Arriving at the station, Nathan walked up to the ticket booth and placed the money on the counter. "Four tickets for the 10 o'clock to Cape Fullerton."
"We started boarding two minutes ago. You better hurry."
They grabbed their tickets and ran to the train, relieved to see it still there.
Once on board, they finally had a moment to breathe. It didn't take long before Jack, exhausted from the day's events, drifted off to sleep with his head resting on Allie's lap.
"Thank you two," Elizabeth said softly. "For doing this."
"There wasn't a moment of hesitation," Nathan replied. "Allie had our bags packed by the time I made it home."
Elizabeth glanced at Allie, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You have no idea how much this means."
"We're a family now," Allie said firmly. "We have been for a while now. This is what families do."
Elizabeth smiled through her tears, reaching over to hug Allie. "I love you so much, my sweet, beautiful girl. Don't ever change."
"I had some pretty good influences," said Allie, looking at her parents with tears in her eyes.
Nathan reached over Elizabeth and grabbed Allie's hand, "What did I do to deserve a daughter like you?"
A conductor walked past, tipping his hat as he called, "Next stop, Cape Fullerton. Nine hours till arrival."
Elizabeth let out a slow breath, the weight of the situation settling back in. Nathan noticed and reached for her hand. "It's gonna be okay," he reassured her.
She met his gaze, feeling a sense of peace for the first time all day. "With you here, I know we will."
As the train rumbled down the tracks, the night stretched before them. They had each other, and that was what would keep them strong.