Can You Keep A Secret?

Chapter Sixty-One

-Mikey's POV-

It had been Liv's idea to go all out for Jack's return. She forced all of us to contribute to making a giant poster for him, despite our varying artistic abilities. She'd tossed markers at me until I got up off of the bed and helped her to color in the letters.

"It'll be just like in the movies, when the chauffeur holds up a sign with their name on it," She'd explained.

Blair had also been roped into the plan – He was dressed as the "chauffeur," with all black and a pair of sunglasses on.

Liv held up the sign, and she looked at me eagerly, eyes shimmering, and I couldn't help myself – I leaned down and kissed her.

"Stop," She giggled. "You're gonna make me drop it."

"PDA alert," Andy stuck his tongue out and made a gagging noise.

"But, seriously, are you alright?" I whispered into her ear. A couple of steps in Rye had shut his eyes, breathing out, and said that he wasn't ready to be around so many people yet. He was waiting in the car while we waited for Jack in the middle of the busy airport.

"I'm fine, I promise," She replied.

"Okay baby," I said, hugging her from behind. She leaned back and kissed me before looking forward again. I rested my head on her shoulder, thinking back to the last time we'd all been waiting somewhere – But then, Liv hadn't been there, and we'd had no idea what had happened to her or Rye. I felt especially grateful to be in this moment with her in my arms.

I almost jumped when Brooklyn let out a yell, distracted within my own thoughts. I looked up to see him running and then nearly colliding with Jack, who laughed and let go of his bags before embracing Brooklyn with a hug. I could see him talking excitedly to Jack whilst picking up his bags, and then pointing to the poster that we all had made.

His face broke out into a glorious grin, and, after glancing around quickly, I could see that even Blair had the biggest smile on his face. I let go of Liv in order to greet Jack properly. I waited for the others to get their turns before wrapping my arms around him.

"I'm so glad you're back." He pulled back, running a hand through his hair.

"Me too. You guys didn't have to do all of this." Liv shrugged.

"We wanted to."

"I missed you," Brooklyn said, looking as if he was almost close to tears.

"Ah, don't go crying on me," Jack said, but he seemed as if he might, as well.

"Wait." He paused for a moment as we started heading out. "Where's Rye?"

"In the car," Andy explained.

"Oh, alright," he nodded, trying to take some of his bags back from Brooklyn, who, even though he was clearly weighed down and stumbling, refused to give up even one. Andy, seeing the issue, forced Brook to share some of the load with him.

"Did you bring, like, your entire house with you?" He grunted.

"I didn't think I packed that much! Only the essentials." Jack protested. Andy stopped walking, shooting him a Look – He'd probably learned it from Liv.

"Really? A ton of bricks are considered 'essential'?" He made air quotes. Jack shrugged.

"You never know when you're going to need to build a fortress on the spot. Always gotta be prepared. Besides, I did try to carry my own bags." He pointed out.

"Ey, we better hurry up, Rye's still in the car," I added.

"Oh, shit, you're right." My heart felt warm and full knowing that all of my favorite people were in the same place again, at long last. No more worrying that somebody wasn't alive, or wasn't safe. Things were finally the way that they were supposed to be again.

Liv grabbed my hand and skipped a little as we walked out of the airport – The sun was bright, not hidden by clouds for once, and it took a moment from my eyes to adjust and see what was right in front of us – Waiting out front was the car. Rye was leaning out of the window, blasting Galway Girl on the speakers.

"You didn't," Jack said, shocked.

Rye just smiled and got out, singing "Nananananananana."

"I'm so happy our little Galway Girl is back," he said.

"Ah, fuck you," Jack said, but he was grinning as well and hugged him anyways.

We were all singing it at the top of our lungs as we piled into the car, and during the line "And then she kissed me like there was nobody else in the room," Liv leaned over and kissed me, and the car broke out into whoops and hollers.

If I could've held onto this moment and this feeling forever, I would've.