I pinch her cheek. “I love you too, Μικρ? αδελφ? (little sister).”
Hailey takes her place in my arms as we watch her walk away. She then looks up at me. “You know it took me a while to see the good inside of you, I don’t want to lose that. Just promise me, you will walk through those doors when this is all said and done. You made me Mrs. Kourakos, and at this point, I don’t see myself being that without you by my side. I’m going to tell you one last thing to keep on your mind while you’re out there...Devyn loves you as her big brother and protector, and I love you as the crazy man who came into my life and changed it for the better.”
Using my thumb, I wipe away her tears. She nor Devyn had anything to worry about. Even if I come back maimed or disfigured, nothing will stop me from getting back to them.
“Shush,” I whisper. “Don’t shed another tear. The next time you see me, all of this will be over. You and Devyn will have the life that you always dreamed of...except you’ll have my crazy ass in it,” I honestly tell her.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Hailey states.
I seize her lips with a kiss so passionate, conveying all the love I have for her and then some. She grips my shirt as I deepen the kiss, then peck her lips one last time.
“I love you, Mrs. Kourakos.”
“I love you too, Mr. Kourakos.”