by Xavier Neal
The entire room stills once more. Drew and Destin gravitate towards each other naturally while Knox wraps an arm around me in an attempt to keep anguish from flooding my system.
I clear my throat. “Daniel's dead.”
Merrick's eyebrows dart down. “I don't...I don't...what do you mean...He...”
“We buried Middle Man not too long after we buried you,” Drew explains his voice shaky until Melody's body is suddenly beside his and Azura's is embracing Destin's.
Yeah. McCoy women know exactly when we need them even if we don't say it.
“M-m-my brother died and no one told me?” His voice shakes. “No one- I didn't- how could- COMMISSIONER!”
There's heavy footsteps and suddenly he appears around the back of the couch with a guilty look on his face.
It's most likely not about this.
“What's in your mouth?” Jovi fusses at him. “Is it ham?”
He shakes his head.
“The brisket?”
Quickly chewing and swallowing he folds his arms. “Did you bring me in here to interrogate me over the contents of my stomach?”
“You didn't tell me my brother died!” Merrick viciously shouts. “You didn't think I'd fucking wanna know that?”
“Watch your tone.” He points at him. “And no. I didn't tell you because I couldn't.”
“Couldn't?” Merrick growls. “Or wouldn't?”
“Merrick,” Jovi hisses.
“Look.” His hands wrap around the back of the couch. “The deal was a two way street. You knew that. They couldn't know shit about you. They had to believe and buy into the idea of you being dead. In return it meant you had to be dead to them. That means missing funerals. Weddings. Was it goddamn ideal for either of you? No. But it kept you safe.” He points. “It kept Jo safe and happy. And at the end of it all, you have each other again. So instead of coming at me for doing my goddamn job and keeping you out of fucking prison, how about you enjoy the moment and be thankful that you're all still breathing?”
He does have a point...And no, I won't admit that bullshit out loud.
“Um...” Nadie hums from over his shoulder. “How about we put this tension filled moment on hold for one filled with macaroni and cheese?”
“That sounds like heaven,” Knoxie coos. “My stomach's basically empty.”
She wasn't kidding around with morning sickness. Fuck, I hated being so damn helpless as she lost all her breakfast in the toilet. She didn't even want me near her.
“Yeah,” I agree, the idea of a pregnant wife pushing my movements. “We can finish this discussion after dinner.”
We relocate to the formal dining room where we all uncomfortably take seats. The meal starts relatively quiet and tense, but after stomachs are satisfied with home cooking, it seems to die down. Easy topics are thrown out for us to discuss knowing anything too heavy should wait.
Fuck, it is Christmas.
After almost all of the food has been consumed, Nadie stands insisting to grab dessert. Promptly Jovi says, “Why don't I help you get started on some of the dishes while they play catch up for just a little bit?”
“That's a great idea,” Commissioner Carter agrees. “I'm gonna slip into my office for a bit.”
“It's Christmas, Dad,” Jovi immediately complains.
He surrenders his hand. “I'm not gonna do work, I swear.”
“Nicholas,” Nadie warns.
“My word.” When they both continue to deliver a skeptical look he adds, “I'm just giving the McCoys a little room to breathe without law enforcement breathing down the back of their necks.”
“Appreciated,” Drew whispers out.
The three of them clear the area placing us once more in uncomfortable silence. Knowing it doesn't need to last too long and that it is my responsibility to explain what happened because I failed as a big brother, I look at Merrick who is across from me. “The Devil had Drew and Daniel kidnapped shortly after all that bullshit happened with you. He intended to kill them. His immediate plan for that failed, but Daniel was killed by one of The Devil's men during an escape and rescue of Melody.”
Melody folds her hands into her lap. “If they would've just left me to die-”
“Mel.” Drew drapes an arm around the back of the chair. “You know damn well that was never an option.”
“McCoy's don't leave the love of their lives to just die,” Merrick replies. “Dad didn't leave Mom's side until they dragged him out. We don't have it in our blood to do that even if we wanted to.”
Mel tries to offer him a smile.
“Melody has been an important role in keeping us all alive. Healthy. Safe. She used to work in The Devil's operations and sold him out for her own freedom,” Drew explains.
“Then we have that in common.” Merrick smiles sweetly in her direction. “When I approached the Commissioner about getting Jovi back, he offered me a deal to turn over every name, place, date, and information I could think of to help bring him down. In return I had to remain in WITSEC until it was clear for me to come out, keep an eye on his daughter, and commit no further illegal activities.”
Knoxie snickers, “That last part....”
“It wasn't easy at first,” Merrick assures her. “But...eventually...I learned. I got a legit job doing paint work.” He moves his attention to Azura. “So Destin was the McCoy you thought didn't see you?”
When she reddens, Destin moves her face to look at him. “Am I really the only one who had no idea you had a crush on me?”
“Pretty much,” the rest of us reply in unison.
The two of them laugh and Merrick adds, “Told you, you would get your happily ever after.”
Azura rests her face on her hand. “You did.”
“You still a bartender?”
“Nah,” she replies. “I got my dream job at the same time I got my dream guy, so you were definitely right about happily ever afters.”
Merrick grabs his hat off the table and turns it backwards before he glances at Knox and me. “At least I won't miss their weddings....”
Knox snips, “Don't get your panties in a twist. We've done wedding stuff together in the past.”
“I know.” Merrick lifts a hand. “But that doesn't mean I didn't wanna see the epic moment you two finally stopped doing the grenade tango and got together.”
“I recorded it,” Destin informs.
Surprised Knox leans around to pin him with a glare. “You what?”
“Oh come on.” He gives her a sarcastic look. “You think I would miss recording the two of you crying?
“You cried?” Merrick says so excitedly. “Like tears right? Or does Madden leak motor oil?”
I won't beat the shit out of him today, but only because it's a fucking holiday.
While Triple D and their girlfriends laugh Knox snaps, “Keep it up and you won't have a bed to come home to.”
Suddenly the expression on his face changes. Clearing his throat he leans forward, “I'm not um...I'm not coming back.”
“What?” Triple D snap in unison.
My jaw locks.
Knoxie squeaks, “What the hell do you mean you're not coming back?”
“I'm gonna stay with Jovi. I've got a good job, an apartment, and...I'm enrolled in art school now. I start in January.”
“How could you afford that?” Destin quietly questions.
Merrick delivers us another cocky smirk.
Didn't miss that fucking look.
“That car wasn't the only thing I made sure Jovi was transferred.”
Shaking my head I sigh, “You fucking think of everything.”
“Learned it from you.” The compliment pushes me back in my chair. “I know that it's not ideal for me not to come home, to work in the shop, but-”
“You have to do what's best for you,” I finish his sentence. “I get it.”
“Doesn't mean I won't call,” Merrick says as Jovi strolls in with a plate of cake.
“This time,” Drew p
layfully adds.
“I did get you jackasses Christmas gifts.” Merrick lifts a finger. “That should definitely count for something.”
Jovi pecks him with a kiss on the cheek before she starts cutting the cake.
I know you're thinking I want him home. I want everything to go back to the way it was, but I don't. I want my family safe and happy. Merrick a couple states over has proven that that's what is best for him. Destin gaining some distance from the home he shared with his lost triplet is the right choice for him. I wouldn't be surprised if Drew and Mel wanted to move out now that they can. As much as it might hurt not to be surrounded day and night by little brothers, I'm learning we all have to move forward. We were granted that chance. It's one everyone should be given.
I clear my throat knowing exactly what I have to do next. In a hushed voice beside her ear I state, “I have something I need to do.”
Knoxie's beautiful eyes that I'm sure the McCoy inside of her will use to get out of trouble, look at with me, worry whirling. “Madden...”
My lips softly press against the side of her head. “You know no matter what happens, I love you. I'll never stop.”
Fear flares. “Madden, where are you going?”
“To give the Commissioner something he's given all of us. Closure.”
As I stand, the word strikes the chord it should. Knox drops her fork. Immediately she drops her mouth to object, but stops. The look in my eyes in final. There is no room for debate. Instead she nods, stands, and gives me one warm kiss as if it might be our last.
It just fucking might.
“She's not what's for dessert,” Merrick jokingly complains.
Knox drags her lips off of mine and nods. Without another word she slips back in her seat pinning my little brother with a death glare at the same time I give him the finger.
“Where's he going?” Merrick questions as I exit the room.
Wandering to the other side of the stairs, I travel down the hall until I come upon The Commissioner's office where he is exchanging bites of desert with Nadie.
She spots me first and giggles. “Hey! Is everything alright?”
“Yeah. I just um...can I have a minute of your time Commissioner?”
Commissioner Carter uses his napkin. “Sure. And you can call me Nick.”
Nadie grabs the forks, slips him one more kiss, and exits the office. Afterward I shut the door.
With a deep breath I prepare to let the last demon of my past free.
“Sit,” he offers as he sits in the chair on the other side of the desk. The second my body is seated he asks, “So, what is it you need to talk about?”
I fold my hands tightly together and lean forward. “What I'm about to tell you, I understand the consequences that are going to follow. The only thing I ask in return is that you wait to arrest me until after everyone else has left.”
The Commissioner stiffens in his seat. “I told you...I'm not working tonight.”
“Then my postponing my arrest seems like it shouldn't be a problem.”
“Madden-”
“Commissioner,” I interrupt him. “You have given my family the chance to move on. You deserve the same.” When he lifts his eyebrows I continue. “Ben's death was not an accident. It was covered up. Quite well, might I add. Not knowing who was responsible for my cousin's death, my cousin who was like a brother and son at times, drove me to the edge of sanity more than once. The relief that came from finding out who the culprit was is indescribable. But the pain of not knowing, the pain of waking up every day with this lingering unanswered question, was a nightmare no one should ever have to live with. I only went through it for a few months. You've been going through it for over a decade.”
His mouth slips open but nothing comes out.
“The accident that killed your wife,” my voice attempts to stay strong. “It was an accident. I didn't mean to hit her.”
“You...”
“Yeah. I was young and dumb and irresponsible. I was racing some dick because my ego was on my sleeve at that age. I barely tapped her, but it was enough to cause the crash. I was so scared. Lost. Confused. I was a complete coward about the entire thing. Instead of calling the police, I ran to my father for help. He then contacted The Devil for help who in return helped all information, all possible leads that would ever have someone look my direction disappear. Using his contacts on the inside, he made sure the only way you would ever be able to prosecute someone for her death was with a confession.” Tightening my hands I nod. “Here is your confession. Here, is your closure. I can't think of a single fucking man in this world who deserves that more than you.”
Yeah...turns out our paths have been tangled much longer than any one realized. Well, anyone else.
Commissioner Carter leans forward and folds his own hands. I brace myself for the inevitable.
I wouldn't blame him if he tried to kill me right now. I imagine the blinding rage I would be sent into if I was him and my dead wife was Knox and someone finally confessed to killing her. It wouldn't be pretty and you're damn right I would be decorating the inside of a cell happily.
Unexpectedly he says, “Thank you.”
Baffled at his response I simply press my lips together.
“You're right. Hunting for answers for so long wedged an unfathomable hole between my daughter and I. It costs me a huge portion of my sanity. Your brother gave me back my little girl. Your family helped me take down the man who made it impossible for me to find you and actual criminals. The hell you've lived in with a secret like this in my opinion counts as time served for the crime committed.”
“I-”
“Sending you to jail does what, McCoy? It doesn't bring her back. It just damages another family that's been through a nightmare. You telling me, finally having the answer to the one question I never thought I would, is enough for me.”
Shocked my body bumps back in the chair.
“You're the one who keeps tulips on her grave, aren't you?”
I reply in a whisper, “Yes. I um...I pay local kids looking to make a quick hundred bucks to leave them on there for me.”
He cocks a short smile. “You've got a good heart, McCoy. Never forget that.”
“I'm not the only one in this room who has a good heart, Commissioner.”
Reaching for his glass, he leans back in his seat. “Call me Nick.”
“If you call me Madden.”
With a hum he toasts towards me. “Then it looks like we've just made one more deal...”
At least this one doesn't have to end with anyone in hiding in any variation of witness protection. That's definitely a positive.
Epilogue
(Three years in the future)
Knoxie
My eyes zoom in on the wedding invitation plastered on the fridge door I just closed.
Two days. Their wedding is in two days and we're still not even packed. I swear, once you become a wife and a mother your job is never fucking done.
“You don't think it's a little funny that Merrick was first to get engaged but last to get married?” I point out to Madden who doesn't seem to be paying attention to me thanks to the entourage of children crawling all over him.
He lives for these moments I swear.
Laughing as they continue to dog pile him he says back, “I think that sounds about right. The youngest McCoy should be last.”
I point to my stomach. “Technically the youngest McCoy isn't born yet.”
“Daddy,” M.J., the oldest sits on his chest. “Daddy! Sing the Gorilla song!”
Stirring the pot of pasta sauce, I keep an eye out in case he needs to be rescued.
With three kids it tends to happen. Go ahead and pick your jaw up off the floor. You heard me correct. M.J. is three and the twins Max and Monroe are two. No. Not triplets for me, though the challenge of twins is more than plenty. Believe me.
Madden's laughter explodes as Monroe, sits on his throat. “My daddy!”
She's a litt
le bratty. She's the only little girl McCoy. Azura found out she's having a boy and while Drew and Mel are looking at adopting, I haven't quite figured out how to convince them not to add any more boys to this mix.
“Share!” Max whines pushing her off.
“Whoa.” Madden effortlessly catches her one handed. “What are the rules for your hands?”