'What's home for you?' Street had never had a ready answer to that. In the last few years, SWAT could have been a fair response, but a new one was right in front of his eyes now.
He threaded his hand through Zee's and scooted a bit closer to her on the wooden bench while they sat with their backs to the picnic table. The afternoon sun bathed them as they enjoyed the uncharacteristic quiet of his neighborhood. Street stole a glance at his woman and silently prayed the cell phone tucked in his pants pocket would not break that peace with a duty call.
A warmth that had little to do with the mild temperatures and a lot to do with who was at his side bloomed inside Street's chest. He was happy as long as Zee was happy. Here and now, all that mattered was making sure things remained that way.
Zee returned Street's hand squeeze just as a gentle breeze picked up, sending wild strands of auburn air tickling his neck. She grounded him.
And to think that about six months ago, he felt as solid as a rock on his own ground. He'd been shining at a job he adored, close to winning a prestigious competition. He'd had a caring, brilliant, and fierce girlfriend. He'd been adamant in not letting his manipulative mom's old drama dent his new confidence.
Then Erika died, and Street's world shifted. Closely after, he'd found himself suspended in mid-air. Street had not cared much to lose the TLI to Chris—especially because it was Chris. And surprisingly, letting Molly go had not been as arduous as he'd expected either. He'd hated hurting her that much, but for too long, he'd tricked himself into thinking he loved her when the affection and respect he felt had not blossomed in the L world. Street had started losing himself, though. Concerned for Chris and tormented by scorching feelings for her. Feelings he could have sworn were mutual, but that he'd never got her to admit.
Learning his mom needed a portion of his liver to survive had added the final nail.
Street's mind had gone in a full swirl, but his heart had never had the slightest hesitation. Never mind the frustration, the anger, and the fear churning in his stomach. No matter the mixed feelings he couldn't even name dancing inside him, making his muscles restless and his body tense all over. The second he'd known, the decision had been made. He would donate a part of himself to give his mom another chance.
Of course, as anyone could expect—especially Street himself—the more selfless he acted, the worse he attracted, and his life seemed to go down a drain from there. He'd been as lost as he'd ever been, so close to the point of no return by being ready to close in his shell for good when Zee had fallen back into his life, grounding him. She understood him as no one else in his life had ever done.
"It's so lovely here." Zee's whisper tore Street from his brooding back to the sweet moment. "You know I've always loved fall," she said, closing her eyes and drawing a long, deep breath. "LA's climate is not all that different from Charleston. It makes me feel at home."
And you give me the same feeling. Street let Zee rest her head on his shoulder and laid a kiss on her hair, breathing in her citrusy scent. Of all the seasons, fall had once been his favorite, too. For one single year, during that distant September when they had fallen in love with each other. Unfortunately, his preferences had shifted when she'd broken his heart.
"Mommy, look!" The cheerful voice made both Zee and Street open the eyes they'd shut in contemplation. The girl beamed at them, revealing a tooth gap and the cutest dimples Street had ever seen. "Duke, roll," she ordered, excitement seeping through her forced straight tone. "Good boy! Good boy!" She whooped as soon as the dog executed the command.
"Great job, sweetie pie." Zee smiled from ear to ear. Her heart beat for that miracle of a little girl.
And then off the two new best friends went, chasing each other in the safety of the wooden fence. Now and then, a golden wagging tail and two chestnut cornrows flapping on a small back appeared in Street's peripheral vision. And when the two were out of sight, an occasional playful bark or a high-pitched giggle made their presence noticed. That sound meant home, and every time Street heard it, he tightened his arm around the incredible woman at his side, making sure she felt all his affection.
A dreamlike picture. An instant family. Street inwardly cringed at the thought. How long until it all expired again?
"Thank you for letting us be here with you." Zee adjusted the position of her head on his shoulder. "You're being great with her. I'm—"
"You don't have to thank me. I love both of you." Street couldn't help a kiss on her forehead. The lively little girl now petting Duke at his feet had conquered him at first sight, just like her mother had done so many years ago. She may have taken after her father in the physical appearance, aside from the shape of eyes and nose, which were all Zee's, but in the demeanor and movements, she was a miniature of her mom.
"This place you and your roommate have is neat." Zee snuggled even closer to him as her daughter zoomed past them, chuckling. "I'm so glad you found a family here in LA," she continued, looking ahead. "A job you love and a career you're great at. It was everything I dreamed of for you when I left you here."
Street sighed. Before bumping into her a bunch of weeks prior, things were not doing all that rosy for him in any field she had just mentioned. He rested his cheek on top of her head, and when she took a hand to her heart, he rested his palm over it.
"It could have been different," Street said in a low voice. His gaze searched for the dog and the child and their little prying ears before pressing on. "Had you just told me about the test result, or at least that you'd taken that test… I would have been with you every step of the way."
"I know" Zee pulled apart from Street just enough to look him in the face, her kind eyes boring into him. "That's why I didn't tell you, my 'Shine." Her tone was wistful but not regretful. "We were too young. And I was too scared. Of everything."
"I would have followed you. I would have—"
She sealed his lips with a gentle, lingering kiss. Her long fingers trailed down his jaw while his hand roamed on her back in a comforting touch. Slow-burning flames enveloped Street, turned him inside-out.
"Hello there," the little shrill voice came, shattering the intensity of the moment. "Who are you, sir?"
"I'm Luca."
Street shot up from the wooden bench and straightened his shirt. Did they lose track of time, or was his friend here early? Why? How long had he been there listening to their talks?
"Why are you standing there staring at us, Mr. Luca?" Vivid hazelnut eyes scanned the new arrival, her head slightly tilted to the side and cornrows cascading over the petite shoulders.
Pushing open the waist-high wooden gate with a little effort, Luca took double glances between the three people watching his entrance. "This is my house, and"—he stopped as Duke started circling him, wagging merrily—"this my dog."
"Duke's yours? He's so-ooo cute!"
"He is." Luca smiled his warmer smile but just stood one foot in the courtyard. Two heavy-looking plastic bags were in his hands, and a stunned expression transformed his features as he stared at the gap-toothed, dimple-blessed beam he received in response. "You're cute too, you know that? Miss, hum…"
"Jamie Lee Miller," she bowed curtly as a practiced princess, never dropping her bright smile.
"I'm sorry." Street cleared his throat as Luca's eyes seemed to widen at every word spoken. "I didn't think you would be home so soon, we—"
"I didn't mean to interrupt you," Luca said, his eyes still shooting between the other three people around him. "Kelly was feeling a bit off… I mean…" he glanced again at Zee and Jamie, then turned his focus on Street with what seemed a flash of embarrassment, "I can help with a lot of things, but there are a few matters only a mother can help a girl turning into a teenager."
Street understood; he had occasionally shared a foster home with some teenage girl back in the days. He dipped his head in acknowledgment, his focus on the flicker of darkness crossing Zee's features. Her eyes had drifted to Jamie, who was still far from reaching that phase of her life. Street's heart painfully squeezed as he imagined what was passing through Zee's beautiful, busy mind.
"Anyway," Luca motioned at his full hands, pulling the bags up so slightly, "I used the extra time to shop for groceries. I thought I could have dinner and catch up with my roomie; we haven't had a chance for that since I came back from Germany."
"Yeah," Street started, "I—"
"Don't worry, I get it. I didn't know you had guests," Luca added, heading for the entrance door. The look in his eyes was a mix of 'care to explain?' and 'I know it's not my business.' He continued, "Just let me drop these things in the refrigerator, and I'm out of your hair."
"Please, don't. This is your home, and we were about to leave," Zee said, squeezing Street's hand and looking up at him with big eyes. "It's okay, 'Shine. You should spend some time with your friend." She dropped her voice. "It's clear you've been neglecting him because of me."
Street's heart gave a jolt. He did miss talking with Luca, but he didn't want to waste a single second with Zee. However, there was a thought-out reason why he hadn't introduced Zee and Jamie to any of his friends. How to exit the situation?
"What food did you bring in?" Jamie's small voice called again before Street could make up his mind.
"Be polite, sweetie pie," Zee warned her daughter.
"What food did you bring in, sir?"
"It's fine," Luca assured, biting back a laugh. "It's veggies and meat, perfect for the grill." That sure explained why Duke was sniffing the plastic bags, moving his tail excitedly.
Jamie's eyes widened. "I love barbecues. We hadn't had one in forever! Since we left home…" a flicker of nostalgia crossed her face. "Mommy, can we have some?" Her pupils were as big as ping pong balls by now, and she was bunching up and down on her tiny red ballerina shoes. "Please?"
"Self-inviting it's rude, Jamie," Zee started to say in a kind but firm voice. "This is not our home. We can't just declare we're staying for dinner."
The girl turned to Street with her puppy eyes shining bright, Duke joining in the pleading at their feet. "Can we stay? Can we? I'll be good, and I'll not eat too much. I promise." She slipped her tiny hand in Street's bigger one, tugging at it. "Pretty please?"
Luca chuckled, sliding inside to put down the bags; those things seemed on the verge of exploding for how full they were. "There is more than enough food for the four of us," he called from the kitchen. That was not hard to believe. It was always dangerous sending Luca to grocery shopping alone.
"And for Duke?" Jamie chimed in, dragging Street inside the house by hand in Luca's wake.
"And for Duke," Luca laughed heartily, then peaked past Street, searching for Zee's gaze. "If your mom says you can stay, it's okay with me. It would be a real pleasure."
All eyes drifted to Zee. She glanced from Jamie to Luca, then finally to Street, silently asking for permission to make his two worlds collide. Street faintly nodded. The damage was already done. Why not enjoy a pleasant evening with Zee and Jamie, and yes, with Luca too. As jealous as he was of his time with his girls, had he not dreamed so hard to share that happiness with his friends?
"What do you say, Mommy?" Luca prompted, smiling wider than the eager girl squeezing Street's hands in expectation.
Zee nodded. "Okay. If you say that there's enough food for everyone…"
"We can stay! We can stay!" Jamie hopped out the door with Duke in her wake.
"Sweetie, what do we say?"
The little girl stopped short and came back to the adults, the dog tailing her. "Sorry, Mommy. Thank you very much, Jim. And thank you, sir, Mr. Luca."
Street's heart melted, and he could tell Luca's met the same end.
"Call me Luca, and we're even, Miss Miller."
Jamie giggled, then looked up at her mom, who nodded her approval. "You can call me Jamie, Luca. Duke's my friend, and you're Duke's owner, and that makes you my friend, right?" She blabbed out. Never mind the sun still up in the clear sky, her dimpled smile brightened the whole world around her.
"Sure thing," Luca shook his head, watching the girl and the dog run away. Then he turned his attention to Zee. "Don't worry about dinner. This scene is well worth all the food in my fridge."
"Oh, it may easily come to that," Zee said in mock seriousness. She seemed way more relaxed than how Street felt for being busted together. "My Jamie may seem so petite, but her stomach and mouth are as big as Jim's," she added, nudging at Street, who couldn't help but smile sheepishly, suddenly more at ease. "But I don't need to tell you that. You must be used to this bottomless pit here."
Luca clapped Street's back, a quizzical look stamped on his face. "Where did you keep her all this time? She's fantastic."
"Oh, my, how rude I've been!" Zee held out her hand. She hid it well, but Street picked up on her uneasiness. She must have felt the same pang he did taking in the joke. They were indeed hiding her from his friends. "Nice to meet you, Luca. I'm Mackenzie, but you can call me Zee." Her eyes lit up as she glanced at Street. "You're Jim's family," she continued, "why be so formal?"
"Nice to finally meet you." Luca pulled her in a side hug, shooting Street a loaded glance. "We have a lot to talk about."
The cat was out of the bag. By tomorrow, Street's whole team would know everything. They would be briefed on every detail concerning the woman and the little girl who'd so rapidly become Street's reason for living. But did he really care? For Zee, he could endure any tease and bear any awkward glance thrown his way.
-o- -o- -o-