Page 12 of This Feeling

Smiling, I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

“How long are you home for?”

I felt my smile slip and tried like hell to plaster it back on. “For good. My time is up in the Marines.”

Her brows slammed down. “Did you get injured? What happened?”

I laughed. “Stop letting your mind go there, Mom. I just decided not to reenlist.”

Confused, she asked, “Why not? I thought you loved it.”

“I did love it, but it was time for a change. I’m getting older, and well, it was time for a change.”

She smiled. “I hope that change means grandbabies soon!”

I laughed. “Mom, I just walked in the door, let’s not jump right into that.”

Closing her eyes, she breathed and focused back on me. “I’m not going to lie, Declan, I’m happy you’re out. I was always so terrified. I prayed every morning and night for your safety.”

I took her hand in mine. “I know, and I’m so sorry I made you worry, Mom. I’m home now.”

“What do you think you’re going to do?” Dad asked.

Seeing how relieved my mother was reenforced my decision not to tell them yet about my plans to become a cop. “I’m not sure yet.”

He nodded. “Take your time and rest up some. Lord knows you deserve it.”

“Yes! I’ll need to get your room made up and ready for you. Oh, I wish I’d have known you were coming! I’d have gotten everything ready for you.”

I chuckled. “It’s fine, Mom. I need to find a place to live.”

Her eyes went wide. “Don’t be silly. You’ll stay here!”

“Maddie,” my father warned. “He’s a grown man, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to live with his mother and father.”

She pouted, and I laughed. “I’ll be here at least a couple of weeks while I look for a place.”

“Fair enough. You’ll come to the Mother’s Day brunch tomorrow, right?” she asked, with hopefulness in her voice.

“Or course I will.” I winked, then brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. “I have to celebrate the best mother in the world.”

She blushed. “Stop that.”

“What? It’s true.”

“Did you have plans for tonight?” she asked.

“Sleep.”

Dad walked over and kissed my mother on the cheek. “Your brother is coming over for dinner with Harper, don’t forget.”

Mom drew in a deep breath and sighed on her exhale.

Smirking, I said, “Don’t hold back your excitement, Mom.”

She rolled her eyes and went over to the stove, opening it to check on whatever she was making. The smell of my mother’s lasagna invaded my senses. My mouth instantly watered.

“Lasagna.”

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