“Neither of us can figure out what to do. I suppose it doesn’t matter until we find out if we’re matches for Corny.”
“Everly says you both are.” Ronan waggled his eyebrows. It wasn’t often he knew something the psychic brothers did not.
“And now’s when you try to talk one or both of us into doing the right thing.” Cole’s eyes were on Fitzgibbon. If looks could kill, Fitz would be six feet under.
“No, not at all,” Fitz said. “We’re talking about a major organ in your bodies. You’re both married fathers with a lot of years left in you and so many momentous moments on the horizon withgraduations, college road trips, proms, engagements, weddings, grandbabies of your own to cuddle. To be honest, I don’t know what I’d do if I were in your shoes and I had a great father. My first thought is always about Aurora, then Greeley, then Jace. I need to be here for them and the cold case team.”
“Aw, thanks, Cap. That’s so sweet, but I’d be able to handle the department just fine without you.” Ronan felt all warm and fuzzy.
Fitz raised an eyebrow at Ronan. “Are you kidding me? You running the team is what would wake me up from a frickin’ coma to go back to work.”
The tension in the room was broken when everyone started to laugh.
Not that Ronan begrudged Carson and Cole a good guffaw, but he wasn’t too keen on it being at his expense.
“I’m in Fitzy’s boat,” Jude said. “I don’t know if I would do it either. For Cope or the kids, absolutely. Same goes for everyone in this room and Running Eagle, but I don’t know what I do for an absentee parent.”
Ronan felt mostly the same way as Jude. “I agree with saving you guys and the kids. My mom too, but I think I’d end up donating my kidney because of my Catholic guilt.”
“What do you mean?” Carson asked. “You’d do it so that some religion didn’t make you feel bad for thinking of yourself first?”
“Hypothetically speaking, what if what Fitzgibbon proposed to Corny turns everything around? What if he becomes an honest man who works an honest day’s living? What if he’s an excellent father to his daughter? If he dies, so does all of his potential andyour ability to forgive him and start a new adult relationship with him and that baby.”
“Fuck me,” Carson muttered.
Ronan knew Carson understood the point he was making. “You all know that I’m a pessimistic kind of a guy, mostly thanks to being a cop for the last twenty years. I don’t trust anyone but my family. I’m not sure if Corny can actually turn over a new leaf. I tend to think he can’t, but if he can, that might just earn him a little grace in your eyes.”
“Corny said the other day with this new baby on the way that he has something to live for, which of course means that Cole and I weren’t worthy of him changing or turning over a new leaf or of going straight,” Carson growled, looking angry enough to punch a wall.
Ronan knew those words were going to come back to haunt Corny Craig. He wasn’t quite sure how to defend them.
“He wasn’t dying then,” Truman said softly. “I remember how angry I was at you when I found out that you lied to me about who you were when we met. Remember?”
Carson nodded.
“All you’d been trying to do was save my life, and you knew I wouldn’t believe a story about your psychic vision. I screamed and yelled and told you I never wanted to see you again, but what did you do?” Truman smiled at his husband.
“I showed up at that Christmas party and took the bullet meant for you.” Carson sighed. “I loved you and would have done anything to save you.”
“Yeah, you did save me, and then you died in the fucking ambulance,” Truman said, his voice cracking. “But you fought your way back to me.”
“I did,” Carson agreed.
“That’s what Corny wants to do too.” Truman held up his hands for Carson to let him continue. “Yes, Corny was a shitty husband. A shitty father to you. A shittier father to Cole. Now, the two of you hold his life in your hands. It might be too late for him to be much of a father to you or even a grandfather to our kids, but think about your sister for a minute. Doesn’t she deserve every chance to know her father?”
Tears rolled down Carson’s cheeks. Ronan noticed Cole was in much the same state. He knew from his own experience that mentioning Corny’s daughter-to-be would be the game changer.
“I really hate you sometimes.” Carson swiped angrily at his tears.
“No you don’t,” Truman argued back. “You took a bullet for me. You’re just angry because you know I’m right. As usual.” Truman laughed at the look on Carson’s face.
“You’re not always right!” Carson shot back. “I’m right at least once a week.” He laughed along with his husband.
“Cole, where are you in all of this?” Fitzgibbon asked.
“I don’t know.” Cole shook his head. “A better question would be to ask Cassie.”
“Cass?” Ronan prodded.
