Chapter Thirteen
H annah had serious doubts about how they’d make it to the airport. They’d done it, though—although even she couldn’t be sure what was packed in her suitcase. She’d thrown essentials into a bag along with Collin’s things, which she’d packed at the beginning of the week. Now, that suitcase was rolling down the conveyer belt behind the airport’s check-in counter. “Okay?” Hunter squeezed her shoulder, and she nodded. She was not okay and they both knew it. Her head was still spinning with the range of emotions she’d experienced in the last fifteen hours. Devastation hit hard and fast when she was told her crash-scene patient hadn’t survived. She hadn’t experienced that level of despair on the job in a while, and when she left the hospital, it felt as though the life was drained out of her. It had been a physically and emotionally draining shift, and she just had nothing left when she slumped against the wall.
Then Hunter was there, right when she needed him, lifting her off the ground. The emotional support he’d quietly given was utterly selfless. A safe space to grieve without questions or demands. He’d brought her home, helped her shower and change, then let her sleep. The chemistry between them was explosive and she loved that he didn’t play games. Was transparent with his feelings for her and Collin. She’d lied and told him she was falling. But she was already there. Hunter had the power to shatter her heart, but he wouldn’t. That trust was freeing. What allowed her to fully open up to him.
Warmth blanketed her when Hunter paused and began pointing out the security checkpoint. “The next step is waiting in the security line. It’s a long one, but that’s okay. We can brainstorm new pizza ideas.”
“What happens after?” Collin’s gaze was fixated on the line, and he snapped his fingers at his sides.
“First we get through the line, then we’ll get something to eat on the way to our terminal.”
“The gate terminal is where the plane parks to pick up passengers.”
“That’s exactly right.” She placed a reassuring hand on her son’s back. This was his first time flying. She’d always opted to drive out of concern that the airport would be a sensory nightmare for him, but with Hunter there, too, the experience felt more manageable. They’d spent the past few nights reading a social story about the airport and what to expect from air travel. They stepped into one of the queued lines and prepared to wait. The line didn’t disappoint, holding them back for a good half an hour. Collin had done great, though, talking pizza with Hunter. By the time they reached the security agents with their latex blue gloves, Collin’s stimming had increased, which wasn’t surprising in the least. The place was bustling with the shuffling of feet, final boarding calls over the intercom, and dozens of pieces of luggage clattering over the tile floor. It was a lot for her to take in, never mind someone with sensitivity to sensory input. The security agent called them forward.
“License,” the woman grunted. After combing through the information, they moved to the next set of employees.
“Collin, you’re going to have to take off your shoes and put them with mine in this bucket.”
“Take off my shoes,” he repeated, angling his body to slip them off one at a time. He clutched her shoulder to stabilize himself.
“Keep the line moving,” a security agent yelled in their direction. Her head snapped up, and her scalp began to tingle with pinpricks of anxiety. She didn’t tolerate people being rude to Collin. She’d rather get kicked off of the flight than have him be made uncomfortable.
“Keep the line moving. Keep the line moving,” Collin whispered under his breath.
He didn’t care for the feel of noise-canceling headphones, but she was sure wishing she’d brought some regardless. “Take your time, bud,” she reassured him even as her chest tightened. Collin might love to dart around, moving as quickly as he could, but tasks that required more coordination, like standing on one foot to take off his shoe, took a bit more time.
“Come on. Let’s go! Shoes in the bucket.”
She glared at the security agent and opened her mouth that they needed a minute and he could damn well wait, but Hunter’s large hand landed on her back.
“Wait here.” His voice was soft, his expression blank, but she noticed the tick in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. Hunter was a beautiful man, but he never looked so downright perfect as he did approaching the metal detector, beckoning the security agent to come closer. They were too far away to make out what he was saying, which she was grateful for. Right now, Collin was so focused on putting his shoes in the bin, he wasn’t aware of what was happening around him. As Hunter spoke, the security officer held up both hands, palms facing out, then put one to his chest, as though apologizing. Hunter turned toward them and held one arm out signaling they could join him.
You’re mine. Collin is mine. I’m not prepared to think about losing you, but you have to know I will take care of him.
Hunter’s words from earlier replayed in her head. Fear and stubbornness almost kept her from giving him a chance, and wouldn’t that have been the biggest mistake of her life? In him, she’d found a confidant she could trust with anything. Someone strong enough to carry some of life’s pressing weight. A man who loved her so thoroughly she saw literal stars when she closed her eyes and regained her breath. Before she was worried that he’d meet her family and decide she wasn’t worth the trouble. Now, she just wanted this wedding to be over so she could go home with the two most important men in her life.
“Can I go through?” Collin clapped his hands as he looked at her and Hunter, then back at the arched metal detector.
“Of course. Please step forward,” the security agent said to Collin and took a step back.
Collin walked through the metal detector and laughed when he got to the other side. “Can I have my shoes back?”
“Your shoes go through that box right there. Have you ever been for an X-ray before?” the man asked.
“I closed my eyes and fell off my bike,” Collin said, referring to the one time he’d needed to go to the emergency room to find out if he’d fractured his arm.
“Okay, so that’s what we’re doing to your shoes. Giving them an X-ray. They’ll pop out right at the end there.”
Once the security officer was finished explaining, Hannah walked through, followed by Hunter.
“I’m sorry for rushing you, ma’am. He didn’t look like he had a disability.”
“There are lots of disabilities you can’t see.” If she had a dollar for every time someone told her that Collin looked a normal kid, she’d have quite the nest egg. But really, what was normal anyway and why did it matter? Collin was a fun, outgoing thirteen-year-old. He had an infectious laugh, was a wonderful son and friend. In short, he was perfect—no changes needed. The only change needed was in the world around them. For people to realize that having a disability didn’t make someone’s life less. Didn’t make it sad or something to pity. Didn’t mean they experienced hopes, dreams, desires, risks, and rewards any differently. Didn’t mean they shouldn’t be in places of power, making important decisions for all people, not just those who were neurotypical.
She was relieved when she saw the smile on Collin’s face as the bin with their shoes rolled down the conveyer belt. “Thanks for having our backs.” She smiled at Hunter, and helped grab their belongings.
“Thank you for letting me.” He pulled her into a quick side hug and kissed the top of her head. “What do you think the chances are that there’ll be a place to get a pizza in this airport?”
Collin simply beamed, then laughed. He wrapped his arms around Hunter’s waist and squeezed hard. Hunter let out an oomph, but returned the bear hug. The emotions that played over his face had pain lodged in her throat. The kind that only happened when you witnessed something truly beautiful. Something soul-soothing. Her son and this kind, strong man had a bond so special it all but sparkled. When Collin let go, he stood up and tapped Hunter’s cheeks. “I love you, Hunter Branch Green.” He leaned forward and clapped his hands while Hunter’s body stilled. Her own breath caught, and her lungs burned with her son’s sweet words. “Person that sees a pizza first has to pay!” Collin sang out and put one arm, then the other, through the straps of his orange backpack.
Hunter regained his composure and grinned. “That’s not exactly a fair bet, bud. If you’re set on winning or maybe think you’re going to win, you could say last person to see pizza has to buy.”
Collin’s brows scrunched. “But I want to buy it. I want to open a pizza store, make money, and buy you and Mom more pizza.”
“I’d visit your restaurant every day of the week, man. And, Collin?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you, too.”
The burn behind her lids matched the one scoring her heart. “Gotta run into the bathroom.” Like a big chicken that was about to bawl its eyes out, she turned on her heel and darted into the closest restroom. At least these were good tears. Happy tears. After she’d had a good cry, she rejoined Collin and Hunter. They grabbed dinner before making their way to the gate to wait for their flight. Collin was playing with his tablet, and she was soaking in the feel of Hunter’s hand around hers. The touch was defusing the kernels of apprehension popping in her belly. Her phone vibrated inside her pocket, where she’d stashed it after going through the security checkpoint. She stretched back so she could remove it from her front pocket, and her pulse quickened at the text message alert on the screen.
“It’s Vivi.” She held the phone up to her face to unlock the device and read the message.
Vivienne
Hanni—you’re right. I’m making a big mistake.
“Hunter.” She felt winded after reading the message, and turned the cell phone so he could read it.
“Your radar was spot on.” He was dragging his own phone out of his back pocket. “I’m going to give Silver and Iron an update. You okay with that?”
“Of course.” Her fingers were already clicking across the keyboard.
You know what you want and what is best for you. We decided to come down a day early. Our flight boards in 15.
Three dots popped up immediately as relief rushed through her. Something had felt off about the entire engagement and rushed marriage.
Vivienne
I want you to know I’m sorry for everything. I should’ve done something before when you left. It’s never been the same here.
Hannah shook her head in confusion and clutched the phone.
You have nothing to apologize for. You were just a kid.
“Now boarding Flight 231 to Southlake, Texas.”
Our flight is boarding. I’ll call you when we land.
Even though she was glad Vivienne was finally waking up to all the choices being made for her, ones that she might not necessarily want, her stomach rolled with apprehension. Her mom and Regina wanted this wedding to happen and they weren’t going to be happy with Vivi’s change of heart, but it wasn’t like they could force her down the aisle. Still, her sister getting cold feet and canceling the whole giant affair was going to fuel the gossip mills for years and her family did not like being the source of negative publicity. A chill raced down her back. The last time something scandalous had happened in the Day family, Russell had died. Suddenly, she wanted to drag Collin and Hunter out of the airport and stash them somewhere safe, but it was already too late. The wheels were in motion. If anyone could help Vivienne get out of the gilded Day family web it was the man at her side and his friends.