“Willy’s up. The others are stirring,” Ross said.
Jack stretched, grabbed his glasses, sat up, and looked at the television.
“Willy’s always been an early riser. Call room service and get us some breakfast? I’ll take eggs, hashbrowns, and a pot of coffee. I’m going to shave and take a shower.”
“Let me run in there first?”
“Sure.” Jack turned on the radio to get some news while he watched his family wake up.
Jack walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was slicked back. The air smelled like soap. “Looks like they’re having fun.” Willy waved a small American flag as they walked down the hall towards their room. “Happy Fourth of July, Junior.”
“Today’s a holiday, right?”
“A holiday? What’s that? Didn’t they cover that at Quantico in new agent training? We don’t get government holidays off.” Jack dressed in shorts, polo shirt, and running shoes. The shirt was untucked to cover the handgun at his waist. “But I’m spending today with my family.” The coffee Jack drank down was lukewarm and he grimaced as he swallowed it. “What are you going to do today for your investigation?”
“It is a bank holiday, so I’m not talking to any bankers or employees.” Ross yawned. “What time is check out? Maybe I’ll hang here and take a nap.” He lay back on the bed, his good arm propped behind his head, the other arm in the sling across his chest. “Then this afternoon hit the office to look through the files again and tonight I’ll walk down to Nicollet Island and see the fireworks you’ve told me so much about.”
Jack tossed his duffle bag onto the bed. “Only call me if you really need to. And if you aren’t out of here by eleven you pay the extra day.”
After stashing his duffle in his car parked down the street from the hotel, Jack made his way back to Julie’s room, waved at the camera for Ross, and knocked on the door. He heard a commotion as the kids ran to the door and argued over who got to open it. Julie told the kids to let her get it. Jack wasn’t sure if it was for safety or if she was looking forward to seeing him too.
“Who is it?” Julie asked though the door.
Your lover, your hero, the man of your dreams, your husband, the father of your children, all flashed through his mind. He settled on, “It’s me, Jack.”
Julie opened the door. Jack didn’t know what to say. His wife stood there with her hair pulled back, just the way he liked it, sunglasses poked into her hair above her forehead, a golden tan, no makeup except a light coating of lipstick, khaki shorts, and a sleeveless, off-white top.
“Hi,” he said and stepped forward to give her a kiss. Julie turned her head and Jack kissed her lightly on the cheek. “You look great,” he whispered in her ear.
“Thanks. You should have called to make sure we were ready.” Julie stepped to the side to let Jack into the room. “Kids, Dad’s here.”
Both kids charged and grabbed on, one hugging around his waist from each side. “Hey, guys. Did you have fun spending the night here? Did you go down the water slide?”
“It was so cool, Dad,” Lynn said.
“Part of the tunnel goes outside,” Willy added. “And we went in the hot tub too.”
Jack looked around the room. “Smells like sun screen in here. It looks like you’re packed. Let’s get you checked out, haul your stuff to the car, and walk over to Nicollet Island.”
“Yeah!” the kids yelled in unison and ran to get their bags.