122. Chapter 122

Alex invites her and Kara says she’s family and Eliza reasons that Maggie rescued Jeremiah, for crying out loud, of course she should come to their first dinner back together as a family, and Maggie declines each time, because you need time just with your dad, babe and you’re sweet, kid, but I don’t want to intrude and oh no, I couldn’t, I was just doing my job, ma’am.

It isn’t until Jeremiah himself calls her – I got your number from Alex, Detective, I hope that’s alright – and insists that she come to dinner does she concede, because he’s the one who’s back from the dead, and it is his party, after all.

So Maggie slips on her black jeans and her red collared shirt and her most fitted black suit jacket and shows up with flowers and chocolate liquor because Alex said it’s your favorite, sir.

She helps Jeremiah cook and she helps Eliza set the table and she watches as Alex clings to Jeremiah’s side like he’ll disappear again if she dares to do so much as blink.

She’s quiet during dinner, because Alex has so many questions, and Jeremiah puts a calm hand on Eliza’s when she tries to interject that I’m sure your father doesn’t want to have such intense conversations at the table, Alexandra and then Jeremiah has questions and Maggie smiles because she gets to hear all about Alex’s teenage years, all about her surfing trophies and her science awards and research grants, none of which she actually tells him about – it’s all a combination of Kara and Eliza, with Alex blushing and Alex squeezing Maggie’s hand under the table and making knowing eye contact with her father, her father, because her father is home and he’s beaming at her like she’s his entire world, and her heart might burst any moment.

Maggie tries to slip out when they settle onto the couch, Alex snuggled against her father but extending a hand up to Maggie, but Maggie shakes her head with a soft smile.

“You guys should spend time together.”

“Actually, Maggie, I was hoping I could talk with you, if that’s okay.”

“Me, sir? Um, yeah, yes, of course.”

He kisses Alex’s bewildered forehead and stands, gesturing Maggie into Alex’s room as Kara’s eyes widen, Eliza’s eyebrow arches, and Alex tries not to hyperventilate.

Maggie tries, too, because the last time she was summoned by someone’s father for a private chat, she left with a bloody lip and a limp that lasted a week.

But Jeremiah smiles softly at her, and she can suddenly see where Alex learned to be so gentle with Kara, so patient.

He pulls out Alex’s desk chair and sits on it, giving Maggie the more comfortable spot on the bed.

“Detective Sawyer – Maggie – I just… I wanted to thank you again for helping get me out of that hellhole. For bringing me back to my family.”

“Best part of the job, sir.”

“Jeremiah.”

“Yes sir. Uh, yes, Jeremiah.” He chuckles compassionately at her nerves, at the way her fingertips are pressed gently together, containing and disguising her fear, but barely.

“I also wanted to thank you for taking such good care of my daughters. It’s clear how much you care for them both. One, in particular.”

Maggie breathes in, breathes out, slowly, steadily. Alex had shakily told him Dad, Maggie’s my girlfriend, and he’d smiled and he’d nodded and he’d shared a private glance with Eliza, and they’d discussed it, as far as Maggie knew, no further so far.

And suddenly there are tears coating Jeremiah’s words, sparkling in his slightly shuddered eyes. “Alex has always been so strong, but she hasn’t… she hasn’t been very good at doing what’s good for her. Probably the only thing she’s not good at. And I couldn’t be there for her, I wasn’t…”

His voice cracks, and he lets a tear drip down his face, and Maggie wants to reach out and take his hand, but finds that she can’t move.

“But you were. She lets you take care of her, and I’ve never seen Alex let anyone do that. And I know, I know I missed so much, but I… I had my sources, and I was able to keep tabs on my girls, at least a little, and I… she… thank you, Maggie. Just… thank you.”

Maggie’s eyes are full of tears, now, too, and her throat is lined with them as she wets her lips, as she opens her mouth to speak, shakily, shakily, steadily. “I don’t know if I deserve her, si – Jeremiah. Your daughter – both of your daughters, but god, Alex – I’m in love with her. I am… I am so, so in love with her, and I wasn’t gonna ask you, not yet, but, since we’re talking, I… All I wanna do is be good to her, all I wanna do is make sure she has everything she could ever want in her life, and I… I wanna give that to her, so I want… I want to marry your eldest, sir, and I… I know you don’t know me yet, but I’d be honored if I could get your blessing before I ask her.”

A loud thud and excited squeal outside the door makes them both start, forces the hovering tears in their eyes down both of their faces, and Jeremiah is the first to laugh. “Kara’s super hearing,” he says. “We’d better get out there before she can’t contain herself and tells Alex she’s getting engaged before you get the chance to pop the question.”

“So… yes?”

“Welcome to our family, Maggie Sawyer.”