Caleb’s POV
"But why are you all still here working?" I asked, scanning the bustling reception area where our entire crew had assembled, including Ivy and Scott, managing what appeared to be an endless stream of inquiries from legitimate business contacts.
"After the shitstorm of the recent days, we’re drowning in damage control," Ivy explained, her usually composed deanor showing signs of exhaustion. "We’re rescheduling etings with every legitimate client and supplier who got redirected to Rossi’s bogus operation, plus dealing with our existing business partners who caught wind of what went down and are demanding explanations."
"Caleb, I’ve drafted an official statent for all our legitimate business contacts that needs to go out imdiately," Scott announced, his fingers flying across his tablet screen. "I’m sending it to both your and Xavier’s secure email right now."
"The faster you two sign off and release that statent, the quicker we can start containing this ss," Zoe added, her voice carrying an edge of urgency that matched the tension in the room.
"All of you need to head ho and get so rest. That includes you, Scott," I said firmly, noting the exhaustion carved into their faces after days of crisis managent.
"We’ll crash as soon as we get this disaster contained, boss," Gemma assured , then added with a slight smile, "Oh, and I’ve cleared your entire schedule for the coming days."
"Sa goes for you, manwhore!" Zoe called out to Dominic, who responded with an exaggerated groan that had everyone chuckling despite the lingering tension.
"Are you ever going to stop calling that, Zoe?" Dominic asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
"Not a chance in hell!" Zoe shot back with a defiant grin that sent us all into much-needed laughter.
"Hey Jude, maybe we should start behaving ourselves so we can earn sweet nicknas like Finn’s," Xavier joked, referencing how Finn was often called prince by the won in our circle.
"Well Xavier, if Caleb gets labeled a clown and Dominic’s stuck with manwhore, I’m terrified to imagine what creative nas Zoe might conjure up for us," Jude said with mock horror.
"You better start behaving then," Zoe warned, her smile promising future mischief.
The elevator chid and Dr. Taylor erged with two companions trailing behind him.
"Good morning, everyone," Taylor called out cheerfully, his presence imdiately lifting the mood in the room.
After exchanging greetings, Taylor introduced the pediatrician and nurse who had accompanied him for this house call.
"Let’s head to Xavier’s office where Max is waiting," I said, taking Ivy’s hand and leading the group down the hallway toward our makeshift family reunion.
Once inside, Taylor greeted everyone warmly. Having practiced in Greenleaf for years, he knew our entire extended family and had been Ivy’s doctor during her first pregnancy, making him one of the few dical professionals we trusted completely.
"So my sister-in-law turned into so kind of undercover operative?" Taylor asked Finn’s mother with an amused grin.
"I’m seriously considering a career change to private investigation, brother-in-law. The adrenaline rush was absolutely incredible!" she replied with infectious enthusiasm that had everyone smiling.
Max was alert and sitting comfortably in his grandmother’s lap. The mont he spotted , his little arms shot up as he called out excitedly, "Daddyyyyy!"
"There’s my boy! Daddy has missed you so much!" I said, scooping him up and holding him tight against my chest, feeling the overwhelming relief of having him safe in my arms again.
"I missed you too, Daddy! The scary lady took away, and Caleb hurt Auntie Nana really bad."
Max launched into an animated account of his terrifying ordeal, describing how an and loud the "scary ladies" had been throughout his captivity. I asked gentle questions to show I was listening intently while being careful not to let him dwell too deeply on the traumatic mories.
"Max, those scary people will never be able to take you again. Daddy gives you his solemn word on that."
"And nobody’s going to hurt Auntie Nana anymore either, right Daddy? I really didn’t like seeing that!"
"That’s absolutely right, son. Auntie Carn is completely safe now and no one will ever hurt her again."
"Daddy, Mommy told that you and her have important jobs here." His curious little eyes sparkled with anticipation as he waited for my response.
"Yes son, that’s exactly right. Would you like to see where Daddy conducts his business?"
"Yessss!" he squealed with pure excitent, throwing his little arms up in the air. "Can I have an important job here with you too, Daddy?"
"Absolutely you can, once you’re all grown up and ready. But until then, you can visit whenever you want."
This whole experience was as new and overwhelming for as it was for him. I called Taylor over to conduct examinations of both Max and Ivy in my office, then lifted my son into my arms to give him the grand tour as he peppered with endless questions about everything he observed.
Back in my office, the pediatrician conducted a thorough examination of Max and drew blood samples for comprehensive testing, while Taylor checked on Ivy and collected samples for her dical evaluation as well.
"Caleb, you can breathe easy now. Both your son and girlfriend are in excellent health," Taylor reported with a reassuring smile that lifted a massive weight from my shoulders. "Ivy confird she wasn’t physically assaulted or injured in any falls during her captivity, so her pregnancy remains completely stable. The ergency room physician who initially treated her is a colleague of mine who perford an ultrasound confirming everything looks perfect. She forwarded the complete dical file. Greenleaf hospital also sent Max’s records. He’s showing mild dehydration, but that can be easily managed at ho with proper care."
"Thank you so much, Dr. Taylor. You can’t imagine how relieved I am to hear that," I said, feeling like I could finally breathe normally again.
"My pleasure! Well, we need to head back to the hospital now. Ivy, I’m absolutely thrilled that everything turned out okay. I’ll contact you imdiately when the test results co back." He embraced Ivy warmly before turning to Max, who was now settled comfortably in her lap. "And you, little champion, keep being such a good protector for your mommy."
"I will!" Max replied with a bright smile, enthusiastically giving him a high-five that had everyone in the room grinning.
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