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“I’m expecting to be out sometime tomorrow,” he replied.

“That soon?”

“They got the bullet out and sewed me up, so I should be good to go,” he replied. He looked toward the window where darkness had fallen. “Now, I want you to get out of here. It’s getting late, and you need to be home so you can tuck Danny into bed. He really needs his mommy. Now go.”

The fact that he thought about Danny in this moment squeezed her heart tight. She rose from the chair and leaned over and kissed him softly on his cheek. “You are Danny’s father,” she said.

He smiled softly. “I know,” he replied. “But thank you for finally telling me. Now get home, Mimi. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”

She walked to the door and then turned back to him. “Good night, Johnny.”

“Good night, Mimi,” he replied with his eyes slowly drifting closed.

She left the hospital and headed home. As she drove, her head filled with a thousand thoughts. This was the longest day of her life. She’d been kidnapped and rescued, Johnny had been shot, and now her thoughts were of Johnny and where he fit into her life.

The problem at the moment was she was too exhausted to think anymore. All she wanted to do now was tuck her sweet boy into bed, talk for a few minutes with Gramps and then go to bed herself.

However, when she reached her shanty, not only was Renée there but Gus and River were there as well. She knew now that they were friends she could truly trust.

“I know you told us to stay away,” River said the minute she walked in. “But when I heard what had happened to you, I needed to see for myself that you were really okay.”

“Same,” Gus added. He was seated on the floor playing cars with Danny. “Mimi, we had no idea about what Jean-Luc had planned.” He got up off the floor.

“I know that now,” she replied, love for these two men welling up inside her.

“If I would have known, I would have beat the hell out of him,” River said fervently.

“Same,” Gus said.

“You must be exhausted, so we’ll just get out of here,” River said. “We’re both just totally relieved that you’re okay.”

As they got ready to leave, she gave them each a hug. “Thank you for being my friends,” she said.

“It’s a pleasure,” River said, and Gus echoed the sentiment. They said their goodbyes and then left. Renée followed them out.

“Danny, put your cars away. It’s bedtime,” Mimi said once they were gone.

“Okay,” he said, not asking for the usual five more minutes.

“Put your jammies on and get into bed, and I’ll be there to tuck you in,” she said.

Danny put the cars into the case where they belonged, and then, after giving Gramps a kiss, he disappeared into his bedroom.

“How’s Johnny?” Gramps asked.

“He’s going to be just fine,” she replied and sank down on the sofa. “He underwent surgery, and they got the bullet out of his shoulder. He’s expecting to be released from the hospital tomorrow.”

“So soon?” Gramps said in surprise.

“That’s what he said.” She got up, aware that Danny was probably ready for her. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Gramps and then went into Danny’s room.

She sat on the side of his bed and gazed at the little boy she loved more than life itself. As usual, he held Mr. Wiggles in his arms.

“I was scared when you were gone today,” he said.

“I’m sorry you were scared, but I’m here now, and I love you very much.”

“So, the bad guy is really in jail?” he asked.