Page 41 of Leo

“On board that?” he smiled. “Hell, yeah.”

The team left the conversation to the leadership team. Hex, Eric, Cam, and Luke spoke to the FBI agent, listening intently. With thirty minutes to kill, they were able to go inside the terminal and grab some souvenirs.

“You know, I’ve been a lot of places over the years,” said Leo, “but I’ve never spent much time in London. I thought we’d get there, but Lenora seems to have ruined our plans. Maybe that is someplace we can come back to for our honeymoon.”

“Our honeymoon, huh?” she smiled. “I think it sounds wonderful, but I would ask that you do something very old-fashioned for me. Ask my father for permission. I know it seems crazy, but it would mean a lot to him if you did that.”

“Tillie, I’m way ahead of you, honey. I asked your father after the first night we spent together in your cottage. I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy, and I didn’t want to offend your parents. I told them both that you were the love of my life, and I couldn’t live without you.”

“You did?” she smiled.

“I damn sure did. I wish my folks were here to see it all. I was angry at my father for a lot of years for something he couldn’t control. I know that now, and I appreciate the conversations with Irene, Matthew, and the counseling team to clear my head about that.

“He was a good man and worked hard when he was able. The demons and sickness inside of him must have been overwhelming, and that makes me sad for both my parents. I want you to promise me something, Tillie.”

“You’re not him,” she said softly. He nodded.

“I know, but I’m his son, and some of this could be hereditary.”

“You’re not him,” she repeated.

“Tillie, just promise that if I show signs of depression, increased anxiety without cause, strange behavior of any sort, you’ll run for help. You won’t just stare at me or ignore me. Get me help.”

“Leo, of course I’d get you help,” she said, pushing his hair aside. She kissed him sweetly, hugging him. “I love you. We’re going to be together for the rest of our lives, and I know fora fact that it will be decades of the two of us and, hopefully, a few babies along the way.”

“I love you, Tillie. I think I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you. I don’t ever want to lose you or do anything that might hurt you.”

“You wouldn’t, Leo. You’re not capable of that.”

“Hey! Love birds,” smirked Pax. “They’re ready to leave now. Let’s go.”

“Let’s go, babe. We’ll visit jolly old England one day soon,” he smiled.

Back on the plane, the FBI agent was gone, but Luke and the others were seated at the tables.

“Take a seat, we’ll explain as we fly.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Lenora was so anxious going through customs she thought for sure the agent could see the guilt on her face. She’d promised herself if she could just get home, just surround herself with all the old items that were once hers, she would never again do anything illegal.

“Why were you in England?” he asked.

“Just visiting old friends and doing some shopping,” she smiled. He looked at her bags and nodded, scanning the passport and then looking up at her again.

“Welcome home,” he said, waving her through.

For Lenora, there wasn’t a better feeling in the world. She was truly home. Her home. Her family’s home. No one could take this from her again. After more than an hour in a car, she finally arrived at her destination.

Her realtor was standing at the door, smiling at her and waving.

“Welcome home!” he said excitedly.

“Thank you, it feels good to be home. Do you have the paperwork with you?”

“I do,” he nodded. “If you’ll just sign here and here, everything will be done. We’ll have to notarize some things, but we can do that tomorrow or the next day once you’ve rested a bit. The check was deposited this morning, and everything has cleared. The house is yours.”

She quickly signed all the designated areas and handed him the papers once again.

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