Chapter 20 Ep20*

THE DAYS seemed to fly by as school got busier and winter break fastly approached. The feeling of missing Falcon had become a constant throb in her chest that only eased when she could hear his voice.

Over the last few days, Freya had prayed for a mention of coming home to see her, but each time they talked, Falcon acted as if he had no idea a break was even coming up. She tried not to pity herself over it, but she couldn’t help but feel slightly hurt that he hadn’t even thought of it.

It had been months since she had properly seen him. All she asked for was two visits a year, but it seemed he was too busy to even remember.

She couldn’t completely curse him though; since asking him if they could talk more, he had stuck to his word and called her twice a day. She tried not to think that he was only doing it to make her happy, that he actually wanted to call her, but sometimes he just sounded so tired that Freya couldn’t help but feel guilty.

That feeling was part of the reason why she hadn’t dared to ask him to come see her; he was already doing so much for her, she didn’t have the heart to ask for more.

When the last day of school finally ended, Freya found herself walking towards Glenn’s street instead of her own. It had become habit to visit him before going home; she always arrived at exactly 3:45, spoke to Glenn about her day and sometimes a little about Falcon, and then sat at the dining table to do her work. Sometimes Jaxon would sit with her and she would help him through his own work and Glenn would join them and help in his own particular way.

More often than not, Freya felt more like family there with them than she did in her own home.

Freya saw the house approaching and smiled slightly before faltering in her steps when she saw something unusual. She knew Glenn was a private old man; he didn’t like most people and most people didn’t like him. In the time she had known him, he had never once had a visitor.

But today, there was a second car sitting outside of the home.

Curious and confused, Freya walked a little quicker, anxious to see what was happening. She wasn’t sure if the new person brought good news or bad news with their presence and the mystery was gnawing at her insides like spoiled milk.

She ended up in an almost run; holding down the strap of her book bag as her feet clumsily rushed up the front stairs. Slightly puffed and knowing her cheeks were as red as anything, she invited herself in, closing the door quietly behind her before hanging up her coat.

“Ah! Freya!” Glenn’s voice sounded from the living room. “Come here, angel!”

He didn’t seem to be irritated; quite the opposite. He sounded happier than he had in a long time. Slowly, Freya crept forward towards the entryway to the room. With her brow drawn in and her bottom lip secured between her teeth, she peeked around the corner.

The first thing she saw was Glenn seated in his usual place, a smile etched on his face as his eyes glowed with mirth. Freya’s eyes travelled across the room only to land on a broad figure and a familiar mess of dark hair.

For a moment, her body froze; her mind screeched to a stop as it tried to comprehend what it was seeing. Before she knew what she was doing, she found her body racing towards the familiar man and being swept up in a pair of strong arms only a second later.

Her arms wound around the man’s neck, every inch of her desperately trying to get as close to him as was possible. She felt the wetness on her cheeks before she felt the burning pain in her chest. Her throat closed as sounds tried to escape her mouth, her hands fisting the man’s shirt.

A gentle kiss to her head caused her to erupt into more tears and he chuckled slightly before hoisting her up and onto his hip.

“Hi, baby,” Falcon whispered in her ear.

All Freya could offer as a response was a whine as she hid her face further into the crook of his neck.

“Aren’t you gonna say hi back?” he asked with a grin.

Freya sniffled before her muffled voice sounded from his shoulder.

“Hi,” her voice caught half way as she swallowed back a sob.

After a few soothing circles on her back, Freya pulled back slightly in his arms, looking at him with red, swollen eyes. He hadn’t said a thing; not even a hint to her that he was coming to visit.

“Why are you here?” Freya sniffled, rubbing her eye with her hand as she tried to clear the tear tracks that had been left down her cheeks.

Falcon smiled at her, clearing the other side of her face with his thumb as he cradled her face.

“To see you,” his eyes twinkled before his expression faltered for a second. “And to figure out some business I have here.”

Freya’s head tilted to the side ever-so-slightly.

“What business?” she asked.

Falcon shook his head.

“It’s nothing all that important,” he gave her a cute half smile. “Just tying up some loose ends and making a few arrangements for the future.”

Well, it was the truth.

“Now,” Falcon distracted her mind with a sweet peck on the nose. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve quite missed my baby. I think some quality time is far overdue.”

His distraction worked and a smile broke out on Freya’s face.

“Ice cream!” she had been having cravings all week.

Falcon let out a laugh as he nodded.

“Okay, baby,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Let’s go get you your ice cream.