The sheer relief was shocking and intense and I could feel myself shaking from the emotions.
I didn’t give a fuck if James suddenly appeared from behind her. Not even the wrath of God was going to pull her away from me.
Nobody was ever going to hurt her again. Especially not James.
The door opened behind me. “We need to move, Joshua.” I nodded and leaning down, placing my lips to her ear. “Arms, Rabbit.” Immediately, her arms moved to my neck, holding tight. I could feel the soft fur of the little rabbit, still clutched in one hand, against my neck. I scooped her up and ran through the door to the waiting helicopter, Frank leading the way. He opened the door and helped me in, still holding Rabbit. I didn’t even try to put her in her own seat. I wasn’t letting her go. I strapped us both in and gently pushed her face further into my chest to drown out the loud noise of the blades. Frank sat beside me and spoke into his headpiece, letting our group know Rabbit was safe and to leave the building as quickly and unobtrusively as possible. I knew that the multiple diversions would disappear quickly; unexplained water leaks, stuck doors and a broken-down elevator would all suddenly clear up and the people we had in the building would quietly disappear as per Frank’s plans. I felt the immense swell of relief as the chopper lifted off and the hospital quickly disappeared from view. It was then that I was able to draw a deep, relaxed breath. We had done it. She was safe in my arms. My hands kept running small, soothing circles over Rabbit’s back and my lips never left her head, kissing, nuzzling, whispering words of comfort I wasn’t even sure she could hear. I felt how tightly her hands were clinging to my neck, and how violently her body was trembling. The front of my shirt was soaked with her tears.
Leaning down, I found her ear. “I have you, Rabbit. It’s okay, baby. It’s over. We’re going home now. You’re safe.” Her entire body shuddered in my arms and I tightened my grip. I couldn’t get her close enough. Any space between us was too much. I continued rocking her gently and, gradually, I felt the tremors slow down, although her grip on my neck didn’t lessen. I sat watching the landscape fly by, grateful for the miles that were now separating us from him. The feeling of contentment that I was able to hold and caress her, and have her close again, was overwhelming.
From the moment I realized that, for certain, she was in danger, I had been in agony. Listening to her broken voice on the incoming-only emergency line I had set up, begging me to bring her home, had torn up my soul in ways I had never experienced. The deep ache I’d felt in my chest was indescribable. Each day that passed had only made the feeling more powerful and today had been especially intense.
I felt one of her hands leave my neck and cup my cheek. I looked down into her beautiful, tear-stained face and imitated her action, my fingers stroking her damp skin. Her other hand pulled on the nape of my neck and I leaned down. “You came for me,” her awed voice whispered. “You came. You didn’t send someone else.”
I nodded.
“I knew you could do it, Joshua. I’m so proud of you. You did it. For me. Thank you.”
I stared down at her, speechless. Her first words spoken out loud were to praise me. Shaking my head, I leaned down and kissed her gently. “I found that reason you hoped I would find one day, Rabbit. You’re that reason.”
Her hand reached up and tenderly wiped under my eye. It was only then I realized I was crying as well.
I leaned down again. “I’m never letting you go, Rabbit. Ever.”
She smiled up at me, her own eyes brimming with tears. “I don’t want you to.”
My lips twitched up into my own smile. “Good to know.”