Chapter 9: Precious Weans
"So… are we going to talk about the giant elephant in the room? Or car…"
Josie finally broke a bout of awkward silence between the five in the sedan. She turned her head back to the seat with Caz, Rennick, and Trots. They stared confused, Rennick a bit more agitated than the other two.
"Elephant?" Caz asked.
"How you guys just magically zapped back from 1975 after leaving zee world thinking you all died in an explosion. I mean… obviously."
"We don't know," said Trots, "Maybe ask the bloke beside you."
Josie looked to the agent driving the sedan. He slowly turned to look at her with emotionless shades glaring back before turning it to the road.
"Yeah, I don't sink Terminator is very chatty."
Rennick raised a brow, "Terminator?"
"Oh, right. You'll find out for yourselves. I won't spoil all of the 80s for you." Josie followed up, "So, you all weren't kidnapped by terrorists and forced to drill for oil as the PR lackeys told us to say?"
Rennick, Caz, Trots said in unison, "No."
"Right," she replied uneasily, turning herself forward, "That's not creepy at all. I mean, super glad you're all back, don't get me wrong!"
Caz was dying to change the subject. As discussing the logistics of how and why they materialized back ten years was making his heart race. He asked clearly, "How long were you and Rennick rutting on the rig? That's what I want to know."
Rennick shot a glare his way, and Josie went stiff. Trots reanimated quick and gasped, "What?!"
"Oh, you didnae know?" Caz asked Trots, ignoring Rennick's enraged scowl beside him. "They actually didnae hate each other, after all. They were bumping uglies." He smugly smirked at Rennick and said to him, "I'm impressed. An old fud and a stud."
"You and Cartier, Rennick? Really?" Trots asked in a bite of disgust, "She's young enough to be your kid."
"I'm thirty-five now…" Josie added with her eyes ahead in passenger.
Caz grumbled, "Aye, still donnae make it better."
Rennick was about to unleash a bark of rage, until Josie did it for him. "Oh, shut up, handyman! Like any of this is fucking normal."
Rennick taunted a closed smile and raised a hand gesture to Josie. A silent 'what-she-said'. Rennick said swiftly after, "You two knobs will do well in minding your damn business."
Trots asked hesitantly, "Where did you two even… I mean, was it just the cabins?"
"I'm not fucking tellin' you!"
Then Josie said rather casually, "His office. Desk or chair. Mostly desk."
Rennick warned in a grit of his voice, "Josie."
"The desk?! You know how many times I've sat before that desk?" Trots went aghast.
Caz shrugged, "I just did a while ago."
"Utility a few times," continued Josie (relieved to finally get it off her chest), "Once on the Admin front desk when everyone was asleep."
Caz retched, "Jesus!"
"I'd eat my lunch at that desk!" Trots blabbed in anger.
"Cartier, would you shut it?!" Rennick had finally lost his patience.
"What?" Josie raised, "It's way in zee past now! Not for you three but for me, yeah! And we're about to be living together, might as well get it out in zee open. I hated keeping that fucking secret."
Rennick said back defeatedly, "I didn't!"
"Plus, you're all about to meet Noelle. Rather have this conversation now than wait till the kids are in hearing distance."
Caz asked, "Noelle?" He glanced to Rennick, "Who's Noelle?"
"My ten year old daughter!" Josie hissed. Caz flummoxed at the answer. Rennick was pinching the bridge of his nose waiting for the inevitable. Then Caz's brows raised, as did Trots. They both shared a glare that landed to Rennick. Caz nearly laughed, "Jesus fucking Christ, well this puts my marital problems on the back burner."
Trots irked, "This is all happening too fast. You two have a child together?"
"Your life is a soap, Rennick."
"Fuck sakes, shut it! Both of you," groaned Rennick.
"And you haven't met her yet?" Trots asked him subtly changing his tune to concerned.
Rennick glowered at the question. Secretly, he was wrangled in nerves. A twist in his stomach starting to churn at the thought of meeting Noelle for the first time. He said back lowly, "Clearly not."
"Ah, donnae flap. I haven't seen my girls in ten years and all. They're teenagers now. One is about to go to university. The first McLeary, too."
Trots celebrated, "That's grand, Caz!"
Josie was smiling to herself at hearing Caz brag about Cait. Recalling her and Suze having a conversation about the very same thing a day ago. Caz continued cheerily, "If we're going to live together, least we can do is bury the hatchet, aye, Rennick? So, congratulations on the wean. No hard feelings?"
Rennick curved a brow at made a vindictive side eye Caz's way. Then after some time, Josie growled in her seat, "Say it."
"Excuse me?" Rennick growled back.
"Say it back, connard. Make up or live in zee toilet!"
Rennick raged, "Do you even know what he did?! He brutalized some poor bastard at a pub! The polis were looking for him."
"Aye. Ten years ago," said Caz casually, "You're the one who fired me, Rennick. Yet, I'm the one extending the olive branch, here."
"You fired McLeary?" Josie snapped, "I told you not to fire him! You did this while I was at hospital, didn't you?"
"Like I needed another reason for Cadal to get on me. If I didnae fire you, they would have went to the Aberdeen branch. You were in the shit either way, McLeary. You were my charge. I could have been done in for abetting, you prick! You neglected to mention it in your interview, that's for fucking sure!"
Caz snarled back, "I didnae think they'd chase me out to the North fucking Sea, did I?"
"You're a fucking gutless roaster," barked Rennick, "Running from the polis and trying to hide on my rig! Your bawbags so light they'd fly off with a breeze!"
"Oh, Christ, this again!" Caz snapped, "It wasnae your rig! It was gettin' sorted, you fucking bastard. You lost the fucking plot!"
Josie whipped her head to the back seat and squalled a roar of fury, "Ferme ta gueule! Ferme-la! Ferme-la! You two dickheads had better make up and shut up or I will drop you off at zee fucking zoo where you belong. I am not bringing your shit home to my daughter, understand?! Now shake hands. Right now! I wanna see it."
Trots startled at the sudden outburst and was slightly impressed to see both Caz and Rennick quiet down. Somewhat pleased it wasn't directed at him. Josie gritted her teeth, "Now!"
Caz had his hand open for Rennick, who was glaring at Josie. A look that was saying quite clearly he didn't want to. Josie sneered, "What're you waiting for, Capitaine? A slap on zee arse? Do it."
Trots snorted in his throat, buckling down his smile. Rennick grimaced and begrudgingly shook Caz's hand. A lazy shake that lasted not even a second. Josie glared them down before slowly turning forward.
"This is going to be interesting. That's putting it mildly." Trots muttered.
Caz flecked a small smile, "I've missed you, Jo." He had a chuckle in his throat.
With that, Josie's anger seemed to fleet in moments. Just as it usually had on the Beira. She gasped excitedly and pulled a tape from her purse. "Madonna! Super! Hey – Chisel Chest McGee. Can I play some music? We still got two hours left." She asked the agent in the driver seat. He tried to use his silencing glare on her again, but she just returned one right back. He was certain if he kept the stare for much longer, he'd drive them into the ditch.
"Fine."
Josie yipped and slid the tape into the stereo. She smiled to the three in the rear view mirror. "Let me give you prats a little taste of your brand-new decade! Now zis! Zis is good shit! Wait for it!"
Like A Virgin from Madonna started to chime on the stereo, bringing further excitement to Josie, and further confusion to Rennick, Caz and Trots behind her. Josie wore a bright smile as she sang along to the lyrics. Trots was first to notice the shade-wearing agent nod his head with the beat. When Josie did, she egged him on to join with her. She even took the liberty of turning up the volume. The three in the backseat flicked their disturbance from passenger to driver. Far more uncomfortable when the steely driver started to loosen up and sing, too. All it accomplished was raise more apprehensive questions of what timeline they were entering.
Suze and Roy were mostly quiet their way back to Glasgow. A bit of light chatter, but Roy could read Suze's upset. He didn't want to pry. But he'd at least try to comfort.
"I can't imagine what this is like for you, Susan. And… I'm sorry."
She didn't respond right away. She kept gazing out the window and watching the pines. Then she muttered, "I waited. Even when I knew there was nothing to wait for, I still did. For years I couldn't even… think of a man that way. It felt stale and wrong. Edward and I only married last year. Before that was this long and tedious toil on his end. Edward waited, too. Most would have walked away but he didn't. Try to understand, Roy."
"You don't need to explain yourself. I'm not fixed on you and Caz getting back together. He may be my mate, but you are, too. Whatever makes you happy is what will be. Caz may be upset now, but he doesn't understand the time that's been missed. I don't think any of us really do. He'll come around."
"I ken I shouldn't." Suze sniffled, "Why do I feel guilty?"
"You're right, you shouldn't. No one could have prepared you for this. You did what any reasonable, sane and wise person would do. You tried to move on. You did. You did absolutely nothing wrong, Susan."
She took his hand and smiled. He gripped it right in the firm comfort she had forgotten years passed. Suze grew fresh tears and said, "I missed you, Roy."
Roy held his arms out for a hug, "Oh, I missed you, too, pet."
They reached the downtown streets of Glasgow. Roy was captivated to the scenery. Noting all that changed. They parked up to the townhouse and Edward was already at the window. He scurried outside and stood before the door as Suze and Roy took off their seatbelts.
Edward ran to Suze then and pulled her into a hug. "Jesus, I was so worried! I didn't know who to call or what to do. I was just… waiting around the phone. Praying you'd come home alright. Who… who is this?" He noticed Roy uneasily coming up with a tote in his arm.
Suze glanced to Roy, knowing now they would have to explain the government issued storyline and pray Edward would genuinely believe it. That the Beira and the crew were abducted by terrorists in 1975. Forced to work for oil in foreign waters. The explosion was a coverup so they wouldn't be traced. And most damningly, her ex-husband was still alive and now living with her best friend. Reasonably, Edward went white at hearing all of it. His first instinct was to not believe it.
"What the… no you're taking the piss. That's insane!"
Roy added in, "It's true. Uh, nice to meet you, by the way. Roy Macnair."
"He's living proof its real, Ed. Go through the papers again. You'll see Roy. Not to mention… the girls will be wanting to see their dad."
Edward stroked his hand back his head, "It's unbelievable. I mean… what a miracle. The world is going to go mad when it gets out there."
"That's another thing," said Suze, "Let's try to keep this secret for the time being, right? I think the government want their own steering with the press with this. We could get in the shite if we don't."
Edward jittered a nod, "Right." He sighed and asked, "Ten years. You must have horror stories to tell. Being held by those bastards."
Roy fibbed, "Oh, yes. Many. I care not to revisit them now, mate. You know, I'm… still healing."
Suze subtly cringed at his lousy attempt, "Aye. The girls are coming home soon, right?"
"Next twenty minutes," replied Edward.
"Let's get in. We're gonnae need to approach this delicately."
The sedan with Trots, Rennick and Caz reached Glasgow a little after noon. Caz was marvelling out the window. Constantly uttering how much everything had changed. So much to the point Rennick had to tell him to shut it. They took a turn down Broomhill. Caz mentioned, "You live down Broomhill, Cartier? The real estate here goes up to a million."
Josie sighed, "Yup."
When they got to Josie's home, the three in the back fell silent. They stared up at her 500k home in awe. It was newer architecture, likely built in the late 70s. It wasn't adjoined to any other buildings as were many of the flats in Glasgow. Built in grey brick and brand-new shingles. However, it was the same build as many of the neighbours, all condoning the same zone regulations. It had a brick layered driveway, a full yard with trimmed hedges. Certainly, over twelve big windows in the front they could see, undoubtedly more around the bend. A gardener was outside winterizing the yard.
"Jesus. Nice place, Jo. You've done well for yourself." Caz commented.
"CEO, remember?" She winced to herself then, "Shit!"
"What's the problem?" Rennick asked.
She said it grievously, "My gardener."
"You have a gardener?"
"Oui! Just… let me get out first, okay?"
Her French gardener greeted her amicably as she came to meet him. They could lightly hear ramblings in French. Josie was simply telling him that he'd need to go home early and won't be able to come back until she calls on him. The gardener was confused to hear it, but dejectedly accepted his loss of work with a grieved scowl on his way back to his truck. As the pickup strode off, she raised a thumbs up for the three to come out, as well.
They followed her inside steadily, not wanting the neighbours to raise questions at three men in scrubs going into her home. Rennick appreciated being on land and in the open air again. He hadn't been in the surrounding for longer than he cared to remember. He didn't say it, but he let it soak a small smile on his way to the front doors.
Josie rattled the keys and let them in first. They could immediately hear their own footsteps echo back at them. A modern decorated home with tile floors and a winding staircase just ahead. A kitchen to their left and living room to the right. As well as a baring wall just after the staircase keeping even more rooms and access to the basement behind it.
"How many rooms do you have?" Trots asked a bit overwhelmed.
"Six." Josie said, "That includes the two downstairs."
Rennick was discreetly swelling in pride to see the degrees and trophies along her wall. "You said you were a CEO… of what?"
"Glasgow Technical Works. We sell machinery to contracting companies. You know, car shops, construction sites, even oil rigs."
"A leap from mechanical engineering." Rennick reminisced her aspirations on the Beira.
"Well, after Noelle, a white-collar gig didn't seem too bad. When I got my engineering degree, it just led me to where I am now. Took a lot of time and work. A lot of work. But here I am."
Trots smiled, "There's worse places I could see myself shacking up in for an undetermined amount of time. Thank you, Cartier."
"Don't. It is no trouble," she hushed, "Make yourselves at home. We should probably figure out the room situation."
Rennick stalled as they reached the staircase. The walls brimming in albums and frames of Noelle. The first time he ever saw her. Right away, he knew she was his. The same features of his father and mother. Prominent signs of a Rennick. The nose and the mouth. The light skin and hair. He and Josie shared blue eyes, but her shade was far more lenient to his gene pool. The pictures were a taunting timeline of what he missed. All the way back to when she was newly born. Her infancy. Her toddler mirth. First day of kindergarten and birthday parties. All leading up to her fourth-grade school photo taken just last September.
Caz walked past and couldn't help but gander to what he was looking at. As Rennick was like a deer in headlights taking in each frame sullenly. Caz did too when he saw his girls. Suze. Not in every photo but in a healthy portion of them. Christmases together and Halloween costumes. He too drifted into himself to see the timeline of all he had missed with his girls. Even though there was a seldom happiness that they certainly didn't miss a thing. They gained, if anything. Josie's family had melded into his own in the ten years. Suze and Josie's friendship warmly displayed in pictures at the pub, work parties or vacations. In each photo they were smiling. In the midst of laughter. Edward's face in the photos with his arm woven around Suze's waist was the worst of all. That even though he was gone, his family wasn't worse for wear. That perhaps they were far better without him.
"Hey!" Josie called Rennick and Caz, "Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Wanna tweedle your thumbs out your asses and follow us downstairs? I gotta show you your rooms."
Rennick snipped then, "Rooms? My room?"
"Oui! Come, come."
They followed Josie down the steps, with Rennick's brows slowly furrowing. It was a finished basement with rug, a small living room area and two bedrooms on each side and a bathroom. One of the bedrooms had two beds. Pink blankets and and band posters along the wall. Pictures of Cait and Maidie and their friends. Or with Josie, Suze and Edward.
"That's where your girls sleep when they stay over. They haven't been for a while, so I doubt they'll have an issue if two of you bunk in there. You know, if you don't mind flowers on your sheets." Josie said to Caz, who lightly smiled.
"A home away from home?"
"Yeah. When Suze and Edward took their honeymoon, I wanted them here. Didn't want them turning their home into a skid-row. You know… teenagers. Used to be a playroom, but… Noelle grew out of that a couple years ago. I can grab some new sheets, I'm sure. Take down the photos on the wall if it's too out of feel."
"Naw," said Caz with a forlorn stare into the bedroom, "It's fine. Leave them."
Trots shrugged, "Maybe new sheets for my bed, at least."
"So, what? You and Caz bunking together here, then?"
Caz glanced a side-eye to Rennick. "Likely for the best."
Josie turned to Rennick then and pointed to the other room, "Guess you get that one, Capitaine."
"You want me to bunk down in the basement with these two?" Rennick said dryly.
"Oui. Why, you want a doghouse?"
Rennick subtly rolled his eyes at that. Then again, he was just happy she was back. Judging by what he had experienced so far, Josie hadn't changed a day. Caz and Trots snickered in their throats at the comment and Rennick continued, "Do you sleep in the doghouse? Cause if so, let me at it."
"Capitaine…" Josie warned quietly in consideration to Caz and Trots (who were awkwardly overhearing the exchange, anyway).
"You do have a bedroom, don't you?"
Caz said suddenly, "Right. Trots, let's go upstairs. These two need a chat."
Trots startled and followed him, "Righto."
When Josie and Rennick were alone, he didn't waste time in unloading his objections. "Is this because of those two gobshites? I mean, tell me if I'm wrong, you made it clear on the drive you wanted us to be transparent now."
"Oui. This isn't about that, Davey."
"Then what? You think I'm going to be staying in your home and not at least sleep next to you? That's shite."
Josie's face grew a surprised smile. Even a small chuckle. "Oh, Capitaine… You have outdone yourself zis time!"
"What?"
"You sink that you can just reappear like magic after ten years and just sleep in my bed? Connard… I'd love to know the world you live in." Josie crossed her arms and taunted a flattered grin, "You don't just get the milk for free."
Rennick creased a smile back and took a few steps to her. The same smile that was suggestive. That used to make her melt when they were surrounded by the chimes of an oil rig. It still did, but she was no longer so easily persuaded. Even so, Rennick took her hand and crooned, "You saying you donnae want to?"
"That is… not what I'm saying." She stuttered, "You were dead, Davey. I thought you were. Now you're back. I need time to come to terms with this bullshit. I'm not just going to hop right back on the stick like nothing ever happened! Who do you take me for?"
Rennick released her hand then and clasp at his hips, "So what? You want to take it slow? If it's been ten years, I'd think you'd be itching to saddle back on, hen."
That cracked a laugh from Josie, "Sale vieil homme! No! You think I haven't fantasized about this every fucking day? I'm in a living freakshow. Now that it's come true it's a lot to process. I mean, Noelle still needs to meet you and even then you need to get to know her. There's a lot of things to address first. I need time to register you're actually real, too. Not feel like I'm on fucking psychedelics. Then we'll see. That's all I have to say."
Rennick exasperated, "I'm real, Cartier!"
Josie went back the steps before saying, "Then you will be in for the ride of your life, Capitaine. But no time soon. Have patience!"
Cait's sedan slowly rolled into the driveway. The sound of it sent ripples up Suze's stomach. Knowing what she'd soon be faced with. She had just gotten off the phone with Josie, and she had the go ahead to break the news to Noelle. Both junctures were nerve rattling. She was sure to expect tears. Maybe even the reaction Suze had at the compound. She didn't wish to burden her daughters with it. But there was very little choice. Suze knew she wouldn't slog them with it like Brantley did for them. Delicate and slow. In the kids' own time. Even then, no one could prepare her for this. No parent book had this chapter to address.
She looked at Edward and Roy, and asked Roy to go sit in the living room. Cait, Maidie and Noelle walked up the steps chatting amongst each other like any typical Wednesday. All carrying their backpacks and books, eager for a snack and some telly as per their usual routine after school. That routine was soon to crumble into something else.
Cait opened the door and her laughter was cut short when she saw her mother. "Mum! You're home!"
Maidie ran in, "Mommy! Where did you go?" She hugged Suze happily. Noelle came in last. Maidie continued, "Gave us a proper scare!"
"Is my mum here, too?" Noelle asked as she spied her eyes behind them.
"Hi girls!" Suze smiled in a weak voice.
Cait said as she set her backpack on the hook, "We were feart all night, true. Why do you look off? You get any sleep?"
"Girls… look, we need to talk about something. Something very important. All three of you."
Maidie, Cait and Noelle all returned to worry. All asking the same questions over each other. Like what was happening, where was Josie, where did they go. Then Cait noticed a pair of indistinguishable shoes on their boot rack. "Who's here?" She asked.
Suze felt Edward's arm wrap along her waist. An ode of support, telling her she can do this. "Last night some government types came to the door, you remember that?"
"Aye."
"Well. They took us to a government facility and…"
Maidie started to panic, "And what? Oh my God, mum! What did they do to you?"
"Nothing! It's alright! They didn't do anything to us."
Noelle flurried out, "Is my mum still there? Is she okay?!"
"Your mum is at home, pet. Edward will take you over soon, just…"
"Mum, what is happening?" Cait pressed again sternly.
Edward finally piped up, "Girls! Girls. You all need to take a deep breath and calm down so your mum can explain."
Cait, Maidie and Noelle went silent. Suze continued, "They told us that they found a lot of people on an oil rig that was being run by an Iran supremacist terror group. They saved them and they're all okay… but the people being held captive were the crew of the Beira. Your dad… was on that rig."
Cait and Maidie were stiff and without words. Without breath. Suze said to Noelle, "Your dad, too, Noelle."
"What are you saying?" Cait asked shakily.
"Girls, your father is alive. He's at Josie's home now, as well as Noelle's dad. I ken this sounds mad but I promise you… it was very shocking for me, too. I'm still a wee shocked, honestly. But… I need you all to know."
Cait was the most distraught at the news. She was in a reasonable dose of denial. Suze wouldn't expect any different, as she was just as headstrong as she was. But, she feared it would wallop Cait far worse than it did for her.
"That's… madness, mum. The rig exploded. How can dad be alive, he was on that rig. What are you playing at?"
Maidie quavered, "Mum, this isn't funny."
"I'm not trying to lie to you. I promise you I am telling the truth."
Noelle whimpered as she started to weep, "I want my mum."
"You're scaring her, mum! What the fuck is this?!" Cait's voice ripped into a cry. It beat down any words Suze had behind her teeth. Then a man walked in to the entryway from the living room. His face didn't strike Maidie right away, but it did Cait. She clasped at her mouth and muttered, "Uncle Roy…?"
He gave a quivering smile, "Hello, darl'. My goodness have you two grown…"
"How are you…"
"Your mum is telling the truth, dears. She wouldn't lie. Not about this," said Roy as he took a few steps into the entry way, "I'm sorry to startle you all. I never wanted to… neither your dad. He's alive and I'm sure he wants nothing more in this world to see you two again."
Cait made a sharp yelp and ran to Roy in a hug. Tears started to come and heart wrenching wails followed. Maidie didn't know what to do, so she went to her mother for a hug. Suze pulled Noelle in for comfort with the other arm.
Roy's embrace was warm and secure, the call of hearth. He tried not to cry and create further upset, but he had little control of it. He sniffled and pet down Cait's hair in an attempt to console her. There was nothing that would provide comfort. The upset was dire. A rush of shock was shared and needed to live then die. Every one in the room braced into a rollercoaster that went on and on. With loops and cycles and drops. When they thought it would settle, Cait would break down again. As would Maidie. It was fear. Fear and intemperate amazement. When it did die down, relief was allowed to grow in the aftermath.
Finally, getting ready to pack into the vehicle and go to Josie's home was in action. It was slow at first, almost hesitant. But the more the thought festered it quickened Cait and Maidie's pace. Roy agreed to come along. Edward would drive, as Suze didn't feel safe in having Cait behind the wheel now. It was then speedy. The girls rushed out the door, Maidie and Noelle first. Cait stopped at the door with Suze.
"Mum, you sure you donnae want to come?"
"No, darling. It's fine. I wonnae fit, anyway. Just go. Roy will make sure you get in right."
Cait asked once more, "Mum?"
Suze glanced to the car. She could surely get in her own. Convoy to Josie's and be able to see for herself the reunion. But the thought of Caz stalled her from that impulse. She shook her head, "No. Go, they'll leave without ya."
Cait left with one last hug and ran to the backseat with Noelle and Maidie. Roy made a sympathetic smile as they started to roll out the driveway and up the street. Suze gave a wave. Then she was left to the solitude of the choice. Now that she was alone, she questioned if it was the right one.
Edward's van pulled up over Josie's brick layered driveway. It sent her into a panic as she called for Rennick and Caz. She opened the door to go and greet Noelle first. Assure her that she was okay and be her port for what was to come next. Noelle lunged from the car as soon as it parked, grappling into Josie with a firm hold. Teary and thankful. Cait and Maidie got out next. Roy was the bridge between them and Caz, now. The door was left open after Josie ran out. Caz was now in the doorway. He saw his daughters and he was struck frozen. Both so much older, yet not old at all. He saw them and saw his precious weans. Their first words and steps coming back in a blink of an eye. Their sweetly babyish coos and the security of their chubby little arms along his neck.
Cait heeled into the ground, Maidie rammed into her back. They both gawked up at him on the porch. Cait's tears rushed down her cheeks and she started to shake. Then Roy set a hand on her shoulder, shooting a teary smile to Caz. Finally, Caz broke from his frozen prison. His voice cracked as he thudded down the steps and cried their names. Cait ran first, knowing full well it was her father and no one else. Her feet left the ground and Caz swirled her in the air. They both collapsed onto January soil. Caz cradled her like she was still eight and he was just coming home from his roustabout gig in 1975. Neither of them could understand the other as they wept into the embrace. So they simply held on and cried. Maidie timidly came over, and as she did a few flickers of her memories with her father returned. She may have still been a toddler when he left them, but only happy thoughts left resonated. Neatly tucked away and now back to be remembered. Caz sniffled and croaked, he looked up to her with red and wet eyes. He reached a hand out to Maidie. "Hello, my girl. I'm hame. I'm here."
"Daddy?" Maidie asked like the coo of a dove. Cait reached her hand out for Maidie, too. Then Maidie fell to her knees in inconsolable sobs. Cait and Caz scooped her into their hug. All three rocked together in the winter breeze and were comfortably warm. Finally complete. The ten years slogged Caz like a tonne of bricks. He understood now the pain and the gravity of his return to his family's world. And for his own sake. Yet, with Maidie and Cait back in his arms he knew he wouldn't waste another moment in making up that time as much he could.
Noelle and Josie held on for sometime. Giving Rennick the courage to finally amble out into winter air, too. He saw many horrible things in his fifty eight years of life. World War 2 carnage, his own wife's infidelity, and now ten years gone and missed without a trace of why or how. Yet nothing swelled him into such intangible fear to see her now. Just a child, small and still wearing so many brightly childish colours. She was just a baby. Whatever time he missed, he knew he still had so much left. Especially as he glanced to Caz's teenage daughters. He had a lot of time in his bank to get to know her. The first step was getting himself off the porch. Breaking from his fear.
Josie helped him in that regard, perhaps startlingly. She stood from Noelle and pointed him out in a gentle hunch. He fought the urge to cry when Noelle flicked her blue eyes to him. He couldn't understand what they were saying as Josie's voice was slight. But it was his moment now. Noelle was not nearly as skittish as Rennick was. She walked up with all her child confidence. Her curiosity and yearning for a father she never had. As she did, Rennick knelt down on one knee. Trots came out to watch from the door frame and he swore he couldn't recognize his former boss, then. Every stress line in Rennick's forehead and middle of his brows faded. His eyes bubbling in tears. Rennick made a closed smile and held out his hand. Noelle made a soft grin in return. A crooked, and childish smile with still some teeth growing in or coming out. She placed her small, cool hand in his warm palm. Rennick could have broken down then, it took every fibre of his being not to. For her sake.
"Hello Noelle. I'm your Paw. It's nice to finally meet you, love." His voice a softer variant than even Josie ever heard. It nearly brought a tear to Trots' eye to see it. He wasn't fond of Rennick. But to see him in the vulnerable state now with his first meeting of his daughter pulled on his heartstrings tidily. Josie was already a weeping mess. She wasn't obnoxious with it, just constantly sniffling and wiping them away behind Noelle.
Then Noelle said back. Her voice slight, "Hi daddy. I knew you'd come home one day. But…"
"But what?" He asked.
"You kinda look like you should be my grandpa."
Josie and Rennick both shared a teary chuckle. He said with a smile, "You're blunt. You get that from me. Gies a hug?"
Noelle lunged into his arms then, letting him sweep her up and hold her. He'd take any opportunity to carry her now. He shuddered to think he could never have had the chance to do so. Rennick began to cry against her coat, rocking her back and forth. Josie came and laid her hand over his on Noelle's back. She gently petted her hair from her face that was squished into Rennick's shoulder. Then Noelle moved her head to say, "My birthday wish came true, mommy. I never told you what it was, that's why."
Josie made an audible 'awe' and joined the hug with Rennick and Noelle. The reunion carried on outside Josie's home for moments that bled into minutes upon minutes. Roy reunited with Trots and they waved farewell to Edward, giving him thanks for bringing the girls. Caz and his daughters were in each other's arms that whole time. Certain if they let go they'd wake up from a dream. As did Rennick and Noelle. A moment both had been anticipating since they were told of the time skip. To be reunited with their weans. The most precious compasses of life in the minds of a working man. With the world unfamiliar, it was still a generous second chance they'd surely not take for granted.
