Chapter 341

Chapter 341

Josh point of view

The photoshoot studio buzzed with frantic energy as crew members broke down equipment. I burst through the doors, heart pounding against my ribs, only to find Sara already gone.

"She left ten minutes ago," the photographer informed me. "Headed to the airport. Said something about a flight to Paris?"

My blood ran cold. The afternoon traffic crawled between me and JFK, precious minutes ticking away. But I hadn't come this far to let traffic stop me.

"Call Max," I barked into my phone while running to my car. "I need police escort clearance. Now."

Within minutes, sirens cleared a path through gridlocked streets. Every second felt like eternity as I raced against time, against my own stupidity, against the fear that I'd realized too late what really mattered.

The airport terminal loomed ahead. I abandoned my car in the drop-off zone, ignoring security's shouts as I sprinted inside. The departures board showed three flights to Paris within the hour. Which one...?

My phone buzzed - Helena: "Terminal 4, Gate B22. Hurry."

Of course she knew. She always knew.

I ran like I hadn't since my street days, dodging travelers and luggage carts. My lungs burned but I couldn't slow down. Wouldn't slow down until...

There. A flash of familiar chestnut hair ahead. Sara stood at the security checkpoint, passport in hand.

"Sara!"

She turned, eyes widening as she saw me barreling toward her. "Josh? What are you-"

"Don't go." The words burst from my heart. "Please."

"Why shouldn't I?" Her voice cracked slightly. "You made your feelings clear by avoiding me."

"No, I made my fears clear." I stepped closer, not caring about the crowd gathering to watch. "I was afraid of how much I love you. Afraid of ruining your life. Afraid of letting myself believe I deserved happiness."

Tears filled her eyes. "Josh..."

"But I'm more afraid of losing you." My own voice shook. "More afraid of spending the rest of my life wondering what might have been if I'd been brave enough to fight for us."

"You can't just show up here and expect-"

"I know." I moved closer still. "I know I hurt you. Know I've been an idiot. But Sara... you're everything. Everything I never thought I could have. Everything I want to spend my life trying to deserve."

She wavered. "The children told you about Paris?"

"They begged me to stop you. But that's not why I'm here." I caught her hands in mine. "I'm here because the thought of you leaving feels like dying. Because I love you so much it terrifies me. Because I finally understand that being afraid of happiness is no way to live."

Airport announcements chimed overhead. Travelers hurried past. But in that moment, there was only us.

"You ran away," she whispered. "After saying you loved me, you ran."

"I know. And I'll spend forever making that up to you if you let me." I touched her face gently. "But I'm done running. Done letting fear win. Done pretending I don't want everything with you."

"Everything?"

"A life. A future. Every morning and every night. Arguments about work and makeups that last for hours. Lazy Sundays and crazy weekdays. Children someday, maybe. Growing old together definitely." The words poured out uncontrolled. "I want it all, Sara. With you."

She stepped back slightly. "How do I know you won't get scared again? Won't push me away the next time your past haunts you?"

"Because I finally understand something." I followed her retreat. "My past made me who I am. Good and bad, light and dark - it's all part of me. And you love all of me, just like I love all of you."

"Josh..."

"You saw my darkness and didn't run. Saw my scars and wanted to heal them. Saw my fears and fought them." I cupped her face in my hands. "Let me be that brave for you now. Let me fight for us the way you've been fighting all along."

Security officers approached, probably wondering about the scene we were causing. I ignored them.

"I love you," I declared, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I love your strength and your grace. Your kindness and your fire. The way you light up rooms just by entering them. The way you make me believe in second chances."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. "You're making a scene."

"Good." I brushed away her tears. "Let everyone see. Let everyone know that I love Sara Brown. That I'll spend my life proving worthy of her love. That I-"

Her lips cut off my words as she finally, finally kissed me.

The world disappeared. There was only Sara - her taste, her touch, her heart beating against mine. Years of longing and months of denial poured into that kiss as I pulled her closer, lifting her off her feet.

Applause erupted around us. Someone wolf-whistled. Security decided to let us be.

"I love you," I murmured against her lips. "I love you. I love you."

She laughed through her tears. "Trying to make up for lost time?"

"Trying to make sure you never doubt it again." I set her down gently but kept her close. "Stay. Please. Let me prove that I can be the man you deserve."

"You already are." She touched my face tenderly. "You always have been."

"Is that a yes?"

Her smile outshone the fluorescent lights. "That's a yes. Although..."

"What?"

"Helena's going to be insufferable about this. She probably orchestrated the whole thing."

I had to laugh. "Probably. I wouldn't put it past the quadruplets to be in on it too."

"Speaking of..." She glanced at her watch. "We should get back before they send out a search party."

I pulled her close again, needing one more kiss. "Let them wait. I'm not done making up for lost time."

She melted against me as our lips met again, softer this time but no less passionate.

"I love you," she whispered between kisses.

The words still terrified me a little. But now they thrilled me more.

Because she was right - I was done letting fear win. Done running from happiness. Done denying what my heart had known all along.

I loved Sara Brown.

And I would spend the rest of my life showing her exactly how much.