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“Jack?!” Emily couldn’t contain the smile that hit her as she unlocked her apartment door, phone pressed to her ear. She dropped her bag inside the door and kicked the door closed before tossing her coat on the chair so she could give Jack her full attention. “My God! How long has it been? Six years?”
Jack chuckled on the other end of the line, his voice broken now and his hair growing darker. He was looking more like his dad these days, he thought. He still had his mom’s soft facial shape and her eyes – but his smile? That was all from the Hotchner genepool. “Seven.” Jack corrected.
“Jeeeeeez.” Emily sighed in amazement. “So what’s been happening? How’s school? What are you doing these days? Girlfriend…?” She grinned at the embarrassed groan from Jack.
Jack laughed softly, a blush touching his cheeks. “Aunt Em! It’s all good, Em. No girlfriend, though, but, uhm, yeah… it’s good.”
Emily frowned. There was a hesitation, an underlying tone that told her everything was not as good as Jack was pretending. She wondered if he was having trouble at school? Or maybe he’d been yelled at by Hotch – she remembered being on the receiving end of his stern looks herself more than once! “Uh-huh.” She said, her voice conveying her suspicions.
Jack huffed. “How come you know when I’m lying when you can’t even see me?”
“Like I told you when you were six – I’m psychic. I know everything.”
Jack couldn’t help but laugh as he snuggled into the corner of the garage, his knees to his chest. It was safer to call from out here – his dad always had wagging ears whenever Jack made a call; always wanted to know who he was talking to and why. Always wanted to know who his friends were; where he was going; what time he’d be back… it was a nightmare!
“What is it that’s wrong, Jack? Is your dad okay?” Emily asked softly, her mind racing a mile a minute through all kinds of horrendous scenarios.
Jack scoffed. This was the question he still couldn’t reconcile the answer to. “Uhm…”
“What’s wrong?” Emily was already thinking of grabbing her coat, taking an immediate flight and making whatever it was right again. She waited patiently, the silence at the other end deafening. “You can tell me anything, you know?” she reminded him gently. “And I swear it’ll be in confidence, okay? It’s your dad, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Jack croaked. He pulled his knees tighter to his chest and wiped at a tear that fell from his eye.
“It’s okay, Jack, you can tell me, honey.”
Jack whimpered as more tears began to fall. Emily’s voice was so soft, so patient. He remembered her smile; how she smelled, and he cried harder. God, he missed his mom. His dad hadn’t even dated since they entered WITSEC. He barely even left their little home anymore. And Jack, he really needed his mom to hold him right now, to feel her arms around him, his head buried against her soft chest, smelling her shampoo as she soothed his fears.
“Jack, buddy?” Emily urged.
“Dad. He’s uh…he’s…he’s still worried.”
Emily frowned. “What about?”
“Mr Scratch.” Jack whispered, as if just saying the name would bring that monster back.
Emily closed her eyes sadly. “He’s dead, Jack. He died years ago. That’s why WITSEC released you.”
“Yeah. I know.” Jack sighed sadly.
“Hey.” Emily cooed, settling on her couch. “I know this must’ve been a hard call for you to make, buddy. Tell me what’s been happening.”
Jack chewed at his lip. “Sometimes I think he’s going crazy.” Jack breathed, relieved to be able to say it.
“Go on.” Emily encouraged.
“It… it kinda started after he got hurt, you know, when that guy stabbed him. The-the guy that killed m-m-…”
“I know, sweetie.” Emily breathed.
Jack cleared his throat and wiped at the fresh tears. “Well… for a while, when he went back to work, it was all good again and he was seeing Beth and everything was good. And then… then it all started happening again and we got moved again and hidden again, and it was worse than when I was in hiding with Mom because dad was stricter about everything and he wouldn’t let me out of his sight and… and he still won’t really. He’s always checking up on me and watching me and researching my friends and my teachers and everything.”
“He’s just worried about you, buddy. He loves you.”
Jack scoffed.
“When does he get home from work, hmm?”
Jack rolled his eyes. “He quit.”
Emily rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “He what?” She knew that the Bureau would have set Aaron up with a job as well as a home.
“Yeah. About five months ago.”
“What’s he doing now?”
“He’s my jailer.” Jack sneered. “All he does is run background checks and drink and make my life miserable.”
“He drinks?” Emily whispered.
“Yeah. He, uhm, he says he’s finally taking after his dad.”
Emily bit her lip. “Have you told anyone else? Your uncle Sean?”
“I don’t know his number and dad won’t let anyone know where we are, just in case Mr Scratch comes.”
Emily shook her head. “Jesus. Okay, uhm, look… you tell me your address and I’ll come to you, okay?”
“Would you?” Jack asked, holding his breath, afraid to really hope.
“You bet, buddy. I can take a week’s leave. Your uncle Dave can hold the fort while I’m gone, okay.”
Jack smiled brightly for the first time in weeks. “Thank you, Em.”
“You got it.” She wrote down the address that Jack gave her. “Look, you hang in there buddy, okay?”
“You’ll really come?”
“I will. Give me two days, okay.”
Jack nodded in relief, his heart warming. He felt hopeful for the first time in months. “You won’t tell dad that I called?” he asked anxiously.
“No.” Emily promised. “Uhm… when I get there, you might wanna go to the movies or to a friend’s house for a few hours. In case things get… heated. Can you do that for me?”
Jack smiled. “Okay. Whatever you want, Em. Anything to get my dad back.” He paused. “I better get back inside. Dad’s calling for me and if I don’t come right away, he’ll be mad.”
Emily’s heart sank at Jack’s words. “I’ll see you soon, Jack. Real soon. I love you, buddy.”
“I love you, Em.”
When Jack hung up, Emily dropped her head in her hands and sighed. If only they’d been told where Hotch had been sent, then maybe this could have all been avoided. If they’d been able to keep in touch, then Hotch might not feel so isolated.
Shit. Damn Mr Scratch. And damn George Foyet before him. Poor Hotch… he’d been through so much. He’d been stalked and stabbed. His family were put into hiding, away from him, to protect them, and then he witnessed his wife’s murder and murdered the guy responsible. And just when the pieces seemed to be back together again, Mr Scratch comes after him; messes with his mind and again Hotch and Jack were in danger, and sent away for their protection once again.
Emily shuddered at the memories of her own encounter with Scratch. She’d spent the best part of a year trying to nail that asswipe, and found herself on the receiving end of his mind manipulation. She resisted him – thanks largely to her training as a spy at Interpol – but even now she occasionally awoke after a night terror, convinced she was paralysed, her legs smashed and useless, her body racked with pain…
It was torture, so God knows just how badly Hotch was suffering: had suffered and continued to do so.
Emily poured herself a wine, shoved a lasagne in the microwave, and booked a flight online. She sat back on the couch, took a hefty swig of wine and dialled David Rossi.
“Emily.” He greeted brightly. “Is everything okay?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Dave huffed softly. “You don’t think so? What’s up?”
Emily sighed. “I had a call from Jack.”
“Jack Hotchner?” Dave asked after a moment.
“Yeah. He’s worried about Aaron.”
“Tell me.”
“According to Jack, Aaron has quit his job and is, uhm… well… paranoid, I guess is the simplest explanation. He’s drinking and monitoring Jack’s every move.”
“Why?”
“Scratch. He’s convinced he’s still out there.”
“But he’s dead. Aaron knows this.” Dave mused.
Emily scoffed. “I’ve had Scratch inside my own head, Dave, and what is real isn’t always what is real. I still have moments when I think I am still on that damn gurney, paralysed, and that everything now, everything that I KNOW is real is the illusion.” She sighed. “Scratch has a way of distorting reality long term, Dave. I understand Aaron’s fear, I really do. Especially given all he went through with Haley.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m taking a flight – day after tomorrow.”
Dave chuckled. “I imagine arriving on Aaron’s doorstep, you might not exactly be welcomed with open arms.”
Emily smiled. “I know. I’m prepared for it. But are you okay to hold the fort? I’ll be gone a couple of days.”
“And what do you want me to tell Barnes?”
Emily huffed. “Hell, I’m owed a shit-ton of leave. Just tell her it is personal.”
“You got it.” Dave agreed. “And, Emily?”
“Uh-huh?”
“Make sure to get Aaron back to himself, hmm?”
“I won’t leave him until I’ve beaten him into submission, I promise. And thanks Dave.”
“Anything to help Aaron.” Dave nodded seriously. “And if you need another voice to help, I’ll be available. Anytime.”
Emily nodded gratefully. “I’ll be in tomorrow to get my paperwork up to date. My flight leaves first thing Thursday…but I wanted to forewarn you.”
“Much appreciated. And don’t worry about us here.”
After disconnecting the call, Emily made one more call. “Penelope?”
“Hey honey! Whassup?”
Emily grimaced. “Aren’t you about a decade late for that?”
Penelope chuckled. “Never too late for a classic, my dear.” She paused. “Something tells me this isn’t a social call.”
“Very astute. I need a favour.”
“What kind of favour?”
“The kind that you don’t tell anybody else about.”
“Sweetness, they could pull out my fingernails before these lips loosen.”
Emily scoffed. “Okay. I need you to pull up everything – I mean EVERYTHING – relating to Peter Lewis’ death. Certificate; autopsy report; burial site… everything.”
Penelope shuddered. “Mr Scratch? Why?”
“It’s personal. I’ll tell you when it is all over and done with. I promise. But it really is important – and you’d be helping an old friend of ours.”
“Hmm… cryptic tonight, aren’t you? Okay. When do you need it?”
“Tomorrow.”
Penelope sighed dramatically. “Fortunately you have asked this favour of the world’s fastest fingers.”
“I knew I could count on you, Pen.”
“You always can, my lovely.”
*
Two days later and Emily was sitting in the hire car staring at the house where Hotch and Jack were living. It hadn’t been an issue for her to take a few days away. With Dave’s assurance to the SC that he could cover the workload, and Emily’s own assurance that she would be available 24-7 on the ‘phone, she had been granted three days leave. She had promised to call Dave each day to let him know the situation. Aaron was like a son to him and she knew that he very much wanted to come with her and help – but they both knew that Hotch would react very badly to being corralled like that, and the last thing either of them wanted was for Jack to suffer in any way.
Emily had called Jack yesterday to tell him what time she would be coming, and to make sure that he still even wanted her to come. She had insisted that he not be at the house when she arrived, but promised she would wait and see him no matter what happened between her and his dad.
There was a light on in the upstairs window and Emily inferred that it must be Hotch’s room, or maybe an office and she watched for maybe ten minutes, her eyes picking out Aaron’s silhouette, as she weighed up how to greet the man who had been her friend for so long. The curtain twitched for maybe the fourth time since she’d been sat there, and Emily decided that she’d better get on in there.
Aaron peered through the curtain once again. The strange car was still parked there. He keyed the licence plate into the computer and came up with a nondescript hire car company. He checked the window again, his eyes fixed on the silhouetted driver. He watched – and when the driver turned to look at the house, he saw a face that he recognised.
He was furious! And concerned. How did she find him? WHY did she find him? No one was supposed to be able to find them! What the fuck was she doing here? He heard the car door slam and he threw the remainder of the glass of whiskey down his throat and stormed down the stairs.
Emily took a breath as she headed up the path. It was a nice house – out of the way, for sure, and not the kind of place that the Aaron Hotchner she knew would choose. But it was nice: a nondescript, unassuming, bland little house. No one would ever suspect that the former BAU Chief was residing there.
She raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she could connect.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Emily?”
Emily gave him a goofy grin to hide the sting from his words. “Nice to see you, too, Hotch.” She opened her mouth to continue, but he grabbed her arm, dragged her inside and slammed the door.
“Get inside, damnit! What if someone saw you!”
Emily frowned. “Like who?”
Aaron hissed and turned away.
“Mr Scratch?” She could see Aaron shiver at the mention of his name. “Is that who you’re afraid of?” she said softly, reaching out to brush his arm. “He’s dead.”
Aaron pulled away and turned on her. “How do you know that?!”
Emily held his gaze. “I saw his corpse, Hotch. I saw it with my own eyes.”
Aaron smiled tightly. “And you still believe your own eyes?”
Emily nodded. “I do.”
“I wish I could believe it, Emily.” He breathed, heading through to the lounge.
Emily trailed after him, watching as he reached for a bottle and poured a glass.
“Want one?” he asked half-heartedly.
“It’s a bit early for me.” she said carefully.
Aaron scoffed and downed the drink, immediately pouring another.
Emily stepped forward and stilled his hand, hers covering the top of this glass. “Don’t Hotch. Please.”
“You giving me orders now, ‘Chief’?” he said bitterly.
Emily sighed and watched him snatch the glass from her and down that one too.
“Jack called me.” She told him, her eyes boring into his. “He’s scared.”
“I thought you said Mr Scratch was dead.”
“He’s scared of YOU Hotch. He’s scared of what is happening to you. And I can’t say I blame him.”
Aaron glared at her. “You don’t know SHIT Emily!” His anger was flowing freely now. He usually tried his best to contain at around Jack, although he knew he was beginning to fail at that. And that made him even more angry.
“Bullshit.” She fired back. “I’ve been there, Hoch. I’ve been under his spell. My reality was distorted. I… I believed the illusion. Jesus… I believed it. Sometimes I still do. But then I remind myself of how he looked, dead on the ground; bleeding. I didn’t give up on you, on Jack, when he tortured me. And I’m not giving up on you now, Hotch. I won’t give up on you. You’re my friend.”
Aaron sat heavily on the couch, his hands scrubbing at his face. “You think I don’t know what’s happening to me? You think I don’t KNOW that I’m scaring Jack? CHRIST Emily! I KNOW I am losing my fucking mind. I can see myself turning into him, you know – my father. You never met him, did you?”
Emily shook her head. “No.”
“You’re lucky. He was an asshole. He used to…” He shook his head of the memories. “He was an asshole.” He said again.
“Then don’t be like him. Scratch is dead. You’re safe. You’re safe.”
Aaron looked up at her, tears in his eyes. “I don’t feel it, Emily. My job… my lousy, fucking job. It cost Jack his childhood. It cost Haley her life and me? I’m losing my mind, Emily. How do I know it won’t happen again? How do I know that some insane asshole that we locked up – or that we failed to catch – will track me down? Will find Jack? How do I know?”
Emily sat beside him and wrapped him in her arms. “You don’t. But Foyet is dead. Scratch is dead and… while you wait for this mystery may-or-may-not-exist man… you’re losing Jack. You know it, Hotch. You’re pushing away.”
“I know.” Aaron wiped fruitlessly at his tears. “I don’t know how to stop it.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
“Something tells me that you will anyway.”
Emily grinned. “I always did have a big mouth, huh?”
“Always.” He chuckled. “Go on.”
“First – throw that damn whiskey down the drain. All of it. It isn’t helping – and it isn’t who you are, Hotch. It might’ve been who your dad was, but that isn’t you.”
“Then what?”
“Then… you and I take Jack out to a park or…Jeez… he’s getting so big. What does he like to do?”
Aaron’s tears fell again. “I don’t know.” He admitted. “I don’t even fucking know what makes my son happy anymore. I’m such a fucking failure.”
Emily pressed her lips to his forehead. “You aren’t a failure Hotch. You kept him safe when he was in danger. But he isn’t in danger anymore. He is safe and you can both LIVE again.”
“I’m afraid.” Hotch breathed, almost inaudibly.
“I’ll be with you. I’ve got three days. I’ll be with you, I’ll help.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Here?” she asked with an innocent grin.
Aaron frowned. “Here? I don’t think that –“
“Tough. We’re gonna do this. Once that booze is gone, you and I are going to speak to Jack. We’re going to get to know him again, and Goddamnit, we are going OUTSIDE and we are going to ENJOY OURSELVES and not worry that ‘someone’ might see. Because we are safe.” She took a breath and pressed a memory stick into Hotch’s hand. “This is everything we have on Scratch’s death. You can believe this, Hotch. Honestly. I, uhm, I lost an agent, a friend, getting him. So… I know it is all true, okay.”
Aaron looked at the little device. God, he wanted so badly to believe it. To believe Emily. “If it is true…” he whispered. “Christ... How badly have I fucked Jack up?”
Emily smiled and squeezed his hand. “You haven’t. If you had, then he wouldn’t have cared enough to call me. He loves you, Hotch, he loves you so much. But he’s growing up. He’s not a five year old kid anymore and… maybe it isn’t just the fear of Scratch making you hold on to him. Maybe it is just hard letting him be his own person… letting him grow up?” She chuckled softly. “I know how much I hated being constrained when I was a kid. Stuck in that stuffy lifestyle with my folks… I know it’s hard, but you’ve gotta let Jack breathe, Hotch. You have to let him know he’s safe and that there isn’t some spectre going to screw your lives up again. It’s over. Truly.”
Aaron nodded. “Where is Jack? He’s usually home by now.”
“I wired him fifty bucks and told him to go see a movie and get a burger with a friend. I, uh, I thought it best he wasn’t here when I arrived.”
Hotch scoffed softly. “He’s had more freedom in the few hours that you’ve been here than he has in years with me.” He sighed and looked at the memory stick. “I… I’d like to look at this. Alone, if that’s okay. Would you mind taking Jack for an hour?”
“Mind?!” Emily laughed. “I’d love to!” She paused and grinned, brushing at his stubble with her knuckles. “I’ll take him for two hours. And in that time, you’re going to shave that prickly chin, have a shower, dump that shirt and pants and grab a sweatshirt or some damn thing. And open these Goddamn curtains!”
Aaron laughed softly. “I bet the team cower when you arrive in the morning.”
“Yep. I’m a bitch.” She agreed. “Now… gather whatever booze you’ve got lying around. First job is to dump it down the sink. You don’t need it and I don’t think you even want it.”
Aaron nodded and regarded the empty glass on his table. “I hate the stuff.”
“We’re going to get rid of it together. We’re going to get you clean and fresh and we’re going to make Jack happy today, right?”
“Right.”
Emily rested her hand on his cheek again. “We’re going to get you another job, too. Something you actually want to do – not some shit that the Bureau set up for you.”
“I don’t even know what I want anymore.” He sighed.
Emily thought for a moment. “You were great at coaching Jack’s soccer team. Maybe he knows of a local club who would appreciate a volunteer? You might even meet some nice gal.”
Aaron smiled coyly and pressed her hand tighter to his cheek. “I already know the nicest.”
Emily beamed and leaned closer. “You really do need help, huh?”
Aaron laughed and nodded. “I guess so.”
“Good – so collect up all of your bottles and let’s get this place looking and smelling like a home and not a bar.”
*
“Hey Jack.”
Jack beamed when he saw Emily standing on his porch. He ran to her and threw his arms around her waist. “You’re really here!” he gasped against her.
“I sure am, buddy – and when did you get so flamin’ tall, huh?”
Jack giggled, his grip still tight around her.
“You an’ me have got a little time to ourselves – and then what say you, your dad and I head to the best burger bar in town. Sound good?”
Jack looked up at her. “Is he mad at me?” he asked timidly.
Emily smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. “No Jack. He loves you. And things are going to be better now, okay?”
“You promise?”
Emily sighed. “You’re a big boy now Jack, so I’m gonna be really honest with you. There are gonna be bad days. Your dad is going to need your help sometimes, because… well… you’ve both had so much hurt in your lives and all your dad wants is for you to be safe.”
“But we are safe.” Jack reminded her.
“Yeah.” She took his hand. “Come talk a walk with me, huh? Is there a park or someplace?”
“Sure. It’s quite far though. ‘bout a mile.”
“A mile’s good, Jack.” She nodded. With his hand in hers, she felt at peace. She hadn’t realised just how much she’d missed Jack and Aaron. “You and I – we know you’re safe.” She began. “But the bad dude that was after your dad… his specialty was messing with people’s minds: making them see things that weren’t there. And he was damn good at it. Those illusions… God… so real.”
Jack frowned. “Did you see them too?”
“Yeah. Yeah I did. And they messed me up for a while too. And some days I still feel like they’re messing me up… and I ask JJ or your uncle Dave to help me. But your dad’s lucky because he’s got you, right?”
Jack dropped his eyes to the ground. “I don’t think he likes me anymore.”
Emily stopped them walking and tipped Jack’s chin up until his eyes met hers. “He loves you, Jack. He loves you more than anything else in this world. He is afraid for you and it’s gotten so he couldn’t think straight. But you know what? Today is going to be a fresh start. Now we know where you are, we’ll be visiting and making sure you’re both getting through this, okay. Want to know what your dad did while you were out?”
Jack nodded.
“He threw all the alcohol out. He and I gave the house a bit of a spruce up. Those curtains are open today, Jack. There’s light in there and flowers too and we’re all going out for a meal and something fun: whatever you like. Bowling or karaoke or…I dunno… whatever you young guys think is fun these days.”
“Even if it’s loud?” Jack laughed.
“Ung. Uhhh… sure.” She winced. The grin on Jack’s face made this whole thing worth it. “You happy?”
Jack couldn’t contain his smile as he nodded at her.
“I’m going to be sticking around for a couple of days, just to help you and your dad a little bit. How comfy is your spare room?”
Jack shrugged. “It’s kinda like dad’s office now.”
“Mmmm. Maybe we’ll have to sort that out, then. Make it into something better.”
“Like what?”
“A man cave.” Emily nodded, giving Jack a wink.
“Dad’ll hate it!” Jack gasped, a giggle on his lips.
“Let’s blow out the park and go to the mall.”
Jack’s heart leapt in excitement. “What are we getting?”
“How does a PS4 sound?”
Jack’s jaw dropped.
“Your uncle Dave is a whiz at those things. He wrote down the games that you are NOT allowed to get. but anything not on that list? It’s yours buddy – Dave’s treat.” She pulled out a bundle of dollars to show the boy. “I’m under strict instructions that you are to spend every last cent of this.”
*
At the end of the agreed two hours, Emily’s hire car pulled up at Hotch’s house and Jack ran up the path and opened the door.
“Dad! Dad! We need a hand!”
Aaron wandered to the front door – clean shaven and dressed like a dad as opposed a G-man. “He eyed Emily, who stood there grinning sheepishly at him. “What did you do?” he groaned.
“Hey – Dave’s as much to blame! But, uh, I need you to help me get this stuff out of the car.”
Aaron walked closer. “What the Hell? A TV?”
“For the games room.” She nodded.
“Uh, we don’t have a games room.” Aaron reminded her.
“Oh, shoot, yeah. It used to be your office. But since you jacked in your job, I, uhm, we – including Dave – thought that a games room would be better. Somewhere for you and Jack to ‘chill’.” She winked at Jack.
Aaron peered at the boxes – the TV, the PS4, the pile of games and every accessory imaginable. “Lava lamp?” he queried, brow raised.
“Maybe we got carried away.” Emily shrugged.
“What’s this? A bean bag?!”
“The couch is being delivered Monday!” Jack squeaked.
“Couch?” Aaron sighed.
Emily shrugged. “Tonight we dine in style. Tomorrow, the three of us are going to clear out that stuffy old office, paint the walls and get this games-thingy all set up.”
“Paint as well?” Aaron groaned. “Am I allowed to know the colour?”
“Jack’s choice.” Emily laughed, holding up a can of paint.
“And look!” Jack squealed. “A neon sign! And a DC United rug!”
Aaron smiled and pulled Jack into his arms. “I haven’t seen you so happy in a long time. And that’s been my fault. I’m sorry, son, and I’m going to be better from now on. I’m really proud of you, Jack, for asking for help for both of us.” He raised his eyes to Emily. “Even if it means I lose my office.” He hugged Jack tighter and kissed his forehead. “How about you go inside and get ready for dinner, hmm?”
“Yes sir!” Jack beamed, running inside.
Emily winced under Aaron’s stern gaze. “Am I still allowed to stay? Sir?”
“Someone has to paint tomorrow.” Aaron countered, a smirk on his lips. “Seriously, God, how much did you spend today?”
“Don’t worry about it, Hotch. Dave insisted and, well… I’ve got no one else to spend money on. Besides… a games room means Jack can bring friends back here sometimes – and you won’t have to worry where he is. And, to soften the blow, there’s a new desk coming with the couch – for you, so you can still have a little bit of office.”
Aaron scoffed in admiration. “You had it all figured out, didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
He huffed softly. “I can’t ever thank you, you know?”
Emily smiled. “That smile is thanks enough.”
“No. It isn’t.” he replied softly, his arms finding her, pulling her against him. “All of this… all of what you endured to keep Jack and I safe from him. I’m so sorry he hurt you, Emily.”
Emily’s own arms held him close, held him tight. “I’ve been hurt before. No biggie.” She whispered.
He pulled back and pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips. “I guess we’re just survivors, huh?”
Emily nodded, resting her forehead against his. “Survivors.”
Aron caught sight of a tear on her lower lid and he swiped it away gently. “Let’s get these boxes indoors. I don’t know about you, but I could sure do with a burger tonight.”
“Me too.” Emily nodded.
“Thank you.” Aaron whispered once again.