ANDREAS WALKED TOWARDS the carriage where Saul was being held, swinging open the door and getting inside.
"You look like shit Saul," he said, looking at his friend.
Saul looked tired, his hair matted and his beard grown out and scruffy. Prison had clearly taken its toll on him.
"I've been in prison for 10 months, what's your excuse," Saul said sarcastcially, "Even after everything you're still just Rosalinds errand boy,"
Andreas scoffed, "We chose our leader, so did Anya. Pumpkin chose the one that didn't have her ridden in chains," he said.
Andreas smirked. He knew that Anya was his soft spot and Andreas knew things Saul didn't know. He knew about little baby Sasha
"She wouldn't support Rosalinds ideals, she's not like that," he stated. He knew she was just trying to rile him up but he didn't care.
"Yeah, well there's some things that mean that she has to, or someone," Andreas said, holding the higher ground over his friend.
"What are you talking about Andreas? You promised to keep her safe!" He called out just as the door slammed on him.
Saul sighed, thinking about Anya. He wondered if she was happy yet or if she would be able to move on.
He knew he'd never see her again, never be able to hold her hand or kiss her. To have the family that he wanted with her in their small cottage.
She was the only thing that kept him going the past ten months, the idea that they would be able to be together once more.
But he knew that now that he was in exile, there was a low chance he'd ever see her again, that their lives would be like it was before.
☆☆☆
ANDY STOOD IN HER ROOM, packing some stuff when she heard a soft cry from the other room.
She picked up Sasha, holding the little girl in her arms. She was light, probably due to her slightly premature birth and Anya wished she could hold her forever.
What she wished more was that Saul could be here. He'd always wanted a child of his own even though they'd both raised Sky together and he couldn't be more grateful for that time.
She was hoping one day they'd be to live together as a happy family. To have dinner around the small table again with Sky and occasionally Farah or Ben and his kids.
At that time, Ben knocked on the door and she called for him to come in. She had Sashas stuff all ready and a note hidden in a secret spot that only Ben would know about - just in case she didn't make it back.
"Ben, thank you for looking after her, me and Sky are gonna sit together, we just need some time to process the news," she explained.
She hated lying to her friend but she knew that he would do anything to protect his kids and she didn't know if he'd be willing to give her up.
"It's okay, Sam's looking after the infirmary, I'm sure it's difficult with his exile," he said.
Anya nodded, pressing a kiss to her baby's head before walking out the door.
☆☆☆
SHE SAT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT OF her car, the girls in the back gossiping about something or other, some guy messaging Aisha.
The time was cutting it close and Stella still hadn't turned up so they made the decision to leave without her, knowing they wouldn't be able to make it if they waited.
They parked at the broken bridge, trying to figure out a plan to get Saul out now that they couldn't use Stella's invisibility.
Anya could hear the trucks driving past the treeline and she knew that he was in there and that they were going to get him out.
"Okay, so we have the plan, is everyone ready to go?" Anya asked, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as she looked at the group.
She wanted to be confident but over her pregnancy, the girls were some of the few people who saw how weak she became.
Without Saul, she was constantly feeling defeated, all of the trauma that Rosalind instilled in her childhood and teenage years had all come back to the surface and half of the time she was living on auto pilot.
Sasha was the only thing keeping her going because she knew she had to be there for her. And for the students to make sure they didn't end up ruined like she was.
They drove to the woods, parking in an area where they could see the convoy stop at the broken bridge.
When they stopped there, Aisha used her water powers to stop the car, killing the engine.
They transferred Saul over to the back of the truck out in the open and Anya froze when she saw him for the first time.
She watched as Terras vines grabbed the key from the car and the other cars started moving again.
Anyas heart was pounding as she thought about what would happen when they got him out of there.
Aisha used a bubble of water to bring the keys to Saul and he grabbed it, knowing that this was an attempt at a rescue.
However he needed a diversion. Bloom used her fire powers to set the gas of the broken car on fire, making it explode.
The other car stopped, leaving Saul to unlock his chains and escape. However, Riven, Andreas and Dane where quick to follow.
All she heard was a yell before he jumped into the water. Aisha used a water bubble to help him breath.
"I've got to get to him," Anya said, standing up as soon as the path was clear.
She ran to the river side and by the time she made it there, he was already standing there, pulling two arrows out of his back.
Anya smiled, instantly rushing over and pulling him into a hug. He reciprocated quickly, holding her close.
"Come on, let's get to the clearing," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him along.
Saul was still in shock that she'd come back for him, his eyes wide and a smile on his face.
"Wait," he said and they stopped in the woods, "God I missed you,"
His hand went to the ring on her necklace and then moved up to her cheek.
"I missed you too, I've got so much to tell you," anya said, unsure of how how explain the whole baby situation to him.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked and she chuckled, leaning in and kissing him.
For the first time in 10 months they were together again and it was like no time passed at all, their lips slotting together perfectly.
"Saul, I've got to tell you something," she said, pulling away.
He looked horrified, every bad thin that could have happened was running through his head. He already knew Farah was missing but he couldn't think of anything else.
"When you left, I found out I was pregnant," she said and he froze, "She's about 7 weeks old, her names Natasha, um but I call her Sasha. And Sky loves her and well, obviously she's yours an-"
He cut her off, pulling her into a kiss, this time much more passionate than the last, "We have a baby?" He asked, still in shock.
"Yeah, she looks just like you, she's beautiful," she said.
He smiled, holding her close. He was disappointed that he didn't get to be there for Anyas pregnancy or the birth of his daughter but at least he could have a future with them.
The girls all come round the corner to see Saul. They all waved and he groaned, realising they had gotten themselves involved and could be in trouble.
"That has to be the most reckless thing you've ever done," he said as Terra played the wound ointment on his back.
"I don't think that's true Saul," Anya said, a smile on her face.
"Take me to blackbridge, Sebastian runs the store, i can stay there until this is all sorted out," he said, knowing he'd be safe there.
"Creepy Sebastian?" She questioned and he nodded, "I've got to get back home, Rosalinds gonna know you're missing, I've got to stay to protect Sasha, and the kids,"
"We're gonna make this work," he said, placing his hand on her cheek.
"I'll be back tomorrow and we can reunite, properly. And you can meet your daughter," she said, a smile on her face as she pressed another kiss to his lips.
"I love you," he said and she smiled, feeling the happiest she had in ages..
"I love you too Saul, you're gonna come home one day," she said.
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