Chasing Aurora
Chapter 23

Aurora’s Point of View

The time between arriving at the airport to us boarding passed in a blur. My aunts shrunk down and were hanging out in Robby’s backpack. They had the foresight to bring my passport, so we didn’t have any issues there. Robby took charge of everything. Piper was exhausted and I had no idea what was happening, so it was up to him.

Soon we were up in the air in a private jet. I couldn’t believe that Piper’s family owned a jet. I knew she was successful, but I had no idea that she was private jet well off. Everything was so luxurious, and the legroom was incredible. Although my favourite part was that I was here with Piper. She had her arm around my shoulder that sent beautiful tingles of electricity through my body. I was hyper-aware of everything she did, which meant I noticed all the yawns she was trying to hide.

“Alright babe, come on, you need to sleep.” I stood up and held out my hand for her.

“I’m fine.” She tried brushing me off. I love her, but she can be so frustratingly stubborn sometimes.

“You’re half asleep. Stop fighting me on this. You are going to lay down on the couch and sleep. I am not taking no for an answer.” I smiled victoriously when she sighed and took my hand. I brought her over to the couch and instructed her to lay down. I brought over a blanket and laid it over her. Then I had her sit up so I could sit down, and she could lay her head on my lap. Just because she needed to sleep, didn’t mean that I was ready to let her out of my arms.

I played with her hair as she quickly fell asleep on my lap. I found my eyes travelling over the contours of her face, particularly the angry red scar across her face. The sight of it filled me with guilt and a bit of pride. I knew it was my fault that she would wear this scar for the rest of her life, but at the same time, I was so proud of her. The trials she had to overcome to save me, the bravery she possesses, it was unmatched. In my eyes, she earned her spot among legendary heroes.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve seen Piper like this before,” Robby said softly as he sat in the seat beside me.

“What do you mean?”

“Piper doesn’t like being taken care of. I’ve seen her break her arm and try to drive herself to the hospital. It was only when she couldn’t put the car in drive that she let me drive her. It is nice to see her trust you to take care of her.”

A smile played on my lips as I ran my hand through Piper’s hair again. “I think because she thought I was imaginary she could let herself be vulnerable. For me, I could be more open with her than with anyone else in my life. She helped me through so much. While I was completing my thesis, every time I wanted to give up and throw in the towel, she was there to talk me out of it.”

“Thesis? You some kind of smarty-pants then?”

I chuckled at Robby. I could see why Piper liked him. Sincere one moment, joking the next, “I guess. I just finished my masters in psychology, but I want to be a therapist so I need it in order to be certified.”

“So that’s why I want to spill all my secrets to you. You have resting therapist face.” Robby said and I tried my best to bite back the laughter that bubbled up. I really didn’t want to wake Piper up. “Don’t worry about her. Piper sleeps like the dead. It usually takes both me and Samson to get her up in the morning for training.”

“Good to know.” I looked down at Piper’s face again. My eyes were drawn to the scar again. I wanted to trace my fingers over it, but Aunt Fauna said that it would be tender. The image of her looking down at me with her face covered in blood, that angry gash still gaping flashed through my mind. I still don’t understand how she managed to fight Maleficent off after losing that much blood. But that was my girl, tough as hell.

“So, you ready to meet your parents?” Robby asked.

I felt a sinking feeling in my chest. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly to try and keep calm, “I’m terrified. Piper said they’re nice, but I’m still worried they’re not going to like me. Like, what if I’m not the person they imagined? Are they cool with me being bi? Being a therapist? Piper told me that they have this company that they want me to run and I’m worried they’ll be mad if I want nothing to do with it.”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” He reached over to squeeze my shoulder, “First, your parents adore Piper. What parent wouldn’t like someone who would travel halfway around the world to fight a dragon to save their kid? They don’t care that she’s a girl as long as you love her. Second, your parents sacrificed so much just so you could live. They love you so much. They’ve literally been texting me every half hour since we rescued you to make sure you’re okay.”

He pulled out his phone and showed me the texts between him and my parents. Sure enough, they seemed perfect. What would happen now though? Would I go live with them in some strange house? Would I go back to the cottage I lived in with my aunts? Although, they aren’t really my aunts so maybe they wouldn’t want that. I know what I really wanted. I wanted to live with Piper and start our lives together, but I wouldn’t bring that up unless she did. Nope, I’m not going to rush her. Even if I’d marry her tomorrow, I’m not going to mention anything.

“Thanks Robby. Maybe you should become a therapist.”

“Na, I like beating people up too much.” He said and I laughed out loud. Piper let out a grunt at the noise which made me laugh even harder. I held my hand over my mouth to keep from waking her up. Luckily that little grunt seemed to be an anomaly and she remained sleeping until we had to get back to our seats for the descent into the airport.

“Sorry I slept the whole time.” Piper apologized as we got off the plane, “Did you get some rest at least?”

“You remember that I’ve been asleep for a month right? I feel like I could stay awake for about a week now.” I teased. “Besides, I had fun talking to Robby. He can be quite entertaining.”

“That’s right.” Robby said as he came up beside us, “Rory can be quite entertaining too, isn’t that right Peanut Butter?”

Piper groaned as she looked at me, “I’m never going to hear the end of this now.”

“Well, it’s cute. Just like you.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek. We got through customs pretty quickly and soon we were making our way through arrivals.

“Uh guys, looks like we’ve got a little welcome party waiting for us.” Robby looked back at me giving me a look making sure I was ready. I turned to look at Piper who was looking down at me too. With her by my side, I could do anything.

“Let’s do it.”

Soon the crowd ahead of us dissipated and my eyes met a pair that could only belong to one person. Even though I’d never met her, I instantly knew she was my mom. Her blonde hair, her green eyes, her face, we looked so similar. My eyes went to the man beside her, oh my god, it was my dad. He had to be. My hand left Piper’s and suddenly I was running across the airport into their arms. I was home.

“You are so much more beautiful than I could have imagined.” My mom said once she pulled away from me. Her fingers tucking a curl behind my ear.

“It seems I get my looks from you.” I wiped my tears as I looked at them. My parents. All my fears were gone. I could feel the love rolling off of them.

“WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE?!” A shriek beside us pulled my attention away from my parents over to Piper and her mom.

“Mom, I’m fine, that’s what important.” She tried to calm her down, but I didn’t think that her mom was going to calm down any time soon.

“You could have lost an eye! What the hell could slice you up like that?” Her mom poked at the scar and Piper flinched. I knew it was still bothering her.

“I don’t think this is an airport conversation Drew.” Piper’s dad said to his wife before looking up at my parents, “Why don’t we all head over to our house and we can all talk in peace?”

“I would be okay with that if you are.” My dad looked down at me asking for permission. I could tell he felt awkward through no sense of his own. What do you say to the daughter who thought you were dead for twenty-five years? There isn’t exactly a pamphlet.

“I’d like that Dad.” I smiled up at him.

A tear leaked from his eyes and soon I was in his arms again, “I’ve been waiting way too long to hear you say that.”

We made our way out to the cars. Robby said he was going to go deal with my aunts and took off towards another lot. Piper came with me and my parents to her parent’s house. I was glad to have her there as my parents asked me a ton of questions about my life. They really seemed perfect. I wish I could have grown up with them, but I understood they needed to protect me.

Eventually, we pulled up in front of a literal mansion. Did Piper really grow up here? This was the kind of mansion that people owned in movies. It was weird to think I was dating someone who lived this kind of life. Wait, do my parents own a mansion? Am I one of those people that had a movie life too? I was kidnapped by a fae so... maybe? When did my life get so weird?

“You okay?” Piper whispered as she helped me out of the car.

“Mhm, did you grow up here?”

“Yes, I did. We shared a few dreams here. I remember you saying that you would live in my pool more than once.”

My eyes widened as I remembered that dream. I thought that was just a made-up place in our dreams, “Next you’re going to tell me that the cottage on that island is real too.”

“We go there every summer.” She smiled, “I can’t wait until we can recreate our first kiss in real life.” I blushed furiously as we walked up to the house with my parents right behind us. She walked right in the front door and took her shoes off. I followed her lead as I looked around at the epic grand entrance. It had everything. Marble floors, twin staircases and the most beautiful chandelier I’ve ever seen.

“Okay, we’re home, now what the hell happened to your face?” Piper’s mom came storming out with her arms crossed. She was fuming. I could understand what Piper said about her mom being scary when she’s angry. Well, I’d say more fiercely protective, she is the definition of a mama bear.

“Well, it turns out that Maleficent could turn into a fifty-foot fire-breathing dragon,” Piper explained and everyone audibly gasped. “It’s cool though! A fae prince gave me a magic sword and shield. I was a bit thrown off when she turned into the dragon and she managed to hook a claw in my face. In the end I won, so it’s all good.” Leave it to Piper to downplay fighting a dragon.

“You got a dragon claw to the face?” Her father asked, his eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Yes, but I am fine. Fauna healed me as best as she could. I am probably going to have this scar for the rest of my life, but it’s cool.” She looked over at me and pulled me to my side, “Anyways, mom, dad, this is my girlfriend, Aurora.”

I was surprised in the best possible way when she called me her girlfriend. We hadn’t really had that talk yet, but I wanted to be her girlfriend. I didn’t want to be anything else. Well, at least until I can be her wife.