It begins with us.

Chapter Forty

Ava's POV

I sat down in one of Yaakov's leather desk chairs in his office, my thumb nail chewed down to the skin as my teeth move onto the next nail. My anxiety was eating my body alive with the unknown that I hadn't slept a wink last night after Danial's words about Anthoney, knowing that the black folder resting on top of Yaakov's desk held information about my best friend. I couldn't believe he had searched for him after all this time. He never said anything to me about it. He knew how much Anthoney meant to me, how much he still means to me, and he managed to do it all... for me. I couldn't describe the overwhelming emotions that were tugging at my heart. This man had gone above and beyond for me, showing just how much I truly meant to him that my decision to stay with me only grew stronger with each passing second. I fucking knew I had made the right choice.

My body felt tense as my eyes never left the file since spotting it moments ago. My leg bounced with nerves as Yaakov's gentle hand on my thigh brought me out of my thoughts. I looked over to him as he took the seat next to me, a soft encouraging smile tugged at his lips as he reached over to collect the file in his hands, handing it to me as I held onto it with trembling hands.

I looked down at the file, battling with myself weather to open it or not. What if he never made it? What if his injuries were too great? What if he was taken too, never making it to base camp? My heart clenched as fear tears gathered in my eyes and fell down my flushed cheeks. The thought of Anthoney suffering griped at my heart painfully.

"It's ok Ava."

Yaakov's voice intently calmed me down, pushing the negative thoughts away as he brushed my tears away with the back of his hand. I nod, unable to speak as I let out a trembling breath and open the file. I sniffed when I began scanning the pages, the chain holding my body captive beginning to untangle itself the further I read. I breathed a sigh of relief, reading that he did in fact make it back to base camp alive, and after two days of fluids and blood transfusions, he was airlifted to a US airbase in Al Anad in Yemen, where he was then flown back to our hometown in Jacksonville Florida along with others that had survived the ambush that day. I turned the pages eagerly as I continued to read line by line of the last nine months of Anthoneys life, seeing that he had recovered completely and returned to active duty only a few weeks ago. I kept ready, trying to find out where he was stationed but there was nothing else. I had reached the last of the pages.

"Where is he now?"

I whispered as I looked over to Yaakov with pleading eyes. He gently took the file from my hands and placing it back on top of his desk.

"This is all Danial was able to find out. He wasn't able to locate is whereabouts without drawing the attention from the US."

I nod numbingly, knowing that they had already gone to great lengths in retrieving this information, and even though I wanted to scream at him to find out more, I knew I couldn't. I would never want to put any of these people in danger. They have become my family, and I would do anything to protect them.

"Thank you... thank you so so much Yaakov."

I whispered while crushing him into me and wrapping my arms around his neck tightly. Our chests were pushed together, and I felt his heart beating against mine as my body relaxed into him. Tears stung at my eyes, but I let them run freely, not wanting to let go of him, ever. He was my heart and soul.

"I am sorry I couldn't find anything else."

I shook my head violently as I pulled away from him, our faces close and my arms still wrapped around his neck.

"No Yaakov... you have done so much... just knowing he is alive is enough for me."

I brought my lips down onto his, tasting my tears as I threw all my passion into it. His hands pulled me from under my knees as I sat cradled in his lap. Our kisses still remaining the same as I ran my fingers down the left side of his face.

"You will never know... just how much I truly love you."

I hiccupped, swallowing back my sobs as his eyes widened and grin overtook his lips. I couldn't help but chuckle at the child like expression on his face, as if he had just been told he was going to Disney Land. I licked my lips.

"I felt it that night down by the beach... I felt it long before then too... sorry I left you thinking I didn't."

He shook his head softly while pulling me in more, his hand moving to my neck as he rested his forehead to mine.

"I never doubted your love for me Ava... not for one second. I knew how you felt, but hearing you say the words is... everything."

We both smiled as we continued to hold onto one another, the only sounds to be heard were our own breaths as my tears began to dry up.

"I have to ask you something Ava... and I need to know your thoughts."

I pulled back to look at him, noting the worried tone in his voice as I nodded my head.

"I am under the impression that you wish to stay here... with me." I nod without hesitation, knowing that I couldn't see myself anywhere else. I couldn't see a life with Yaakov in it, and I knew that my heart wouldn't be able to take never seeing him again.

"I don't want to leave you Yaakov... I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I breath out as his hold around my waist tightens.

"And I want that to my love, more than you could ever know." I felt an uneasiness begin to grow in the pit of my stomach, like I was about to throw up my breakfast at the worry I began to feel.

"What is it."

I could barely get the words out as my body began to tense at what he was about to say. I knew he wanted me, wanted me to stay, so I had no idea where this was going, and the more he kept silent, the more uneasy I began to feel.

"Your family Ava... It's not right having them worry about you... having them think the worst when that isn't the case." I knew this already, and I hated it. I wanted both my parents to know that I was ok, but I knew I couldn't risk Yaakov and our family being hurt in the process. I had made that choice weeks ago when Yaakov had explained it all to me.

"I might have found a way for you to get in contact with them... without having your whereabouts known."

I felt my heart skip a beat as I let out all the air in my lungs. My mouth hung open as I tried to come up with words. Could this really be happening? Was I able to get in contact with my mum and dad? How was this possible? My lips began to pull into a wide smile at the thought of telling them that I was ok, that I was alive and not in any danger... But how? Was this all possibly before and I wasn't made aware of it?

"How Yaakov? Please tell me how."

I rushed out, unable to contain the rush of adrenaline that had overtaken my body. Could I do it know? He smiled down at me as we pulled apart just a fraction.

"Rivka."