Chapter 6
"That was…!" El stated after she and Peter had gotten home and put their son to bed.
"Yeah." Peter agreed. He nodded as he took the glass of wine that El had poured for him.
"I never expected him to come back. I just…." El stated as she sat down on the couch. She took a sip of her wine.
"Well, the statute of limitations is up. He's free to…." Peter replied.
El shook her head. "No, that's not what I meant. Neal was free in France. He didn't have to worry about being pursued by anybody…for anything." She shook her head. "He didn't know what he was facing, coming back here. The FBI…the marshals. They could still find something."
Peter shook his head this time. "I doubt it. In the decade that's passed…both agencies have used the stuff that Neal taught us to solve a lot of crimes. I don't think they would do anything."
"How about Diana and Clinton? How are they going to react?" El questioned.
"Now that…I'm a lot less sure about." Peter admitted. "Diana liked, likes Neal. She really did. She…they both like him. I just…I don't know how I am going to do this. But, I promised Neal I would, so I am going to have to find a way."
"We could invite them all here and have Neal walk down our stairs." El offered.
Peter grinned. "It worked on us."
"And I would love to see Theo, it's been a while." El said.
"Let's do it!" Peter said, excited and nervous as to what Diana's and Clinton's reactions would be.
El quickly decided on a menu. She decided on a date that worked for all involved. A week later Diane and Theo and Jones showed up for a celebratory dinner at the Burke's house. Peter had been with the FBI for 25 years. And he wanted the people who meant the most to him to celebrate with him. Of course, El didn't tell them the one huge surprise that would be awaiting them when she called and invited them.
Neal arrived at the Burkes an hour earlier than Diana and Jones were told to be there. He was not sure what he should wear. He decided on a nice dress shirt and a pair of dress pants. He was anxious for this meeting. He was not at all sure how Diana and Jones would take his return. Would they be angry at him for fooling them? Would they be glad to see him? Would they even care?
Jones arrived first. He brought two bottles of wine. He brought one he knew El liked and he brought one of Neal's favorites. He had had thoughts of Neal lately. He had even thought he had seen the man in the crowd in the past week or two. But that was not possible. He supposed it was just the 10-year anniversary that had brought the conman to mind. He had really liked Neal. He appreciated the danger Neal had put himself in to help the bureau. Jones missed him, truth be told. And, he knew he had seen Mozzie. He had not been too far away from the balding man when he had seen him. But, by the time he had gotten to the street corner just a block away Mozzie had gotten into a cab or turned the corner and disappeared into the crowd again.
Jones smiled at the memory of his conman friend as he rang the Burke's doorbell. El let him in and he proceeded to the kitchen to talk to Peter and grab a beer as he and Peter talked.
Diana and Theo arrived a few moments later. Diana's gift was more personal in nature. She had made a scrapbook for the Burkes of Theo. She had added some of his artwork from school. And even copies of his report cards and progress notes. He was a solid B student these days. And he really enjoyed school.
Theo considered little Neal to be almost like a little brother. So the boys got along well. And it wasn't long before they had found their way upstairs to Neal's playroom on the third floor.
Diana had been thinking of Neal for the past couple of weeks, also. She even thought she had seen both Neal and Mozzie on separate occasions during the previous couple of weeks. But, as soon as brain had registered what her eyes were seeing both men had disappeared back into the crowd. She had tried to chase after Neal, but had lost him after only making it half a block. She, of course, had remembered the 10-year anniversary. She had brought herself a bottle of Neal's favorite wine. She had drunk herself a private tribute to the young conman. She had even got out the origami crane Peter had given her after Neal's death. And she got out the tie she had taken from his desk at work. It was a brilliant blue, and it matched his eyes. She had missed the young man a lot over the years. And it was odd, but a small part of her, just a small part held out hope that he was still alive. The service had been closed casket. And no one had been allowed to view the body ahead of time. Even Peter had tried, and failed. Something about it just didn't feel right. But, as the years had passed Diana had begun to realize that the likelihood was waning. And as this monumental landmark had come and gone. She knew she would have to let that little flame of hope burn out.
Meanwhile, Neal waited, nervous in Peter and El's bedroom. He paced a grove around the bed, stopping only periodically to go to the top of the stairs and listen to how things were progressing downstairs. He heard the doorbell ring twice, with muted conversation following. He then stood at the time of the stairs waiting for Peter or El to give him the signal to come down.
TBC
