Charlie was sitting in his office trying to figure the best way to break this news to Will. He had his secretary call Will and ask him to come upstairs. When Will arrived Charlie's door was open and his secretary told Will to go on in. Will knocked on the open door and said, "you wanted to see me."
"Shut the door, please."
"What's going on, Charlie?"
"Security and Blue North sent me a report earlier in the week. They've decided there are no longer any credible threats to you at this time. They're pulling Lonny."
Will was shocked. He'd not heard of any new threats and for that he was thankful, but he didn't want to lose Lonny, either. He'd come to depend on Lonny for security, for companionship and for just being himself.
"There's no changing their minds?"
"Do you feel you need security, Will?" Charlie wasn't sure what was going on with him.
"It makes me feel better, especially with Mac and the boys."
"I can make some calls and see if security is wiling to keep him in place," Charlie offered.
"No, it's my responsibility. Does Lonny know?"
"Not yet."
"Any chance we can get them to hold off for a couple of days? I want to run something by Mac."
"That I can do."
"Thanks, Charlie," Will said and left his office.
Mac was sitting at her desk, typing on her computer when Will came in and shut the door behind him. "Do you have a few minutes?"
"Of course, what's going on?" she asked.
"Security and Blue North have decided that there aren't any credible threats any longer and want to pull Lonny."
"Will."
"I know. I don't like the idea either, Mac."
"What do you want to do?" she asked.
"I want to hire Lonny as our private security and driver."
"I think that's a great idea."
"Okay, I'll talk to him and see if he interested. Thanks," he said getting up and leaving her office.
She could tell he was unsettled about the possibility of losing Lonny. Lonny had become part of the family. She hoped that Will would be able to hire him.
Will went back to his office and called Lonny and asked him to stop by as soon as possible. About an hour later Lonny knocked on Will's door.
"Come in," he said. "Have a seat."
"What's up?"
"Blue North and AWM Security have decided there are no longer any credible threats against me."
"Okay." Lonny wasn't sure why he was in Will's office.
"I wanted to talk to you about possibly coming to work for me. You'd be doing the exact same thing as you're doing now, security, transportation and anything else, but for me and my family instead of Blue North. Is this something you're interested in doing? I wanted to check with you before I talked to security and Blue North."
"You want me to work for you?" Lonny asked.
"I do and so does Mac."
"You know what I get paid now."
"I'll do better than that."
"Okay, I trust you; go talk to security and Blue North and see what they say."
Will stood up and shook Lonny's hand. "I'll let you know what I find out."
"Thanks."
"Thank you," Will said.
Will sent Charlie a quick email asking for a meeting with him and the head of Blue North Security. He wanted to sit down with them and figure out a way to make this work.
Charlie agreed to arrange the meeting and said he would get back to him when it was set up.
Will suggested he and Charlie get lunch later so he could explain his plan.
Charlie didn't have time to go out but he did agree to meet Will in the private dining area. "Thanks for meeting me," Will said, "I know you're busy."
"What have you come up with?" Charlie asked.
"I want to hire Lonny as private security and driver. Neither Mac nor I like the idea of being without him."
"You've talked with Lonny?"
"Earlier to make sure he was on board and he agreed."
"I think what you're wanting to do is prudent, Will. We will talk with Security and Blue North and get this taken care of as soon as I can arrange a meeting."
"Thanks, Charlie."
After lunch Will went back to his office and Charlie made calls to AWM's Head of Security and Blue North's CEO. He explained what Will was trying to do and everyone agreed that Lonny could go work for Will. He'd work out his notice period with Blue North while still protecting Will and once his notice period was complete he'd move to Will's payroll.
Charlie, almost late for a meeting, sent Will an email explaining what had transpired and that they'd talk details later but that Lonny would be on Will's payroll in a couple of weeks.
"Good news," Will said walking into Mac's office, "Lonny will be on our payroll in a couple of weeks.
"That's great. I'm glad we're going to be able to have him around long term."
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to find us a temporary place to live. It's harder than you'd think to find a three bedroom temporary apartment."
"Why not stay at one of the hotels instead of temporary housing?"
"The expense."
"We'd be comfortable and have a concierge and room service, don't forget room service. I'm not worried about the expense. Find us a nice hotel, close to here and make the reservation."
"We can't make a reservation yet, we need to sit down with Michael and talk about what we want to do, but first we need to decide."
"About what?"
"Bedrooms upstairs. We want what, three bedrooms with en suites and the master bedroom/bath upstairs. Stairs connecting the apartments and what else?"
"I think that's it for upstairs. Then down we have the living area. Can we share an office?"
"Fine with me," Mac said. "Will the fireplace upstairs go into our bedroom?"
"I'd like that. We need to sit down with Michael."
"I agree. We could have lunch on Saturday, ask him to come over and we go over the floor plans and what we want to do," Mac said.
"Want me to call him?" Will offered.
"Please."
Will dialed Michael's cell and when he thought the phone might be going to voicemail he picked up, "Michael McAvoy."
"Hey, it's Will. How are you?"
"I'm well, thanks, how are you?"
"We need help, professional help. Will you come to lunch on Saturday and go over plans with us?"
"Of course I will. Have you come up with any ideas," Michael asked.
"A few, but they seem scattered."
"No problem, we'll get it figured out so we can start construction." Michael had been very patient with them.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'll see you on Saturday," Michael said and disconnected.
Saturday came and Will was making them lunch when the doorman called up announcing Michael. Will asked that he be sent up and met him at the elevator. Will hugged Michael and said, "thanks for coming by."
"You're welcome. Are you making lunch?"
"I am, come keep me company," Will said leading Michael back into the kitchen.
"Where's Mac?"
"She's out running a couple of errands and will be back in a little bit." Cooper started crying and then David chimed in, "right back."
"Want some help?" Michael offered.
"Please."
Will picked up Cooper and Michael picked up David. They each changed a diaper and took the boys back to the kitchen. Will grabbed two bottles out of the refrigerator and popped them in the warmers. A minute later both bottles were ready. "Do you mind feeding David," Will asked.
"Not at all," he said reaching for the bottle. Will handed him a cloth, and said, "thank you."
"My pleasure. Has Kate gone out, too?"
He nodded and picked up Cooper's bottle and placed it in his mouth. "We can go to the living room, if that would be more comfortable."
"Sure," Michael said walking out of the kitchen and sitting on the couch. Will sat down next to him.
"Thanks for helping."
"You're welcome."
"What's Jack up to today?"
"He's looking at apartments."
"I'm sorry, Michael, you should be with him."
"No, I'm good here, trust me."
Will smiled at him. "It's hard to find a place in Manhattan for a decent price."
"I think we've looked at every available apartment on the island."
"You might do better if you'd look in another borough."
"Then there's the commute, if you go further out. I'd rather pay the prices in Manhattan."
David finished his bottle and Michael burped him and snuggled him close. Cooper finished up not too much after David and was burped and fell asleep against Will's chest.
The elevator opened and Mac walked into the apartment. "I missed lunch, I'm sorry."
"No worries, Uncle Michael was here to help us out."
"Thank you, Michael," she said and kissed his cheek.
"My pleasure."
"I'll put them down and we can work on lunch for us and figure out our living situation," she said taking David. Will got up with Cooper and followed Mac into the nursery. "I'm sorry."
He smiled at her and kissed her. "We were fine, don't worry. Go ahead and pump and by the time you're done lunch will be ready."
"Thanks."
Will met Michael in the living room and invited him to join him in the kitchen, explaining that Mac would be with them shortly. When she joined them she was carrying two bottles of milk that she put in the refrigerator. "What can I help with?"
"Would you like to set the table?"
"I can do that."
Mac sat the table and got them drinks. When the phone rang she answered, it was the doorman announcing a visitor. "Please send him up," she said and hung up. "Sir David is here."
"Is that odd," Michael asked?
"Without calling, yes, it is," Mac, explained. She waited by the elevator and when the door opened David smiled at her. She hugged her father and said, "come in," taking his hand. "What brings you by?"
"I wondered if I might steal a few minutes with my grandsons. I'm between appointments."
She wasn't sure she was getting the whole story, but said, "of course. I know Cooper is asleep, but David may be awake, let's go find out." Mac led him back to the nursery and David was awake and made a happy noise when his namesake picked him up.
"Do you mind if I sit in here with them for a bit?" David asked.
"Is everything all right?" Mac asked.
He nodded. "Okay, we're in the kitchen. He's a great listener," she said and kissed her father's cheek and went back to the kitchen.
"Everything all right?" Will asked when Mac entered.
"Something seems off but he's not talking, or can't talk, one. He's rocking David."
"I can go if you need," Michael offered.
Mac put her arm around Michael and said, "no, you're fine."
A few minutes later lunch was ready and Mac went to ask her father if he'd like some lunch. "Will I be interrupting anything?"
"No. Have you met Will's brother, Michael? He's here for lunch but we've more than enough food. Come on, put David down and let him sleep and come have lunch." She talked him into lunch.
Mac brought Sir David into the kitchen. Will stopped what he was doing and hugged David. Michael could tell Will and David had a special relationship. "David have you met my brother, Michael?"
"I've not."
"Sir David McHale, Michael McAvoy"
"Very nice to finally meet you, Michael."
"The pleasure is mine, sir," Michael said shaking the Ambassador's hand.
"Would you like something to drink, David?" Will asked.
"Water for now, please, Will."
Will got David his water and sat another place setting at the table. Through the baby monitor they all heard Cooper start to cry. "May I?" David asked.
"Sure," Mac said. "Let me know if you need anything."
Mac watched him walk back to the nursery.
"Is he all right?" Will asked Mac.
"He says he is, but he may not be able to say, either."
"We'll give him a few minutes," Will said.
David came back into the kitchen carrying Cooper. "Mac, he feels warm to me, like a low grade fever."
Mac took Cooper and felt of his head. "He does feel warm. We'll get the thermometer and check," she said walking to the nursery.
Will followed her into the nursery and watched as she took Cooper's temperature with a rectal thermometer. He was standing very close to Mac, one hand on her back and one hand caressing Cooper. Mac could tell Will was worried.
"He's at 99. We'll take it again in a little while. How'd he eat?"
Will smiled, "like normal, vigorously."
"Was his diaper wet?"
"Yes."
"He's okay, Billy, it's a low grade fever," she said hugging him. "If his temp goes up we'll call his pediatrician. I do want to change him into something lighter. Will you find a cotton onesie?"
Will opened the dresser and pulled out a long sleeved rugby striped onesie and handed it to her and watched her change him.
"Will he be warm enough?"
"Grab his blanket out of his crib, please."
He handed her the blanket. "Let's keep him with us."
Will leaned down and kissed Cooper's head. "Come on," Mac said and walked back to the kitchen.
Michael and David were chatting when they returned. "Low grade?" Michael asked.
Mac smiled at him. "You're good. He's at 99."
"I could look at you and tell if you had a fever. You would get a rosy spot right there," he said touching her cheekbone. "I must run, my next meeting has been moved up I'm afraid. You'll let me know how Cooper is doing?" he asked and kissed his grandson.
"Of course." He kissed her cheek and smiled at her.
"It was nice to meet you, Michael."
"My pleasure," Michael replied.
"Will walk me out," David requested. He could tell Will was upset about Cooper. When they got to the elevator David turned and hugged Will, "I was a mess the first time Mac had a fever."
Will returned the hug and stayed in David's arms for just a moment. This man was more of a father than any Will had ever known. "Thank you."
"My boy, any time," David said smiling at him. "If I can do anything, please let me know."
"I will."
When Will returned to the kitchen Mac was in one of the chairs with Cooper resting on her chest. Will leaned down next to them, "want me to hold him?"
"Sure," Mac said handing Cooper to Will. "Michael you must be starving by now, I'm sorry."
"You've got more important things to worry about than feeding me."
"Is the soup ready?" Mac asked Will.
"Just has to be put into bowls," he said smiling at her.
"Am I missing something?" Michael asked seeing the look pass between Will and Mac.
"I don't do well in the kitchen," Mac said. "But I can put soup into a bowl, I promise you."