Los Angeles, Elizabeth, 2014

He pulls my hand into his while we're in the TSA line. I tensed at the unexpected contact, but then settled in quickly. When I looked at him, his fear clearly present on his face. I give his hand a squeeze. Trying to reassure him that I know what I am doing. And that I will be fine. We wait in silence for the forty-five minutes.

I walk with him, hand-in-hand to his gate. He has about thirty minutes before his flight, I have two and a half hours before mine.

"I want you to take this." He starts to remove his wood beaded bracelet that I got him when he finished his doctorate. It has a small St. Catherine of Alexandria pendant on it, the patron saint of scholars.

"I can't." I tell him. I know he doesn't take it off, not when we were together and not now. The finish is wearing off of the beads and the pendent has worn down. He keeps it in his hand holding it out.

"Henry, someone will notice it's gone, Jessica or one of the kids. And they'll question it. We have to keep everything the same. No one can know that you know about me" I can see the hurt mingling with understanding in his eyes. He nods and slips the bracelet back on.

Los Angeles, Henry, 2014

I look at her. Really look at her, trying to commit every part of her to my memory. Terrified that I may never see her again. Preemptively devastated at the thought of losing her once again. I check my watch, twenty five minutes.

"I forgive you." I want her to know that. My forgiveness was immediate in her apartment. When I saw her pain. When I heard that recording. We pawns in a game. Sacrificed in the name of one man's career. I didn't need the letter to forgive her, to know her. Her eyes tear up and she swallows.

"Thank you" she whispers. Her shoulders drop and her breath releases. Tension I hadn't noticed before lifting off of her. Her head held higher.

"I need to be careful, okay? I just got you back." I grab her hand once again, so she gets it. I need her to get it.

"I know why I'm doing this. I want a life, Henry. I won't self-destruct." She sounds resolute in her choice, confident in her plan. And I believe that, because I believe in her. I believe in her power and in her light.

"US Airlines, Flight 782 to Pittsburgh, Boarding Class A." It's my flight, but I'm not ready. But she stands, and I do too.

"I'll call you, I promise." She looks me in the eye, giving me her word. I pull her in and hold her close to me one more time. Cherishing every second of holding her, our hearts beating in perfect time.

"I love you." I whisper to her, giving her a kiss to the forehead.

"I love you, too." The words are quiet, said sacredly out of her mouth. They call me to board once more, and I slowly let her go.

"See you later." She has a small smile on her face, and I feel relief when she doesn't say goodbye.

"See you soon." I counter. She chuckles and turn to board the plane.

Los Angeles, Elizabeth, 2014

I watch him walk away, until I can't see him as the jet bridge curves. My heart doesn't go heavy though. I know I will see him again. I take my own boarding pass, out of my backpack to confirm my gate. And head in that direction. Stopping for coffee.

My phone dings, and I pull it from my pocket. An email.

From: Isabel Barnes

To: Lisa Aldin; Juliet Humphrey

Subject: RE: Meeting Request

Bluebird?

It's my codename. She knows it's me. She wants me to confirm, to respond correctly. I waste no time.

From: Lisa Aldin

To: Isabel Barnes; Juliet Humphey

Subject: RE: Meeting Request

There's not a cloud in the sky.

Apparently she's not wasting time either.

From: Isabel Barnes

To: Lisa Aldin; Juliet Humphrey

Subject: RE: Meeting Request

You better not be shitting my dick, I'll be there.

And I laugh, God how I've missed my friend.

US Airlines Flight 782, Henry, 2014

I read her letter once more. And then I open my computer and start my own. I start more than one. One to Elizabeth, one to Jessica, one to my kids, one to George. I just journal, put my thoughts down. When my head feels like it's a little straighter than it was before. I search for a shrink. I'm going to need to talk to someone about this, I'm going to need someone to help me tell my kids, when Elizabeth is ready.

I keep waiting to feel unstable, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But I don't think it will. I have faith in Elizabeth. And I have faith in the God that linked us together. While I will always be mad at the time lost, I will forever be grateful for this chance.

Pittsburgh, Jessica, 2014

I'm watching my kids play in our backyard. Allison is chasing the twins, egging them on in a game of tag. Allison always amazes me, I don't think most fifteen year olds would spend time playing tag with their seven year old brothers. But she does, every time they ask, even if it's only for a few minutes.

I'm taking a video to show Henry when he gets home and I get a text.

Juliet Humphrey: He knows about Bluebird.

My heart speeds up. How could he know?

Jessica McCord: How?

Juliet Humphry: She's in LA

And then a photo. An airport security cam. And Henry holding a brunette close to his chest. I can't confirm it's her. I don't have an angle of her face. And then another photo. Henry holding her hand. It's Elizabeth. My heart breaks. I know this started, as me keeping him occupied and tied down. But the life we've built is real. I mothered his children. I gave birth to two of them. I married him. I love him. And I will not lose him now. Not to her.

Jessica McCord: We have to get rid of her.

Juliet Humphrey: Munsey and POTUS agree.