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“Must you really go back into that line of work?” Marilyn asks

“Moentle censure in his tone

“I know, I know,” she replies, holding a hand up and shaking her head “I know it drives you nuts that I worry, but Malik… I’ve been through you deploying to war zones with the Marines and you being captured I had really hoped that would be behind us once you were rescued”

“We do plenty of things at Jahten the mood

“And yet, you were taken prisoner and held in captivity for five months,” hisizes “I’m so sorry, Anna I’m just a worried mother”

I give her an empathetic smile, because I understand her better than she thinks I’d sent a husband off on the sa back

And then it hitsover erous mission That’s what itto lay your life on the line I’m not sure how I feel about that

With Ji bad could happen But I know that’s not the case Now, I know very well that so horrific can happen, and ht of Malik possibly not co home

Marilyn givesit on her son “Okay… I’m done I’ve saidme vent”

“I love you, Mom,” Malik replies warmly “You’re allowed to worry”

Just then, Avery takes the opportunity to wake up She lets out a hungry screech, then a long, unending wail

I reach over and quickly pick her up, ies “I ae”

“No worries,” Marilyn assures me “Been there, done that”

WithoutI’d carried in and starts to rise I shakefrom him “I have it You stay here”