Faith

Epilogue

Sawyer scanned the throng of people bustling to get through the gate, his thumb rubbing over Ariana's small hand as they waited; she was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet impatiently as they waited, "They'll be last off...  I guarantee it!" 

Sawyer laughed, "Give them a break, Ari..." 

She rolled her eyes fondly, "Dad's always the same... First on a flight, last off it..." 

Sawyer nodded his head towards the gate as he saw Louise appear, "There!" 

He waved his free hand, prompting Ariana's mother to run towards them, dumping her bag on the floor and wrapping her arms tightly around Ariana.  Jamal wasn't far behind her, certainly ladled with more luggage than Louise had been.

Sawyer rushed forward to help the older man, who grinned widely, "Hey Big Guy!"

He clasped Saywer's hand firmly in his, shaking it and then pulling him close, slapping him on the back.  Sawyer returned his affections, "Good flight, Sir?" 

Jamal inclined his head towards his wife, "Fine but I forgot what a terrible flyer she is...  'The seat’s uncomfortable', 'My headphones aren't working - can I use yours', 'My legs are cramped' ..." 

Sawyer laughed as he looked at Ariana's dainty mother, "Her legs are cramped??" 

Jamal put an arm around Sawyer's shoulder, "Exactly!  She's the height of nonsense!" 

Louise drew him a sardonic glare as she let go of Ariana and reached up to hug and greet Sawyer as
Jamal picked his daughter up and squeezed her tightly, "Thanks for picking us up, kids."

Sawyer gathered up Louise's bags and led the group outside to where his blue truck was parked.It was only an hour back from Logan International.  Jamal sat up front with Sawyer, chatting away.
In the few months that followed the stabbing, he and Sawyer had become quite close.  Having made several trips to Boston for Sean’s trial, the men had taken the time to get to know each other properly. They would also chat by text and anytime Ariana FaceTimed with her parents, Sawyer would join for at least part of the conversation. 

Louise and Ariana sat in the back; Louise cranked the window down - her sunglasses were on and the warm breeze brushed her skin as she listened to Ariana talk about her job.  She'd picked up a job-share position at a local writers office about twenty-five minutes from the ranch, three days per week.  One of the writers had been on maternity leave and didn't want to return full-time afterwards: it was the perfect opportunity for Ariana.  It meant that she could follow her dreams to write, but she could also keep working at Oakley Ranch.  Sawyer's dad had given her a little runaround to get to and from the office; he didn't have much need for it these days.  Since he and AnnaMaria had been getting closer, he was spending a lot more time over at the Mendoza ranch, and they didn't really need two vehicles... 

Percy had gone off to Business School in Chicago which wasa real relief for Cliff, given how much of a pain in the ass his lady-friend's son was...  Cliff not being around so much these days, coupled with Duke having headed off to pursue some contracts for the ranch and Brooklynne being back at her mom's in New York during term time, meant that Ariana and Sawyer practically had their own little lovenest.  Cliff wasn't quite ready to let them start redecorating, but the place was practically theirs.

This was the first weekend that Ariana's folks had come to Montana and Ariana had talked about nothing else.  Sawyer laughed as Ariana excitedly pointed out the spot where her car had broken down and she'd first met Sawyer as they neared the ranch.  Louise made a dreamy comment about how it must have been fate as Jamal rolled his eyes.

Rumbling down the drive to Oakley Ranch a few minutes later, Ariana babbled to her parents about all the fun plans that she and Sawyer had for them this weekend and the people she wanted them to meet.  Sawyer watched his girl’s eyes sparkle in the rear-view mirror, smirking to himself as he thought about the plans he’d made for this weekend that Ariana was completely in the dark about…