should climb right back into bed."

"Erm, I need to work," I say, trying to fight the urge to take a nap right then and there.

Henrietta clicks her tongue. "Ugh, I guess that can't be helped." My face flushes, but Grayson only chuckles. He seems to be enjoying the show Henrietta is putting on. "Well, don't worry, baby. I'm going to take care of everything here."

"Is she serious?" I suddenly blurt out to Grayson. The bear-looking man behind her laughs, and I turn around. "You know I'm a cop, right?" I ask him. He holds up both hands, but the smile remains.

Grayson grabs my arm and tells Henrietta he'll be right back. He pulls me into the back room. "Sorry, she just kinda takes care of things. You should let her."

"Let her, Gray? I barely know her!"

"Trust me, Mags. It's for the best. We need help, and she is eager to give it. I honestly think she likes all the drama." From my brief interaction at the Wishes for Waves event, I'm inclined to believe that's true.

I cross my arms against my chest. Asking for help isn't something I do often. "Really, you'd be helping her out," Grayson says.

Though I have no idea what she has planned, I roll my eyes. "Fine." Grayson kisses my cheek and opens the bedroom door.

When we're back in the living room, I put on my biggest smile and hold out my hand. "Sorry, I'm just tired and surprised. Thanks for coming on such short notice."

Henrietta waves a hand, already moving to the kitchen to start cleaning up the breakfast mess that must have been from Grayson and George. "Don't mention it, baby. One of my kids needs me, I'm there. You want something to eat before you go? I can whip up a quick frittata."

"That sounds great. Will that scary guy be eating too?"

Mack laughs. "I'm good, Enri."

As Henrietta starts pulling out ingredients, she clicks her tongue. "I'll need to go shopping."

I sit at the kitchen table and put my forehead in my hands, chuckling a little. I like to think of myself as a superhero, but Henrietta is on a whole different level. Moving so quickly, she's practically a blur to my sleep-addled mind.

"Sure, Henrietta. I can give you some money for it," I say, though internally, I'm still a little shaken by all the kindness. George comes to my side, showing off a new picture, and I pull him into my lap.

But Gray is already grabbing his keys. "Not necessary, Mags. I can do that, Ma." They quickly run through the items she thinks our home needs, and he kisses my cheek before hurrying out the door.

"Uh, thanks for all this, Henrietta," I say when he's gone.

"Call me Ma, baby, everyone does."

George's face turns very serious. "Nuh-uh, I call you Gam Gam."

"Very true, Georgie. You want some eggs?" Georgie makes a face that clearly says that's the worst idea in the world, and I tickle his sides.

"Eggs are good for little crime fighters, Georgie. You should try some."

Henrietta turns at the sound of laughter. But when she sees us together, she drops her scrub brush and puts both hands on her mouth, soap flying everywhere. "Oh, you two are just perfect." She suddenly puts her hands on her hips. "Why was Gray hiding you from us again?"

At the words, I can't help but bask in the attention, a smile spreading across my face. "Too perfect. Maybe he was intimidated, thinking you'd like me more," I say.

"Oh, but I do. I heard how you sprang into action last night, keeping our boys safe."

I suddenly look down. "Not all my boys. Remember Harry? He… " I glance down at George, wondering how much to share. "He's in the hospital."

Henrietta's demeanor shifts at the mention of Harry, her curiosity piqued. "It's Harry that's hurt?"

I nod, my throat growing tight. Seeing the man I think of as a father bleeding from his chest was the scariest moment of my life. Thankfully, I didn't lose it until after the paramedics arrived. While they worked on him, I let the tears pour freely. Henrietta's lip trembles for a split second before she raises her chin defiantly. "We're going to need reinforcements." She whips out her phone.

"Sammy, Gray needs us in LA." The voice on the other end must resist because Henrietta's brow lowers before she shouts, "Then cancel it!"

I think even her own words shock her because she takes a breath. "I have never asked any of you for anything. You get the girls and get here." She hangs up, and the phone slams on the kitchen counter. I clear my throat. "He's okay, Henrietta."

"Ma," she whispers, then sniffles. I knew she was flirting with him at the surf thing, but I had no idea she cared this much.

I set George in his own seat, who is luckily unaware of his Gam Gam's emotions. Rising from the chair, I go to her side, rubbing her back. "Ma, he's going to be fine." She nods and sniffles again. I wonder if she's even capable of crying. I chuckle as she straightens up. "I didn't realize you two were—"

She waves a hand. "We aren't. But he's a nice man who's taken care of you, and you had to…" she swallows a lump and shakes her head. "No one should see someone they love like that, baby."

I inhale a shaky breath. "It could have been Gray, or even—"

Her arms wrap around me. "Don't think like that, baby." I let out a choked half-sob, trying to keep it together since George is in the dining room. Picturing what I was thinking is too much. Thank God Harry was here. He's a fucking hero. My hero. She tightens her hold. "My girls will be here, and we'll fix everything. You just go to work and put whatever fucker that did this away."

I nod against her shoulder, a little shocked at her harsh words. When she pulls back, her eyes are like daggers. "I mean it, Maggie. No one hurts my family like this."

Her determination must be rubbing off on me because my spine stiffens. "I will, Ma. I promise."

"Good. Now go shower. You have blood on your arm." I look down, and a fresh wave of guilt washes over me. But Henrietta is shoving me out of the room. "None of that. We did the crying. That's step one. Step two is to get to work. Go."

With a chuckle, I make my way down the hall. My bathroom is a bit cluttered and a little gross, but that's a problem for another time. With the water on the hottest setting I can manage, I step into the shower.

After scrubbing the top layer of skin off, I quickly dress and braid my wet hair. No time for making myself perfect today. Today, I have a job to do.

Back in the kitchen, Henrietta is scrubbing my oven, the scent of cleaner heavy. She doesn't say anything as I sit down at the waiting plate. After I eat what is the best frittata of my life, I grab my purse, ready to leave right as Grayson comes back into the house, his arms loaded with bags.

He sets them on the counter. "You're going?"

I nod. "Captain texted. I need to fill out some reports and go through my suspect list." I don't mention that there's only one name on that list. Don.

"Maggie baby, I need you to unlock that door before you go. I have a set of bunk beds coming for Georgie."

"Uh, that room is… not safe," I say. The second bedroom is a nightmare, and there's no way I'll let Henrietta see it.

But Henrietta puts her hands on her hips. "Is it full of something dangerous or naughty?"

My face flushes. "I… neither?"

"Don't be embarrassed, baby. Passion makes us human. Whatever it is, I will take care of it without judgment." The tone in Henrietta's voice leaves no room for argument, and for some reason, I believe her. I go to the junk drawer and grab the key.

As I go to the room, every single person in the house is standing behind me. Even the bear-man, Mack. The door swings open, and my biggest source of embarrassment is on full display.

The room is full of comic books and action figures and a full-sized arcade cabinet. George sprints inside as Grayson laughs beside me.

"It's not funny!" I snap, but Grayson's arms go around me.

"Oh, it is, Maggie. I knew you liked this stuff, but this is… insane."

Henrietta eyes the contents like a lion looks at a steak. "I'll need to get a storage unit. But shouldn't take too long. You wanna keep the video game thing?"

I nod, not exactly pleased that my stuff is going into storage. Though if it means George and Grayson can stay, it's a small price to pay. "My cousin built it for me when I passed the detective's exam."

"Jade, right?" Grayson asks with a smile.

"Oh yeah. She's an even bigger nerd than me. You should see her home. Makes mine look almost normal." I laugh at that. Jade Parker is someone I've always looked up to. She's been dancing to the beat of her own drum her entire life. That's in part thanks to her wonderful parents. Richard and Audrey are the most supportive people I've ever met. I used to imagine that they would show up at whatever run-down place my parents jokingly called home to whisk me away.

A part of me knows that if they had understood the depth of my parents' malfeasance, they would have. But of course, my dad ruined his relationship with his brother long before that could happen. None of them even knew Vanessa and I were in foster care until it was too late. A simple call may have changed that when it happened, but at the time, I was embarrassed by what had happened.

Grayson nuzzles against my neck. "I think you should leave some of it, Ma. Put it in our room."

Henrietta is already moving inside, looking through some of the closest boxes. Grayson pulls me away.

When we're alone in the laundry room, he crashes his mouth down on mine. My hands tangle into his hair immediately, deepening our kiss until I'm breathless. When I pull away, I wipe my mouth. "What was that for?"

"For you, Maggie. I know we're cramping your style."

I put on a smile. "No way. You're hyping it up. Bunk beds will be awesome, like his own little bat cave."

Grayson kisses me again, slower and shorter. "One word, and we won't change a thing. George can keep sleeping in our bed."

I'm torn between not minding at all and wanting Grayson all to myself at night. "It's fine, Gray, I swear. I gotta go to work." I take his hands off my waist and turn to leave.

"Love you, Maggie," he's still chuckling, and I feel my face blush. So much is changing so fast, and I need a little air. Feeling out of control is foreign. I'm not a fan. Not at all.

"Uh, bye, Grayson. I'll see you after work." I know he's waiting to hear the words back, but I can't manage them right now. I hurry out the front door and start walking down the street. My mind is a whirlwind of self-doubt.

But as the cool air works through my hair, I try to push the discomfort away. I just need to get to work, and things will seem better when I have some time to process. Pulling out my phone, I send a text to my sister. Whenever the going gets tough, I know I can count on Vanessa to brighten my day.

We don't even need to talk about anything in particular, just hearing about Vanessa's classes or most recent party adventure is enough.

Typically, Vanessa calls or texts back right away, but nothing comes through. I groan; my sister does have a habit of sleeping in, and it's quite early. I still haven't even given her hell for not showing up to the surf event a few days ago. A coffee date is probably in order. One with a lot of caffeine and even more lectures about responsibility. For now, it can wait. I pull up the Uber app and request a ride.

Everything is going to be fine, even if I have to remind myself a thousand times. With that in mind, I pull out my phone to send a quick text to Gray.

Me: Love you too.