As usual, Mac had woken up very early with his "Riley" in the arms, who tried to cuddle up on his chest. Usually, he wasn't the type who liked to lazy in the bed once he was awake, but with her on his chest, he had definitely changed opinion!

While he enjoyed the scene sweetly caressing her dark locks, the telephone drilled, lucky not waking the girl up, even because he had experienced at his expense how much she didn't like being woken up on her days off!

Very gently and reluctantly, Mac got up, trying not to disturb her.

"Who could be at this hour of the morning? If it was Matty, she would have surely phoned us on our phones, well, this morning she would have avoided doing it, if it wasn't a global emergency."

Who could be if not Jack?!

<<Hey buddy, how are you? Have you finally decided to catch that bastard and coming back to us?>> Mac asked, trying to be the most possible evasive.

<<Hey Bro', I'm sorry but I'm not dumb. You know, I would have preferred being told by the interested parties of this new and happy union than from Matty "the Hun".>> Jack answered, almost whispering, for fear that Matty could have put some bugs in the house! This thing made Mac laugh even more.

<<Joking apart Mac, I'm really happy to know that my little girl has a man like you by her side, really. I couldn't wish nothing better and it's the same for you, eh. Anyway, when I'll be back, we will have our evening with pizza and skiball and you will have to tell me all the details. It's ok, bro?>>

<<You can count on it, but if you want to talk with Riley, I can go call her, even if I don't know how much it convenes to you.>> Poor Mac told him, not realizing not being talking with that who was like a father to her, in fact, he "regretted" it a few moments later.

<<Well Mac, for the thing about all the details, please don't me all of them.>> The friend added, laughing.

<<As you wish. Anyway, talking seriously, how's the search going? Are you making some progresses?>>

<<Hopefully, boy. Unfortunately, the situation is still at sea, but we won't give up, I want to say, you're talking with me, no bad guy is safe near to me.>>

<<Sure. Well, don't worry, when you are back, we'll have a lot of time to talk. Maybe I could also begin calling you "dad".>>

<<Ah, ah, very funny. Do you wanna joke, right? I'm still too young.>>

<<Oh yeah, the most important thing is feeling young on the inside. Be sure, calling us more, ok?>>

<<Yes, buddy and say hello to Riley for me and tell her that I'll call her back, also because to warn her about a blondie "bad guy".>>

<<What I have to listen to. Goodbye, friend.>>

<<Goodbye, Mac.>>

Well, it had been really better than what he had thought and, anyway, he felt better now that also Jack knew about them. Now, they had to tell also to Elwood and Diane! If it was something that Jack and Elwood agreed on, was surely Riley's happiness, so he thought that a good speech would have waited for him.

After so much time and so many misfortunes, Mac was finally starting coming back to his old self. It's true that his family wasn't physically with him, but he knew that wherever they were, they would have never stopped staying by his side and, moreover, now he wasn't no more alone, having by his side the Phoenix, a crazy and wonderful family, and his Riles, the woman of his life.

It was really the time to coming back to life and to smile to it, and talking about it, he got to work, cooking a wonderful breakfast to his girlfriend!
At least, he would have had a tasteful excuse to wake her up. He just hoped to manage not destroying the kitchen!