The Aviators

“It’s Valary Sanders!” Jimmy is yelling at the top of his lungs whilst running around the edge of the pool.

We’re all in the pool, shaking our heads and laughing at his antics.

“Get in, ya bastard!” Johnny replies.

“Yeah, before you fall and break your neck,” Matt mutters as he pulls me closer to his side.

I giggle, shaking my head. “He’s way too nimble for that…”

Jimmy takes a running dive and lands with a splash in the middle of our group, spluttering as he surfaces. I laugh more as he glowers around at us.

“I got water up my nose…”

“Whose fault is that?” Brian says with a snort.

Jimmy rolls his eyes in response then turns to look at Matt and me. “How does it feel to be Mrs Shadows?” Jimmy grins at me.

I flush, lowering my eyes, but then lift them again to meet his frank gaze. “I’m not sure, yet…ask me later?” I have to be honest, after all. The wedding went by in a whirlwind…the fact that the day crept up on us so fast is hard to fathom in itself. And then it was over before I knew it. There’s no real words to describe how I feel about it. Joy, definitely…nervousness, exhilaration, hope. I think that’s the biggest emotion. Hope. Hope that everything will improve from now on.

“Freeing?” Jimmy persists; I blink at him.

Matt mutters again. “Ask her later.”

Brian adds, “We have to wait for JD’s call before we know whether that’ll be the case.”

“But, wasn’t that the point of all this?”

Matt growls, “No. The point of all this is that I love Val, and want to spend the rest of my life with her.” He rubs my shoulders, smiling at me. “Freeing her will be bonus.”

I lean back into his chest, relaxing at his touch. He smiles more, then looks to Jimmy again. “But, regardless, she’s my wife now. Not my…slave.”

Jimmy narrows his eyes at the both of us then grins and pulls both of us into a strong embrace. “I love you, both!”

I giggle as he squeezes us; Matt grunts, but I can see that his friend’s statement makes him happy.

I’m content, as well. I think.

The phone rings just as Jimmy dunks Johnny under the water. Matt climbs out of the water as Leana comes running from the house, clutching the cordless.

“It’s Robert!”

I shiver at his name; yes, I’m still nervous around that guy…not even the fact that he’s helping us can change that. I turn in the water and watch as Matt takes the call. His frustration is obvious; the furrowing of his brow; the tensing of his jaw; the way he clenches his free hand, knuckles turning white.

I bite the inside of my cheek and start a little as Jimmy slides up next to me again and wraps an arm around my shoulder.

“It’ll be okay, little sis…” Jimmy’s tone is unusual in its sobriety.

I peek up at him, blinking a little. “You think so?”

He grins. “I know so. There’s no way Matt’s gonna let anything happen to you again. Once was enough. For all of us.”

I flush then look back to Matt who is still pacing along the side of the pool. He isn’t on the phone anymore, though. He’s muttering under his breath as he paces, banging his fist against his thigh.

“Shads?” Jimmy says, drawing his focus back to us in the pool. “What did he say?”

Matt licks his lips, then grins. “They’ve done it.”

“Done it?” Brian echoes.

Matt nods as his eyes flash. “They’ve got the authorities involved. Finally. There’s going to be a major investigation.” He pauses, meeting my gaze direct. “And, Val doesn’t have to be there in person, ever again. If they need any statements from her…or us…it’ll be via videolink.” Matt tugs absently at the drawstring of his shorts. “Oh…and JD is fast tracking Val’s…your emancipation forms.”

I start blinking fast, and clutch hold of Jimmy’s hand at Matt’s words.

I’m going to be free…

Matt jumps back into the pool and comes right up to me, pulling me into his arms and pressing his lips into my hair.

“You’re going to be free, babe.” He nuzzles, voice lowering so only I can hear him. “I love you, Valary Sanders.”

Notes

Um. Wow. An update. Gosh. So long.

Please do enjoy, if you're still reading. :)