The Red Sea Diving Resort Lovers

Chapter 23

Sammy and I arrived back in Sudan the following day, a soft sigh leaving my lips as soon as we climbed into the rust red jeep. Sammy smiled, rolling his head over to look at me. "Well munchkin, you glad to be back?" He asked, a small smile on his lips while I nodded. "I can't wait to see Ari, I've missed him so much Einstein." I pouted, hearing Sammy's chuckle as he pat my cheek softly. "Don't worry I'll get you back to prince charming in one piece." He smiled, while I looked out the window, the car starting down the road. "Thank you." I whispered, Sammy's eyebrows furrowing as he looked over at me then back on at the road. "For?" He asked, while his eyes locked on the dessert in front of us. "For still having my back no matter how many times I push you away."

Sammy smiled gently, nodding as he drove down the desert silently, both of us lost in our thoughts. Being back in a city was oddly cathartic, the hustle and bustle didn't give me any time to get into my head about the possible outcomes of these missions, we could save some, but could we save them all? And what was Ethan and Barak's actions about, turning around and being so nice to me after basically telling me I was dead weight for months. The beige scenery was oddly comforting though, Ari and I had no responsibilities here in between missions, we were able to be just the two idiots in love that we were, the idiots that people didn't get to see very often while we were working full time in the Mossad. Here, we were the two people from that very first mission in Ethiopia.

Flashback

"Agent Ashley." Ethan smiled, stopping on the opposite side of my desk. "Ethan, hi, how can I be of service?" I asked, leaning back in the creaky desk chair, a small smile on my lips. "I know you just got back from another international mission, but Agent Navon has requested your assistance on Operation Brothers, having a hard time with the inexperienced agent." Ethan breathed out while I cocked an eyebrow. "Agent Levinson seems to be perfectly capable, but sure, I'll head out now." I smiled, shaking Ethans had before grabbing my stuff.

7 hours later I was entering the Ethiopian airport, going through security before walking past the guards when I was let through. "Didn't think you'd join us." Sammy laughed while I approached, wrapping him in a friendly hug. "What you think I'd miss out on rolling in the dirt?" I teased, following him out of the airport, stepping into his car. "Oh if only it was that easy." Sammy laughed, taking off towards the rendezvous point. "So, Ari is a flirt, don't pay much attention to his advances." Sammy laughed while I shook my head. "You two are like best friends Sammy, don't worry, I know my line."

My heart stopped as I saw the brunette leaning against a truck, his muscular frame glowing in the light. "That's Ari." Sammy chuckled, through the truck into park before looking over at me. "Close your mouth, Ethiopia's got weird bugs." He teased while I rolled my eyes, stepping out of the car. "Well, you must be the infamous Addison Ashley." Ari chuckled, walking over to me as I smiled, shaking my head. "That's me, though I'm worried about how you may have heard of me." I laughed, sticking my hand out watching as Ari shook it gently. "Your best friend likes to talk, you're the main topic, he failed to mention your beauty though." Ari smiled, watching the blush creep against my cheeks.

Right then and there I knew I was done for.

End of Flashback

The resort appeared before our eyes, a bright smile on my face as the adobe building came into sight. "Oh God, I've never been more excited to see this place." I spoke breathlessly, Sammy chuckling as he pulled up, dust surrounding the exterior of the car. "I wish I could disagree, but I'm so ready to see Rachel I can't stand it." Sammy chuckled, watching as I pushed the door open, stepping into the dust cloud before heading into the front door. "Guy?" I called, seeing his head whip over to the entrance, a smile on his lips as he jumped over the wooden check in desk, making a beeline for me. "Cupcake!" He cheered, wrapping his arms around my waist and hugging me tightly.

"Hi baby, I missed you." I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck while he leaned down pressing a kiss to my lips. "I missed you so much cupcake, been counting down the days til you came back." Ari smiled, squeezing my sides gently before pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Aly's back!" Max and Jake cheered, rushing into the lobby, pushing Ari out of the way before they both hugged me tightly, a loud laugh leaving my lips. "Hi boys." I smiled, ruffling their hair. "Now you can talk some sense into Guy, he almost killed us again!" Max pouted while I shook my head. "Okay, I was trying to be nice and have bonfire, I didn't think that the flames would attach onto your shirt!" Ari protested, while I laughed, walking over to Ari. "It's okay baby, I'll help tonight." I smiled, laying my head on his chest.

It's weird, that being so distant from your actual family makes you appreciate the people you surround yourself with, even if it started off as a work thing, soon become your family. Mindless chatter filled the air as I laid my head on Ari's chest, his hand resting on the small of my back as he, Max, and Jake all engaged in playful banter. These people meant more to me than anyone else, I may have lost my family, in a horrible tragedy, but I was able to create my own. I had Ari, Maya, and Sammy. Now I got to add Rachel, Max, and Jake along with them. I went from being completely alone, to having all the love in the world, and I couldn't be more thankful.