Epilogue
Two weeks later
San Diego International Airport buzzed with the usual chaos of rolling luggage, delayed flights, and exhausted travelers pretending not to be irritated with one another.
Sabre stood near the security entrance beside JP while Bay and Hannah sat together several feet away with Aunt Rochelle.
Neither girl looked comfortable yet. That was okay.
Comfort would take time. But they sat shoulder to shoulder, quietly talking over a shared pair of earbuds while August handled boarding passes nearby with his wife, Karen.
For a moment, they looked like two teenagers who had lived a normal life. The important thing was that they were together.
August returned and asked, “Are you ready?”
Hannah looked toward Bay, and Bay nodded. That silent exchange told Sabre more than words could have.
Karen handed each girl a small paper bag. “Airport pancakes are terrible,” she said, “but they’re still pancakes.”
Bay smiled weakly, but Hannah laughed. A real laugh, although it was small, and rusty.
Hearing it made something loosen in Sabre’s chest.
August looked over. “We’ll keep you updated.”
“You’d better,” JP said beside her. “And thanks for stepping up to the plate.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
August hadn’t made any dramatic speeches or promises. He was just a brother showing up for his baby sister and her friend. That was enough.
Hannah stood and walked toward Sabre. She was still uncertain around every new thing, but stronger than the frightened child who’d disappeared eight years earlier.
Sabre met her halfway. Then Hannah held out something folded awkwardly in her hand.
Sabre blinked. “What’s this?”
Hannah shrugged. “A gift card for pancakes.”
Sabre laughed softly. “You don’t owe me pancakes.”
A smile crossed Hannah’s face. “Maybe I wanted to.”
That one nearly broke her. Sabre pulled her into a gentle hug. Hannah hugged her back this time, no hesitation.
When they stepped apart, Hannah wiped quickly at her eyes and looked embarrassed by it.
“Call if you need anything. I mean that.”
“I know.”
And for the first time, Sabre believed she did.
A boarding announcement echoed overhead. Rochelle stepped forward and gave each of the girls a hug. “I’ll come see you soon.”
August touched Hannah gently on the shoulder. “Time to go.”
The girls picked up their bags. Bay paused beside Sabre. “Are you really taking time off?”
Sabre smiled. “I’m trying.”
Bay looked at her lovingly and said, “We all need you to keep doing your job. All of us out there.”
For weeks Sabre had been thinking she might leave juvenile law completely.
Now she finally understood that wasn’t the decision she needed to make yet.
Instead, she’d done something far more difficult.
She’d chosen a limit. One month with no new cases, no emergency appointments, and no pretending she could carry every broken child in San Diego by herself.
After that, she would decide what came next. Maybe after watching her mother marry Harley on a cruise ship full of kids, grandkids, and chaos.
For the first time in a long while, Sabre allowed herself not to know the answer yet.
Bay hugged her quickly, then followed Hannah toward security. Rochelle walked with them while August and Karen trailed behind carrying the heavier bags. They were a family— messy, unexpected, and real.
Halfway through the security line, Hannah turned back. She didn’t look frightened this time.
Sabre lifted a hand. Hannah smiled and disappeared through the checkpoint beside Bay.
JP stepped up quietly beside her. “You okay?”
Sabre watched the empty space where the girls had been. “Ask me after Alaska.”