Morgan silenced the phone and exhaled as she looked up at the only safe space in her life. Ethic’s home. Her eyes prickled a bit because she was home. In his care. He was right inside. Her entire family was within these four walls, and her heart pulled inside her chest. She watched Alani climb out of her Tesla and then walk over to Morgan’s door and open it for her.

“Come on. We’re prepping for Sunday dinner. You can help,” Alani said.

Morgan half smiled. She never thought she would see the day when she would be happy to be in the kitchen with Alani.

Morgan climbed out, grabbing one twin while Alani managed with the other. Morgan almost cried when she saw Ethic coming down the steps. Everything about him was regal and strong. He was so loyal. So loving. Her family. The thought of him being in jeopardy because of her made Morgan feel like crying. I really messed up this time, she thought.

“What up, Mo?” he said, kissing her cheek and then bending down to lift Yara off her feet.

“Pop-Pop!” Messari screamed as soon as he and Alani walked through the door.

Ethic was the deadliest man Morgan knew, but with her twins, he turned to putty. His tall frame lowered onto the staircase, taking a seat right where he stood as he pulled them both into his strong arms.

“This is the best surprise I’ve ever gotten. I didn’t know you guys were coming over,” Ethic signed. “Who are my favorite little people in the world? Huh?” He roughhoused them as if he were training baby pit pulls, and they loved it.

“Me,” Yara signed.

She hated to share him with Messari, and Ethic chuckled as he blew a raspberry on her cheek. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck as Messari sat propped on Ethic’s log of a thigh.

“Not just you,” Ethic signed. “Both of you. You two are my favorites. You know that right? I love you.”

“Luh you too!” Messari said, scrambling by him. “Eazyyy! I’m here! Eazy!” Messari took the staircase with his hands and knees until he scrambled all the way to the top. “Where is him? Pop-Pop? Where him is?”

Ethic smiled while standing with Yara. “He’s in his room. He has headphones on. Go get him.”

Messari took off. He knew the home well enough to find his own way, and he knew the rules even better so he wouldn’t make mischief along the way.

“Come on, Pop-Pop. You can watch a movie with your girls,” Alani teased. He kissed her lips, a quick peck, but a peck from Ethic Okafor held a lifetime worth of love. Alani led the way into the great room as Ethic wrapped an arm around Morgan’s shoulders and pulled her in close. Yeah. Little Morgan was home, and it felt amazing.