Chapter 36

"It's only 5 minutes until we board the flight! Are you excited?" Blaze asks, stroking Leon's hair as he lies across the couch resting his head on her lap.

"Yeah, I'm just worried about Charlie…"

"Aw don't worry, he'l be ok. They've given him some medicine so he doesn't get scared and they'll be someone below deck in the holding area with him and the other animals. I know he's gonna be really sleepy!"

"How long is our flight? I've never been on a plane before…"

"Ohhh you'll love it! Well, it's 11 hours to Paris then from there we'll get the fast train to London" she replies, keeping one eye on the information monitor above them.

"11 hours?! I don't think I'll be able to sleep on a plane if we're all the way up there".

"I can't either to be honest. But there'll be lots of movies we can watch together…and they have nice food too" she smiles.

"Hey check this out!" Axel says, returning with a brand new phone in one hand.

"Nice phone…"

"It is. But check this out…" He grins, displaying the local news channel. "Since over an hour ago, the CIA's failure went viral."

"Do you think the others found out who is behind all this?"

"I don't know. But one thing's for sure, that document Estel has got and the footage released won't look good for them in front of the world. It makes our case even stronger for escaping to the UK. They won't like it there either…"

"I just hate the fact that Leon is now some kind of political argument and potential defense weapon between two countries. We still have to be cautious wherever we go…"

"I know, but the further we are from this place, the better."

The bell sounds as the three of them get up to board their flight.

Half an hour later and taking off into the night sky has never felt better. Leon stares out of the window in awe of the lights, excited and apprehensive about starting a new life in another country that he has never been to. Sure he knows he's half British and now has the passport to show for it, but he has no idea at what lies ahead, whether that is the immediate future or the rest of his life. He has quickly learnt from a young age that whilst this power of his is a gift, it is also a burden.

"You ok? I always remembered how much you hate flying" Axel asks, gently giving Blaze's hand a squeeze. The lights above them start to dim and the seat belt sign pings off whilst she is sat in the middle.

"I'm ok" Blaze sighs, "just get me a few tequila shots once he's asleep and I'll be fine!" The two of them chuckle, noticing Leon now calmer than earlier with his headphones on, fixated on one of the in-flight movies.

"You know, I never thought for a minute we'd have a second chance like this. For years I thought, this is it. I'd be living the rest of my life without you. But somehow, I can't explain, something inside kept telling me you were still alive…. I just… for 9 years everyone told me with proof that you were dead. And I was scared that, if I tried to come looking for you once my sentence was done that I wouldn't find you, I'd let him down… or even worse. I didn't wanna believe what anyone else was saying because a part of me still hoped I'd see you again".

"I'm so sorry you had to live and go through that." She replies, still holding his hand. "I spent nine years searching for the truth and what had really happened to me and how I might have lost my memory. But all of it, even the bad stuff... it all led me back here to you. I don't think I would have it any other way."

"You know, I'm not perfect but I'm gonna do everything I can to make you happy. I love you so much".

"I love you too" she smiles, feeling the most hopeful that Blaze has ever felt as the three of them journey ahead together to start a new life.

1 year later.

"You're leaving the office early". Estel folds her arms, leaning against a desk full of paperwork.

"Yeah, er I have a dinner date tonight."

"A date?" She asks, raising her eyebrows surprised and slightly unnerved.

No matter how intense things get in the office, Adam still enjoys pushing Estel's buttons from time to time.

He then smiles, putting her at ease. "Cherry aced her Math exam today so I promised I'd take her to the movies then out for dinner…. I also said I'd go with her to get that tattoo she's wanted for the past year."

"Wow, I'm surprised! Hunter daddy is now the coolest father in town. I have to admit, that is really nice news! I hope you both enjoy your evening and tell Cherry congratulations from me."

"I will do, thanks". He says, giving her a warm smile back before leaving the office.

"That movie was lit! Uncle Sammy would have loved it!" Cherry is full of excitement as the two of them exit the cinema. Adam places one arm around her shoulder as she puts her arm around his lower back whilst they walk side by side together.

"I was thinking about that tattoo you want! That place I told you about on the next block can also do the shading and it would be dope for you to get some notes coming out of the guitar! What do you think?" Adam tries to show off his creative side.

"Thanks for coming with me daddy!" Cherry gives him the sweetest grin back.

"Well I'd rather be there with you plus I was thinking of getting one for myself also. I mean, Sammy and Axel have a few, so I thought why not!" Adam shrugs.

"Daddy, you don't have anything to prove! Keep your shades, your GOAT as you are!"

"Goat?!" Adam tilts his head with confusion.

"Goat - greatest of all time! Even my bandmate has a crush on you, you still got it dad!" Cherry laughs "not to mention Estel has the hots for you too…"

"Ok, ok enough! I won't start getting any tattoos yet but I appreciate your honesty baby girl!" Adam proudly smirks to himself.

"You know I think the shades are cool but you don't gotta wear them at night…."

Adam forces an embarrassing smile as he removes his sunglasses, with all confidence from a second ago now depleted.

"The place is just around this block! Remember, what we agreed - further up the arm in case you go for a job interview you can cover it up. And don't tell your mom either! She'll never forgive me for signing the parental consent form…"

"Daddy?"

"I'm serious, I'll never hear the end of it! I'll never be father of the year in her books..."

"Daddy! Look!" Cherry insists as she tugs on his sleeve.

The two of them stop in front of a graffiti wall with a set of posters scattered that are stuck over it and over the trash cans in front of it.

Adam immediately rips one off, examining the poster carefully.

It reads,

'DJ K WASHI - returning to WOC December on 20th for his planned Christmas Concert!'

"Shit! You know what this means…" He tries his best to contain his anger whilst screwing up the piece of paper, crushing it under his fist.

"The twins are returning after a year." Cherry answers with hate in her eyes. "With the charges against them dropped, what are you and Estel gonna do? You can't arrest them anymore."

"Oh, we don't have to arrest them. Prepare yourself and reach out to Sammy and Floyd. I'll call Max and Estel. This war is not over yet!"