Chapter 79
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparations. Between organizing Charlie’s things, finalizing travel plans, and mentally steeling myself for what lay ahead, I barely had time to breathe. Leah was a lifesaver, taking care of the details I hadn’t even considered
Before I knew it, we were standing outside the house, bags packed and ready to go. Charlie was bouncing with excitement, his little face lit up at the thought of seeing his father again.
“Are we going to fly, Mom” he asked, tugging at my sleeve.
“Yes, sweetheart.” I said, naffling his hair. “It’s going to be a bat of a long trip, but I promise it’ll be worth it.
“I can’t wait!” he exclaimed, his energy infectious
Leah chuckled, watching him with a fond smile. “You’re going to have your hands full on the flight,” she said, nudging me playfully.
“As if I don’t already.” I replied, rolling my eyes.
We loaded our bags into the car, and as I buckled Charlie into his seat, a wave of nerves washed over me. This wasn’t just about seeing Aragon or standing up to Benita. It was about facing everything I’d been running from for so long, my past.
“You okay?” Leah asked.
I nodded, though my grip on the steering wheel was a little too tight. “Yeah. Just a lot on my mind.”
“She reached over and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got this, Sapphire. And you’re not alone.”
Her words were a balm to my frayed nerves, and I offered her a small smile. “Thanks, Leah I don’t know what Ed do without you‘
“Probably spiral into chaos,” she teased, earning a laugh from both me and Charlie. Daisy was already asleep on her medications.
She was very hesitant about flying and Leah had to let me in that she had a flying phobia which made them give her drugs that would knock her
The drive to the airport was uneventful, though my heart raced with every passing mile. As much as I tried to stay focused on the road, my mind kept drifting to what awaited us.
When we finally boarded the plane, Charlie immediately pressed his face to the window, marveling at the view. Leah and I settled into our seats after the strapped Daisy, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread.
“This is.” Leah said softly, her eyes meeting mine. “No turning back now
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah. This is it”
The flight felt both too long and too short, by the time we landed, my nerves were frayed, and my hands trembled as I helped Charlie with his bag. “Relax. it’s going to be fine.; Leah placed her hand on mine.
Yeah but…
“Relax, oh and I forgot to mention. Aragon is coming to pick me up so he is going to be surprised”
My heart parted pounding at that piece of information, I glared at Leah who chuckled and darted away with Daisy in her arms.
When we checked our bags, Charlie was already fidgeting from excitement.
Arazon was waiting for us at the arrivals gate, his tall figure unmistakable even in the crowd. Curlie’s face lit up, and he sprinted toward his father, throwing his armsaround lun.
Aragon widened his eyes, I could see the shock in them as stared at Charlie for a minute.
“Dad!” be exclaimed
Aragon karlt down, hugging him tightly. “Hey, buddy. I missed you.”
Thung back, watching the reunion with a mix of emotions. Leah stood beside me, giving me a knowing look.
“You ready for this?” she asked.
“No.” I admitted. “But I figure it out.”
Aragon’s gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. As he stood, holding Charlie’s lund, he walked over to us,
“Sapphire “be und
“Aragon.” I replied, forcing myself in meet us ryrs.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between us. Then he nodded, his expression softening “Thank you for coming,” he said
“I didn’t do it for you,” I said quickly, glancing at Curlie.
His lips twitched, but he didn’t argur. “I know
Leah cleared her throat, breaking the tension. “So, where are we headed?”
Aragon smiled slightly. “I’ve got a car waiting Let’s go.”
Chapter 25
Leali walked alread with Clarir leaving us bebunt.
“Youcame,” his voice was filled with disbelief..
“Charlie wanted to come, I could say no to him. I am sorry I didn’t tell you because he wanted to surprise you, I know you have been busy.” I
Falmost grossed at how easily the lies slipped out of my lips and Fldamed it on my son. Thope be forgives me
“Tam busy but this is the best surprise Have gotten thank you for bringing him here. I know it washt easy for you seeing as you didn i have a lot of
“I would do anything for that boy even it meant coming back here. He hon never asked me for anything before, I had to make this happen,”
“still, thank you,” he squeezed my laund
1 let thra
hr contact linger as we walked to the
The ride to the pack was eerily quiet, though it wasnt an uncomfomable silence. I was lost in my own thoughts, memories of the past colliding with the uncertainties of the future. I never thought I’d find myself returning to this place, not alter everything they’d done to me. Life, it seeined, had other plans.
Charbe, however, wasn’t as reflective. “Are we there per?” he piped up for what felt like the hundredth time
Isighed, glancing back at him. “Norget, sweedicart, just a linde linger, okay?”
He huffed but noddril, shimping back in his seat, For a moment, lais lare face mirrored my weariness, and my heart ached
Tam sure he thought he was going to Disney laul, it was laughable how kab think…
Aragon, seated in the driver’s seat, rensined quies, his sonic expression betraying none of his thoughts, but I could sense his fatigue, even if he wouldn’t admirir. Hic hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, as though hearing himself for whatever was to come.
When the car finally came to a stop, my body reused, and my bram began to pound uncontrollably. Aragon stepped out first, opening the trunk to unload our things, Leal, seated beside arie, tumed with a reassuring smile.
“You’ve got this,” she said softly.
I nodded, though I didn’t feel nearly as sure of myself, I could already sense the gathering of people outside, their anticipation like a tangible weight
purrasing against the car.
Swallowing lard, I reached for the door handle, my gripi tightening around it as I fought to steady my breathing. Then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Topened the door and stepped out, pulling Charlie close to my side.
The mummers began almost instantly.
“What is he doing larre?”
Their dibelief was palpable, and I couldn’t help but scoff internally. Of course, they’d be shocked. They never imagined I’d return, much less with a child in tow.
Charlie tugged an my hund, his wide e eyes scamming the faces of the crowd. “Mommy,” he whispered, “why are they all staring at us?”
I crouched down to his level, forcing a smile onto my face. “Because they’ve never seen such handsome boy before,” I said brushing a stray curl
from his forchrad
Has giggle was instantaneosis, the sound cutting through the tension like a ray of sunlight. For a moment, he forgot where we were, and his laughter raird the knot in my chest.
“Come on, baby,” I said, standing and taking his hand. “Let’s
