The kids were still camped out in front of the TV, but I’d gone to my room because it was late.

It was also high time to text Lawr and Robin.

But I decided to phone Mickey.

Lawr and Robin texted back with different but equally elated responses.

Mickey was giving his verbally.

“It’s actually Lawrie’s doing,” I told him. “He called them a while ago and gave them a talking to.”

“Just a catalyst to finish the work you been doin’, darlin’,” Mickey replied. “Don’t give away credit you should take.”

That was when it happened. I didn’t know why that was what made it happen. But it happened.

And my soft sob was audible.

“Fuck, Amy,” Mickey whispered.

“I missed them,” I whispered back, my voice husky and trembling.

“Can’t imagine, don’t want to, baby, but they’re back. Rejoice.”

“I am, Mickey. These are happy tears,” I told him.

“Then I won’t walk over and jimmy up your window so I can climb in and take care of you.”

God, he was a good man.

And suddenly, I wished they were sad tears.

“You could still do that,” I told him.

“How about we don’t introduce me to your kids with the possibility of them catchin’ me breakin’ into your bedroom?”

I was still crying a little even as I giggled.

“That I like to hear,” he murmured, that murmur underlining his words.

“So, kids DVRing a million programs, do you think that means they’re going to come over and watch them?” I asked hesitantly, wiping away my tears, asking this because I wanted the answer to be a definitive yes, but I was worried it would be an uncertain one.

“Don’t know your kids’ habits, babe, but also do not know a kid who tapes a show they don’t intend to watch. I also know, if they got a million taping, your DVR space is gonna be used up and so they’re gonna have to find a way to clear it somehow, and that shit’s not gonna happen comin’ over once a month.”

That was not definitive.

But I’d take it.

“I should let them know they’re welcome over anytime,” I declared.

“You haven’t already done that?” he asked.

“I should repeat to them perhaps more than once over the next two days that they’re welcome over anytime,” I amended.

I could hear his smile in his, “Good plan.”

“Are you still at the firehouse?” I asked.

“Yep,” he answered.

“I should let you go,” I noted.

“Yeah, but only because I went somewhere to talk privately, the guys have invaded and they’re givin’ me shit for talkin’ to my girlfriend.”

I again very much liked him referring to me as his girlfriend.

But my back went straight. “That isn’t very nice.”