In still waters - стр. 23
"Dad's home! Dad's home!" they chorused, their excitement palpable.
"Hi Gina, hi Edward!" Nick knelt to kiss each child, then gave Thor an affectionate pat. "I've missed you all so much. I'm home early today! Where's your mom? Why isn't she here to greet me?"
As Nick embraced his children, he heard Kate's footsteps approaching from the kitchen. Her voice, tinged with a hint of exasperation, reached him before she came into view.
"You call this early? We were just about to head to bed!" Kate stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the hall, dressed in a pink home T-shirt and black knee-length shorts. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she held a kitchen towel in her hands.
"Kate, honey, don't start," Nick pleaded, his tone light despite his exhaustion. "You know you're the greatest treasure in my world."
He moved to embrace his wife, the familiar scent of her shampoo momentarily pushing away the stress of the day. Since Rose Saltano's murder, Nick had been spending long hours at work, often returning home well after the rest of the family had gone to bed. Kate understood the demands of his job, but he could sense the underlying hurt in her words.
After washing up and changing into comfortable blue pants and a T-shirt, Nick joined his family in the kitchen. The children, excited to have their father home at a reasonable hour, eagerly shared stories of their day – tales of triumphs in sports, adventures with friends, and all the little moments they'd been longing to share. Kate stood at the sink, washing dishes, a smile playing on her lips as she listened to the animated chatter.
"Dad, can we watch a movie together when you're done eating?" Edward asked hopefully.
"No movies tonight," Kate interjected firmly. "You have to get up early tomorrow, remember?"
"Please, Mom?" Edward pleaded, his eyes wide and imploring. "We'll only watch for a little bit, then straight to bed. Promise!"
Kate's resolve wavered in the face of her son's puppy-dog eyes. With a sigh, she relented, unable to deny her children this rare evening with their father.
As Kate finished with the dishes, Nick came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a kiss on her cheek.
"You're the best mom and wife in the world," he murmured. Kate's smile widened, the tension of the past weeks melting away in the warmth of the moment.
"I love you all so very much," she replied softly.
Nick headed to the living room, Edward and Gina flanking him on either side.
"So, what shall we watch?" he asked, settling onto the couch.