BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 136
Chapter 136
even more endearing, while Theo waved at the officers enthusiastically, making everyone smile and wave back.
Katrina walked into the station holding Clarence's hand on one side and carrying Theo with her other arm. The little girl clutched
tightly as officers and detectives greeted her, holding the box of cake on her free hand. Clarence was adorable, her shy
demeanor making her Clarence stepped closer to Katrina, partially hiding behind her as they made their way to the lift that would
take them to the floor Kylan and the others were on.
As the lift doors opened, Clarence peeked from behind Katrina, her face lighting up at the familiar faces in the office. Francis
happened to be walking past with Vanessa, the department's police officer for the women's desk, and they both noticed the trio.
Vanessa smiled warmly. "Hey, little ones."
The seven year old ran up to her, bouncing excitedly. "Nissa! I made a drawing for you and big brother Francis!"
Francis grinned. "Let's see it then!"
Katrina approached Vanessa, smiling. "She still can't pronounce your name properly, huh?"
Vanessa shook her head with a gentle laugh. "I don't mind." She crouched to Clarence's level as the girl rummaged through her
bag, her cheeks slightly pink. "I like it." Clarence pulled out a paper and handed it to Francis. "Here!"
Francis and Vanessa examined the drawing, their expressions softening. Francis ruffled Clarence's hair. "This is amazing. We'll
put it up where everyone can see." Clarence beamed, running back to Katrina to wrap her small arms around her waist. "Well
done, sweetheart." Katrina looked up at Vanessa. "Is everyone here?" Vanessa nodded. "Francis had just came back from Ross
Corp, and I tagged along."
"Eleanor and Harry are in Detective Garrett Hale's office. Aaron and some of the Ross Corp. techs are talking with other police
officers for the new drones to be used," Francis added. "Mr. Ross and Mr. Burns are in Chief's office." Katrina chuckled. "Sounds
about right." She turned to Clarence. "Sweetheart, do you want to see anyone else before we surprise Daddy?"
Clarence pressed her face into Katrina's side. "Daddy."
Katrina smiled warmly. "Alright, we'll see the others after Daddy, okay?" Clarence nodded and took her hand again. As they
walked through the office, Katrina waved at the officers and detectives, who all greeted them warmly. She knocked on a large
office door with the plaque "Kairo Jones, NYPD Police Commissioner", hearing Kylan's familiar annoyed click of the tongue from
the other side.
It was then she knew that he was alone for a moment.
She knocked again, earning a gruff "Come in."
Opening the door slightly, Katrina whispered to Clarence and Theo, "Go get him!"
Theo dashed in, growling playfully. "Rawr!"
A rare laugh escaped Kylan as he spun his chair to face his two kids. "You two, what a wonderful surprise! Here, Theo, let me
help you out of your coat."
Katrina entered, her eyes scanning the room for the others. It was a large office with a long table used for conferences with the
Police Commissioner and judging from the scatter of papers on the table, it looked like they were on a break. Her eyes landed on
her small family and her heart melting at the sight. Theo was perched on Kylan's lap as he helped the two year old remove his
gloves. "Mommy really bundled you up, huh?" Theo giggled. "Cowd."
Kylan smirked. "That cold?"
Clarence was the one who then answered. "Theo is cold, Daddy."
"Daddy doesn't feel the cold much, does he?" Kylan looked up at Katrina, his expression softening as their eyes met.
"You're right. He doesn't," Katrina teased, taking Theo's coat and gloves from Kylan. "Daddy's super strong."
Clarence's eyes lit up. "Daddy's a superhero? I wanna be like Daddy!" She jumped up and down beside Kylan's chair before she
hugged Katrina tightly. "I wanna save Mommy!"
Katrina's heart twinged hearing her say that. It seemed that the incident with Isabella Stone made a scar on her daughter even if
it was already two years ago. She kissed her cheek. "Don't you have something for Daddy?"
Clarence's face lit up, and she ran to her little bag, rifling through it. Meanwhile, Katrina placed a box of cake and tea on the desk
beside Kylan. She poured him a cup and set it before him, feeling his hand brush lightly against her back. "What blend is this?"
"Something new," she replied, brushing a hand over his hair. "I thought you might need a little boost. What time did you leave this
morning?"
Kylan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Three in the morning."
She concern evident in her eyes. "That early?"
"Mm-hmm," he said. "The police department had requested for a full-on make over on their police gears and security devices. It's
a wide operation for Ross Corp. so we are camping here for a little while." He pulled Clarence to his side as she came running
over with a drawing. "Look, Daddy! I made this for you!" she exclaimed, holding up a crayon drawing of their family standing in
front of a house, complete with a little bear in the yard.
Kylan smiled warmly. "It's beautiful, sweetheart."
He stood, lifting Clarence onto his hip. He carried her to the family board near the corner of the room, already filled with pictures.
Taking two pins, he handed them to Clarence. "Hold it up for me, love."
Kylan carried Clarence to the family photo board he temporarily made in case Clarence came by with her new drawings, lifting
her so she could pin the drawing alongside the others. "Good job, kiddo," he said, stepping back to admire their work.
"Love you, Daddy," Clarence whispered, hugging his neck.
"Love you too, princess," Kylan replied.
Katrina pulled the bear-shaped cake out of the box. "Hey, you two, the cake's ready."
Kylan turned, grinning as he carried Clarence over. "Is that a bear?"
Clarence clapped her hands. "I made it!"
"It looks so good, I almost don't want to eat it," Kylan said with mock seriousness.
"Cake!" Theo joined in, clapping his hands from where he was sitting.
Just as Katrina was about to cut the cake, Ryan poked his head in. "Kylan, I need-oh, hello there."
Ryan entered, greeting Katrina warmly. "Good to see you here, Kate," he said, scooping up Clarence as she ran to him.
"Uncle Ryan!"
"Hey, little lady." Ryan gave her a fist bump before he asked, "Have you been good?"
Clarence giggled. "Promise!"
"Pinky swear?" Ryan teased, holding out his pinkie.
Clarence giggled and hooked her finger with his. "Swear!"
Ryan laughed. "Good. Hello, Theo. How is the little man doing?"
Theo toddled to Ryan who set Clarence down to lift him in his arms. "Cake!"
"Well then, how about we go and find Uncle Aaron? He'll love to see you two."
He glanced at Katrina and Kylan. "Want me to take this cake too? I'll make sure everyone gets a piece."
Katrina handed it to him. "Thank you. And don't eat all the bear!"
Ryan winked as he carried Theo out with Clarence following closely behind. "No promises!"
The door shut, and Kylan wasted no time pulling Katrina close. His lips met hers in a deep, passionate kiss. The tension of his
long hours melted away as he held her. "I love you," he murmured.
"I love you too," she replied, smiling. "Oh, by the way-"
He smirked. "What?"
"Clarence wants to see the bears at the zoo today."
Kylan sighed playfully. "And what reminded you of that now?"
She shrugged playfully. "Nothing."
"I'm not an animal," Kylan muttered.
She giggled, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Sometimes you are," she teased, playfully nipping at his neck. "And I kind of like
it."
Kylan growled lowly. "Stop. I'm at work."
Katrina walked over to grab Clarence and Theo's things. "Can you come with us to the zoo today? Clarence would love to have
you there. She absolutely sees her dad as a superhero. And, selfishly, I'd love to have you there too." Kylan opened the door for
her. "I'll check with Ryan and Jones. I've been working a lot lately, so I'm sure it'll be fine."
Kylan reached out, pulling her into his arms from behind. She squealed, quickly covering her mouth to stifle the noise. "Hey,
stop!"
He chuckled, nipping at her shoulder. "I've missed you too," he murmured before gently pushing her toward the commotion
outside.
"I won't get in the way of your job,"
Katrina assured, taking his hand as he led her into the bustling office.
The Ss fawning over Clarence
and Theo, their laughter ringing out amid the chatter. Katrina turned to Kylan with a soft smile. "Clarence, Theo and I will always
support and love you, no matter what This city and your colleagues need you. Don't let us hold you back, okay?"
Kylan's jaw tightened and relaxed as he listened. "still don't understand how I got so lucky with you, but I'm glad I did. I've lost so
much... Sometimes I just stare at you and the two kids to remind myself haven't lost everything. That's why I need to stop
working so much, before I lose you both."
Katrina slipped her arm through his, leaning her head against his shoulder as they walked. "It's rare to hear you open up like
this," she said softly "It's nice to know what's going on in that brooding mind of yours." She kissed his cheek. "I'm so lucky to
have a husband like you."
Kylan clicked his tongue, feigning annoyance. "Brat."
Katrina laughed. "Grumpy."
Their moment was interrupted as Eleanor spotted them. "Katrina!" she shouted, running over. "Hug me, woman!"
Katrina barely had time to react before Eleanor grabbed her and spun her around. "Alright, Eleanor! Put me down!"
Eleanor grinned as she set Katrina back on her feet. "How have you been? You look amazing! Wait... are you pregnant? You're
glowing!"
Katrina blushed as Kylan rubbed the back of his neck. "No, I don't think so," she said, laughing. "But it's wonderful to see you,
Eleanor. Let's catch up over tea soon."
"Tea? Nah, coffee's better," Eleanor quipped before grinning mischievously. "And seriously, if you're not pregnant, you two should
get busy. More kids running around would be adorable!" Kylan stepped in, grabbing Eleanor on top of her head and muttering
under his breath, "Stop pestering my wife, you nosy four eyes. And no coffee."
Eleanor pouted dramatically as he let her go. She turned to Katrina. "You're the best, no wonder you're married and an amazing
mom!"
"I'm far from the best, but thank you," Katrina said warmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get Clarence and Theo ready for
their trip."
Theo called out, "Mommy!" He reached for Katrina as she approached.
"Let's get you dressed to see the animals, okay?" Katrina said, helping her son put on his coat, hat, and gloves.
"Is Daddy coming?" Clarence asked, glancing at Kylan.
Kylan walked over after talking to Ryan, pressing a kiss to Clarence's head. "Of course. Want me to carry you to the car?"
Clarence nodded enthusiastically, and Kylan crouched so she could climb onto his back. Katrina grabbed Clarence's bag,
ensuring Mr. Snuggles was safely tucked inside.
"Thanks, everyone. Enjoy the cake," Katrina called out as they left.
Ryan smiled. "It's delicious as always. Clarence's bear cake was a hit!"
Clarence giggled. "Uncle Ryan bit its bottom off, Mommy!"
"Oh my," Katrina gasped, covering her mouth. "Naughty Uncle Ryan!" She gave him a playful wink before following Kylan to the
lift.
As they walked, something in the main collaboration room caught Katrina's eye. A board covered with gruesome crime scene
photos, bodies bearing signs of rage-filled violence. She froze, her hand flying to her mouth, her body trembling. "Katrina?"
Kylan's voice broke through her thoughts. He stood by the lift, worry etched on his face.
Clarence's cheerful voice called out, "Come on, Mommy!"
Katrina blinked back tears, clutching Clarence's bag tightly. "C-coming," she stammered, her voice shaky.
In the lift, Kylan leaned closer. "Are you okay?"
"I'll talk to you later," she whispered, forcing a smile for Clarence. She kissed her daughter's cheek, then Kylan's. "Right now, we
have a bear to see, don't we?"
Clarence giggled. "Mr. Snuggles can meet his family!"
Katrina rubbed her daughter's back, pushing the haunting images from her mind. Today was for Clarence, and nothing else.