“I’m sorry, but have you met me? No, I changed when I got home, hoping I could take a nap before I have to head to work.” Abigail bit down her neck, and she stumbled a little before hitting the stairs. “Do you have time to join me?”

“I do.” She didn’t stop until they were in the master bedroom with a locked door. “And you don’t have to worry about the kids. You know how I feel about them.”

“I do know that.” Abigail held on to her as she sat on the bed.

“You’re scared I’m going to freak out and run screaming into the night. You don’t say it, but I know that worried expression of yours.”

“No.” Abigail couldn’t seem to look at her as she protested.

“Yes, you do, but I’m going to keep telling you I’m not going anywhere until we’re in our eighties. By then you might believe me. You have to trust that not only do I love you, but I’m not going to run because of Nicola. Once we find her, she’s not going to be a problem. I know that sounds harsh, but I don’t want anyone hurting our family.” She leaned back a little to see Abigail’s face, and Abigail nodded at what she’d said. “As far as the three kids, if you let me, I’d adopt all three of them today.”

“You mean that, don’t you?” The way Abigail asked was full of wonder.

“How we met isn’t exactly dating app material, love, but we found us. We work, and I understand better than you give me credit for that the kids come as part of the package. I love them, and the only thing I’m sorry about is that I haven’t been here from the beginning.”

Abigail combed her hair back like she did some nights to relax her. “I do give you credit, baby, but I can’t help but worry. Doesn’t all this scare you? Nicola is out there, and she’s probably planning her next move, how to take you away from me. Hell, she probably wants us both dead. After what happened, I’m convinced all she wants is the kids. Not because she actually wants them, mind you. She just wants a legacy.”

“Nicola is going to wish she stayed dead. You keep thinking I gave up my career for you, but I did it for us. That’s the most important reason, but I also left so I could close this case.”

“What do you mean?” Abigail kissed her lightly.