Fight Left In Me ✔

Chapter 32 - Feisty

Jo is done packing her suitcase and sits down at the edge of the bed to pet Canelle. He rolls on his back to show Jo his soft belly. Jo is petting him happily, when she hears a mumble behind her: "That cat always gets all the attention in this house." 

Jo laughs and says: "You know that's not true. Besides I am travelling with you and leaving the cats here. So there will be more than enough time to pet your belly in Europe." Dart walks up to her and lifts his shirt with a grin. Jo stares at his abs and then leans over to Canelle to whisper, just loud enough for Dart to hear: "Your tummy is a lot softer though." She kisses Canelle on his head and turns to Dart to stick her tongue out at him. 

Dart quickly leans down and sucks her tongue into his mouth. "Hmm, thankfully there are still things I am better at than Canelle." Jo gets up from the bed and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him close for another kiss. 

"A lot of things, handsome. Very important things too." 

Dart hugs her tightly and asks: "Are we going over to the cafe? Or is Jake coming here?" 

Jo says: "Jake is coming here with Maria. They don't want any more drama in the cafe." Jo laughs as she remembers how Ronnell and some of the regulars reacted to the news that she was traveling to Europe with Dart. They created so much drama, like she was never coming back. 

Dart grabs the suitcases and carries them outside, before sitting down on the steps. Jo kisses the cats goodbye and walks out to lock the door. She sits down next to Dart, playing with the charms on her necklace. Dart looks her over and asks: "Are you nervous?" 

Jo looks into his eyes and nods. Dart sees the terrified look in her eyes and wishes he could take her fear away. He runs his fingers over the scar on her cheek, trying to give her some of his strength. "I love you Jo. If you need anything, tell me. Even if it might seem stupid to you, ask me anyway." 

Jo smiles slightly and says: "Well, could you hold my hand? Like all the time?" Dart lays his hand down next to her, with his palm up and Jo places her hand on top of it. Dart laces his fingers through hers and squeezes her hand. 

"I promise to stay close to you and hold your hand as much as humanly possible." Jo thanks him and sees Jake drive up to the house. 

Maria jumps out and walks over to Jo quickly, Jake following behind. Maria hugs Jo and whispers: "It will be fine. You have Mister Perfect with you. Trust in your own strength and his." Jo smiles, her eyes a bit watery, warmed by Maria's words. 

Maria pulls something from her pocket and asks Jo to hold her arm out. Jo does as asked and Maria slips a bracelet around her wrist. It's aqua blue, with a small starfish charm on it and it has a small glass bead filled with sand. 

Jo smiles down at it and Jake says: "It has Venice Beach sand in it. We wanted to give you something to remember us by." He winks at her and continues: "But mostly we wanted to give you some strength with it. Like we're there with you and we will always be here to come home to." Jo smiles and cries at the same time and Jake pulls her close for a hug.

"Thank you Jake... and Maria you too. This will definitely help me. Now I can take a piece of home with me wherever I go." 

Jo gets pulled into a group hug and Dart says: "You heard it. She called it home so easily and I couldn't be happier." Maria and Jake agree with a smile. Dart grabs the suitcases and Jake opens the trunk. 

The four of them drive over to LAX, Jo holding hands with Dart the entire way over there. He rubs her hand with his thumb and she smiles softly as she stares out of the window. She says goodbye to Venice in her head and promises she will be back. Jake drops them off in front of the airport and Jo is grateful for not having to say goodbye to them.