“Gaby, hey Gaby listen to me,” Callie whispered, trying to sound calm, and pacify him.
“Baby, I’m here, I’ll sing to you.” Callie started singing a lullaby, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” I could tell she was trying so hard to keep it together. I’ve heard her sing to him to calm him down. It always seemed to work. Gaby took a small, stuttering breath, he hiccupped, and finally soothed, stopped crying.
Callie looked over at me, tears brimming her eyes.
“Tenny, he needs me, Gaby needs me.” She whispered. I knew she wanted to say a ton more, but she was carefully holding back, trying to stay focused on her baby brother, not her own desires.
“Okay, fine, I’ll give him back. I don’t want him. He’s such a cry baby and it’s got on my last fucking nerve. But I want you to leave $50K for me in a specified location. Then I’ll tell you where to find him. Deal?”
Callie said, “Sure, I’ll do anything to get him back. Just tell me where, and we’ll get it together and give you the money. I just need a little time.” I didn’t know where we were going to get such a huge sum in such a short time. I started calculating what it would take. White just nodded his head like he had us covered. Holy fuck, what could I say to that?
“Alright, deal. I’ll text you where to leave the money.” With that, Tenny hung up. Whew, I could finally breathe a little better since we’d hashed out some sort of deal. I just hoped White could handle this request.
I strode straight to Callie as she began to cry. My beautiful girl was falling to pieces in my arms, I held her close and murmured, “You did great honey, I’m so proud of you.” We cried in tandem, feeling the loss of Gaby straight in our hearts.
I prayed this plan worked and looked over Callies’s shoulder to White. He gave me a nod of reassurance with a thumbs up.
“Take a breath babe, breathe. White’s got you, he’s gonna make sure we get Gaby back soon.” Callie’s phone made a beep sound, alerting us that a text came in. It was the address Tenny had promised, giving us three hours to deliver the $50K. Then she’d text the address where we could grab Gaby.
Three hours.
Three long fucking hours of torture. It felt like forever as the seconds ticked down.
I just wanted to see Tenny go to jail, and Gaby united with Callie.
Three hours and counting down to liftoff.
Chapter 58
Callie
Bipolar disorder with obsessive-compulsion. Oh, fuck me.
We were screwed. Or so I thought, until Agent Camp started speaking. He sidled up next to me and explained what we were facing----or rather, what Tenny was facing off her meds.
“Meds keep her on an even keel, she did a great job, I bet she was a very detailed oriented person, am I right?” I nodded as he continued his spiel. “She took care of Gaby and all his needs. She could be a wonderful, loving nanny. But as the meds started leaving her body, she got fixated on the wrong thing. She fixated on you, and what she didn’t have. Gaby seemed like the logical choice to punish you. It all stems from her fascination with you.”
“I still don’t understand. She was so lovely, such a great nanny, and Gaby loved her. We did too. I thought we were becoming friends.” I said, glancing up at him. “Why would she stop taking her meds?”
“It’s always a mystery why people go off their meds. Sometimes they just can’t afford to get the script filled, other times they feel so good they figure they don’t need them anymore.” Agent Noon carefully explained.
“When the meds started leaving her system, she probably went through mood swings. She might have just gone through a manic episode, but she now seems to be shifting slowly back to depression where nothing can make her happy. The baby crying could really push her further.” Asserted Camp. “It’s a stressor, you understand?” I’m not sure I did.
“And once she’s in her depressive state there’s nothing we can do to make her feel better, to ‘cheer her up’ so to speak.” Added Agent White.
“Once she came off her meds, she fell victim to her disease. She’s mentally ill, Schizophrenic. I don’t have her complete history, but I think if we deliver the money, she will be more than happy to turn over Gaby.” Agent Candel chipped in. I wished I knew what the stressor meant. “The stressor is like a trigger.”
“So, we put in a call, and we’ll have the money ready for the exchange. We want to capture her and get her some professional help. She’ll be arrested but we’ll want to get her the help she needs.” Camp offered. “I'm sure she’ll end up somewhere for the mentally disabled, instead of jail.”
“Do you think she’ll really give Gaby back?” Callie looked torn up, her face a map of sorrow, horror reflected in her eyes.
“We are going to grab her and Gaby right after she comes for the money. That’s the plan. We’ll make sure your brother is safe before we move in on Tenny. We have time to get the entire team of officers in place.” Camps’ voice was so reassuring that we both felt a great deal of relief. I prayed things went the way he thought they would.
My body fell in on itself. I had been strung so tight but with a bit of good news, I started to unravel like a tight spring finally loosening. I grabbed Hunter’s hand and he gave me a comforting squeeze. Things looked like we might actually get our baby boy back before anything else happened. My heart exploded with relief. “Baby we’re gonna see him soon.” Hunter whispered, hope surging like an explosion of fireworks. I believed him this time. He had been saying shit like this on repeat, but now I thought we were almost there.
“Babe. I think we should go lay down, what do you say?” I looked at Detective White and he gave me a quick nod.
“Okay, I think I could use some rest. I need to charge my phone, too.” I was limp with exhaustion and hoped laying down would help. I was worried my phone was getting low on power, and wanted to plug it in. The idea of lying in bed with Hunter sounded like exactly what I needed.
“Detective, you’ll come find me if you need us?” I asked, looking over Hunter’s shoulder. “If you hear anything.”
“Yes, go on now. I think It's a good idea.” White sounded reassuring.
Hunter took my hand and dragged me towards the bus. Sean ran over and unlocked the door. As we boarded, taking the steps up into the bus, I heard him whisper, “I’m so sorry, Callie.” He sounded tortured, and I stopped to look him in the eyes.
“How could you know? Sean, this wasn’t your fault.” He seemed more relaxed, hearing my words.
“Come on baby, I want to hold you.” Hunter said as I walked all the way back and entered the bedroom. I pulled the blanket down on the bed and turned towards Hunter, my sweet man,
“Here, let’s get you in bed,” Hunter pulled my sweater off and left me standing in my panties and bra, I slid between the cool sheets, and it was like a balm to my soul. He dropped his pants, I heard the belt jingle, as he crawled in behind me. He smelled of the ocean and love. I was obsessed with his scent----it comforted me. His arms surrounded me, and, for the first time today, I finally relaxed. I reached across to plug my phone in, kissing his cheek softly as he pulled the blanket up over us.
We didn’t have Gaby back yet.
Two hours and counting down. One minute at a time, the clock was ticking. I couldn’t wait to hold him in my arms again and see his chubby-cheeked smile. I wanted his sweet arms around my neck, and to listen to his cute, little giggles.
All I could do was wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Chapter 59
Hunter
BANG BANG BANG!
I heard a knocking, banging on the bus door. Damn, it was loud, and we both startled instantly awake. We had just dozed off a bit, not completely sound asleep. Callie quickly pulled on her clothes and ran down the middle of the bus so fast, I could barely keep up. “We’re coming!” she shouted. We opened the door, and White was standing just outside.
“I thought you’d want to know we are in position. and the team is about to mo
ve in.” He was a totally confident man, I got to say that helped me believe in his plan. His green eyes flashed when he spoke. He took a hold of Callie’s elbow and helped her with the last step off the stairs and onto the ground.
Callie looked like she just woke up, her hair was a frizzy mess, going in all directions, as she rubbed her eyes to wake up, she cleared her throat. I handed her a bottle of water, and she took the top off, swallowing down half of the contents. It was bright outside on this warm summer day. The sun assaulted us as our eyes tried to adjust.
“What time is it?” She croaked, looking around like there was a clock somewhere out here. It made me chuckle, I looked at my watch. Before I could say anything, the Detective started telling us what was going on.
“It’s just about that time, Callie. We have a team of my best men surrounding the building where she wants the money dropped. We have it wrapped up and ready to go. I’m going in with it, and when the exchange has been completed, we will apprehend her, and take Gaby to safety. We will bring him to you as soon as possible.” I watched Callies’ face as the Detective talked and I could see new hope shining through. We had a lot at stake here, and I took her hand intending never to let go.
“Will you call me when it’s over?” I could see her eyes well up with tears, and I hoped we both survived. It was definitely freaking me out. This was it, game over, motherfucker. I would never again trust someone just because I had paid for a background check. It would take much more than that in the future. I thought back to when I first met Tenny she seemed like such a nice, sweet girl. All her references checked out, everyone loved her. I guessed she had stayed on her meds all those years. I wondered what had happened to make her decide to stop now, with us, with Gaby.
There must have been some kind of stressor, that’s what Agent White said. Something triggered her, or maybe it was just like he said, she went off her medication.
I might never know, but I would take this lesson to my grave. Be careful who you trust in the future, done deal. I thought back to when Lip had said trust was a fragile thing, and now I knew what he really meant.
Callie turned and fell against my chest. I pulled her in even closer and whispered for the hundredth time, “He’s going to be fine; we’ll have him back in a few...” I prayed the agents were able to snatch Gaby while Tenny thought she was winning. She’d see that money and try her best to run away with it in tow. I knew White had other plans, but for some reason a part of me felt sorry for her. I hoped she’d get the help she needed. This country had a problem with the mentally ill that we seemed to ignore. But, I didn’t want to look at the bigger picture. We had to get Gaby back, we HAD to.
“Hunter, I’m...I’m lost right now. What if?” We couldn't let ourselves go down that ‘what if’ train of thought, so I shushed her quickly.
“Shh baby, let’s not think of that, let’s think only positive thoughts. Gaby will be back with us before you know it. Hold on tight to that.” I said, hoping with everything in me that we get through this without breaking. Callie wanted her baby brother back in her arms. I did too.
“I can’t wait to see him. It feels like I haven’t held him in forever!” Callie stopped talking, her phone buzzed loudly. She picked it up and put it on speaker, “Yes, Agent White? What’s happening?” She squeezed my hand tightly while she held onto the phone. She looked up at me with her large blue eyes shimmering in the sun.
“We got him, ma’am. He’s right here, sleeping in Agent Gents’ arms. We’re on our way to you right now.” Callie took in a sharp breath, then she yelled,
“Thank God!” She was crying and laughing all at once, instantly relieved that Gaby was on his way back to us. “Thank you, sir. Thank you so much!” she said several more times. It was over, thank the Lord, the nightmare was almost over! Gaby was en route to us right this second and I couldn’t express how relieved and happy we were.
We survived the fire! I wanted to shout and rave! Best news ever.
Agent White and his men were driving Gaby back to us.
Thank Fuck.
I knew Tenny was probably in custody by now. I hoped she’d find the help she needed but frankly, I didn’t give a damn. Maybe later, but right now I was just so elated. I visualized her in handcuffs, and it reassured me that this nightmare was ending.
“He’s on his way back to us, baby!” I felt relieved, and jubilant. I wanted to jump for joy and cry from the stress. My emotions were all over the place, but I knew the one thing: Gaby was safe. We were going to be extremely careful in the future.
I grabbed Callie and swung her around. We were crying and laughing. I wanted to yell out in celebration. I placed her carefully on the ground, feeling dizzy. We could talk about what happened next once Gaby was returned to us. I thought it was time he went home. It was going to be hard to leave him, but he needed to be safe with his parents. We had all gotten so attached to hm, we loved him more than ever.
“Look, Callie,” I motioned for her to turn to the left and pointed out White’s unmarked car coming towards us. He parked in a slot by the pumps. I had a silly smile plastered all over my face.
“Hunter! I can’t believe we had such an amazing team. Thank God, oh my goodness, Thank God.” Callie’s relief shown through her tears. We couldn’t wait to grab our guy from the agent’s arms and hold him tight. We never wanted to let him go.
The car sat next to the bus and the agent Gent got out holding Gaby against his shoulder. He had a blanket I didn’t recognize wrapped around the baby. He looked adorable snuggled up in this man’s arms. I felt like shouting and grabbing him right off the ground. As Gent walked towards Callie, I thought here comes my new best friend. She took off running towards him, pulling up sharply right next to him. I watched in awe as she gently pulled Gaby into her arms. He woke up just then, seeing Callie, he grabbed her tightly, giggling, I heard him say, “Ca Ca.” My heart melted into a puddle and tears brimmed my eyes.
White said, “Callie you need to have him checked out by a doctor. I think it’s the least we can do for him, don’t you? Just a checkup to make sure he’s fine.” The Detective ruffled the blonde hair on the top of Gaby’s head.
Callie’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, “Thank you Detective, thank you so much. Gaby, baby boy, I missed you.” She talked in hushed tones and kept kissing Gaby again and again. She kissed those chubby cheeks, his forehead, and the top of his head. I finally couldn’t hold back any longer and wrapped my arms around both of them.
Nobody was ever gonna fuck with them again.
My family. My love. No one would ever get to them ever again.
“Gaby, you gave us quite a scare.” I kissed the top of his head, then kissed Callie on the top of hers. I only had the one word radiating in my mind at the end of this harrowing day.
Mine.
Chapter 60
Callie
Gaby was finally back in my arms, and I didn’t want to ever let him go. These agents did such a fantastic job finding him and returning him. I could fall apart right now but I didn’t want him to see me crumble. I cuddled up with him under my chin and heard him sigh into my chest. This baby boy was a miracle. I felt my love for him cascade all around us like a sparkler on the fourth of July. I sensed a nudge and suddenly Hunter was holding onto both of us. I could finally breathe. This was the best moment.
“Baby boy, I think it’s time for you go home to Mama and Daddy. What do you think?” I kissed his belly and took a little nip. I knew he wouldn’t understand me, but he recognized those words. Mama and Daddy, who were anxiously waiting for him to come home. I never did tell them what was going on. Things just happened so quickly. I couldn’t find the time between my phone calls, and Gaby being returned. But really, let’s be frank, I didn’t want to.
“Hunter, do you think I have to tell them about what just happened?” Honestly, I knew I had to come clean about this whole fucking mess. But I didn’t know how. That’s the thing, right? Confessing to sins that could destroy relation
ships or send you into a panic. I knew my parents were going to freak out. Even though it was over, and we were bringing Gaby home. Mama was going to fall to pieces when she discovered how close she came to losing this tiny guy. When she found out he was stolen from us, that knowledge was going to affect her on a profound level.
“Baby, we need to be honest, right? We have to tell them the truth. Not sure how to frame it, but we’ll figure it out together. I’m sure they’ll be so happy to have him home, they might just deal with it later.” I hoped he was right, and I nodded into his neck. I could finally let go of all the stress that had gripped me. Suddenly, I felt depleted. What would I have done if that bitch had hurt my baby brother?
What would I have done if she had stolen him for good? Thank God the Agent knew how to manipulate the situation. He created a trade that exploited Tenny’s desires to run. The deception worked perfectly, and she believed she was going to get away with destroying my family.
“Okay, let’s get him to a doctor like White suggested, and then take him home. I think it’s time, don’t you?” I looked into Hunter’s deep, dark brown eyes and saw love shining through. I pushed my face into his neck and whispered,
“Yes,”
Leaving Gaby behind was going to be the hardest thing I ever did. I’d grown so attached to having him around. But the show must go on or so they say. I scrunched tight against his small body, and we both fell into a puddle of giggles as I tickled his tummy.
“You got it. I’ll call a doctor around here. We can make our plans. and then Callie, get back on the road? You ready for that, baby?” Hunter looked longingly into my eyes. I knew we had to start thinking about getting back to our shows. I just couldn’t think about it right now. I nodded and pulled back with Gaby sitting happily on my hip.
“I'm going to get him settled on the bus. Come find me when you have an appointment. I’ll call my parents to let them know we’re bringing him home, honey.” I whispered as I started walking towards the bus. Sean ran ahead and unlocked our home on wheels.
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