His eyes, his voice, and his hands slowly take mine. There is something in me that screams to stay out of this, to focus only on the result, to be distant and not let the sweetness of his gaze or his gentle prayer dig something out of me, but there is something in him, something that whispers, asking you to believe and to stay. Something that I know will only lead us to complicate everything and risk everything.
“Don’t leave us now. We…” A tear slowly caresses her face until it stops at the corner of her mouth. “We need you.”
I know it, and I feel it. And not just through his words. Or the way his fingers gently squeeze mine. I feel it in my whole body, like a call, like something you know you must run from to survive, but you can't help answering.
This family needs me, and I want to do it for some absurd and hidden reason. I want to help them with all the means at my disposal.
“I am here for you, Seth. I will not abandon you.”
* * *
WHEN WE EXIT the room where we had hidden, we find the kids, Paul, Mr Yang, and Ross, waiting for us.
“There you are!” Seth walks up to them, kneels in front of Emily sitting on a wooden bench and takes her hands. “It’s all right. We can go home, right, Rowan?” Seth asks in confirmation.
“Absolutely.”
“Won’t they take us away?” Her voice is thin, frightened.
“No, sweetheart. You come home with me.”
“Forever?” Emily asks again.
“Well, darling… Why don’t we start with today?”
Emily’s eyes fill with tears. “You promised we would never be separated.”
I instinctively close my eyes to hear these words. Words that echo, that scratch, words that come back to life even though I tried to bury them so many years ago in a remote place in my mind.
“I did it, honey.” Now, even Seth’s voice gives way. “And I will do everything I can to keep my promise.”
Emily looks at me. Her bright, fearful eyes say more than words.
“And will you get married?”
“Oh, well…” Seth turns to me for help.
“That’s still to be decided,” I say vaguely.
“But are you together?” Logan asks.
“Together… er…” Seth starts to fidget. “It’s a bit of a complicated matter that needs to be discussed calmly.”
“Tonight,” I suggest instinctively. “At dinner.”
“Sure,” he says doubtfully. “We can have dinner at our place. At home.”
I consider the suggestion for a few moments, then decline. “I don’t think you should cook,” I say, making everyone laugh. “Let’s go out, shall we? To an Italian restaurant. They do great lasagne and pizza.”
“Pizza!” Emily jumps to her feet in excitement.
“What do you say, Seth?”
Seth looks at me. And it is the same as before. Full of hope, gratitude and something more.
“Thank you,” he whispers before his lips curve into a full smile.
“Mr Kennedy?” someone calls me.
