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“I love this plan, Lovebird, I love it a lot.” His lips tug into a genuine smile and his eyes sparkle like gems at me. I skim my fingers up to the solid planes of his back, drinking in the way he shudders.
When we exit the chopper, we notice the family, waiting at the porch of the crispy white mansion with huge windows and exotic nature surrounding it. But my eyes are drawn to my children, who start running and screaming straight into my waiting arms. The impact brings me to my knees, and I weep, kissing their heads, holding on to their forms as my heart rejoices.
“Don’t cry, Mommy.” Leon’s eyebrows scrunch as he tries to scrape the grime off my skin with his sleeve.
“What happened to your face?” Liane strokes my filthy hair away from my eyes.
They cling to me with desperation.
“I need a shower to scrub this dust off me.” I can feel it dried on my skin, absorbing all the moisture. “You’re both okay?”
They nod, not caring for the dirt, melting into my embrace. I breathe in their sweet scent, grateful we all made it back in one piece.
“I love you so much. You were so brave.” I shake with emotions clogging my throat. “I am so proud of you.” And my words burst into dirty rivulets.
When my sisters and mom come, everything merges in shuddering blubbers of happiness and enormous relief. I cling to my family, absorbing the comfort of their familiar presence.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, you’re safe. Your babies are okay,” my mom hums affirmations, stroking my hair as she weeps. “It’s over. You are safe, my love.”
My sisters turn their attention to Mark. They lurch in his embrace like two bullets. Their forms shudder as he holds them, letting them welcome him into the family, the only way they know how.
Leif grabs me from my mom and pulls me to him.
“Never ever leaving you,” he shudders, clamping his hands around me. “You’re stuck with me. We’re never ever doing this shit again.” He kisses my head and goes to Mark. I tear up, watching them reunite like two brothers.
Lucas separates from his team and comes closer when he notices I’m staring at him. He wraps his hands around me and watches Mark fit his jaded edges with our dysfunctional family like a missing puzzle piece.
“I just wanted to protect you,” he whispers into my ear. And I squeeze his arms wrapped around me, finally getting why he was so adamant about breaking us up. “I wanted you to be safe,” he confirms. Lucas was never a man of many words.
Hot tears slide down my cheeks as I speak. “If not for you, Lucas, I wouldn’t have made it. Your training was what kept me sane.” I turn around, and he wraps me in his arms, trembling from stress. “Is it why you taught me to know those things?” I rasp the question at him.
“I don’t have full authorization to tell you everything. But I figured back then that it was time to equip you with skills since our parents were mixed deep in criminal circles. You needed discipline and good training anyway due to your mental issues.” And it did come in handy.
“You could have told me.” I stare at him accusingly and he nods. But there is no regret in his wolf gray eyes, only steely determination. So, I lay my head back on his chest and let him hold me. A long time ago, I learned to trust him, knowing this man is loyal to the bone to his family and his country.
We won against all the odds because we were ready and more prepared.
My soul didn’t shatter.
I haven’t lost the man I love or my children.
This time, we were stronger and wiser to face the obstacles life dealt us. This time, we came back knowing what the prize of happiness and peace is.
And we won’t surrender it to anyone.
Not without a fight.
When they approach, my mind submerges in a bubble as if to protect itself.
They’re two people who played this orchestra of deception to the last note, who choked the demons with smoke and fire when they were unaware. Two people who kept us in the dark of tangled lies and deceits until the very last moment.
“I guess it’s time for the truth.” Darren grasps Helen’s hand as if they are about to walk into a trial.
~Mark~
After we wash away the dirt and grime, and medics patch us up, we gather in the living room to hear them out. My mind is so empty, it’s hard to build the walls to protect myself from an impact their story’s going to inflict on me.
Cassandra’s sitting emotionless, snuggled next to me like someone sucked the air out of her lungs and encased her in ice. And I’m glued to her side, as is her silently weeping sister, Raine. I breathe in her sweet scent, needing to reassure myself she is safe. We both look battered and way too tired for this conversation, but we’re done waiting, done running.
