Chapter 12

Raya

"Joey, I have wonderful news," I said, not being able to hold back my excitement. I called him much earlier than I was supposed to so I wouldn't interrupt his sleep. Because I knew he would need time to process what I was about to tell him.

"You're coming home?" he blurted out.

Damn it. Why did you need to ask that? What I was about to say was only going to disappoint him for sure. But it had to be said.

"Sorry, Joey. I'm not coming back to the States. I wanted to let you know that I found a house for us. It's perfect. Not only will you have your own room, but there is another one so you can have a friend or two, sleepover."

"And you think my friends are going to fly all the way to Tabiq for a sleepover?" he asked, sarcastically.

I wasn't about to correct him. Normally I would. I was his mother, and he shouldn't speak to me like that, but I understood why. He was lashing out at me for uprooting him and bringing him halfway across the world. It was also wrong of me to even mention friends. It was just reminding him of what he was losing. I'd like to be able to tell him that they can keep in contact, but hell, it was hard enough for me with the time zone difference.

"Joey, what I know is that you will make new friends here just like I am."

"So, I should tell Kathy that you're not going to be her friend anymore?" he asked.

Oh, you are really making this hard for me.

"Kathy knows that we will still be friends. Actually, she was talking about coming for a visit once we are all settled in. Won't that be nice?" I asked.

"Yeah, it will be, because you don't play video games and she is really good. You will never believe it, but she almost beat me. I have to get more practice before she comes so I will be ready for a rematch," he said.

It was good to hear that he was looking forward to something, but video games weren't exactly what I was hoping for. That was a fight for another day. One when he was here and settled. Hopefully with friends.

"Did you want to hear more about the house?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Nope. I guess I'll see it when I get there," he said with a huff.

Yes, you will. "Okay. What else is going on? How was your day?"

"Good. But my show is starting. Can you talk to Kathy now so I can go and watch it?" he said.

Couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving him behind. That was going to change very soon. "Yes. That's fine. I love you, Joey."

"Love you. Bye." I heard him lay the phone down and yell, "Kathy, Mom is on the phone and wants to talk to you now."

Or something like that.

She picked up the phone a moment later and said, "That was quick. What did you tell him?"

"That I found a place and that he'd be coming to Tabiq soon. He...he's not happy about it. I hope he doesn't give you a hard time tonight," I said.

"Well, I know just how to cheer him up."

I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see them. "Please don't tell me more video games."

"No way. I need to practice more before we play again," she said. Oh God. Not you too. She continued, "I was talking about chocolate chip cookies. I have a package in the fridge. Maybe when I get off the phone, I will put them in the oven. That with a glass of milk will do the trick."

"Are you sure you don't want to be a mother because you do have a way with kids," I said.

"Yeah. The ones that aren't mine. I know he will eventually go and live with you. There is no serious damage done with a few nights of cookies and pizza. If I had my own, I'd have to actually learn how to cook or something," she said.

"There is such a thing as healthy take-out food you know," I reminded her, laughing.

"Please. Have you ever seen me eat a vegetable or order a salad? The answer is no. Not once in the ten years that you have known me. And I have no plans of ever doing so. See. I would be a horrible parent. They would have poor nutrition," she said.

I knew better. Kathy had the biggest heart and if she had a child, she would eat veggies just to teach her little one to do the same. But let her believe what she wanted. Someday that would change. She would meet the man who would turn her world upside down.

Like Orion is doing to me.

"I will be prepared to load Joey up on veggies and fruits when he arrives," I teased. "But seriously, I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me and Joey. He seems so...happy. Content. That makes it so I can concentrate on my job. But I must admit, I miss you both so much."

"I know you do, but I was hoping that maybe you and Orion would hit it off and you wouldn't be quite so lonely," she said and waited for a few seconds. "Funny, you're not saying much. Maybe that's because there is something you don't want to tell me. Hmm. Yup, that is it. You're keeping things from me. Since when?"

"Goodness, take a breath. I can't believe you don't pass out from lack of oxygen," I said.

"But you're not saying anything."

"No one can when you're talking. If you give me a minute, I'll tell you," I stated.

Kathy huffed. "Fine. You have the floor."

Finally, I knew it wouldn't last for long once I told her that we kissed. Or that we will be staying at his house. Maybe I will leave those two pieces out.

"Yes, Orion and I have been spending a little time together. He's actually very nice. He helped me find a place for Joey and me to stay. It's perfect."

"Yeah. Yeah. Place to stay. Boring. Give me the juicy details," she demanded.

"Hey, keep your voice down. I don't want Joey to hear you," I reminded her.

"He is in the other room. Now, spill it. Did you kiss? Have sex? What's the scoop?" She pressured me.

"No. I didn't have sex."

"Ah, so you kissed. Nice. How was it? I mean on a scale of, I could vomit in my mouth to I almost came in my pants, which one was it?" she asked.

"It was nice." Very, very nice. And, yeah. He gets me wet.

"Nice sounds...."

"I know. Boring. But I did meet his brother who I think you would get along with. His name is Mayson. Of course, I don't know how you would communicate because you both talk nonstop." And both make inappropriate assumptions.

"Is he cute?" she asked.

Well, that worked. We are off the topic of Orion and onto Mayson. "Tall, dark and handsome. But I think he's a few years younger than we are."

"Hmm. How much younger?" she asked.

"Maybe four or five years. Not really sure," I said.

"No problem. Not like he's nineteen or something. You should send me his picture," she suggested.

"I don't have one," I replied. I didn't even have one of Orion.

"Damn. Can you get me one?" she asked.

"And how am I going to do that? Just walk up and say, ‘Hey Mayson, can I take your picture and send it to my friend who wants to know if you're hot or not'? Because I think that would be...awkward." I stated.

"I'd do it for you if you asked me to," she replied.

"There's not much you won't do. But if the opportunity arises, then I will take a photo and send it to you. Is that good enough?" I sure in hell hoped so, because I wasn't about to seek him out just for her.

"Guess it's going to have to be. But remember, I have been watching your son for you. Not that I'm trying to guilt you into anything, but just stating a fact," she said in a teasing tone.

"Fine. I promise that next time I see him, I will get a picture. But none of that matters unless you're really going to come to Tabiq to visit me," I reminded her.

"Well, if Mayson is hot, then maybe I will be more motivated to take that long-ass flight," she giggled. "Hey, his show is almost over. I better go and start those cookies just in case he needs them. Do you want me to call you back once he goes to bed?"

"No. I will be at work. Kathy, thanks again for everything. I never could've done this without you."

"Yeah. I know. You owe me. So, if Mayson doesn't work out, you'll just have to keep looking," she joked.

I laughed. "Finding you a man could be a full-time job. Hope it pays well."

"Sorry. You're going to have to do it pro bono," she laughed and ended the call.

Now neither of them wanted to talk to me. That's fine. I had no problem going to work early. I just needed to let the reception desk know and they would have a ride waiting for me. After a quick call, they said it would be ready in five minutes. Talk about service. Did New Hope cater to all their guests like this or just the ones that the President was footing the bill for? It really didn't matter because shortly I would have my own place and if I was lucky, I'd have my own transportation as well.

That gave me something else to work on besides spending my time daydreaming about Orion.

When I got outside, the black SUV drove up to the door and I climbed in the back seat. Surprisingly, it was Bennett in the driver's seat.

"Good morning Ms. Davison. You're up early," he said.

"Please, call me Raya. And yes, I am. I was on the phone with my son."

"How is he?" Bennett asked.

Funny, he didn't sound shocked that I had one. Since he was head of security, he probably knew more about me than I wanted him to.

"He's doing good. Not missing me as much as I'd like him to," I admitted.

He laughed. "They never do. Zoey and I have two teenagers. Pearl is about sixteen. All she does now is talk on the phone to her friends. And our son Simon is almost fourteen. Not being with his friends is torture. Or so he makes it sound like it. I think it is harder on Zoey with me gone, then on the kids."

"So, it's not just me?" I asked.

"Not at all."

I knew that, but it still felt good to hear it.

"I found a place for us. It won't be long before Joey joins me. Just not sure about him flying here all on his own. I mean, he just turned ten. It's a long flight and he'd need to change planes. Maybe I should ask for a few days off to go and get him myself," I said, thinking out loud rather than actually talking to Bennett.

"Zoey and the kids are coming to Tabiq in a few days. Joey would be welcome to travel with them if you'd like."

"That is so kind of you, but I don't want your wife to have to keep track of him for me. They have people on the planes who do that I think," I said, unsure as we had never traveled apart.

"It would not be an issue. It's actually probably going to be easier for Joey to fly private than on a commercial flight. And he could hang out with my kids. They just play games or sleep the entire way."

"They don't fly commercial? Because no way can I afford first class, never mind private," I explained to him.

"It's the Henderson jet. Doesn't cost us anything extra to have Joey with them. This way, you won't have to worry about whether he makes his transfer. You will be able to stay in touch with him the entire way if you want without restrictions."

"Wow. That would make it so much easier for me. I...I guess if your wife is okay with it, then I'll take you up on the offer. I just need to speak to Orion first to make sure I will have the house available by then. I'd rather not have Joey at the resort," I said.

"Orion? I thought Alex and Ziva were helping you find a place," he asked looking puzzled.

Damn it.

"Yes, they were. But Orion mentioned that he was going to move closer to the office and that his place would be vacant. He took me there yesterday to see it. I think it would be perfect for us. At least for now." That sounded like a perfectly reasonable explanation, but I could tell Bennett was trying to read me as though I was hiding something. Which I was, but it was none of his business.

"I would've thought he would keep his place. Not sure why he wants to be closer to work," Bennett said.

"Not sure either. It was his decision, so I guess you'd need to ask him," I said.

"I'm sure he has his reasons," he replied.

Like giving up his place so that I have one for me and Joey? Yeah, that sounds more like the truth than what he told me.

I could call Orion out on that, but that would mean I'd need to start looking for another place all over again. From what I had seen, there wasn't anything even close to this. I hated doing it, but I needed to go along with what Orion told me and bring my son here. If he did this for us, then I should just shut my mouth and be grateful.

I didn't need to understand why, I just knew that he probably was just trying to be nice. Nice was something he was really good at.

The only problem was that independence was something I was good at, and him doing this seemed to take that away from me a little bit.

Time to swallow my pride. This was all about Joey.