Motion (Sequel to "Collide")

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

I would lie if I said I wasn't preoccupied about what happened at the loft, because I was. No matter how hard I tried not to compare what was happening with John and what was supposed to happen with the Chandlers, I just couldn't help it. The outcome seemed to be exactly the same: in the end, someone would get hurt. Michael and Faraji would.

It was obvious that John wanted something from me, from us. A part of me was curious to know what it was, while the other one was terrified to find out. I knew I had Michael by myself through this hardship, and this thought alone managed to soothe me for a second. With him, I felt invincible. I knew that, together, we would do everything it takes to keep our son and our family safe.

While Michael's team took care of our luggage, it was time for us to be reunited with our son. I pushed away the many thoughts that were battling inside my head, and made sure to make Faraji my only concern when we set foot on Neverland's grounds. It had been two weeks since I last saw his face, and I hoped that Latoya and Mary didn't put him to bed before we had the chance to say goodnight.

Before we pushed the door of the main house open, I grabbed Michael's hand in mine and he stopped dead in his tracks. He laid his worry-filled eyes on me as I cupped his face in my hands. I needed to take a couple of minutes to make sure my husband was focused on the joy of being reunited with his son. I wouldn't allow his mind to wander around and let his concerns ruin this moment.

"I know how you feel right now," I told him, rubbing his cheek with my thumb. "You're nervous, scared even. I am too, if I am being honest," I sighed, as I slid my hands down to his shoulders. "But you need to trust me when I say I won't let anyone ruin what we have. We're in this together. You're with me now."

"I know, but...," he said, but he trailed off. "I just wish I could do something. I feel useless."

"We're gonna find a plan," I assured him with confidence. I trusted us on that, I knew we would. "Whatever John will do, know that I'm sorry he ever was a part of my life."

"Stop this," he told me right away, shaking his head. "You couldn't know he would come back, and we still don't know what he wants from you. What I know for sure is that I'm not going to let you deal with this on your own. Not this time. Not now that I know everything about you," he told me, and I simply nodded. I didn't know what to say, all I could think of was apologizing all over again. "You put your life at risk time and times again to save me from a future that would have killed me, Hale," he sighed heavily, shaking his head again as if he wouldn't believe his own words. "It's time for me to be there for you while we try to save our future. Together."

I didn't say anything back. I tired to swallow the guilt, and brought my lips to Michael's and gave him a sweet kiss as a sign of my thankfulness. It is true that things were a bit less destabilizing now he knew the truth about me.

I remembered how guilty he felt when I told him about what I went through, how I jeopardized my own life to save his. After this, it was obvious that Michael would do about anything to return the favor to me, even though I would have never asked for him to do so.

"Together," I repeated with a slight smile, wrapping my hands around Michael's wrists as he was cupping my face in his hands. "Now let's go hug our son."

"Gladly," he smiled back at me before he gave my forehead a kiss and let go of me.

When I pushed the door open followed by my husband, I was surprised by the quietness of the place. It was almost eleven in the evening, and the majority of the employees went back home already, minus the security team that was outside, helping Bill with our luggage.

"Hello?" Michael called across the empty hall.

"Guys?" Latoya's sweet voice was heard in the distance, followed by the clicking of her heels. "Is that you?"