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“I have a friend who runs a chartered plane service who owes me a favor. As long as your parents are willing, we could probably have them here by early this afternoon.” I hesitate, glancing toward the dock now just a dozen yards away. “As far as whether it’s safe, I don’t think that’s something any of us can take for granted anymore, no matter where we are. Not until we ensure Bane’s army is no longer a threat.” I turn back to Willow. “And having your parents here with us would be an important strategic move, as well.”
Her expression falls, the excitement summoned by the thought of seeing her mom and dad vanishing as she remembers why their support has become a political matter. “To show they stand with me, not with Kelley,” she says softly.
“If it comes down to it, yes.”
“But maybe they won’t have to choose,” she says. “Maybe we’ll get home today and find a message from Kelley offering a full surrender. Maybe Diana is already on her way back to us and everything will be fine.” She glances up, sighing as her eyes meet mine. “And maybe I’ll grow six inches before we reach land.”
“I wouldn’t want you to grow six inches. I like you just the way you are, snack-sized and small enough to fit in my pocket.”
Her eyes narrow. “Snack-sized? Did you really just go there?”
“Fun-sized?” I tease, hoping to lighten the moment. “Is that better?”
She shakes her head. “What if I called you Sasquatch? Because you’re big and hairy and have a funny looking forehead? How would you like that?”
I grin wider. “You can call me whatever you want to call me, short stack, as long as you call me.”
Her nose wrinkles, but when I pull her in for a hug, she wraps her arms around my waist and holds on tight. “You don’t have a funny looking forehead,” she mumbles into my sweatshirt. “You’re gorgeous.”
“I know,” I say, earning myself a sharp pinch at the waist. “Ouch. And you are ruthless.”
“I am. And there’s more where that came from,” she says, tilting her head back. “Better stay on my good side.”
“I plan on it,” I promise, and then I kiss her.
I’m still kissing her when the ferry bumps into the dock. Our teeth knock together through our lips, and we both laugh. And for a moment everything is simple. If only we were what we appear to be—two people in love headed into the city to enjoy the autumn colors in Central Park, hit a museum or two, and end the day with dinner and a show.
As we head back to the station wagon, I silently vow to make at least part of that fantasy come true.
We might not have time for a walk through the park or a night at the theater, but even generals prepping for battle have to eat.
