Story 19 - Part 1 - No Regret

“Owens!” Agent Driver called out as he walked into the lobby.

The lobby was empty, like it had been since half of the apartment complex was off on that world road trip. It was actually because of that reason that Dev had not shown up as often as he use to. According to Regg, the trip crew was going to be returning in the afternoon, but that was not the reason why Dev had showed up. He needed to beg a favor.

“You’re too loud,” Nero grumbled as he came out of his apartment.

“Did I wake you from a nap?” Dev asked.

“No,” Owens admitted. “You saved my alarm clock from certain demise.”

“I’m sure it appreciates that,” Agent Driver said. “But, I actually have to head out to work real soon and I have a favor to ask you.”

“Shoot,” Owens shrugged.

“I know this is short notice,” Dev apologized. “Do you think you and Wilanna could watch the kids tonight? I was able to get some tickets to Amy’s favorite band at the last minute, so I need someone to basically watch the kids for the night.”

“And by night you mean…”

“Basically from around five till, well I would prefer eight in the morning, but I understand,” Dev said. “It’s just, it’s been a while since Amy and I have been able to go on a date and just have some together time with how hectic work has been and…”

“Tomorrow’s the weekend,” Owens observed. “We don’t have anything planned so we can babysit your tykes all tonight and tomorrow if you want.”

“Really? I mean, don’t you have to ask Wilanna?”

“Wilanna,” Nero called out. “We’re going to watch Dev and Amy’s kids for the night.”

“We are?” Wilanna called out as she excitedly came into the lobby. “I haven’t seen those little darlings in so long. In fact, I haven’t had a chance to see the last little dear.”

“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” Agent Driver asked.

“I use to be a mother in Amy’s position,” Wilanna said in assurance. “Children to take care of and a husband who works for the government and is sometimes gone for days. It’s wonderful when you can take some time off for each other.”

“No regrets?” Nero asked his wife.

“Of course not,” Wilanna smiled. “Now that you’ve retired I can monopolize your time, dear.”

“Time that you give to the Driver children,” Nero teased.

“Thank you so much,” Dev said excitedly. “Amy’s going to be so surprised. I can’t wait to see her face when we go to the concert.”

“Not a problem,” Owens assured. “Now get yourself to the agency so you can get off work on time.”

“I’ll bring the kids by later,” Dev called out as he ran out the door.

Agent Driver checked the tickets and grinned as he hurried to his car. Work had taken a lot out of him ever since he had found out that Director Bosere was retiring. When Dev had first started working at the agency he had made it a goal to try to take his wife on a date every weekend. Owens had actually suggested the date night, almost ordered him to do it, as a means of keeping a relationship together.

Dev actually did not need much encouragement to spend time with his wife. It was difficult when his assignments took him away from home, but Amy was patient. The one time Dev had expressed his concern to Amy about the amount of agents that were unmarried or divorced, Amy had cited the date night as one of the reasons she knew that they would be together for years to come; she said she knew that Dev was worth hanging on to.

The agent was grinning stupidly as he got into the office portion of the agency. Dev kicked his feet up on his desk and he started going through the plethora of files and requests that had made their way onto his desk. Come Kazei or crazies, nothing was going to ruin his day or keep him from leaving the office on time.