The station is cold, the lights bright and unyielding as we enter. Arson’s tail wags as he enters the familiar space, and Thomas leans down, unhooking his leash. The Chief is waiting for us in the lobby.
“Hey kid,” he greets Thomas. Thomas lets go of my hand to shake Chief’s, but his familiar touch is only gone for a moment, then he’s taking my hand again.
“Chief,” Thomas says gruffly.
“Nice of you to finally show up,” a new voice calls from down the hall.
A huge smile appears on Thomas’s lips, and his eyes glint with tears. “Fuck, man,” Thomas mumbles, pulling me with him. When the person comes into full view, I realize it’s Henry.
My hand is dropped once more as Thomas embraces Henry. I watch as Arson tries to greet him too, even barking to make his presence known. After their hug, Henry turns his attention toward me.
“Thank you,” he says, holding his hand out to shake mine.
Confused, I shake it. “Thank you?”
“Yes. You both saved my life that night. I know you two witnessing me being shot is the reason you were sent away, but selfishly, I’m glad you were there. Had you not been, I wouldn’t be here,” Henry explains.
When I think about it, I realize he’s right. I’ve savedlives before. It’s quite literally my job, but for him to be able to thank me for it, especially after everything, hits deep.
“Oh,” I reply lamely. Thanks brain. Why can’t I come up with things to say?
“We’re glad you’re okay,” Thomas responds for the both of us.
“Heard the good news,” Henry says, leading us down the hall. “Congratulations.”
Thomas places his hand at the small of my back, swallowing a cough. “Thanks.” He looks over at me, and I shrug. I’m not sure what the protocol is. Are we going to continue pretending?
We enter a familiar room, the same one Thomas and I shared our first kiss in. The same room where he told me he’d lied and said I was his fiancée. So much has changed since then. Am I even the same person anymore?
Elena is waiting to greet us with a smile. There’s a manilla folder on the table, and I see my cell phone next to it. In all honesty, I haven’t missed it. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t. It was almost nice to have a break from it.
“Welcome home,” Elena greets, telling us to sit. Of course, Thomas rests his hand on my thigh the moment we do.
Elena and Thomas volley questions and information back and forth, and Thomas nods his head, listening intently. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here lost and unable to focus. I should be listening, but I can’t. My brain can’t latch onto their voices or what they’re saying. My breathing becomes shallow as I sit in the room where everything changed.
Thomas notices, because of course he does. “Can you give us a minute, Elena?”
“Of course.” Her eyes soften as she takes me in. Clearly, she must see how much of a mess I am.
Once she and Henry leave us alone, it’s like I can’t breathe at all. “I’m sorry,” I say through shuttered breaths.
“Hannah, stop,” Thomas turns in his chair, cupping my cheeks in his large palms. “Take a deep breath with me, baby.”
I try to follow him, taking long inhales.
“Good girl,” he praises. “There you go.”
After another minute of breathing, he slowly rests his palms on my shoulders. “What happened?”
I shake my head. “I don’t even know. Being in this room brought back all the fear and anxiety I felt that night, and I couldn’t think. I don’t even know what Elena was saying.”
“Nothing important. She was going over everything that’s happened since we left. It’s nothing you need to know. I can give you a rundown later.”
Nodding, I take another deep breath. “Can we go home?” As I blurt the words, I realize I’m not sure what home is anymore. I feel so at home here, but it is the cottage itself, or is it Thomas?
“Soon. She has a few more things, but then, yes.”
There’s a soft knock on the door and Elena re-enters. “I brought some water for you two.”
