Page 195 of Aviatrix

She jumps to her feet and rushes toward me, her arms wrapping around me like a safe harbor.

“You’re okay,” Mom breathes into my hair, tears falling onto my neck.

I hug her. “I’m okay.”

Amber is next. She gives me a quick hug before turning to Eli, throwing her arms around him and holding on a little too tight. But after everything she’s been through, I let it slide.

Then, Lark steps forward. He looks a little rough and worn down. Bloodshot eyes, strained posture. But he’s here. Alive. And after everything… so am I.

He hesitates for a beat, then raises his hand, saluting me.

The past two weeks collapse into a single, heavy breath between us as he offers me a small smile.

Lark’s hand flexes like he wants to reach for something that’s no longer his.

Then, almost awkwardly, he extends it to Eli.

Amber steps aside to give them space.

“Glad you made it, Major,” Lark says as they shake hands.

And something in his voice tells me he actually means it.

“Same to you,” Eli replies as the room falls quiet.

Lark glances around. “Where’s Atlas?”

A fresh wave of pain surges through me, but I force it down. “He sacrificed himself to—”

The words lodge in my throat. I can’t finish.

“Lieutenant Tootsie stayed behind to alert everyone,” Eli says gently, stepping in.

Lark briefly closes his eyes, grief crashing like a storm on his face. “A tragic loss.”

Tragic doesn’t even begin to cover it. Devastating. Permanent.

This hurts. Not just because Gary was an incredible aviator, but because he was ours. He was the man who always showed up. The one who had our backs no matter what. Like a father to me. Like a father to Lark.

“Does Fox know?” Lark asks.

I shake my head. “No. He’s due back soon. We’ll tell him then.”

Tears burn behind my eyes, but I won’t let them fall. Not now.

I know what it’s like to lose a father. And I know that nothing ever feels the same again.

Lark takes a deep breath. “We’ll start preparing for the funeral. He mentioned once that he wanted to be cremated. Wanted his ashes spread somewhere nice.”

“Maybe a mountain ridge nearby?” I suggest quietly.

Lark nods. “We’ll figure it out.”

“We’ll figure what out?” someone says behind us.

The voice is unmistakable and my heart drops.

Scooter.