Eight months later...

Mick stepped out of terminal B at Boston Logan Airport. He waited with the noise and fumes thinking only airports and bars were bustling at eleven-thirty at night. The air was warm and sticky, but it felt mild compared to where he had just been.

Mick was home, and he felt as if he stayed six months too long. After his Christmas vacation, the longing for home started. A Volvo SUV honked and stopped in front of him. When the passenger window went down, he saw his best friend.

"Quick. Get in."

The tailgate was up, and he loaded his bags into the back. He traveled light for a guy who was away for two years. Some women took more luggage on a one week vacation. Candy probably had. Why did he think of her? Trish wouldn't have more than one bag. She crossed his mind far more than Candy ever did.

When he climbed into the shotgun seat, he laughed. "What's with the car?"

"It's safe. I have a family."

Mick glanced behind him to see a car seat facing backwards. "I can't wait to meet her and to get to know Poppy better."

"You'll love Pop. I love her more than anything I ever thought was love."

He chuckled. "How is Meg?"

"Great. She's showing and complaining about Shannon."

"She told me it's a girl."

"Yup. She'll be about a year younger than Clara, but you know babies are unpredictable when they come."

"I haven't talked to Lucy in forever."

"I'm glad you're back for the big Alden wedding."

"Everyone will be married except me."

"Even Eli's tying the knot on New Year's Eve."

"I know Meg told me the details. She'll be related to your brother."

"Through marriage."

Mick nodded. "But Eli's kids will be her nieces or nephews. It's a small world."

Tyler chuckled. "It sure is. Is your apartment really empty?"

"Yup, the students moved out in May after graduation, but I stored all my stuff at the house."

"Come spend the night with us. I'll help you tomorrow."

"Will I sleep?"

"Clara sleeps through the night. She wakes early."

"Me too. This is late for me. You won't keep me awake with the headboard thumping?"

Tyler chuckled. "Not tonight. Pop is probably fast asleep. I even took Blue out before I left to get you."

"How is Blue?"

"Great! She loves Clara."

Mick laughed. "I know. You sent me pictures of them together. Do you have storage left on your phone? You take enough pictures."

"They're in the cloud with a backup."

Typical Tyler. "Man, I'm glad to be home."

"What's next?"

"I don't know. Something in the Boston area. I want to sleep in my bed."

"I love my bed."

"Don't gloat. It's been since Christmas for me."

"I'm so glad I never have to hookup or go on a first date ever again."

"If Eli found the perfect girl, maybe I can too."

"Leigh's great. Chickie loves Poppy more because of Clara."

Mick laughed. "Do you think Eli will have kids?"

"Yeah. They say they want them. He's talking about leaving the DA's office."

"Seriously? I thought he loved it."

"He might join Leigh's practice. I'm not holding my breath for that move."

Tyler parked his car in the underground garage, and Mick grabbed one bag from the back. He only needed his toothbrush, although he wouldn't mind washing the plane grime off of him.

"You get the sofa."

"My old friend. I've slept on it many times before."

"Except you aren't drunk."

Mick laughed. "I haven't been drunk in years. Before I turned thirty."

"Not on your paradise vacation."

"I drank, but I was sober when I stupidly decided it was a good idea to get laid."

Tyler shook his head and laughed as they stepped into the elevator. Tyler's place felt like home, a place Mick had missed. When he stepped through the door, he did a double take. Blue came to greet them, but the sofa had brightly decorated pillows. It looked like a toy shop in the corner and thick cardboard books covered the coffee table. Not to mention the corners of the low table had padding on them like bumpers.

In theory he knew his friend's life had changed, but his apartment screamed 'no longer single' and Tyler had never looked happier.

Tyler whispered, "I'll get you a pillow and blankets. Do you want a drink?"

"Some water. Have the glasses moved?"

"No. Why?"

"To make room for the sippy cups."

Tyler chuckled. "They fit alongside, but she mostly drinks tit juice."

"Pig." Mick chuckled. "Will I wake anyone if I take a shower?"

"No. Make yourself at home."

Home. He was home.

Mick woke to the sound of talking, but he couldn't make out any words. Then he heard the jingle of Blue's tags.

Blue appeared and greeted him as he sat up. It was seven which meant six in Cartagena. Since Mick wasn't there and was not going back, he might as well get used to Eastern Standard Time. Coffee. He needed coffee, but he heard Poppy's voice. He couldn't walk around in his boxers, so he pulled on his jeans.

Poppy appeared with Clara in her arms. Her voice was animated, as she said, "Look it's Uncle Mick."

Clara looked at him funny. "I'm a stranger."

Poppy shook her head. "She knows your picture." She picked up a small photo book and flipped through the pages. "Where's Uncle Mick?"

The baby pointed to a page, then looked at him. He stood and looked at the picture. Next to him was Blue. "Where's Blue?"

She pointed to the picture and then to the dog by the door. Then she wiggled and Poppy put her down. She crawled to the dog who let her grab at her golden fur.

Mick laughed. No wonder Tyler was happy, she was amazing. "Hi Poppy."

"We're glad you're home. Ty missed you."

"Did I hear my name?" Tyler wore shorts and grabbed the leash. "Who's going for a walk today?" Clara sat on the floor bouncing and Tyler picked her up. When he looked at Mick, he jerked his head to the door. "Wanna come?"

"Okay."

Tyler opened a stroller propped by the door and buckled Clara in. With the leash on Blue, they moved towards the elevator. Once they started moving down, Mick asked, "Do you always bring her?"

"In nice weather, she likes it. Plus Poppy can get her shower which is important on work days. So I forgot to mention, but the gang is getting together tonight."

"Seriously? Do you use babysitters?"

Tyler laughed. "We have, but Clara likes the party house."

"What's the party house?"

Tyler chuckled. "Meg's. It has room for us and they like to cook."

"Man, I'm so glad things have changed. I mean I knew you two were better at your wedding, but your marriage is strong and you and Meg are friends."

"It's different now. Poppy is my best friend and Cade is Meg's, but I like him. He's my friend too."

They walked past storefronts, and Tyler stopped at a bakery. "I'm getting pastries for breakfast and dessert for tonight."

Mick opened the door, and the woman behind the counter smiled. "Clara. Hi baby."

Tyler said, "Kristen, Poppy won't like you calling me baby."

She laughed. "I'm too old for you."

Mick chuckled while the woman bantered with Tyler as she waited on other customers. When it was their turn, Tyler placed his order. "My friend Mick has been away for two years, so we're treating him."

"Two years! Without coming home?"

"Once for Ty's wedding."

"Now I remember you. The handsome best man."

Mick blushed, and Tyler chuckled. "You're too old for him too." Then he handed two white bakery boxes and a brown bag to Mick. Blue sniffed the bag. "She knows those are treats."

After a wave, they headed back to Tyler's apartment. "Do you mind helping me get my stuff?"

"Nah. I'm so glad you're home. Where's your truck?"

"In Newton." Unlike his friends, Mick grew up in the suburbs. "Hopefully my dad drove it like he promised. We can load up the truck and bring it to my place." He left his furniture in his apartment, but he cleared out all his personal items.

"How do you know your place isn't trashed?"

Mick shrugged. "I've had a painter and a cleaner in. It should be move-in ready."

"I hope they paid you enough to be worth it."

"They did, and I lived dirt cheap."

"Was it a dive?"

Yes. "It wasn't Whitby's vacation home."

Tyler laughed. "I want to go back."

"The island was amazing, you could plan a trip."

"Clara's too little." They were almost back to the apartment, when Tyler said, "I can't believe you didn't exchange numbers with the one you met on vacation. She could have been your Poppy."

"She was more like an older version of the ones you dated." A bitch.

Tyler looked at him after he backed the stroller onto the elevator. "I thought you said she was sweet and looked younger than she was."

Mick frowned. "You mean Trish. Yeah, I might have blown a friendship by not suggesting we keep in touch, but she was more elusive than me. The only thing I held back was that I live in Boston."

"Hopefully, a nice girl is out there for you."

Now they are both in Boston. Thanks for voting ⭐️