“Before you suggest it, no. I’ve rehashed the reasons a million times. Not going to happen.”

He growled at her and told her he would talk to her later before hanging up.

Zahra looked at her brother. “Do you think that back in the ‘good ole days’ he would have slammed the receiver on the phone down?”

Zac grinned. “Quite possibly.” He stood and hugged her. “I’m going home. Call if you need to.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you.”

He went into the living room to hug Jace.

“Is Mom going to be okay?”

“Yes, and so are you,” Zac said. “Don’t tell her, but you’re the man of the house so you’re secretly in charge. Take care of your mama.”

“I will.”

Zahra shook her head and laughed as Zac left.

“I need you to be extra careful when you’re at school, especially when you go outside. Stay close to the teachers and don’t let anyone get you separated from them or your friends.”

“I promise.”

Josiah called. “I’m on my way over. I’m staying the night.”

She started to speak, but he said, “Don’t argue with me. I’m staying the night whether I sleep in your bed, on the couch, or in the driveway.”

“Actually, I was going to ask you to pick up some Chinese food for dinner. Jace likes General Tso’s chicken and I like Hunan chicken. Also, we prefer fried rice and crab rangoons.”

“Why do I suddenly feel as though I’ve just become a delivery driver?”

“Because you have. If you get here in a timely manner and the food is still hot, you might get a good tip later.”

Josiah arrived an hour later and in spite of being shaken up by the day’s events, Zahra realized she was starving. She gobbled her food and helped Jace finish his fried rice.

“Wow. I never eat this much. I guess all the stress is making me hungry.”

“I guess so. I hope you’re done because I really don’t feel like going back out.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

Josiah played video games with Jace until it was time for his shower.

“Thank you for not arguing with me about staying,” Josiah said.

“I’ll be honest, it was a little nerve-racking and it’s comforting to have you here.” She smiled at him and licked her lips suggestively. “Besides, you’re really sexy and I like looking at your naked body.”

He laughed and started to reply when Jace appeared in his Avengers jammies.

After they put Jace to bed, she pulled out some photo albums. “I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned.”

They flipped through the pages, and Josiah watched Jace grow up through the eyes of his mother.

“I’m sorry that I left. I should have told you.”

He gently touched her face. “You did what you thought was right. No one can fault that.”

They tumbled into bed together and made slow, sweet love before snuggling and falling asleep together. Josiah was rather annoyed when the alarm woke him at six the next morning.