The Aviators

Michelle is the best. I can’t even explain how, really. She just is. She told Matt that there was no way I was going into the Guild unless everyone…all the guys…the girls came as well. I can’t even fathom the amount of love she has for me. I guess it’s a twin thing, hey? Matt’s laughing at her; he actually seems genuinely relieved about it all.

It’s been a week since JD called and told Matt we had to go in. In the meantime, the band has been working hard on their album and I’ve been hanging out with the girls. Oh, guess what? It’s my birthday soon. My real honest to God birthday. I mean…I never celebrated my birthday…always remembered the date, always made a wish that everything would get better.

“So, what do we want to do, girls?” Lacey is flipping through a party organiser a serious expression on her face. We’re at Brian and Michelle’s house going over plans for my, well mine and Michelle’s, birthday. The girls have decided that a big party is in order. Invite all the relatives…including my parents. Our parents.

I glance at Michelle who is sitting opposite me, a thoughtful look on her face.

Matt who wandered in to ask if we all wanted a drink and is now sitting next to me piped up, “We could have it at The Palms in Vegas.”

“I don’t know…would everyone fly to Vegas just for a birthday party?” Michelle frowns.

Leana adds, “And we don’t want to overwhelm Val.” She nods to me and smiles. I flush and look away, leaning against Matt’s shoulder. He holds me gently and shrugs.

“Just a suggestion.”

“Shouldn’t you be helping the guys?” Lacey asks with a raised eyebrow.

Matt shakes his head; I feel him move against me. “They’re talking with JD…about the whole Guild thing. I can’t…” He trails off and nuzzles into my hair.

“So, you’d rather sit here and listen to us girls organising a party,” Gena chuckles. “Forgive us if we bore you.”

Matt lifts his shoulders again. “I can tune you out.” I peek up at him and he smiles, giving me a light squeeze. “Anyway, I’ll get your drinks and come back.” I get up as he does and head for the door. He follows me out and hugs me from behind as we walk to the kitchen.

“You should go back and talk with them.”

I shake my head. “I’m worried.”

“About?” Matt stops me and turns my body so I’m facing him.

“My parents.” Biting my lip. He squeezes me again expression serious.

“If they do anything to make you uncomfortable, we’ll ask them to leave.”

I blink slowly then shake my head. “No…I’d rather leave…it is Chelle’s birthday too and I’m sure she’ll want them to stay.” And part of me wants them to stay too…I really, really want them to be part of my life. No matter the circumstances. I don’t say any of this, though, just look at him.

Matt frowns. “I’ll talk to her.” His tone suggests that I shouldn’t argue with him. I don’t. I know there’s no point. I just nod as he keeps walking, steering us into the kitchen.

Brian and JD are there, talking in low voices. I jolt slightly because Rob is there as well. He glances over at us a grim expression on his face. Matt heads for the fridge, pointedly ignoring them. I stand near the door, uncertain whether to leave or stay.

“Val?” I turn my head as Michelle appears behind me. I smile slightly as she rests a hand on my shoulder. “Can I talk to you, sis?” I nod slightly, glancing across at Matt. He catches my eye and smiles faintly as he shuts the fridge, several bottles of orange juice in hand. I point toward my sister; he nods and waves his hand at me as he turns to join the men.

“Alright,” I nod to Michelle. “We can go outside and talk.” She smiles slightly and we head out the back sliding doors and stand by the pool. The water looks inviting so I sit at the edge, kicking off my shoes and dangling my toes in it. Michelle joins me and lets out a soft sigh.

“So…Mom and Dad…” she says softly. I nod, glancing at her. She smiles faintly. “I spoke to them about our birthday. They say…they want to make up for what happened at the engagement party.” She bites her lip.

I look away and murmur, “I’m not mad at them. I know it had to be hard for them to have me…there…all of a sudden.” And that’s the honest truth. I was hurt, still am…but I can’t be angry with them. I haven’t been a part of their life…so the shock must have been crazy.

Michelle touches my shoulder lightly. “Val?”

I look at her, scrunching up my face. “Yeah?”

“They’re going to try…”

I nod slowly as I splash with my feet, looking into the pool. “Me too…I want it to work. But, only ‘cause they’re family. I mean, it’s not like I really know them anymore.” I bite my lip. “I was so young.”

Michelle sighs, “Yeah. We were.”

I laugh suddenly. “And maybe we’ll actually get along?”

Michelle pushes my shoulder gently. “Who wouldn’t like you? You’re sweet, funny, loving…”

I give her a look. “That’s kinda what Matt said about you.”

My sister stares at me, surprise on her face. “He did?”

I flush and look down. “He did.”

“Wow, wonders will never cease…that man…” Michelle shakes her head. “Honestly, woman? What have you done to him?”

Shrugging, I smile at her. “I haven’t done anything.” She tilts her head at me and smiles; a warm expression. Blushing, I look away again. Then I feel her arms come around my shoulders and she squeezes me firmly.

“You two are great together, Val.” She sits back a little and looks me directly in the eyes. “We’re going to make sure that things stay this way.” Her mouth twitches a little as she adds, “Minus the whole slave thing.”

I blink at her. “What?”

Michelle giggles. “The Berrys are researching the whole thing.”

“How do you mean?”

She just smiles; I frown at her. “Michelle?”

“I can’t tell you, yet, but trust me…nothing is going to take you away from us again.” Michelle turns away as her voice cracks slightly and I realise she’s trying not to cry. That makes my heart ache as I come to the realisation how much I must mean to her, and to all of them.

“Oh, Chelle,” I whisper. Then I add, a wry note to my words, “Third time lucky, hey?” She pushes my shoulder again and laughs. But we both know what I mean. Robert abducting me was an awful experience and one I don’t want to go through again.

Though what I went through as a child was a lot worse…

* * * * *

The place was huge. And there were so many people. It was overwhelming for a little girl like me. Giovanni, the big man who had brought me here from the home, was speaking to two dark looking men in quiet undertones. They turned cold eyes on me and looked me over. I shivered and stared down at my brand new sandals. A ‘gift’ the home had given me to wear to my ‘new home’. But, this place didn’t look like a home to me.

“This is the girl?” One of the two men stepped close to me and tilted my chin up with calloused fingers. I trembled, knowing without really understanding how, that none of what was happening here was good.

Giovanni nodded as he checked the brown leather case the other man had passed to him.

“The money’s all there. If we think she’s good we’ll wire you the extra.”

I clutched at my belongings, a stuffed teddy and blanket, and looked up to see the men shaking hands and Giovanni walking away. It’s funny, because, though I knew this wasn’t good, I didn’t really feel any fear. As a child, I learned to just let things happen and that everything must have a good reason. It wasn’t until I was older that I started to question what was going on around me.

The bigger of the two men turned to me and smirked. “Well, then…let’s get you processed, kid. Then you get to go to your new home.”

I shivered at the way the word ‘home’ rolled off the tip of his tongue. There was nothing comforting about the way he said it, but it was still a familiar word to me and so I followed the two men without saying a word, knowing I had no control over what happened to me. I just trusted that all would turn out well.

How wrong I was…how very wrong…

Notes