Chapter 27 #2
I should be terrified. Dresner was still out there, hunting. Oblivion’s network remained intact even with the publication weakening their public facade. We would spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders if Dresner and its network didn’t fall.
But I wasn’t terrified.
I was happy.
Actually, genuinely happy for the first stretch since before my sister died.
I’d chosen this. Chosen him. Danger over safety, love over isolation, messy complicated life over controlled emptiness.
And I’d choose it again.
Every single instant.
The door opened. They came inside, arms still linked. Both red-eyed but smiling.
He caught my eye. I smiled back, nodded.
She was talking animatedly, gesturing as she explained something. He listened with focused attention, occasionally responding. Their easy rapport was obvious. Years of shared history, inside jokes, shorthand communication only siblings had.
Ronan moved from his position by the window, joining them. His palm found the small of her back automatically. She leaned into the touch without looking, still talking.
Found a family.
All four of us. Survivors of Oblivion’s cruelty who’d chosen love over conditioning, freedom over control.
I set my water down. Started toward them.
Then changed my mind.
They needed this. Unanswered questions and a lost connection to rebuild.
And I needed air.
I slipped out the door quietly.
The beach was steps away. White sand still warm from the day’s sun, though evening was approaching. Sky beginning its shift toward sunset, gold bleeding into the blue, promising spectacular colors soon.
I walked toward the water, letting waves wash over my feet.
Cool. Refreshing. The ocean stretched endlessly before me, horizon blurring where water met sky.
Peace settled into my bones.
Real peace. The kind that came from making the right choice even when it was the hard one.
I’d saved him. He’d saved me. We’d fought through hell together and come out the other side.
Not unscathed. Never unscathed.
But alive. Together. Free.
The sunset painted the sky in spectacular shades. Orange, pink, purple bleeding together like watercolors.
Beautiful didn’t cover it.
I stood there for a while, breathing. Being. Letting the ocean’s rhythm settle deep.
Footsteps approached. I didn’t turn. Knew who it was by his presence.
Arms wrapped from behind.
I startled, just for a heartbeat, old defensive instincts kicking in.
Then I recognized his touch. His scent. The solid warmth of him against my back.
Xavier.
I relaxed, letting my weight settle against his chest.
His chin rested on my shoulder. Arms locked, holding me close.
“Are you trying to flee?”
I laughed. Actually laughed, light and genuine. “Flee? From you?”
“You walked away.”
“I wanted you to have this with your sister.”
He turned me in his arms. Gentle pressure until I faced him.
Ocean breeze moved his hair. Sunset painted his face in gold and shadow. Green eyes catching the fading light.
Beautiful. Devastatingly so.
“I had enough and will have more,” he said quietly. “Now I want this with you.”
My chest tightened. Good tight.
I reached up, cupping his face. “How did it go?”
“Good.” His throat worked. “Hard. But good.”
“She forgave you?”
“There was nothing to forgive.” His voice roughened. “She just wanted me back.”
I smoothed my thumb across his cheekbone. “I told you.”
“You did.”
He pulled me closer. Forehead dropping to mine, close enough I could feel his breath.
“Thank you,” he murmured. “For bringing me here.”
“You brought yourself.”
“We both know that’s not true.”
I didn’t argue. Just held him, fingers sliding into his hair, letting the ocean’s rhythm surround us.
His eyes gleamed with something playful. Mischievous.
Dangerous combination.
“You know what I realized?” he asked.
“What?”
“We’ve never been swimming together.”
I laughed. “That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”
“I’m thinking about a lot of things.” His smile widened. “Swimming is one of them.”
“Xavier...”
He scooped me into his arms before I could finish the protest.
“Don’t you dare!” I shrieked, laughing, clinging to his shoulders.
“Too late.”
He ran toward the waves.
I was laughing too hard to fight properly. Half-protesting, half-delighted, holding onto him as he charged into the ocean like a man possessed.
Waves crashed. Cold water soaking through my clothes, his clothes, everything.
He didn’t drop me. Just held me as the ocean swirled past his thighs, grinning like this was the best idea he’d ever had.
“You’re insane,” I managed through laughter.
“You love me anyway.”
“Debatable.”
His grin widened. Then he kissed me.
Salty. Wet. Perfect.
I kissed him back, arms wrapping behind his neck, legs circling his waist. Ocean washing past us, sunset painting everything gold and orange and pink.
Pure, uncomplicated joy.
No danger. No Dresner. No fear.
Just us.
Laughing, kissing, alive.
He finally set me down, both of us soaked to the bone. Water dripped from his hair, his clothes plastered to his body.
He looked ridiculous.
He looked perfect.
I splashed him.
“Oh, you’re going to regret that.”
“Make me.”
Challenge issued.
Challenge accepted.
What followed was chaos. Splashing, tackling, both of us falling into the waves laughing. No grace. No dignity. Just play.
When was the last stretch I’d played?
Before my sister died, probably. Before guilt and responsibility and self-imposed isolation made joy feel like betrayal.
But he made me remember how.
We stumbled back to shore eventually, soaked and breathless. The sun had dipped lower, the sky now deep purple and gold.
They stood on the porch, watching us. She was shaking her head, amused. Ronan’s rare smile was visible even from here.
He took my hand, threading our fingers together.
“Ready to go back?”
I looked at the cabana. At them waiting. At the life we were building from the ashes of what Dresner had tried to destroy.
A month ago, I was alone.
Now I had him.
Somehow, that was everything.
“Yeah.” I squeezed his fingers. “Let’s go home.”
We walked back together, dripping wet, grinning like idiots.
She met us at the porch, handing over towels with an exasperated expression that couldn’t quite hide her smile.
We were safe.
We were whole.
We were home.