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A smile played at the corners of his lips. “Done.”
They’d turned Addison’s quest to finally learn how to drive into a little game, letting her earn time behind the wheel by being a good girl. At this rate, she’d have her license in no time.
Once everyone settled down, Phoebe swept her gaze around the group, giving them all a welcoming smile. “I’m so glad you were all able to join us today as we release Alexander back into the wild. These are our favorite days at the center, and it makes it even more special to share these moments with the amazing people who brought the animal to us in the first place.”
Addison felt her heart fill with pride, and she crossed her arms over Mason’s.
“As some of you already know, Alexander’s wing was broken in two places when Addison and Mason brought him to us.” Phoebe’s smile had vanished, replaced by a somber look. “Our veterinarian partner performed surgery on the wing the day after he came to us. Once the bones had a chance to heal and he responded well to physical therapy, we moved him out into our flight complex. We monitored him for several weeks as he regained strength in his wing.”
They’d even let Addison and Mason visit a couple times during that stage, watching Alexender flit around the huge aviary attached to the main building. It had been amazing to see his progress through the weeks.
“We were unsure if we’d be able to release him back into the wild because of the previous injury to his leg.” Pheobe spread her hands wide, smiling again. “But given Addison’s testimony of his abilities before the broken wing, and our own observations in the flight complex, we feel confident he has every chance to live a long and happy life here.”
Mason tightened his arms around Addison, kissing the top of her head. He’d been right there at her side as she argued Alexander’s case, ready to jump in if she needed it. His support gave her the strength she needed to not give up until she ensured Alexander would be freed if his wing made a full recovery.
“Now,” Phoebe said, gesturing down to the crate. “Just a couple more things before we get to the main event. One, when Alexander exits the crate, you may notice a small aluminum band around his leg. The band is a tag engraved with Alexander’s unique number. This way, if anything else ever happens to him, the people who help him will know he spent time at our facility before, and we’ll be able to give them all the information we have on him.”
Addison glanced around, taking in a few concerned faces. “Don’t worry. I already grilled her about this.”
“That’s a fact,” Phoebe muttered with a snort.
Smirking, Addison said, “The tag won’t affect him at all. Scientists do this all the time, and the birds live perfectly normal lives, like the bands aren’t even there.”
The crease between Zach’s brows disappeared, and he gave Phoebe an expectant look. “What was the second thing?”
“Yes, thank you for keeping us on track,” Phoebe said with an amused half-smile. “The second thing is that we all need to stand behind the crate when I open it. If Alexander sees us huddled around him, he might get scared and refuse to come out. But if he sees those trees over there”—she gestured toward the forest bordering the garden—“he’ll fly right out and go home. Now, does anyone have any questions before we get started?”
When no one responded, Phoebe moved directly behind the crate, motioning for everyone to stand behind her and to the sides. As they shuffled into place, Zach held up his phone for Addison to see. “I’ll record everything for you,” he promised with a smile. “You just enjoy the moment, okay?”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much.” Then she moved into place on Phoebe’s right, Mason at her side.
“Everyone ready?” Phoebe asked. When they all nodded their assent, she bent down and unlatched the door, swinging it out of the way.
Addison held her breath, afraid to even blink in case she missed it. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she waited.
When Alexander burst from the crate, his bright red feathers shining in the spring sunlight, she couldn’t have held back her tears if she tried.
“Shit, did you remember to send out the video of Alexander?” Mason asked the question as the bellman carried their bags into their hotel room in Santiago. “I promised you I wouldn’t let you forget, but then I forgot.”
“Don’t worry,” Addison said moving over to the nearest window. Even at nearly two in the morning, the city below buzzed with life and light. It was fucking beautiful. They planned to spend three days in Chile’s capital before moving onto the next leg of their trip—exploring the glaciers of Patagonia. “I sent it to everyone on the way to the airport.”
Several people in her life had taken a keen interest in Alexander’s story, regularly asking for updates on the little bird. She and Mason had barely started the four-hour drive down to Boston when she shot off the texts.
The video went to Ricky first, and then to Lola. As her granny’s best friend, the woman was a consistent presence in Addison’s life once she moved to Manhattan. They’d only grown closer in the nine years they were business partners.
None of that compared to now. Lola cried through long portions of their conversation back in March, when Addison finally opened up about all the hidden parts of her life. Tears of sadness and pain as she learned about Addison’s life before moving to New York. But also of joy, to know that she didn’t intend to conceal huge pieces of herself any longer.
“No one should have to hide who they are.” Lola’s words had stuck with Addison for months now. She only wished she’d been brave enough to be honest sooner.
The other person she sent the video was Steve. She and her dad kept in close contact since she left New Mexico, texting each other several times a day, and having video chats at least once a week. They were very much still in the getting-to-know-you phase, which was a little awkward at times. She didn’t know how to be a proper daughter any more than he knew how to be a dad.
Every day—each conversation—got a little better than the last. The simple fact was, she genuinely liked him as a person. She had no doubt that, with enough time, that feeling could grow to love.
Steve had been particularly interested in how she’d handle her first ever flight, having never been on a plane himself. He told her repeatedly that taking a fourteen-hour flight for her virgin voyage was absolute madness.
“What time is it in New Mexico right now?” she asked, pulling out her phone as the bellman left.
Mason checked the clock on his own phone, then did some quick math. “Almost ten.”
