The Hidden Woman

Chapter 4

The call did come in, but not exactly what they were expecting. Don was calling to let them know they had the children and they were safe. The bad guys had stupidly decided to shoot it out for their $850,000 they would never have gotten anyway.

Ophelia started to cry, thanking Don and the team that had retrieved the kids. They were on their way home and ready to see their mother. He then asked to speak with Colby. Don explained to Colby all the evidence they had found, including a computer opening a whole new bag of worms on the Russian mob. It was actually a great find, but it was unfortunate the children had to be involved.

Colby smiled and hung up the phone with a "That is really good news. I'll get all of equipment and techs rounded up and send them back to the office. I'll stay here until the kids get home. Thanks Don. This is really good news."

When Colby hung up the phone he turned to find Ophelia looking at him. She had already shared hugs with Bobby who was headed downstairs to meet the kids, and Rosa who was almost inconsolable and already started fixing the kids' favorite meals. Ophelia moved slowly towards Colby, who also started moving towards her with his arms open. She felt his chest first as she climbed inside his arms and felt when they circled her body. Their bodies were pressed together as she started to cry in relief. She had not felt so safe in five and a half years. The last time Michael had held her. Now, she had the same feeling.

Finally Ophelia stopped crying all over Colby's shirt, went to wash her face before the kids walked through the door, and came out beautiful and pulled together as she heard the kids' loud talking as they exited the elevator with their army of guards. Now that they were home, this whole ordeal had turned into a grand adventure. The front door opened and the dirty but no worse for wear kids screamed into their mom's arms. Jenny started to cry when she saw her mother and soon after Michael started to cry as well. She soothed and comforted them until they were relaxed, almost asleep.

"Hey, babies, before you fall asleep go say hi to Rosa and give her a hug and we'll get you a bath and you can go to bed in your own cozy bed."

"Can we sleep in your bed tonight mommy?"

"Of course you can baby. But you gotta get a bath before you sleep in mommy's bed." Ophelia started to tickle both kids making them laugh hysterically. Soon she stopped and pulled them up to give Rosa her patiently awaiting hugs. Before Rosa took them upstairs for their baths, Ophelia introduced them to Colby. Unlike most adults who stoop to greet young children, Colby squatted so even at his large size he could look them in the eye. He professionally looked them over for injuries or molestation, while he smiled and talked to them making them laugh.

Jenny smiled shyly at him saying, "You weren't with the FBI at the place we were. Did you stay here with Mommy? Are you not a very good FBI man?"

Ophelia made a embarrassed squawk, while Colby laughed. "No, I'm a very good FBI agent. But my boss, Don, did you meet Don?"

"Yeah, he was really nice. He seemed so scared we might be hurt."

"Yeah, Don cares a lot about kids so he would have been scared. Anyway, Don thought your mommy might need me to stay here with her."

Michael spoke up quietly, "In case something went wrong, right?"

Colby sighed silently. Michael picked up on everything. There would be no soft selling to this kid. "Yeah, Michael, in case something went wrong. But it didn't, did it? You are both home and safe with Bobby, and Rosa, and your mommy. And you get to sleep in Mommy's bed, huh? That must be pretty special."

Jenny laughed again, "Mommy has the best bed. It's got lots of comforters and pillows and is super soft and super big. We are the only one who gets to sleep there with mommy. No one else since daddy has slept there. But I like you Colby. Maybe she'll like you too and let you sleep there too."

Again Ophelia let out another embarrassed squawk, and then ordered them upstairs for a bath.

Colby was laughing but then he got serious. "I should probably take their clothes for evidence."

Rosa was about halfway up the stairs and turned towards him. "I'll put them in bags for you Agent Granger."

Ophelia sighed as she stood close to Colby. Everyone had left and the only stuff left behind was Colby's. They were alone again for the second time that day. He tentatively brushed a hair away from her mouth with the tip of his finger.

"I'm going to go way out on a limb, but I have to know, otherwise I will never know and that would be terrible. Do you think we could go out sometime? Soon, with or without the kids? I know we just met today but do you think it is possible for us to have something between us?"

Ophelia smiled gently at him, afraid of what she was going to say, but she remembered how she felt in his arms a little while ago, and knew even if she was afraid being with him was right. "Colby I think there already is something between us. And yes, I'd like to go out with you. After what the kids have just been through, I think they would have to go too, but they go to bed early and we would have time after that. And Rosa can always watch them too. So, my long rambling answer is yes, I think I would like that very much. After what I told you this afternoon, it doesn't scare you to be with me?"

"I think sometimes it might be a challenge, but nothing that would scare me off. I've been through a lot of scary stuff. You're not so scary, unless your head turns all the way around and you spew green vomit. THAT might get a little scary." Ophelia laughed at the iconic movie reference to compare herself too. "I gotta get in to work. How about I call you later tonight to check on you? Or will that wake the kids?"

"Nothing short of a nightmare wakes my kids up. I'd like it if you called. I think I might miss you when you walk out that door."

Colby stopped at the door to the Penthouse with his gear in one hand and his jacket in the other. He turned to face Ophelia and gently kissed her on the forehead. "I think I will miss you too. I'll call you later tonight."

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