When The Smoke Has Cleared

Chapter Five: Reagan Garcia

Chapter Five

...

Reagan Garcia

"I don't understand, what're you trying to say?" I asked the district attorney as he handed me the envelope. Nerves and anxiety danced within my soul like shadows on steroids, overshadowing me with their dark tendrils across my mind.

Does that mean I get to go home? Is it all over? Will she be there?

So many thoughts racing through my mind. Each breath felt shallow, constricted by the weight of the unknown.

"Well, here's the thing." the DA, Dylan responded as he took a seat in front of me. My heart was hammering against my ribcage, like a consistent drumbeat of unease that vibrated through  every fiber of my being. My thoughts were swirling, a catastrophe of worries and what-ifs that threaten to swallow me whole.

"You're welcome to go back home. For the most part, your job here is done." He continued. My palms grew clammy, a cold sweat breaking out across my skin as I grappled with the gnawing sensation of apprehension. Time seems to slow, stretching out before me like an elastic. Yet despite the storm of nerves, a flicker of determination burned within me. Would she ever understand? Could she?

With trembling hands and a racing heart, I took a deep breath and pressed forward, ready to confront the looming specter of anxiety head- on.

"You'll be safe now. I know you had to sacrifice a lot, but we couldn't have done this without you. Your husband...excuse me...EX-Husband had a lot of enemies, and unfortunately you had to be collateral damage to his crimes, and I am so sorry for everything you lost. But your testimony for the court is the only thing that could've ever gotten justice for the victims of his gang. You did the right thing, at a terrible cost. You should be fine, however, if any of them ever finds you...you just give me a call. We'll protect you and your family. Take this folder with you and keep it safe. It's got everything you need in it. Congratulations...you can now go back to being Reagan Garcia. As nice as Claire was, it didn't suit you very well." He said with a smile. I finally grabbed the envelope behind a facade of forced smile, as tears pooled at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over.

"If she's as amazing as you told me she was...once you explain everything...I'm sure she'll understand Reagan." He said, trying to comfort me. "If  it wasn't for you...she might not even be alive today to hate you."

"I know it's just, you don't understand...I've broken her so many times and just when things were going right, I packed up OUR kids and just left." I cried, feeling the sob shocked in my throat, nausea overcame my senses. "She'll never forgive me for that." I clenched my jaw, willing the lump in my throat to dissolve, but the ache of suppressed sorrow lingered like a heavy weight upon my chest. Every blink battle, a silent struggle to contain the storm inside of me, struggling to unleash.

"Call for anything, and thank you again. For everything, just talk to her, Reagan, your flights are booked for tomorrow morning. The boys are what 4? It's been 2 years, go home and fix things with your wife." He said, handing me some tissues.

It was around 9AM when our flight landed in Boston, MA. Despite my efforts, I couldn't contain the whirlwind of emotions inside of me. Even when I couldn't pinpoint what I was feeling. I was terrified. The fear gripped me tightly; the thought of her hatred consumed my thoughts. But deep down I knew there was only one way to confront the truth.  I took the boy's hand and got in the UBER as we made our way to the house. As we drove, uncertainty picked at me... I wasn't sure what exactly to expect. Did I want her to be home? Was I ready to face her? I've never been so scared in my life, especially towards the one person I couldn't bear without; but here I was; palms sweaty and heart racing with anxiety. As we made our way out of the airport, I set up the new phone they gave me and dialed my sister's number. After the third ring she answered. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

"Hello?" She said through the line.

"Kenna."

"Holy shit. Rea baby is that you? Sis please say something else... Are you okay? Where are you? What the fuck did you do?!" her voice tinged with so many emotions, weariness, worry, sadness, fear.

"I'm so sorry. I can explain. But please Kenna I just need to know..."

"She's at work."  It's like she knew what was in my mind.

"Can I come by?" I asked.

"Come by?...Reagan if you don't get your ass back home I will beat you up. I'll cancel my meetings."

An hour later I was pulling up to the house. The place looked the same, my heart was beating so fast not knowing what to expect. The door opened and Kenna was standing there with tears streaming down her face. I got out of the car with the boys and ran into her arms. Relief washing over me. The one person that never abandons me no matter what, welcoming me into her arms, even after what I've done. She hugged the boys as she laughed through her tears.

"They're so big, oh god, I missed you so much. Are you hungry?" She asked a few minutes after we calmed down. "That's the first question you have for me?" I laughed.

"With what you'll have to deal with later...you're gonna need your strength." She said as I felt my heart drop to my stomach.

"How is she?" I asked, as my voice cracked with emotions.

"Nope, I'm not touching that...Where were you?" She asked, sitting down in front of me in the kitchen."

"You remember Renaldo?" I asked, and her eyes widened.

'No fucking way! How the hell did they find you? I had a feeling it was somehow connected to Robert but I wasn't so sure. You had to testify didn't you?' She asked.

"Yeah. I was scared, Kenna. They had so many photos of her, from school, here at the house. They must've been watching her for a while cause they even had pictures of her with the boys when they were first born. I've seen what they're capable of. All I could think about was what they did to Izzabella. They threatened to kill Gabby if I didn't leave." She took a deep breath and looked at me, tears streaming down her face. "I really wanted to hate you for leaving the way you did..." She said, She closed her eyes, and I knew what she was thinking of.

"I don't know what to do Kenna." I cried leaning on her as she wrapped her arms around me.

"It's okay, whatever happens...it's going to be okay. Do the boys remember her?'

"Of course they do, she's their mother. I made sure of it. So many stories and videos and pictures. They couldn't wait actually." I said looking at them.

"Alright, how do you want to handle this?" she asked, kissing my forehead.

"It's been long enough. I need to see her.

"Alright, I guess someone is leaving work early today." She said as she pulled out her phone to call her.

Well...Well...Well Reagan is back in town folks? Should she be forgiven? or will love be strong enough to continue the relationship? DROP IN THE COMMENTS!