He took a deep breath, hoping that Claire wouldn't wake up unexpectedly, and dialed Percy's number. A half-smile appeared on his face when he got an anser, before vanishing.
– Is everything okay ? asked his husband's voice.
– Parents dead. So is one of the kids - Thomas. I have Claire, she's asleep in the car.
Silence stretched between them, Percy weighing the situation, for almost a full minute.
– She thought I was Security, added Sandy. Apparently her parents were worrying about them a lot... can you imagine, me in uniform ?
The joke didn't land.
– Obviously they'd worry about that.
Sandy nodded, as Percy audibly sighed from the other end. He relaxed his shoulders on the cold metal of the van a little, lifting his head to look at the sky. The sun was setting, and the air was noticeably colder, and a familiar tingle was setting in his hands.
– I'm taking her home, he finally said. She seems distrustful of people and we don't have a lot of neighbors.
– I'll prepare the guest room. Hope the kid trusts you, then.
– Kind of ? I guess ?
He heard a chuckle. Somewhat forced, but it was a win.
– Be careful while driving ? asked Percy.
– I will. Love you.
– Love you, too.
He hung up, flipped the phone closed, and held it to his heart for a couple of seconds. He kept breathing steadily, until he felt his heartbeat slow down ever so slightly. Just a few more hours of driving. If everything was all right, he'd be there sometime near midnight. Probably bad for the kid's sleep schedule, if she ever had one. He shook his head and got back into the van, throwing his phone on the passenger seat.