“Oh,” she breathed. “Oh, honey, they already know. I had to submit my health records to be approved for emergency foster care. They’re not allowed to discriminate against me for my positive status any more than they can discriminate against you and Greg because you’re deaf. That’s the law.”

His shoulders relaxed. “That’s what Greg said.”

Her lips twitched. “Greg’s pretty smart.”

“He thinks you’re a hero,” Michael signed shyly.

Dani’s eyes stung. “He said that?”

“Yeah. He said that Joshua and I are lucky to be living with you.” He looked at his feet, his next signs kind of a mush. “I agreed.”

Dani cupped his face, happy when he leaned into her. This boy was seriously touch-deprived. Just like Diesel. “I think we’re all lucky we found one another. Was that the only thing bothering you?”

He swallowed hard. “Mostly. A few other things.”

“Tell me if you want to, but you don’t have to. I’m glad you talked to Meredith, though. That will help you.”

“She’s nice. She brought an interpreter and I didn’t even have to ask.”

Thankfully, the interpreter had agreed to be blindfolded on the drive over, the only way Deacon would approve her admittance to the safe house. “Meredith knows the law. I know the law, too. From here on out, you have an advocate in your corner, Michael. I won’t let anyone deprive you of your rights.”

His lips trembled and he firmed them. “Thank you. That other agent—Agent Taylor—he brought us presents. Why?”

“He’s a nice man. My friends are all nice people. You’ll see that.”

Hope flickered in his eyes. “I wrote a thank-you note. With a pen.”

Dani chuckled. “Going old-school?”

He rolled his eyes. “Agent Troy said he’d give it to Agent Taylor.”

“Then he will.” She patted his face sweetly. “Go to bed, Michael. We’ll talk more in the morning. I have to get my sleep. It helps keep my levels undetectable.”

Michael nodded hard, mention of her health spurring him into motion. “I will. Thanks, Dani.” But he stopped, hesitating once more.

“Go ahead and ask,” she said with a smile. “What’s on your mind?”

“Joshua asked if you’d let him call you ‘Mom’ someday. I didn’t know what to tell him. So I told him I’d ask you.”

Dani’s breath left her in a whoosh. Oh wow. She hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t dared to.

“It’s okay,” Michael said, misunderstanding her lack of response. “I’ll tell him that he should call you by your name.”

She held up her hands. “No, it’s good. It’s just . . . it makes me really happy to think about that. About him wanting to call me that. Tell him . . . yes. When he’s ready. No rush.”

Michael’s smile was shy. “Thanks. Good night.”