Page 9 of Missing Marcus

Bryanna nodded at Nugget, letting her accept the present. Nugget set the bag on the ground and pulled out an electronic pad with fluorescent markers. “Oh, Uncle Knight, I wanted one of these,” she exclaimed as she showed Bryanna. “It’s the light up board I can draw on and it makes pretty designs and colors!”

Bryanna laughed. “What do you say to Uncle Knight? Pick up the tissue before it blows down the street and you may take it inside and unwrap it. We’ll be in shortly and plug it in for you.”

Knight pulled another gift bag from the seat before wrapping an arm around Bryanna and walking up the steps. When they entered, he handed her the bag. “It’s for you and Saint. I hope you have many happy years together.”

Bryanna smiled as she moved to the couch and waited until her daughter removed the tablet from the box. “Do you want to wait until it’s charged or play with it now? I can plug it in at the kitchen table.”

Nugget’s expression dimmed as she considered her options. “I want to play with it now.”

Bryanna went to rise when Knight stopped her. “I’ll get it. Nugget lead me to your kitchen and show me where I can plug this in.”

The little girl hopped up and grabbed his hand, propelling him into the area.

“Excuse me? What about the box and the paper? Do we leave it all over for someone else to pick up?” Bryanna gently reminded Nugget.

“No, Mama.” She appeared torn between Knight and what her mother asked her to do.

“How about I set everything up while you care for the mess? Then, by the time I’m finished, you can play with it,” he coaxed.

The little girl nodded enthusiastically before grabbing the box and the tissue to throw away. Knight set the tablet on the table and opened the brightly colored markers, setting them beside the new gift.

“Thank you, Uncle Knight,” Nugget exclaimed as she sat and chose the neon purple marker and began to draw.

“You’re welcome,” he replied before returning to the living room and sitting across from his sister.

“Open it,” he encouraged her, nodding at her present.

Bryanna pulled out a silver picture frame with an engraving saying, ‘Our Family.’ She smiled. “Thank you. We’re planning a recommitment ceremony soon. When we do, we’ll take a picture of all of us and I can put it in here.”

“Good.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gift card for a major hardware store and handed it to her. “When you said you purchased a house and with a new baby, I figured you might need to make some improvements. Where’s Saint?”

“He’s with the team. They’re at the facility holding a meeting.” She informed him as she folded the gift bag. “Do you want to grab your bags? I’ll show you your bedroom.”

“No need. A buddy of mine has a friend in Seattle. I found a condo in Seattle. I’m renting it until I find a house.” Knight laughed as they listened to Nugget squeal as she brought her new toy to life.

“Oh, I hoped you planned on staying a few days here. We need to catch up. What do you plan on doing now for a job? Have you given it any thought?” she asked.

“I’m taking a month off to get the feel of everything and learn Seattle a bit. I asked Saint if Serenity Securities planned to hire anyone,” he confided.

Bryanna brightened at his idea. “Then you’ll be around here more and I’ll see you more often.”

“Yeah.” Knight agreed. “You said the family grew since I last saw you. Give me the news of Serenity.”

“Catherine and Leo now have a baby girl named Grace. Samantha and I announced our pregnancies. Kassie and Chase surprised us with the news they’re having twins and adopted a baby girl, Tori. Catherine and Leo discovered they’re expecting again,” she said as she placed her hand over her tummy.

“Geez. Can the team handle Leo going through another pregnancy? Did he jump her the moment after she delivered?” Knight laughed as he recalled Saint telling him about some of the insane things Leo ordered the team to do during Catherine’s pregnancy. “Never mind. I take it back. I don’t think working with a psychotic man fits into my plans.”

Bryanna giggled. “You should’ve seen how the team took the news. They’re happy for them, of course, but I heard mutterings about committing Leo or placing him in the lower level of the facility until Catherine gave birth. Shadow married Avie. You haven’t met her yet. The team hired a new guy, Patch. Lizzy and Michael took in a foster child. Oh, Tess and Taco got engaged. We almost lost her when Avie’s ex shot her. She’s suffering from some spinal damage and using a wheelchair.”

“Wow. Serenity sounds more chaotic than ever. How awful for Tess. What’s her prognosis? Did the library ever lift the ban against Leo entering?” he asked.

“No. When word of Catherine’s pregnancy spread through thetown, the library sent a certified letter to Catherine and Leo requesting him to stay away.” Bryanna chuckled. “Leo took it badly and Catherine soothed him by explaining since they recently gave birth, he already gained all the knowledge needed to handle everything. Tess, on the other hand, she’s coping.”

Knight rolled his eyes. “Catherine must have the patience of a saint. I hope things improve for Tess.”

“Are you hungry? I can fix something for you to eat or take you to Ty’s for lunch. Nugget’s headed over to LJ’s for a movie day with the Serenity gang.”

“How about I take you out? I’m in the mood for a nice steak,” he suggested.

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