Chapter 19
Renee stood at the sink finishing the dishes as John fed Maxwell, now 7 months old. He had just finished dining on pureed peas and carrots.
"All done. Good job, buddy. Let's burp ya."
Renee brought a towel over and draped it over John's left shoulder. John carefully removed Maxwell from his highchair and nestled him against his shoulder. He gently tapped his son's back until *BURP*.
"Whoa," John said. "Did you hear that, honey?"
"Sure did," Renee chuckled. "Just like you."
"Hey," John said in mock hurt. "Not true."
Renee approached her husband and leaned down. "So true."
Their lips met in a brief kiss. John rose from the table with Maxwell in his arms. "I'm gonna go change him and put him in new pajamas."
"Want some help?"
"I think I got it. Thanks though."
John made it to the front entryway and was ready to head upstairs when the doorbell rang.
"Well, now, Maxwell. Who could that be?"
John went to the door and peeked through the peephole. "Really?" he whispered.
John unlocked the door and opened it towards him.
"Captain Calaway. Hi."
"Hello, John. Is this a bad time?"
"Not at all. Come in."
John stepped aside allowing Mark to enter into the house. He took a look around the foyer as John shut the door.
"Wow. The place looks great. How are the rest of the renovations coming along?"
"Just finished last weekend actually. We put in the last of the new cabinets up in the kitchen."
"Lowes?"
"Home Depot."
"Nice."
"Thanks."
Renee stepped into the room. "Oh. Hello, Mark."
"Good evening, Renee. How are you?"
"Very well. Yourself?"
"Very well, thank you. I stopped by to talk to John for a moment."
"Sure. Here, John. I'll take Maxwell and get him changed and ready for bed."
"Okay."
Renee made her way upstairs with Maxwell at her hip. John invited Mark into the living room to have a seat on the couch.
"No way your son is that big already."
"I can't believe it myself. He's already 6 months old."
"Dang. Enjoy it while you can."
"I will." John looked at Mark, whom was looking at him in silence. "Ummm...what?"
"Your lip."
John touched the tip of his tongue to the cut on his lower lip. "I didn't say it was you."
Mark looked at the top of the stairs to make sure Renee wasn't around. He stepped closer and whispered. "You lied to your wife?"
"I did."
"Me too."
"Well, can't say I didn't deserve it."
"That's just it. You didn't deserve it."
"Yeah, I did. I crossed the line."
"We both did."
John nodded again.
"Why did you do it though? What possessed you not to wait and follow orders?"
"Honestly?" It was Mark's turn to nod. "I was thinking about my family. I was thinking about what if that was my family in there. What if that was my wife in trouble? What if that was my..."
John's voice cracked and his throat tightened. He started to get emotional.
"What if that was my son in there? What kind of man would I have been if I had just let them suffer? I wouldn't be able to have lived with myself. I probably would have put a barrel in my mouth..."
"Don't talk like that, John."
"Sorry," John whispered. John cleared his throat. "Out there today? I was just acting on instinct."
"I will admit. You've got great instinct. I suggest you continue to follow and trust your instinct."
"I will."
Mark smirked. "I know you will. You wanna know something else?"
"What?"
"You remind me of me when I was your age."
John chuckled at the compliment.
"Look. You're a good officer with a good head on his shoulders and a bright future ahead of him. You're gonna do great things, kid."
John smiled. "I'm in my late 20's and you're calling me a kid?"
It was Mark's turn to chuckle. "You've got that boyish face."
"Maybe I should grow a beard."
"Don't let me tell you what to do."
"Wonder if I could pull it off?"
"Hmm. Maybe."
"I think you'd look sexy with one," commented Renee from behind.
"Oh," John said. Mark chuckled.
John stood to his feet and walked towards Renee.
"Sexy, huh?"
Renee purred.
John made a face then looked back at Mark. Mark laughed.
"I think that's my cue to go," Mark said rising from his spot on the couch.
"You don't have to leave yet," John said. "You just got here."
"Ice cream in the truck."
"Oh."
"Michelle was having a craving. Even when she was pregnant, she had a craving for ice cream." Mark looked down at Maxwell in Renee's arms.
"Hmm. 'Daddy's Little Outlaw'," he said reading Maxwell's shirt. "You're too young to cause trouble."
"I don't think so," John said taking Maxwell into his arms. "You should see the messes he leaves for me in his diapers."
"Nope," Mark stated waving his hands in front of him. "I deal enough with that at home with Kaia. She gets my gag reflexes going."
John chuckled. "I don't exactly have the best gag reflexes either. Isn't that right, buddy?"
"Da-da-da."
John's mouth dropped. Renee gasped. "Oh my goodness."
"Did...did you just say...you heard that. Right, Captain?"
"I sure did," Mark smiled.
"Renee..."
"Oh, honey."
John and Renee shared a quick peck on the lips.
"Come on, buddy. Say it again for me. Please? Please?"
"Da-da-da-da"
John held his son tightly. "That's my boy."