"Mom!" Hailey, the little girl Maisie was sitting with, poked at her mother. "We're landing!"
She stirred in her seat and smiled down at her daughter.
"Did you girls have fun?" She asked them.
They both nodded.
"Thank you again," She smiled at Owen. "It's been a long few days."
"Yeah, we know." Owen sighed.
The woman's eyes fell on me and I wanted to sink further into Owen's side. "Are you Claire Grady?"
I nodded and opened my mouth to apologize, but snapped it shut when she pushed her way by the girls and leaned over Owen. Her hand gripped mine eagerly.
"You saved us. Thank you!"
I shook my head. "Don't thank me, really."
"Please," she insisted, "I get to bring my daughter home because of your quick thinking. You saved thousands of people."
I couldn't find my voice. I didn't know what to say to her.
"This," she motioned towards Maisie. "is your daughter?"
I smiled. "Yes, and this is my husband, Owen."
"Oh my gosh!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned to look at Maisie. "The news reports, the kids lost in the jungle—" She clapped her hand to her mouth not able to finish.
She turned to reach for Maisie's hands. "You are one brave little girl. I can't believe you guys are sitting right here!"
Maisie smiled at her, but was more interested in continuing her game of UNO with her new friend.
The flight attendant instructed everyone to be back in their seats and Hailey's mother was quick to obey. With a final wave she slid back to the window seat beside her daughter.
"Can I stay here until we land?" Maisie asked us.
Owen looked at me and I nodded.
Once on the ground the girls said goodbye and we split off to find my sister. There were no reporters, no cameras or strange looks. People were only worried about themselves and their families. We were just a part of the hustle and bustle of the airport. It felt oddly strange.
Owen still gripped Maisie's hand tightly and his other hand was tight around mine. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was.
"Claire!" Karen called out as we approached the baggage claim carrousel.
I yanked my hand free from Owen's and sprinted into my big sister's arms. "You good?" She whispered into my ear.
I nodded against her shoulder. "I'm fine."
We separated and she dropped to her knee. "Little Claire!"
Maisie giggled and ran into her open arms. "Where are Zach and Gray?" She asked, looking around.
"Home," Karen answered. "They wanted to finish setting up the guest room for you. There's a few surprises waiting at the house for you!"
"Me?" Maisie shrieked.
Karen nodded and stood up to greet Owen. "Thanks for bringing my sister home." She tried her best to smile at him.
"You bet," he would have rolled his eyes if we weren't looking at him.
We got our bags and Karen led the way to her car. Owen quickly climbed in the back with Maisie and I made a mental note to tease him about being afraid of my sister later.
"Remember this place?" Karen asked as she drove down a familiar street.
"Of course I do." I answered. Peering out the window I knew this street well. We grew up here. She was taking me down memory lane. Trying to get us to settle here.
She slowed down when we came up to our childhood home. We fought over putting the house for sale after our parents died, but I didn't have any use for it and Karen had her house. Now as we inched by, there were two little girls playing in the front yard.
"Looks like the house was put to good use." I half whispered as I watched the two sisters chase each other.
"You lived there?" Maisie asked, leaning over Owen's lap to look out his window.
"Yes, your mom and I were raised in that house. While you're here with me I'll take you around and show you our school!" Karen spoke excitedly to Maisie.
"Oh, cool!" She exclaimed.
"Karen," I shook my head and narrowed my eyes at her.
She suddenly had to concentrate on the road in front of us.
I sighed, "Not going to work."
"I can try!" She glanced at me and winked.
I couldn't help but laugh.
The rest of the ride was mainly Karen reliving our childhood. Every corner we passed had a story she had to share. Some Owen actually laughed along with and others he sat quietly listening. I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head.
As soon as we pulled in the driveway, Karen beeped and the boys came barreling outside.
"Aunt Claire!" Gray yelled and flew into my arms.
"Uncle Owen!" Zack held his hand out and Owen grabbed it, reaching out to pat his back with his free hand.
"Hi!" Maisie cheered.
Zack lifted her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.
Karen wrapped her arms around my shoulder. "Look at them!" She cooed.
The boys rushed Maisie inside and she disappeared with them up the stairs.
Owen looked frantic as she moved out of his sight. I reached over and squeezed his hand. We weren't in danger anymore.
"I need a beer," he grumbled and led the way inside immediately heading for the fridge.
"All stocked and ready for you," Karen informed him as he pulled two bottles out, popping one open.
She worked on opening a bottle of wine and poured her and I a glass. "So," she started, handing me my glass. "where are you guys going to go for your little vacation?"
I shrugged.
"Driving." Owen answered, finishing his first bottle and opening the second.
"Interesting," Karen watched him closely as he downed his second bottle.
I elbowed her in the ribs.
"I'll stop!" She mouthed and stepped away from me.
"How have the boys been?" I whispered, not wanting them to hear me talking about them.
Karen shrugged. "Zach is completely changed, but for the better. He really makes an effort around the house. I don't think the boys have fought since they got home. Normally I'm locking them in their rooms." She took a deep breath and sipped her wine. "Gray has had some nightmares, but he's been looking forward to seeing you guys again."
I looked down at my glass, not wanting to meet her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Karen."
"Stop, Claire. This is not your fault!"
I slammed my cup down on the counter. "I wish everyone would stop telling me that! It is my fault! I stayed on that damn island because I wanted to make sure there were no more accidents like Izzy and Justin. I failed! God, I failed miserably! I should have been able to stop it. That was my job!"
Karen and Owen stood, watching me closely. I knew grieving came in stages. I was passed being sad. Now I was angry.
I jumped back and away from Owen's outstretched hand.
I didn't want to calm down. I wanted to be angry at myself.
"You don't think bringing our kids home is something to be happy about?" Karen asked in her mom voice. I hated when she used that tone with me.
"No my point," I grumbled.
"It's mine!" She yelled. "What did you do after Justin died? You made it better!"
I shook my head, but her hands were tight on my arms.
"You found a way to make up for his loss. For years that Island was safer than walking down the streets of New York City. You did that, Claire! You did that because you had something to prove. So you came up on another setback. Use it! Do something amazing with it! That's who you are. This is not you, moping in self pity. The Claire I grew up with would have thrown herself headfirst into the situation to try and make it better."
I narrowed my eyes as I thought of her words. Of course she was right. I needed to find something good to come out of this.
I glanced at Owen quickly as he sat silently watching us. He knew the story about my internship. I could see him slowing understanding what Karen just told me. He agreed with her.
"Mommy!" Maisie's feet pounding on the stairs as she called out for me, pulled me from my thoughts.
Karen dropped my arms and Owen popped open another beer.
"Look!" She yelled, rounding the corner into the kitchen. She had a handful of small plastic animals. "Zach said Aunt Karen took them out of storage for me. They were yours!"
I smiled, reaching for a triceratops she had tucked in her arms. "I remember these. They were my favorite toys when I was your age. I used to pretend I was saving them when Grandma and Grandpa let me pick one out at the store."
Owen snorted behind me.
Karen slapped the back of his head.
"Ow!" He complained. "What? I thought it was cute."