Read Online Commitment by Nancy Ann Healy - Free Book Online Page A

surprised him up until his parting words. “What the hell does he mean by that?” Fallon muttered. He picked up his phone and dialed a familiar number.
    “Fallon?” Alex answered.
    “How is my former partner?” he asked lightly.
    “Relaxing at home for a change,” Alex answered.
    “I’m jealous,” he admitted.
    “And you?” she asked.
    “You know, coffee with the boss,” he replied.
    Alex understood. Tate was in play. “And how is my former boss?” Alex asked.
    “The same. Wanted me to tell you he misses you,” Fallon laughed.
    “I’m sure.”
    “I was thinking about a visit,” he replied. “Before the holiday craziness.”
    Alex took a deep breath. If Fallon felt the need to see her in person, something was troubling him. “Dylan and Cass would love to see you,” she said. “I suppose I could manage.” Falloncouldn’t help but chuckle. “When were you thinking? I’ll be back in Massachusetts Thursday and Friday.”
    “I don’t want to impose on your family time,” he said.
    “No, no. Cassidy has a meeting with O’Brien, their lawyers, and a family counselor tomorrow afternoon. O’Brien hasn’t cancelled….yet. I want to be there. How about Wednesday for dinner? You sure you want to fly up for just a day?”
    “Yeah, in fact maybe I can get my flight back out of Logan Thursday,” he offered.
    “That way your old partner can take you to the airport, huh? I suppose I could manage that. I’ll tell Cass. See you Wednesday.”
    “Great. See you soon, Alex.”
    Alex disconnected the call and put her face in her hands. “What is it?” Cassidy asked with a soft grip on the agent’s shoulders.
    “Fallon’s coming for a visit Wednesday.”
    “Is that a bad thing?” Cassidy asked curiously.
    “No. I just worry about him.” Cassidy nodded and kissed Alex’s head. “Cass?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Do you think he’ll cancel?” Alex asked.
    “Brian?” Cassidy asked. “Didn’t you just…” Cassidy saw Alex’s expression darken. “Oh….Chris.” Cassidy let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. Doesn’t look like it. He can’t put it off forever.”
    “Why does Dylan have to be there?” Alex asked.
    “Like it or not, Alex, until the paternity is settled, Chris is Dylan’s father; at least on paper. They want to see the interaction.”
    “He hasn’t even called Dylan.”
    “I know,” Cassidy responded. “But, Alex…he has to submit willingly to the paternity…”
    Alex sighed. “I hate this. I swear to God. I thought my father was...Jesus. I hope to God I am never that kind of…”
    “Alex, you are a terrific parent,” Cassidy looked at Alex intently.
    “What is it?” Alex asked.
    Cassidy bit her lip and held up her finger. “Hold on.” She left the room for a moment and returned to place an envelope in front of Alex.
    “What is this?” Alex looked up to her wife, and Cassidy shrugged. “This is addressed to you, not me.” Cassidy nodded. “Cass? Is this my…is this from my….”
    “Your mother gave it to me the other day. I guess it was in something you found that was addressed to her.” Alex looked at Cassidy with a fear in her eyes that broke Cassidy’s heart. “I didn’t want to open it without you.”
    Alex swallowed hard. “It’s not for me,” she said.
    “Do you want me to open it?” Cassidy asked. She could see the answer plainly as she accepted the letter back into her hands. “Alex, no matter what this says…”
    Alex just nodded. Cassidy broke open the seal and retrieved the handwritten note from inside. She opened her mouth to begin reading when Alex stopped her. “You read it first…to yourself, Cass.”
    “Alex…”
    “Please,” Alex closed her eyes. “Read it first and then read it to me.”
    “All right.”

assidy watched as Alex scanned the paper in her hand continuously. She patiently and silently observed the myriad of expressions that washed across her wife’s face. Something in her told her to give Alex as long as