He called his father, and when he answered, Adam heard babies crying in the background. “I’d ask how it’s going over there, but…”
“We’re fine,” his dad said. “The boys are just making themselves heard.”
“I bet Liam is thrilled about that.”
“He’s had a few choice words for his brothers.”
Adam laughed. He hoped Liam would outgrow his disdain for his brothers, but he didn’t expect that to happen overnight. After all, the little guy had had him and Abby all to himself for almost two years and now had to share them with four loud, needy brothers.
“How’s Abby doing?”
“She’s a champ. Nothing to worry about over here.”
“Okay, thanks, Dad.”
“Welcome, Dad. See you soon.”
Adam ended the call, smiling at his father calling him Dad, a title he’d once wondered if he’d ever hold. After all the struggles and heartache, he and Abby had five sons to love and raise and enjoy for the rest of their lives. If they had to withstand some rough seas to get home, so be it.
When they arrived at the ferry landing, Seamus was waiting to show them to a special lane so they could be the last on and the first off the boat when they reached the island. While they waited to board, Adam got out to check on Abby. In the back seat of Big Mac’s truck, she was holding Kane and trying to soothe him.
“He’s not happy, huh?”
“Not so much.”
Linda was comforting Murphy while Big Mac took Liam for a walk to see the fishing boats.
“How are the others?” Abby asked.
“They’re good. A few squeaks here and there, but no real outrage so far.”
Abby eyed the dark gray sky. “We’re almost there.”
“One more hour, babe.”
Seamus came to tell them they were ready for them.
“Here we go,” Adam said, stealing a kiss before he went to back his SUV onto the boat.
Big Mac was right behind him and would be the first vehicle off the ferry when they landed on Gansett.
Adam noticed that the lowest deck was mostly empty, with about a quarter of the vehicles that would’ve packed it to capacity during the summer months. Only year-rounders were “crazy” enough to be on the ferry this time of year, because they had no choice in the matter.
They unloaded the four baby seats and carried them to the second floor, where they were set on picnic-style tables for the last part of the ride home.
Linda took a photo of the four babies about to embark on the first ferry ride of their lives. “Liam, do you want to be in the picture?”
He shook his head and rested it on Adam’s shoulder.
Linda captured that moment and all the others that transpired before the horn sounded to let them know the boat was about to depart. Liam loved that horn and perked up when he heard it.
“Time to go!” he said.
“That’s right, buddy,” Adam said. “Let’s take these babies home.”
“Wanna go home.”
“Me, too. What are we going to do when we get there?”
