374

374
KAREN'S POV

I didn't want to bother showing Ashley the text so that it won't get him worked up. After all, we were going to try to solve the issue and find out who exactly was trying to get us to be scared.

That night, even when Ashley slept, I just couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about my children and hoping that they'll be safe in this period that seemed like war. I remembered the last time Sugar was abducted and how he could have been killed and both Ashley's and Jacqueline's lives were at stake, and that was just so traumatizing.

“God, please protect everyone.” I prayed silently, as I couldn't bear losing anyone as well.

~

The next day, Ashley and I woke up and we got ready to leave. We had already packed up our belongings and got into a cab that drove us off to the airport. Getting to the airport, we only waited for about thirty minutes before it was time to get into the plane. 

I sat in the airplane seat, staring out the small oval window as the city below became a blur of lights and buildings. Ashley was beside me, calm as ever, adjusting his seatbelt and glancing at me with a gentle, reassuring smile. I wanted to mirror that calm, wanted to feel safe, but the memory of the danger, the threats, and the abduction of Sugar, pressed on my chest like a heavy weight.

“I’m glad we’re finally on our way back,” Ashley said softly, reaching over to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Hobart feels like home, doesn’t it?”

I nodded, attempting a small smile. “Yes, it’s been too long.”

He squeezed my hand. “And this time, nothing will ruin it. I promise. I’ll make sure you and the kids are safe.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I know you will. I just… I can’t help thinking about everything that could go wrong. Sugar… Karie… what if…”

“Hey,” Ashley interrupted gently, turning to look me in the eyes, “Look at me. Nothing is going to happen. You can’t let your mind wander to the worst-case scenario. It won’t help anyone, especially not you.”

I leaned against his shoulder slightly, appreciating the warmth and steadiness he always provided. Even after everything, he remained calm, focused, and protective. Though I had told myself I wanted to be strong for myself, for my kids, I realized I also wanted to lean on him. I wanted that comfort.

The flight attendant came down the aisle, asking passengers to check their seat belts and stow their belongings. I complied automatically, but my mind was elsewhere, thinking of Sugar’s laughter, Karie’s little smile, and the times they had unknowingly brightened my darkest days. I prayed silently to God for their protection and for our safety as a family. 

Ashley then noticed my distant look. “Karen… are you thinking about them?”

I nodded, biting my lip. “I just… I can’t help it. I keep thinking of what could happen, all the ways something could go wrong. It’s terrifying.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “You can’t control everything, Karen. But what you can do is trust me. I’ve got you, the kids, Jacqueline. We’ll be careful, and we’ll be smart. Okay?”

I looked into his eyes and saw the truth there; the sincerity, and the determination. 

My heart ached, but it also warmed up. Then I gave a small nod. 

“Okay… I’ll try to trust.”

We settled into a quiet routine, the hum of the engines filling the background. I rested my head against the window, staring at the clouds drifting by. Ashley was reading something on his tablet, occasionally glancing over at me to make sure I was alright. The feeling of him being near me, steady and calm, made the knots in my chest loosen slightly.

I thought about the past times; the heartbreak with Roland, the deception, the pain, and how Ashley had been a quiet constant through it all. I realized, slowly, that no matter what happened with the world around us, he was the person I could rely on. He wasn’t perfect, but he never forced anything on me, never judged me for my hesitation or my mistakes. He had given me time, patience, and now, a sense of security I hadn’t felt in years.

I exhaled, letting my thoughts wander for a moment. 

Maybe this is what love is supposed to feel like. Safe, comforting, patient and real.

But Ashley’s voice broke my reverie. 

“Karen, I know you’ve been through a lot. But when we get back, I want you to enjoy the peace we’ve earned. The kids, this family, you deserve to be happy.”

I smiled, a genuine smile this time, feeling the tightness in my chest ease just a bit. 

“I want that too, more than anything.”

He reached over and took my hand, holding it gently. “Then it’s settled. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.”

I rested my head back against the window, closing my eyes for a few moments, feeling the gentle sway of the airplane. For a short while, the tension in my body loosened, and I allowed myself to breathe freely. For the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe things could really be okay.

The flight was smooth at first, and I allowed myself to relax into the rhythm of the journey. Ashley’s presence beside me was a balm to my restless mind. We talked quietly about trivial things like the kids, upcoming plans, and what we would do when we got home. Laughter started to bubble up, soft at first, then a little louder as we shared small jokes. I realized that even here, hundreds of miles above the ground, I could find joy.

I was thinking about all of this, about how calm and safe I felt with him, when suddenly the plane jolted sharply. I gripped the armrest instinctively, and Ashley’s hand found mine immediately.

“What was that?” I whispered, my heart starting to race.

“Probably just turbulence,” Ashley said, his voice calm but not without a hint of concern. “Planes hit pockets of air sometimes.”

Another jolt rocked the cabin, harder this time. Drinks rattled on the trays, and I heard a few gasps from other passengers. My stomach twisted, and I realized how utterly helpless I felt up here, suspended above the clouds.

Ashley squeezed my hand, leaning close. “Hey, look at me. It’s okay. We’re okay. Just breathe with me.”

I did, trying to be as calm as he was, but the adrenaline made it difficult. The plane shuddered again, and I could hear the faint, uneasy murmurs of other passengers. My knuckles turned white around Ashley’s hand.

“I… I can’t…” I started, my voice shaking. “It feels too high.”

“You can,” Ashley said firmly but gently. “I’m right here. We’ll get through this. Just hold my hand, keep your eyes on me.”

I did, squeezing his hand back, my pulse hammering. We exchanged a few quick words of reassurance, our voices low, just enough to hear over the hum of the engines.

Then the plane gave another violent shake. People gasped, some cried out. My heart lurched violently, and a wave of panic rolled over me. I looked out the window, the clouds swirling past in streaks. Everything seemed unstable, fragile, as if we were teetering on the edge of something uncontrollable.

Ashley leaned close, his forehead almost touching mine. 

“Karen, listen to me, look at me. We’re going to be okay. I promise. Just stay with me.”

I nodded shakily, tears prickling my eyes. My mind raced through every possible outcome; the kids, the family, the life waiting for us back home, and the thought of losing them made my chest tighten painfully.

The plane shuddered again, this time violently, throwing a few objects from the trays, and the flight attendants shouted for everyone to stay seated. My grip on Ashley’s hand tightened, and I realized I couldn’t stop shaking.

Through it all, Ashley remained steady, murmuring softly, holding my hand, and offering words that seemed to anchor me in the chaos. But even with his presence beside me, the fear, the uncertainty, and the helplessness clawed at me.

I clutched Ashley, my voice trembling. “Ashley, what’s happening?”

He squeezed my hand back, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning the cabin but always returning to me. 

“I… I don’t know exactly. Just stay with me. We’ll get through this together.” he said to me, trying to sound calm.

The plane shook violently again, throwing everyone into sudden alarm. People were screaming. Oxygen masks dropped, and the overhead alarms blared.

My stomach dropped, and I realized with sudden clarity that for the first time in a long time, I felt completely, utterly powerless.

And just as the turbulence escalated, everything went silent for a moment before chaos erupted again.

It felt like the plane might never stabilize, like we were about to plummet from the sky.