Page 21 of Fighting for Family

“Melody’s hurting. Once things settle down, she knows we’ll be here for you,” Kassie insisted.

“For how long?”

“What?” Kassie asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“How long will you continue coming here and letting Chase put your kiddos to bed? When will you realize your husband has needs and wants you home in his bed? Didn’t you once tell me you two agreed to put your family above all else? How can you do it if you’re here with me?”

“But you need me⁠—”

“No matter how long you try to prolong the hurt, I have to feel it at some point,” Catherine whispered. “We have to face facts, Leo doesn’t have nine lives. He survived the awful mission, which cost him Whiskey. Then, we lost the entire team in a horrible helo crash. How many times do you think he can survive?”

“He has a fifty-fifty shot,” Kassie argued. “Each mission holds its own dangers.”

“True. But he’s my husband, and he’s asked me to move forward,” she said with a shaky breath. “I’ll never love anyone else, but I can honor his wishes. If he went to all this trouble to hire a different attorney and do all this, he must’ve felt something might go wrong. We need to call them home.”

Kassie drew a shattered breath before nodding. “Of course, I’ll support your decision. I’ll talk to Chase and Whiskey. Then, I’ll reach out to Victoria and Ivan.”

“Thank you,” she murmured as tears ran down her cheeks. “I can’t imagine a life without him.”

Kassie held her hand as they cried together. Their loss didn’t require words. They’d somehow go on without him.

CHAPTER 8

Kassie sat at her desk as Addyson entered, carrying two cups of tea.

“I figured you might need this. Did you have a rough night at Catherine’s?”

“She asked us to bring the team home. Chase went over to discuss it with Whiskey and Bear,” Kassie informed her sadly.

“I can’t imagine how difficult it was to make such a decision,” Addyson said gently.

“She wants to hold a funeral for him to give Melody some closure, and I imagine herself, too. She insists we do the baby showers for Gabby and Claire. She doesn’t want this to bog down their happiness. If I’m honest, I’m in no mood for a shower, much less two.”

“Why don’t you let me help you? Annabelle and I have felt helpless since this happened. It’ll give us something to do. Plus, I’m sure the grans will love to pitch in and help,” she offered.

Sighing, Kassie sipped the tea. “I’d very much like some help. They deserve fabulous celebrations. I’m hiring the night nanny, Leo and Catherine used last time. She needs rest. If I’m not there, she still needs an extra pair of hands. We have at least six months of meals in her deep freeze. We can keep the carpool going as scheduled.”

“Stop,” Addyson said softly. “You can’t fix it, Kassie. I know you love her, but you’re prolonging her grief. She needs to process he’s gone, and she needs to build her life. Of course, I didn’t have children at the time, but if I had a chance to redo Sam’s death, I’d have grieved him instead of running away. Maybe then, when I met Hollywood, things might not have started out as bumpy.”

“Which part? The getting smooshed to smithereens by a landslide? Or when he saved you from a crazed druggie?” Kassie teased.

Addyson giggled. “I guess we started out unconventionally. It’s hard having him gone all this time. I’m glad they made him return and have his cochlear implant rechecked. I’m not thrilled he returned as soon as he did, but I understand why.”

“Get used to it. When Leo hired this bunch, I think he must’ve listed hard-headedness and stubbornness as an attribute,” she snarked. “They’re loyal to the core. I don’t know how they’ll take the news. Catherine wants to speak with them.”

“Can I do anything to help?”

“Yes, I have a plan. Will you help me?” she asked.

Kassie leaned in and gave her the details. Twenty minutes later, they formed a list and made their calls. Addyson left to meet Bryanna at the bakery to discuss the shower cakes. Kassie sat at her computer, ordering the supplies for each party. She glanced over to the picture of Leo and Catherine hugging her while she held the twins in her arms. Recalling the day, she remembered Leo’s eyes turning misty as he put his arm around her.

“You did a great job, PITA. They’re beautiful, like their mama,” he praised her.

“What about me?” Chase demanded joyfully, beaming from ear to ear.

“As I said, they’re lucky to take after Kassie,” Leo teased. “Congratulations.”

“Stay there. We want a picture with everyone in the family,” Chase said as he snapped a photo of them.