It was easiest to get a cab at the airport, and as I rode into Southeast around 7:00 that night, I felt a soft, warm glow spreading inside my body. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home. I know that isn’t true for everybody, but it is for me, and I also know how lucky it makes me.

The cab pulled up in front of the house on Fifth, and suddenly I was running across the small front lawn, then taking two long strides up the paint-faded front steps.

I grabbed Little Alex up in my arms, and I spun him up high in the air. It hurt, but it was worth it. I called back at the cabbie, who was leaning out his side window, a little befuddled, but even he was smiling some, in his slightly jaded D.C.-cabbie way. “I’ll be right there!” I told him. “Be right with you.”

“No problem. Take your time, buddy. The meter’s running anyway.”

I looked at Nana Mama, who had come out on the porch with my young son.

“What?” I whispered. “Tell me what happened.”

“Ali is home,” she said in a quiet voice. “Christine brought him here, Alex. She changed her mind again. She’s not staying in the east either. Ali is home for good. Can you believe it? Now how about you? Are you home?”

“I’m home, Nana,” I said. Then I looked into the beautiful eyes of my small son. “I’m home, Ali. I promise you.”

And I always keep my promises.

About the Author

About the Author

James Patterson is the author of the two bestselling new detective series of the past decade: the Alex Cross novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers London Bridges, The Big Bad Wolf, and Four Blind Mice, and the Women’s Murder Club series, including the #1 bestsellers 1st to Die, 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, and 4th of July. He is also the author of the bestselling love stories Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas and Sam’s Letters to Jennifer. He lives in Florida.