“Where are we going?” Owen asked quietly.
“To a quiet house with a big backyard,” I told him, adjusting the strap of his backpack over my shoulder. “You’ll have your own rooms, a warm meal, and all the time you need.”
Lily stopped walking for a second and looked up at me, her blue eyes bright under the terminal lights. “Are you going to leave too?”
I dropped to one knee on the sidewalk, looking her straight in the eye so she knew I meant every word.
“I spent twenty-five years in the service, Lily,” I said gently. “When I make a commitment, I stand by it. I am not going anywhere, and neither are you.”
For the first time all evening, a small, genuine smile appeared on her face. She nodded once, satisfied with the answer, and took my hand again. Together, we walked out into the evening light, leaving the noise of the airport behind.
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