Zay's alive.
Sky still couldn't believe it. The memory of Zay's body bleeding out, the color draining from his face, and his breathing stopping was clear as day. Regardless of what she felt, she had to get him back home.
Isaiah looked up at Sky, probably thinking she's gone crazy while she rocked him and stared off into space thinking. Their plane leaves in two hours and Sky wanted to hold onto him as much as possible.
He wiggled in her arms then made cooing noises to get her attention. She smiled and kissed his chubby little cheeks letting him latch onto her nipple to drink for lunch. Sage was packing their bags for them without a word. The goal was for Sky to go into the hospital, get Zay, and take the next plane to Cayman Islands within the same day. She had to be fast and stealthy. She had to only pay in cash and not draw attention to herself since Ortiz's goons would be on the lookout for them.
Sky still throbbed from giving birth, so she would need to take a good dosage of medication to help get through the mission. After she fed and burped Isaiah, Sky laid him in his crib to fall asleep. Sage grabbed their bags and walked downstairs to put them in the car. They haven't said a word to each other since Spider's big announcement. She felt horrible for thinking Sage would keep Zay being alive away from her. Now, she just wanted him to hold her. He'd been so distant and she felt it was safe to stay away until he was able to deal with Zay being alive as well. Sage took it harder than anyone since he raised him.
The ride to the airport was quiet. All of their weapons were loaded up and Sage had them sent ahead of time to Atlanta to not have them go through security with it. They went through the airport and boarded on the plane.
She sat in the back with Tony a row a head of her, Spider a row next to Tony, Sage a row next to Sky. It was like a box they'd made to protect each other although Sky didn't feel protected.
She felt so alone and distant from her family and didn't know what to do. The news was painful but so was being within arms length of the people she loved and cared deeply about and none of them wanted anything to do with each other since the news, just finish the mission.
As the plane took off, Sky moved her knees to her chest and rubbed her eyes with a sniff. Her hormones were still going crazy but she couldn't help but feel lonely. A moment later, one of the three seats next to her was vacated and she turned to see Tony's concerned face.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?"
The dam broke as she laid her head on Tony's chest to cry. He held her close, rubbing her back to console her but it made her cry even more. Sky cried for Zay, for her family, for the pain she endured from the day she was born to now, for her brother and her mother, for her dad, for everything.
Someone sat in the other seat next to her but this time, the person's strong arms picked her up and she snuggled into the firm chest inhaling her husband's scent. His patience and love for her was enough to calm her down. She shoved her face into Sage's neck and curled up against him with a shaky sigh as he held her.
"I'm sorry for slapping you." She said softly.
Her kissed her cheek and rocked her in his arms while rubbing her back. "It's okay baby, I was just as upset as you were. We're going to get our boy back, I promise."
She wrapped her arms around him, leaning into his touch then nodded. After wiping her eyes, she sniffed and said, "I'm going to get him."
"Not matter what, you bring him home. He's still in this shit and I want you both to be safe but I need you baby."
"I got you baby," Sky grabbed his face planting a soft, deep kiss onto his lips then kissed his reddened cheek softly. "It's so red."
Sage smiled and shook his head grinning. "I've had worse, believe me. As long as I'm with you, I'm okay."
"That's all cute and dandy but now we got Sky and Zay in this fire. I'm gonna whoop his ass for almost dying. Boy knows to wear a damn bulletproof vest." Tony said with a grumble.
"Zay and I are going to be on the next plane leaving!"
"Good, but be strapped, just in case."
"Fine, I'll be strapped." Sky said rolling her eyes.
"Roll your eyes all you want, it'll save your tail from getting hit again." He grumbled again and looked out the window. "Damn youth and their stubbornness."
Sky leaned forward and kissed Tony's forehead. "I love you too."
Tony smiled at her and leaned back to look back out the window. Soon, Sky fell asleep in Sage's arms.
A few hours later, Sky woke up to see Spider next to their row and on his iPad typing. She stood up and walked towards him, careful to not wake up Tony and Sage. She took the seat next to Spider and looked at him.
"Hey."
He glanced at her then back at the iPad. "I suppose you want to punch me too?"
Sky watched him for a moment, thinking before she wanted to do just that, but ended up shaking her head with her gaze on the floor. "I do, but I won't."
"Why not?"
"Because I've calmed down and you don't deserve to be beat up right now." Sky said with a shrug and looked back to him.
Spider sighed and put his iPad away.
"I know it was a rotten thing for me to do but I didn't want you to go through more stress and you were already pregnant."
"I understand but you saw how I was when we had to leave him, why didn't you just tell us then? It would've gave me hope and more strength to fight than for just Sage and the baby. You know I love Zay, a lot. He's the only one I really connected with since Chase."
"I guess I didn't think about it like that. I thought if you had hope then lost it, it would've tore you, Sage, and Tony apart. I didn't want that for anyone."
"Yes, I know and understand that now but I cried and was upset to know he was dead during my pregnancy. I cried a lot and finding out he was alive shocked and hurt me at the same time. Not only me but Sage and Tony."
Spider nodded and looked at her sadly. "I know but knowing he'd be safe, and you two staying focused on the baby, I'd do it all over again. I know for a fact that Sage would be on the first flight back to Atlanta and get himself killed to see Zay."
Sky understood his good intentions. He was only trying to help but she couldn't help but think what would happen if they knew Zay was out there fighting for his life. Even thinking 'what if', Sky knew Spider was right. Sage thought with his head most of the time but with his heart for Zay, to protect him. That would overpower his thoughts and she knew he would've done everything and anything to save him. Even if it meant sacrificing himself.
"Well, yeah you're right. He would've and I would hunt him down to beat his ass. But I'm going to bring him home safe. We're on the next plane out of here while y'all handle official business."
Spider grinned. "Good, make sure you come back in one piece too. I need to make sure my blood is taken care of."
"Hey, this is my blood now!" They both laughed and Sky hugged Spider tightly. "I love you Spider and I will, plus they're making me carry a gun around. You make sure all three of you get back in one piece please."
He returned her embrace with a nod. "I will Sky, I'll make sure of it. I love your weird ass too."
"I'm not weird, I'll punch you." Sky said without any real threat into it. As they pulled back from the hug, Sky turned to see Sage watching them with a grin.
"I'm not sure how to feel about you two hugged up and confessing your love but it's nice to see you getting along." Sage said.
Sky rolled her eyes and got back to her seat on Sage's lap to snuggle up under him as he returned his arms wrapped around her.
"Don't be jealous, you're still my one and only."
Sage chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I know baby," He looked towards Spider with a somber smile. "I may not agree with your methods but thank you for saving him."
Spider nodded, "You got enough heartache to deal with partner, I'm just trying to save you the trouble."
With a clipped nod, they had an unspoken mutual understanding. A few hours, the plane finally landed and it was time for action. Tony leaned forward to talk before people started grabbing their bags from the overhead compartments.
In a low voice, Tony said, "Once we leave this airport, we don't know each other. They could be viewing the video cameras or look for a group of us walking out. Sky, use cash only and get a rental car. Drive to this hospital." Tony gave her a piece of paper with the St. Greer hospital address written on it. "Get Zay, change clothes, and go straight to the airport. We'll head out and meet at Dupoint. Don't expect any calls, don't talk or trust anyone."
Everyone agreed with Sky's heart slamming inside her chest.
This was it. She was going to rescue Zay.
They all stood from their seats to get their bags as Sage turned Sky towards him. He cupped her face in his hands with the cool feel of his wedding ring against her cheek. Smiling down at her, he said, "I love you so much baby. Stay safe."
"I love you more baby and you too. Come back to me." They kissed for what felt like the last time with a promise of tomorrow.
Once they pulled away, Tony went to hug her and whispered on the top of her head. "I love you kiddo, stay safe."
Sky smiled and held it together to not cry. They needed to be strong but it didn't make it any less painful. Spider came to her side and shocked the hell out of her by kissing her cheek quickly.
"Be safe." He muttered.
After the love and reassurances, everyone left the plane and didn't look back.
Sky held her bag over her shoulder and walked quickly to the car rental section within the airport. She saw a small framed man with glasses typing away at the computer in uniform.
This is it. You can do this.
She went up to the desk attendant and said in a rush, "I need a rental now."
The man looked at her and cleared his throat, clearly caught off guard. "Okay ma'am, what kind of car would you like to rent?"
"Mustang, how much?"
"Um, $250 per day, I need you to fill out some paperwork and see your ID please." He shuffled around the desk and grabbed some sheets of paper for her to fill out.
Sky slammed down the exact amount of money needed on the counter, startling the attendant, and held out her hand for the keys. She didn't have time for this. "Not going to take long, give me the keys."
"I need you to fill out the papers ma'am, it's protocol."
With a huff, Sky snatched the papers and filled them out using the information on her fake ID. After the last signature, she showed him her driver's license and shoved the papers back to him. "Keys. Now."
The attendant quickly checked the papers and took the money. After he gave her a receipt, the keys to a black Mustang was finally in her hand.
"Have a nice day." He said.
Sky rolled her eyes, grabbed a map, and ran to the lot where the cars were parked. She clicked the alarm for the Mustang and ran towards the sleek vehicle, got inside, shoved her bag in the backseat, and drove off.
"People and their rules." She mumbled.
Sky searched for the hospital on the map and drove the speed limit. The absolute last thing she needed was to be stopped by the police. Twenty minutes later, Sky pulled up to the big building where the words 'EMERGENCY' greeted her in red block letters at the back of the building and 'St. Greer Hospital' displayed on the front with white letters.
She got out of the car with her bag and walked in to the smell of disinfected spray, scrubs, and cleaning solutions. It nauseated Sky but she held it in to search for the front desk. Sky walked to the receptionist and stood in front of her.
The receptionist looked at her with a blank expression and tilted her head.
"Hello, may I help you?"
"I'm here for Zay."
"Name."
"Sky."
She hoped that was the name Spider used for her to get access as 'Tom's' wife. If not, she was so screwed. The receptionist typed on her keyboard while looking at the computer. Finally, she found whatever she looked for and looked up at Sky.
"Ah, here you are. Tom notified us his wife would be here to pick up Zay. He's in room 212 on the second floor, down the hall to your right is where you'll find the elevators."
"Thank you." Sky speed walked down to the elevators, pushing the button and walked inside. Before the elevator doors closed, a man's hand shot out to stop the door from closing. Two men dressed in black walked inside with Sky with one of them looking down at her then the doors.
Weird.
Sky remained calm when the elevators closed and lifted to the second floor. Neither man pushed a button, so she guessed they were headed to the second floor as well. The doors finally opened and Sky walked around to different hallways, messing up her trail in case she was being followed and finally made her way to room 212.
There were two guards standing outside the room and Sky figured it was the men Spider warned them about who was protecting Zay. She walked up to them and waited for one of them to notice her.
"May we help you?" One of the men said with a menacing scowl on his face. Sky didn't take any harm towards it since they were protecting Zay. He could use all the protection he could get.
"I'm Skylar, here for Zay."
Both guards looked at each other before the other guard looked down at her, accessing her.
"Sky? We thought you were across the country, he's in here."
They moved aside and she smiled then nodded walking inside the room and closed the door behind her.
She dropped the bag and slowly walked further into the room. It was a regular hospital room with beige walls, a bathroom stall next to the door, tile floors, a couple chairs for guests and a comfortable couch for loved ones who spent the night. The curtains to the window were drawn that showed the parking lot. There was a TV poached on a stand near the ceiling with a cartoon show on and right in the center of the room was the hospital bed.
Zay laid in the bed wearing his hospital clothes and an IV attached to his arm. The beeping of the monitors filled the room and a tray of empty food was set next to him. He looked fine externally with no bandages covering his body besides the fluids going in his arm. The color was back in his face as he stared at the TV screen. His dark brown hair grew longer, covering his forehead and nothing seemed to be out of place.
He looked so small like a young teenager bored out of his mind with TV for entertainment. His muscle mass shrunk but he still looked handsome from the day Sky met him.
"Zay?"
He turned his head to look at her with wide eyes followed by a gasp.
"Sky?! Oh my gosh Sky!! I missed you so much!"
Tears filled her eyes as she ran over to his bed and hugged him carefully.
"I thought you were dead!"
Zay returned the embrace as he hugged her with his head laid on her shoulder. Tears seeped through her shirt she figured was his tears.
"Me too! I hate to admit it but Spider is actually a good guy. He just sucks at smiling. They did a whole surgery on me and I thought I didn't make it. I prayed for the first time in my life 'cause Sage talked about religion and stuff to me before. I didn't think I'd care but it felt like the right time. I hoped to see you and Sage and Tony again. Where is he? Is he here?"
More tears fell down Sky's face as she held him while he rambled. She never thought he'd hear his sweet voice again and to hold him was a miracle. She would never stop thanking Spider for giving them a second chance to be with Zay.
They lost so many people in their lives that taking Zay away ruined her hope for being close to anyone. Sky sniffed and wiped her face, remembering the mission at hand. She pulled away to grab her bag and took out the bulletproof vests, new clothes for them, and disguises laying them on the bed.
"No listen, we have to get out of here and this time the safe way. Get dressed and make sure you wear this damn vest. You and I are about to get on a plane as soon as we leave here and back to where we live while we wait on the others to finish off this mission they have."
Zay looked at everything on the bed with confusion then back at Sky with his eyes widened.
"Mission? Hold on wait, what is Sage doing now?" He slowly made his way out the bed, holding his side with a wince and stood up with the hospital gown dangling on his body. "I'm healed up, mostly, just stiff. Tell me what's going on. Where's Tony?"
"It's better you don't know, you never know who's listening. Now get dressed."
Sky changed into her new outfit, hiding her hair under her beanie and placed her shades on while Zay got dressed.
She went to the door and knocked on it, waiting for the guard.
A loud slam sounded outside the door as if a body was forced against it. A spitting sound of a silencer gun and a moan of pain soon followed after and Sky immediately locked the door.
"Shit, shit!" She looked around the room for a quick exit and made her way to her bag grabbing it. "You ready?"
Zay nodded his head and gulped. "Yeah, um we can go out the window. Let's do that!"
"Second floor, it shouldn't be that high." Sky hurried to the window and looked down to see it was a couple feet from the ground. Perfect. "Oh, not that high at all, let's go.
She twisted the latch and opened the window to peer down. Zay walked to the window and climbed out carefully, landing on his feet with a soft thump on the grass. He turned to her and held out his hand. "Okay, your turn."
Sky quickly climbed out and they both ran towards the car. Zay turned behind them to see a couple of men running after them. "They're coming! Quick!"
They finally got in the car as Sky drove off leaving dust in her quake. "If they're following us, shoot."
Sky grabbed a gun from her bag and gave it to Zay who grimaced.
"I really hoped I didn't have to do this again."
"Yeah, me too but we gotta stay safe until we get to our destination."
Sky sped down the highway with two black SUVs behind her car, gaining on them. One of them bumped against her and they both jerked forward. Sky sped the car up with a nod towards Zay. "Shoot the driver."
Zay acted quickly and lowered down the window, aimed the gun towards the driver and shot the windshield multiple times until blood splattered within the car. "Oh my gosh! I killed someone!"
"Yes you did." Sky said speeding up the car towards the airport. She could see multiple terminals and could taste their freedom.
There was a skid, slam and loud crash behind them. Sky looked at the rearview mirror to see the SUV Zay shot up crash into the other vehicle and explode on the highway. Car parts and debris raining down around them as Sky took an exit towards the airport.
"I'm going straight to hell." Zay said stunned.
"I'll be right there with you."
Sky parked the car and got out with Zay. They ran inside the airport with Sky returning the car and both of them headed to their terminal to wait for their flight with their tickets. Once they were able to board the plane, Sky breathed out a sigh of relief and sagged against the chair.
Zay smiled next to her and glanced at her belly. It shrunk a little but she had no time to workout for this mission.
"So, did you have the baby?"
"Yes, I had a baby boy! He's at home waiting to see you."
"Omg that's awesome! What's his name?"
"Isaiah Chase Dean."
"Wait, you named him after me and Chase?"
"Yes, yes we did."
Zay smiled, his eyes glassy. "Thank you Sky. That's... the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me."
"We missed you Zay. We would've continued to have you in our hearts someway."
"Well, I'm just glad to be with you all for real."
"Me too, you're finally home." They both hugged for a long time and Sky finally felt at peace that everything would be alright.