A Kiss For Your Freedom
Chapter 86

- If the cops couldn't do it, I don't see how you will.

- Don't worry about that, I have talents you wouldn't suspect.

She takes another sip of coffee before continuing,

- Earlier, when you woke up, you told the children that Emma was awake and that Jason would soon be too. Did you say that to reassure them?

- I said that because it's the truth. Emma is awake, she's in pain, but she's alive and that's all that matters. Jason is out of the operating room, the anesthesia starting to wear off. In an hour or two he will open his eyes. You replace this crazy or strange I know, but I guarantee you that she is awake.

- I believe you. If so, you should go for it. I'll look after the children. And no need to thank me. Just make sure I can hug my best friend again.

-You will, I promise you Melissa.

I get up and leave the room. I explain to the children that they are going to stay here without me for a few hours. They're worried but don't say anything and I grab Melissa's car keys as she hands me some bills to tide me over.

As soon as I get into his car I take a deep breath. They're fine, I felt it before I even woke up, they're fine and that's all that makes my heart beat right now. Melissa is right, I couldn't tell her everything, it's not even up to me to do it and deep down, it doesn't change anything. It was a human who launched this hunt against us. A human who did everything to kill us.

I stay careful on the road, now is not the time to have an accident. I take advantage of the journey to think about what's next. We're going to have to replace her and even if I have very good nose, I have to have a starting point. I can't embark on an adventure without thinking. Arriving in the car park, I park next to my own vehicle which I left a few hours ago and rush into the building, after a quick visit to reception I accelerate through the corridors to replace her as quickly as possible. When I enter his room, I replace a nurse administering medicine. Traces adorn his face, traces which before long will be much darker and much more visible.

- My dear, I say without being able to hold back as I quickly approach her bed.

- My heart.

Her voice is weak, her skin is lighter than usual, she has lost a lot of blood, she will need rest to regain her strength. The nurse finally leaves us alone, I lean over her lips to kiss her tenderly before asking her, - Like a girl who is no match for a wolf. If you hadn't arrived, I wouldn't be here, she whispers, grimacing.

I hate seeing her like this. But I don't say anything, just seeing her is already a miracle in itself. She's really surprising, I've known that from the beginning but she just proved it to me again, just in case I forgot. - Jason, she says softly.

- He'll wake up soon, I can already feel it.

- Where are the children?

- Safe, my dear. I guarantee you that they fear nothing, nothing at all.

I explain the situation to her in a few words, which makes her smile for a brief second. She knows that we have reached a stage but there is another one left and not the least.

- I'll replace out where she is. I swear to you and as soon as you're up, we'll settle this once and for all.

She sinks a little deeper into her bed, panting. She doesn't need to answer me, I know perfectly well what she's thinking. I stay close to her, intertwining my fingers with hers, as soon as Jason leaves the recovery room, I will do everything to put them in the same room. The minutes pass, slowly, silently.

We both feel when Jason opens his eyes. She lets out a sigh of relief before telling me,

- Go see him, reassure him. Tell him about the children. I know you are hurt my heart but you must do everything to replace her. We can't wait any longer, I'll be back on my feet quickly, it's high time she let us live our lives. There is no question that she will remain a shadow hovering over our children any longer.

I take the time to kiss him tenderly. Of course I will do it and above all, I will follow her, we will do as she decides. I leave his room and meet the doctor who confirms that Jason has just woken up.

- He is fine. He must avoid any sudden movements, effort, carry heavy things and above all stay lying down as much as possible so that the scars do not reopen. He will have to stay here for a few days, we have to make sure there is no infection but he will be fine. I thank him and settle a few details with him before going to replace him. As soon as I enter his room, I seem to only see the bandages that run through his body. He grimaces as he tries to get up but I rush towards him to stop him.

"Don't start, just lie down," I said, placing my hand on his.

-Emma? The children?

- They're all fine, shortly, we'll put you in the same room as Emma but in the meantime, you have to stay calm and lie down, OK?

- OK. Where are the children, he manages to say breathlessly.

- They are safe with Melissa. I couldn't keep them with me here and you know as well as I do that I wouldn't have been able to travel between our house and the hospital for very long.

-- Melissa?

He starts coughing violently which makes him writhe in pain. I hand him a glass of water next to him and help him drink slowly. One sip after another.

- It was only her, I said, putting the glass down, just her. I told her the broad outlines without going into details, anyway, she didn't really ask any more questions. She took a few days to help us with the children. Until you two are back on your feet, we're not going home, not without you.

He tries to smile at me to reassure me, I see it but he is in so much pain. I lay down next to him very gently so as not to hurt him more. The warmth of his body makes my heart beat a little faster, as do those fingers tangling with mine.

- It's going to be okay, he said in a lower voice than usual. In a few days I'll be up.

I know, my heart, I am more than convinced of it.

I shift slightly to kiss him on the lips. I would like to hold him as tight as I can but just like Emma, I have to be tender with them while showing them that I am here and that I always will be.

While I have been against him for a few minutes, I feel him falling asleep. Between the night that has just passed and the operation, he is at the end of his strength. I place a kiss on his forehead before getting up. Emma is right, I need to replace where her sister is hiding in order to put an end to this. I have to replace her before she replaces us again.

I wander the corridors before going to the hospital gift shop. I need a cell phone, luckily for me Melissa gave me enough for that. When I come out, I immediately turn it on and look at this little screen that has governed my life for so many years. I remember when I impatiently awaited a message from Emma, an invitation to join her, a simple little note that managed to brighten my day.

I settle into a chair in a hallway as I think quickly. If the cops are after her, there's little chance she'll be in the city center. She probably had to move to a new city, maybe even with a new identity. I haven't kept any contact with my previous life but I'm sure one of my old friends could help me. He was playing music in a band when I met Emma, we even danced together to this music. I hope he will agree to give me a hand.

Luckily for me, I have a very good memory and after only three tries, I finally replace the right number.

- Hello. Hello, it's Dorian.

- Dorian, the Dorian I've known for years and who hasn't heard from me since he fell under the spell of a pretty young woman.

"That's me," I said, laughing.

- What is the pleasure worth to me?

- I would have liked to call you in other circumstances but I have a big problem and I need your help.

- Come on, I listen to you.

I tell him the main points of our story, especially the hunt Emma's sister embarked on. Just like Melissa, he heard about her, the shenanigans of her company, the shady deals in which she was involved. He doesn't ask questions, he knows that I wouldn't call on him if I had another solution. He also had another life a long time ago, before he got into music and managed to make a living from it. I saw him providing services to close friends, replaceing people, information for others. This guy is a genius hacker and if anyone can give me an address, I'm sure it's him.

- OK, I'll see what I can do. But you better buy me a drink to thank me.

- If you replace it, I swear I'll buy you more than just a drink.

- Keep your cell phone close to you, I'll call you back quickly.

- Thank you, thank you very much.

He hangs up as I sigh in relief. This is how we recognize true friends, those who are able to reach out to us even though the years and the distance have separated us. I put the cell phone in my pocket,

Returning to Emma, I notice that Jason has just been installed in the same room. She smiles at me as soon as she sees me before thanking me for doing that. We are finally reunited and before long, our children will be with us. As soon as we have finished with his sister, we will return home, this time, I am sure that we will have peace because there will be no one left alive to come and stand in our way.