Chapter 29

Ameline disappearsfor about six hours. I send her a couple of texts just to remind her that I'm here for her but don't send Finn or Seth's people to look for her yet. Someone should give me a fucking medal or at least a pat on my back.

Though, I'm worried about where she might have gone or . . . Was she in some kind of accident? What if Cedric did something to her?

Okay, I'm going a little too far.

"Whese Ame?" Cora asks as we prepare dinner. She's washing the lettuce with Mom while I'm sprinkling the toasted breadcrumbs on top of the mac-n-cheese before putting it in the oven. I swear, tomorrow I'm leaving her with my parents and taking Ame to dinner. I can't eat pasta and cheese again.

"Aunt Ameline went to run some errands," I respond, and Mom arches an eyebrow.

I'm not sure if she's not liking that I'm being evasive or maybe I sound too cold. Can she blame me? I'm concerned about Ame's whereabouts.

Dad climbs down the stairs with Caleb in his arms. I swear this man is going to be the death of me. He doesn't get the concept of ‘put the fucking baby down.'

"You were supposed to feed him and set him back in his crib," I tell him. "If you get him used to being held all the time, he'll become too dependent. Babies need some time to themselves to start learning about their bodies and movements. It'll be harder for him to self-soothe and sleep later on if he expects to be rocked constantly now."

Dad chuckles, glancing at Mom. "You sound just like a ducking doctor, Gabriel."

"That's because I am a doctor," I remind him.

"Your mom and I want to think that there's always a balance. Sure, you have to give them some independence, but also love," he states and points at Caleb. "This little one needs that reassurance and bonding time even more than some babies."

"Can you listen to me for once?" I ask, trying not to snap impatiently.

"You know why you're so calm and loving?" he asks.

I shake my head.

"Because I didn't listen to your ducking doctor," he states. "I was in the NICU daily with my twins holding them. When we arrived home, we continued doing the same. I barely left you in the crib—unless your mama pried you out of my arms."

Mom smiles fondly at the memory. "It was a struggle to convince him at times. But you two were our little miracles and our rainbow babies. We didn't know if we would get a chance to have any more."

Sometimes, I need to remember that little detail. Dad was in a motorcycle accident when he was young and was told that he wouldn't be able to have children. My parents were ready to be just Aunt Pria and Uncle Jacob until Jude and I arrived. Then Harper and . . . Well, they even adopted two more children because they have a lot of love to give.

"Perhaps you're right," I say. "But if Caleb doesn't start sleeping through the night soon, you two should plan to come move in for a bit."

"You heard them, Twinkle. We're moving in with the grandkids," Dad announces happily.

I groan. This wasn't what I expected.

Mom rolls her eyes in exasperation. "Oh no, you don't. Put that baby down already." Dad shakes his head as she continues. "Harper is going to be staying with us for a while when she gets back. I don't think we can manage splitting time between two households."

At the mention of Harper, Dad's face clouds over with anger. Caleb begins fussing, detecting the shift in mood until Dad forces a smile again.

Harper is currently in Baja at my grandparents' house with some of our siblings and cousins—healing. Her fiancé had been abusing her for months. It wasn't until Grace noticed a suspicious bruise that the Decker women put the pieces together and intervened.

It explained why Harper had been withdrawing from the family, isolating herself. More likely, that abusive asshole was deliberately keeping her from us, making her feel like we didn't care. I've talked to her a couple of times, but she doesn't want to discuss him or see Mom and Dad yet. Still, she agreed to move in with them once she returns.

I can see the pain and helplessness in my parents' eyes. They're struggling to respect Harper's boundaries while aching to hug their little girl close.

Just then the front door opens, and we all glance up as Ameline steps inside, breaking some of the heavy tension.

"Hey baby, I was getting worried," I say with relief, immediately going over to greet her. I pull her into my arms, inhaling the floral scent of her hair.

"Sorry, I had a lot of stops to make after seeing Cedric and Richard," she explains wearily. "Fitz's office, the hospital, Mom's memorial . . ." Well, that explains why her eyes are puffy and red-rimmed.

I kiss each eyelid tenderly. "Anything I can do for you right now?"

Before she can reply, Cora comes barreling over. "Ame!" she cries joyfully.

Ameline squats and hugs Cora tightly. "Hey, sweetheart. That tiara looks so pretty on you."

"Gama and I made it," Cora says proudly.

Ameline glances over at my mom in surprise. "Oh, hi, Pria. Jacob. I didn't realize you two were visiting."

"We were just in the neighborhood and wanted to see the kids," Mom explains warmly. "I hope that's alright?"

"Of course. You know how much we love your visits," Ame assures her with a smile. Then she asks no one in particular, "So what's for dinner tonight?"

"Mac-n-chez," Cora responds.

"Why am I not surprised?" Ame laughs.

"We also have chicken nuggets," I add. "And salad, too, apparently."

Cora holds up three little fingers. "Yeah, salads."

"Mmm, yummy," Ame says. She glances at Mom hesitantly. "Would it be okay if I go change real quick while you watch them?"

"Yes, we're going to start serving soon, but take your time," Mom gestures toward the stairs.

Once upstairs, behind our closed door, I ask gently, "So how did it go today? What happened?"

As Ameline begins rifling through the closet, she fills me in: Cedric's place, Richard's living conditions, his cryptic mention of hidden money. She decided to visit Fitz and figure out if she can have guardianship of Richard so we could be in charge of his future. Also, the status of Izzy's guardianship is important in case she's not able to make medical decisions herself.

When she's done, I offer, "Finn could probably track down any accounts under Richard's name if you want to find them. And we can look into care facilities, too."

"If there's no money, I can't afford a decent facility for him," she frets.

"My money is our money now, Ame," I remind gently. "That's how marriage works. We share everything—including bank accounts."

"Would you like my debt?" She smirks. "It's pretty hefty."

"Then I'll pay everything off," I propose.

She looks uncertain. "It's hard to . . . I just don't want you to think that I'm taking your money away. But also, you have to be aware that I won't be able to contribute to the house," she warns me. "My salary goes to people who really need it."

"Because you don't need it?" I ask, confused.

She shrugs. "I have the basics. A roof, furniture . . . and that's all that matters."

"So you mostly run a charity," I offer. "Then, we'll run it together."

She nods. "I do, but I don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of you."

"I'm offering to help," I state.

"Well, I need another favor." She gives me a sheepish glance.

"Anything for you," I offer.

"Gideon. He can't live alone," she states. "I can't leave him in New York. His family might just drop him in a center because they think he can't be independent."

I stare at her with confusion.

"Maybe you can talk to your buddies and find someone who might be able to figure out his seizures and sudden blindness," she continues. "The latter only lasts for a few minutes, but it's bad."

I want to ask if she means the seizures or the blindness, but instead, I go with, "Has he been to the doctor?"

She nods. "They can't find anything wrong."

"And you want to bring him to live with us?"

"Or close by . . . he can't live by himself," she reiterates that part. "He'd have to go back to his family, and they're pretty toxic."

Somehow, I now understand what she meant when she told me they had a symbiotic relationship. He probably provides the groceries because, apparently, this woman just gives her money away. Gideon will be allowed to join us under probation, but I will say it differently.

"I heard a few rooms are being vacated in this penthouse pretty soon," I offer. "Maybe Gideon can move here, but only after I screen him and have a team figure out what's wrong with him."

She hugs me. "You're the best, you know?"

"I'm not sure if I would call me that, but I would do anything for you, baby." I kiss the top of her head. "Anything."