Chasing Second Chances: Finn & Sawyer

Chapter Two

Aiden

Damn this kid is as heavy as a box of rocks. He was clinging to me as we sat on the plane and headed out from Buffalo to go to Crossdale, passed out. After everything that happened, I was beyond pissed. Getting that message from her last night was the final straw and the only reason why the fucker is still standing is because of her, Ivy and Miles. They all need me and the last thing they need is for me to be arrested for murder. My phone went off and I looked at the message.

Sheriff: It’s done. He’s locked away, court date next week. Should be smooth sailing with the pictures. I’ll send you an update as soon as we know.

Me: Thank you. If you need anything else let me know

“I’m nervous.” She whispered beside me. I grabbed her hand in mine and squeezed. Cold. Her hands were never this cold in the past. The last time I remember them being warm was before the accident. She was also shaking because she was so scared. I would do anything to make that fear go away, but I know that would take time. “What if he finds us?”

“He’s not going to. He has no idea where we are going and you don’t have to tell him anything. He signed those papers giving you and Ivy that freedom you need and he was in his right mind doing it. If he find’s you, then I will handle it but as of right now, he’s locked away.” I tried to assure her, but she knows. She always knows that I will have her back.

“Really?” she asked in shock, “But what if he gets out and you’re on tour…” She looked out the plane window and cuddled with Ivy a bit closer. Both kids were sleeping like rocks. It was a good thing. When we told the children we were moving, they were actually happy and excited. They both missed Ava and Sara immensely as they are the only family we all know. Honestly, we would have moved sooner but with the consistent touring, it’s hard. At least when I came home I had Scanlon with me. He was my buddy and we did all our tours together and he was a bit of a flirt, especially with Sawyer but he was harmless, at least he better be.

“First off, he’s not going to get out anytime soon and remember what I said about being strong.” She nodded her head, letting out a breath she was holding, “And honestly, I don’t think I’m going to sign up for another four years after this. Once I’m done I’m done.” This was a hard decision to make. I tried to follow in our dad’s footsteps when I was younger but life has a funny way of saying f**k you. He was a pro football player, drafted 32nd to Buffalo as a tight end during the end his senior year of college. He played for 4 years until he met our mom and it was love at first sight, something I never fully believed in.

I’ve been burnt one too many times to believe in that crap, but that’s a whole other story.

They met on a blind date which is funny. She was supposed to meet someone else that was set up by her friend, but when dad walked into the room, she asked him if it was him and he went with it. She didn’t watch football so she had no idea who he was. It wasn’t until a month later the truth came out and she was pissed, rightfully so. It took him months to get her back but she finally came around and when they decided to be together, the press hounded her. She was the rich girl that lived in the gated community and the daughter of a powerful business tycoon dating a pro athlete.

He always knew it was her from the beginning, so when his contract was up, instead of negotiating another contract, he hung up his cleats and they decided to start a family. Growing up, dad wanted me to do what my heart wanted. He wasn’t the typical father, forcing me to follow his footsteps. The world was watching me, wondering what I was going to do so when I started playing football, dad was happy, but he knew my heart wasn’t in it. After taking a long time thinking what I wanted to do with my life, I joined the Marines and have been a Marine since I was eighteen. It wasn’t until a year later our lives were destroyed.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to do this because of me. You need to do what’s best for you.” She always puts others first and it was something I tried telling her to stop doing. It was and is going to continue to be her downfall.

“Sawyer, what’s best for me is to be here with you, Ivy and Miles. You guys are my family and I wish I didn’t have to leave soon. If I could, I would just pass up on it, but this should be my last tour.”

“How long do you think? The standard six months?”

“Hopefully shorter, but yeah, six months from what I was told. Do you want me to take her?” I asked looking at a sleepy Ivy.

“Nah, you got Miles. I’m just going to sleep for a bit until we land. Wake me?”

“Of course. Get some sleep. Oh, did you talk to Ava?”

We grew up with her for our entire lives and she is like a sister to me. She has been our rock and support, along with her mom, Sara, from as long as I can remember. It broke our heart when Sara moved to Texas and Ava followed but we all kept in touch, talking at least three times a week and the occasional visit when her busy schedule allows her to. She is another sister to me, someone who has become my family and her mom is like a second mom to us.

“Yeah. She said she has things working right now with the help with her friends, I think their names are Rachel and Samantha or something like that, but it may take some time to get everything settled for us. Until then, Sara turned the in law apartment she has in her basement for us to use, the only problem is there’s only two rooms.”

“You get the room and the kids can have the other. I got the couch.” I smiled at her and she shook her head no.

“Aiden, you need as much comfort now before you leave. Who knows what kind of bed you’re going to have when you go back. Please, take the room.”

“We will argue about this every day until I leave Sawyer but you know in the end I’m going to win.” I winked and she just shook her head and chuckled a bit.

“And you know I’m going to fight you every step of the way. How about we flip a coin every night and see what gets the couch?”

“Deal. Now get some sleep. We will be there in a few hours.” Little did she know, she will always get the bed because that’s what big brothers do.

She started to relax a bit the further away we got from Buffalo and that was telling me this move would be a good thing. She needed the distance from everything that city held, all the terrible memories that plagued us.

It sucks leaving the only home you have known your entire life, but when your family is in trouble, you would do anything for them and I that is how I ran my life. I would die for all of them, kill for them and no one can and will stop me.

I closed my eyes to rest a bit, only to be woken up about an hour later by Miles poking my cheek.

“Dad, Wake up.” He whispered, sliding off my lap and into the empty chair next to us, “I’m hungry.”

“I know. They don’t serve food on planes anymore but as soon as we land, we can have Aunt Ava get you something to eat, sounds good?”

“Can I get anything?”

“She’s paying, so have at it.” I winked and he pumped his fist in the air and down, whispering a sounding ‘yes.’

“I’m going to get everything. Texas has good food, right?”

“The best from what I heard.”

He went silent for a moment and looked at Sawyer and Ivy. He was concerned. He may only be eight, but he is extremely smart, too smart for his own good. He kept looking at Sawyers arms and neck, seeing the bruises from his hands, “Did he hurt Ivy?” I looked down at him and seen the silent tears run down his cheek. He was always there to hold her when I wasn’t home and he would tell me everything that happened and every time, I told him the same thing, call 911 and make sure the doors and windows are always locked and when I get home I will take care of it.

And when I came home, I would take care of it but there is only so much I can do without causing myself to go to jail and damn I almost did a time or two and it was Scanlon who saved my ass.

I took my hand and wiped them away and shook my head no, “No Miles. He didn’t get to Ivy and he never will.” Over my dead body he would touch my niece.

“Is that why they are moving?” His eyes went big, “How long am I going to stay with them?”

“Do you think you’re going to leave? What’s going through your mind little man?”

“Well, you’re leaving soon so I thought I would too. Daddy, can we stay with them please? Ivy needs me.”

“Miles, you have the kindest heart, bigger than anyone that I know and you’re staying with them. We are all together forever and no one and nothing is going to change that, okay?” He nodded his head yes, understanding, “You need to watch over them for me, okay buddy?” he nodded again, smiling.

“I love them and I want to protect them too. When I grow up dad, I want to be like you.” I looked down at him and I saw that gleam in his eye, that adoration he has for what I do.

“You follow what your heart tells you to do and as long as you do that, I will always be supportive.” My hand went to his hair and messed it up, making him laugh that addicting childish laugh. “Get some more sleep buddy because when we land, we’re going to be busy.”

It wasn’t for a few more hours until we approached the landing strip at the airport. I woke Sawyer up and helped her get Ivy situated. She was quiet, to quiet and I knew her mind was running a million miles a minutes because mine was too.

“We have today and tomorrow to get the basement set up, okay? I need to report to base and meet with them and finish everything and get my orders.”

We headed towards the escalator towards the baggage claim to get the few bags we packed, leaving everything else we owned back in Buffalo. We let our landlord know we had to move unexpectedly due to a family emergency. He wasn’t happy about it, but when we told him he can have all the furniture to make it a furnished apartment, his eyes lit up to the idea, knowing that he could charge more for the place since it is now furnished.

I mean, it’s all nice stuff we have in there. When mom and dad died, they left everything to us and we splurged when we got our place and we will splurge again when we get another place.

“Sawyer! Aiden!” I heard our names being yelled from the other end. Out of nowhere, she came running down, zigzagging through everyone to reach us, “Where’s my two little ones!” Ivy wiggled out of Sawyer’s arms, making both of us laugh as she ran through and leaped into Ava’s arms, spinning her with her feet in the air, “There’s my favorite munchkin!”

“I’m not a munchkin I’m a full sized donut!” she laughed, “Can we get ice cream?”

“Not after we get some pizza. Dad said you’re buying.” He grinned at Ava who just threw her head back and laughed.

“I’m not buying but someone is.” She pulled Miles into a big hug, “I missed you lil man. Now, come on, he’s waiting.”

“Who’s waiting?” I questioned and she just winked.

“You’ll see.” With my pulling our bags and Sawyer carry the two carry ones we brough, we made our way to Ava’s car and threw the bags in the back and buckled everyone in.

“So, tell me what’s the plan?” I asked, sitting in the back between the two kids.

“Well, mom has everything set up in the basement for you guys. It’s finished so don’t worry.” She chuckled, knowing damn well we both are terrified of spiders. When we were kids, she would torture each other with them, “Unfortunately, there are only two rooms, but there is a room upstairs if you guys want that.”

“I think we’ll be fine but if we change our mind we will let you know.” Sawyer smiled and Ava reached over and grabbed her hand.

“You guys are safe here. Raegan and Summer have been great and helping find a nice place for the four of you even though Summer has been stressed to the max with just having her baby.” Ah, so that’s what their names are.

“Ava! Why are you putting a new mom through so much stress!” Sawyer glared at her.

“She volunteered so don’t yell at me woman.”

“I haven’t seen you in almost a year so I have to make up for lost time.” They both laughed. It was good to hear her laugh.

“Anyways, they have a couple of leads out for a place for you guys and whichever is going to be up first we will snag. I also had mom apply at Locke and Brother’s for you too. Dylan or one of the dads should be calling you to set up an interview.”

“Can you get that canceled?” and I had to stop what I was doing. I was in the middle of texting Scanlon giving him an update when I dropped my phone.

“Why would you want that canceled?” I asked, surprised. She has a degree in finance and business management so this would be perfect for her.

“I already had enough handouts to last a lifetime. I want to do this on my own.”

“As much as I respect that Sawyer, this could help out a lot. Set hours, consistent paycheck. It would be good, especially when I leave soon.”

“How about I’ll think about it, okay? Now, here is the pizza place and I don’t know about you guys, but I’m hungry.”

We got out of the car and Sawyer and I both jumped when a large group of people yelled ‘welcome’ from the front of the pizza shop. I looked around the faces and was confused because I didn’t recognize anyone there at all.

“Um…Ava….as much as we appreciate everything you’re doing for us, who the hell are these people?”

“This is your new family.” She squeaked out in excitement, “These two gorgeous girls both holding the two adorable baby boys are Raegan and Summer and their sons, Markus and Trey. The doofus holding the hand of one of the cutest three year old’s is Jordan and Ellie.”

“You’re rude.” He glared at her, “But it’s a pleasure to meet you all. This guy right here,” he grabbed the shoulder of a dude holding another kid assuming his daughter, “This is Dylan and his daughter Eliana and next to him is Art and his nephew, Lucas. And well, there’s supposed to be one more but he is finishing up some things for the opening of the camp in two weeks.”

“Camp?” Miles perked up a bit, “What camp?”

“It’s a summer sports camp bud.” Jordan squatted down a bit to his level, “I’ll give your aunt and dad the paperwork for it, sounds good?”

“Will there be hockey?”

“No doubt. Finn used to play hockey so he will make sure the best is set up for you.”

“Wow, thank you all. I really don’t know how we are going to remember all these names so I apologize ahead of time.” Sawyer laughed, “I’m Sawyer and this is my daughter, Ivy, this eager one here is my nephew Miles and brother, Aiden. Which one of you is Finn?”

“He’s the one that’s not here and well, maybe that’s a good thing.” Summer mumbled, “Although, I have to say, you are absolutely breathtaking and well, if we were both into girls, I would totally be all over you. Are you into girls? If you are I can totally hook you up.”

“As flattered as I am totally like guys. Why is it good that he’s not here?”

“We will explain that another time.” And then we heard a loud clap from behind us.

“And here I am, the best friend.” We heard a voice from behind us and Sawyer and I both turned around so see a familiar face.

“Felix?” Sawyer questioned. They haven’t seen each other in almost six months since we were home last. Normally, he’s home with me but before the last tour, he moved down to Silverlake so I wanted to surprise her. I wanted to beat the s**t out of him for a while because he was interested in my sister to the point he would send her these creepy love notes and it would piss me off but then he just stopped and I never found out why. Neither one would tell me. She said she didn’t know and he would say it was just time.

“In the flesh.” He grinned and she ran into his arms smiling and laughing. At least she was laughing and smiling, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes and as I looked at the others around us and they noticed it as well. Raegan and Summer both did a small smile and nodded while Dylan mouth, ‘she’s safe.’ “I missed you Dove.”

“I told you to never call me that. I hate birds besides only Aiden can call me that.”

“Only you would be terrified of them.”

“They are just plain evil.” And that made the whole group laugh and for once, I felt like this would be a place where we could thrive.

Lunch was great. Summer was explaining how they all became so close. They told us about the story of Raegan and Dylan and the crazy crap they went through and Summer’s story with Jordan was all wow. His story about Ellie was astonishing. They told us about Dylan’s younger brother who was just finishing up his senior year and leaving in a little over four months and the ups and downs he has with Jo and her whole story. Art explained how he came into the mess and the look on Ava’s face was hilarious. There is a story between the two and I’m interested to find out what it is.

And we thought we had some drama…damn.

“Ready man?” Scanlon asked.

“Yeah. Ava, you good to bring the three of them home? He’ll bring me back when we’re done.” She nodded her head and we headed out.

We drove to the base to be handed our orders, only to be told we were being deployed in a week and that was the toughest conversation I had to have with my family, but I know we will be okay. It’s just one more tour and then I’m home. And right now, all that matters is they are finally safe.