I hope you enjoy this!
Chapter Nine:
I did not know what it was like to be loved by a total stranger until I met Penelope Garcia. She enveloped me in a hug the minute she saw me. I was showered with gifts of both food and clothing. My whole wardrobe had been replaced by her. I actually liked most of the pieces. It was all overwhelming.
One of the pieces was a purple knit jacket that I really liked.
"How did you know I liked the color purple?" I asked.
"I didn't," she said. "Your father likes the color, so I've been knitting in purple for years."
I discovered that she knitted an outfit for me for my birthday and every Christmas. She'd then donate the outfits from the previous year. Tears filled my eyes in ways I couldn't fully describe.
Rossi seemed to sense this and suggested that I needed to rest before our long flight. She hugged me tightly one last time before she left.
"I'm so glad we finally found you," she gushed once again.
"I am too," I said numbly. "Take care of the locket."
"I will. I promise."
Garcia left, and Rossi smiled.
"She can be a bit much," he said. "But she mean's well."
"I know," I said.
Rossi went into the kitchen and I followed him.
"I hope you like Italian," he said. "I've got to unload some fresh vegetables and other ingredients before we leave."
"I like the Italian that I've tried," I said dully.
He began to prep food.
"So, what's on your mind?"
"How can you love me so much without even knowing me?" I asked. "You dedicated your book to me in addition to a fundraiser."
"You are Reid's daughter," he said. "We love Reid, so as Reid's daughter, we love you."
"But I'm also the daughter of the woman responsible for his suffering for four years. Aren't you afraid I'll turn out like her? I was already part of a plot to kill a man."
"Lisa," Rossi said, stopping briefly. "We love you because of all the potential you have to do good. The part that matters is that you are Reid's daughter and we will love that forever."
"What if we don't get along after a while?" I asked anxiously. "What if I'm not the daughter he dreamed of?"
He chuckled. "I expect you to not get along all the time. Families fight, it's a fact."
"I don't know why I'm so scared," I admitted.
"You're scared because you're going to live with a stranger," Rossi said. "I don't know much about these situations but, none of what you are saying sounds unusual."
"Why can't I stop thinking about what they did to him in Siberia? I respect his decision to wait until I was older, but I still want to know."
"That's because you're a naturally curious kid. Your father doesn't want you know about what happened to him in Siberia because he doesn't want you to feel sorry for him. What your mother had a hand in doing was horrible, but that is not what matters. What happened to Reid is in the past and you are his future."
"I hope Lilly is safe," I said anxiously. "What's going to happen to her?"
"If I had to guess, a story," Rossi said. "It won't be the whole truth, but it will be a truth the American people can handle."
"And what about Lilly's story?" I asked.
"After all she has done to help get to you here, I promise we'll make sure she is happy and safe."
I didn't say anything.
"Hey," he said looking me in the eye. "I know you don't put much faith in adults based on experience. I promise, we're the good guys and we'll keep you and Lilly safe."
"Thank you, Uncle David," I said.
"Anytime Lisa," he said with a smile. "Let's get some food in you that isn't full of sugar."
"Okay," I said.
…
After a cursory inspection of my new passport, Rossi and I were escorted on to the private jet. It was like walking into a hotel room. I was used to first class, but the white chairs were enormous and plush.
"You like?" Rossi said with smile.
"As long as it gets us out of here safely," I said.
"I look forward to the day where you get to act like a kid," he said.
I settled into a chair across from Rossi.
"On that message board where Lilly posted I was missing, can you have Aunt Garcia post a message?"
"We have a couple minutes before liftoff so, sure," he said pulling out his phone.
"Ask her to post: The Sparrow has taken flight."
Rossi hit a few buttons. "Done."
I sat back and smiled.
He reached for my hand.
"You're going to be with your father soon."
…
Lilly checked the Dark Web constantly. In the morning before she went to school. During her supposed "bathroom breaks." At lunch in the library. She ditched cheerleading practice. Skipping dessert, and speeding through homework, Lilly's only focus was Lisa Reid.
Most of the messages were fake. They claimed Russians had infiltrated everywhere, including the White House. There were the usual alien claims. Sprinkled in were a few people expressing genuine concern and wished her well. It all seemed useless.
Then she saw a message late at night that was cryptic while at the same time hopeful:
"The Sparrow has taken flight."
It was signed: "The Black Queen."
The door to her room suddenly opened. She felt a hand covering her mouth as she laid in her bed.
"Don't be afraid," a woman with blond hair said. "We're here for your protection."
