Page 111 of All My Broken Pieces

Epilogue 2

Arriana

My heart hammers as I slip through the crowd. Even though it’s been nearly a decade since Fallon and I originally fled the country, I still get worried whenever we’re in large crowds. The possibility of someone taking me away from my baby again has me ready to rip out the throats of every passerby.

“Hey.” Fallon whispers, squeezing her fingers in mine. “It’s going to be okay.”

I turn my head toward her, plastering on my usual carefree grin. “Of course it will be, baby.” I murmur, bringing her hand to my lips. She giggles as I press a soft kiss against her skin andwiggle my eyebrows at her. “Now, come on, we don’t want to miss our flight.”

In the years since we left, Andrew’s technological abilities have greatly increased, and thanks to his newfound skills, we have the capability of visiting our first home once again.

I’ve enjoyed our time in Mexico, teaching Fallon my first language, watching her grow and blossom into the woman I always knew she would be. I wouldn’t change a single moment for anything. But sometimes I still miss my world, and, if I’m honest, I miss my family.

I never thought I would say those words, but in the years we’ve been gone my brother and Hudson have grown closer and as such, I’ve gotten to speak with Cooper more in the last nine years than I did for nearly a decade and a half before then. Spencer is still an ass, but at least he checks in more frequently now too since he settled down. I’ve even got a few nieces and nephews running around I’ve yet to meet.

The announcement for our flight pulls my attention from my thoughts. “Shit.” I mumble, glancing around the airport. We’re still trying to navigate our way through and the clock is ticking. A thought crosses my mind and I pull Fallon to a stop, spinning her toward me.

“What-” She tries to ask, but her question is quickly cut off by a squeal as I yank her up in my arms. “Arriana!” She cries, giggling as she clings to me.

I smile at her before taking off in a sprint, the crowds moving much quicker to avoid being rundown by the crazy woman running through the terminal.

We make it to our gate, skidding to a stop before the flight attendant. I set Fallon down, waiting for her to rummage through her bag for our tickets. “¿Boleto?” The attendant asks, waiting expectantly for us to show her our plane tickets. Quicklyscanning the small papers, she nods toward the hall beside her that leads to our flight.

“Gracias.” Fallon whispers, ducking her head.

The attendant smiles at her. “Que lo pases genial en América.” Fallon’s returning grin is breathtaking.

I may be excited to return to Seattle, but it’s nothing on my girl’s excitement.

We shuffle our way onto the plane, getting settled in our seats. Fallon clings to my arm, staring out the window. “We’re going home.” She whispers, her voice full of so much emotion I can’t pinpoint how she’s feeling.

“Yes, we are.” I murmur, trailing the back of my hand down her neck. “Are you ready?”

Taking a deep breath, she slowly releases it before turning to me with wide eyes. “I think so. What if…” She glances around, lowering her voice before asking her question. “What if they come after you?”

My chest spasms at the worry in her tone. Extracting my arm from her hold, I cup her face in my hands and bring my lips to her forehead. “They won’t.” I promise, feeling her tense up in response. “And, even if they do,” I lean back, the corner of my mouth ticking up in a smirk. “They’ll never take me away from you, baby. Never again.”

She studies me for several moments before whispering, “Promise?”

“Promise.Lo juro.” Her expression softens and she melts in my hold. “You’re my forever, remember?” I chuckle, settling back into my seat and blowing out a slow breath. The rumble of the engine sounds beneath us and a now familiar worry tries to push its way past my confidence, but I just tighten my hold on Fallon.

There’s little guaranteed in life, but there is one thing I can count on.

I know we’ll be together forever, of that I’m certain. Because I won’t let it be any other way.

I groan as I stand up from the seat, stretching out my sore muscles. We only had one connecting stop in Denver, but it has turned into a day of travel and my body aches, reminding me I’m getting older.

Holding my hand out to Fallon, I wait for her to hurriedly shove her eReader in her bag. “You and your books.” I chuckle, earning myself a glare.

Over the years, my baby’s books have done very well, earning her a nice income. Which she promptly used on purchasing every book known to mankind, calling itresearch. I can’t complain when her research on certain topics bleeds into our relationship.

Huffing, she pushes to her feet, slinging her bag’s strap around her shoulders. My gaze travels down her body and I bite my lip. Even after a full day’s travel, dressed in an oversized hoodie, leggings, and ballet flats, she’s the most beautiful creature in existence.

Unable to help myself, I pull her into my arms, my lips crushing against hers. Her earlier moodiness melts away as the kiss deepens, her hands clinging to my arms as if to hold herself upright.

A throat clears behind us. Breaking the kiss, I scowl at the flight attendant for daring to interrupt. Her eyes widen at the gleam in mine. I’ve had just enough stress and weariness fromthe day I feel like a rubber band about to snap. From the look on her face, she can tell shereallydoesn’t want to be on the receiving end when that happens.

Before I can act on any of the thoughts running through my mind, Fallon’s hand squeezes my arm, drawing my attention back to her. I shift my gaze and become lost in her beauty once more.

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