Jackson -

We've pulled up to a two-story cabin lined with windows, allowing the sun to penetrate each room. An older man stands in what I assume to be his living room and watches us pull up in my Dodge Charger.

I glance at Maggie, noticing her jaw drop and knuckles whiten as her fingers grip the center console tightly.

My eyes focus back on the long dirt driveway and I park a safe enough distance where he won't think we're some kind of intruders. Maggie looks harmless enough but I'm another story altogether.

"Ready?" I ask, offering her a warm smile as I unbuckle my seat-belt.

Her ocean eyes move to mine and I see the panic flashing through them. She's not often phased or shocked into silence and I worry that I'm not the most skilled when it comes to nurturing or offering condolences. I have the strangest sensation a disaster is heading our way but I force it out of my mind.

Maggie unbuckles her seatbelt in slow motion, eyes trained on the older gentleman heading toward us. I quickly toss the keys above the sun visor and run around the front of the car to help her out.

Her father is a decent looking gent, I'm not ashamed to admit he was probably a looker in his day. He walks slowly as if his body doesn't quite work the way it used to but eventually he makes it to us.

"Can I help you, folks?" William asks with a friendly smile.

Good, he seems like a decent bloke. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when we arrived. I never mentioned it to Mags, but there was always a chance her father could have been someone she wasn't expecting.

It may be simply the fact that I'm a realist, or in Maggie's opinion a pessimist, but I've thought up multiple dilemmas that we could come across with this man who fled from his only daughter and wife. He could have been a drunk, on drugs, he could have been a bum or even just a tosser.

Nonetheless, no matter the scenario, it wouldn't have mattered as long as I was by her side. I'll be here to help her cope, regardless of my soothing capabilities or lack thereof.

I look to Maggie realizing it's been a few moments since he's spoken, yet she's still silent. She stands frozen, watching him in awe and unable to speak.

Shit.

I'm not sure it's my place to say anything. I can't simply say, 'Good Morning sir, this is your daughter you may or may not have misplaced.'

I decide to give Maggie time to find her words and anxiously place my fists in my pockets then rock back and forth on my heels.

Come on Mags, you can do this.

"Hi, I'm-" Maggie starts but before I can celebrate her victory a teenage girl comes darting out from behind the cabin. Golden-brunette hair, bright blue eyes, and a somewhat frustrated pout line her face as she cuts Maggie off.

"Dad! Can we get going, please? We're going to be late!" The girl storms up to William in what looks like a football jersey.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts which can only be described as a plentiful amount of cursing then turn to Maggie. Her ocean eyes widen further than I've ever seen before and her jaw drops as she examines her- well I suppose it's her sister, isn't it?

Fuck.

"In a minute honey." William responds to Maggie's new sister then looks to me with his brows raised. I'm sure he's given up on Maggie speaking with the way he's now turned to me for an explanation.

I see the thoughts running a mile a minute through Maggie's mind as her jaw clenches and her fingers close into a fist, digging her nails into her palms.

I pull a hand from my pocket and drape my arm around her waist, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Maggie's mind is with us now, I can tell by the way her eyes look around the group suddenly realizing we're waiting on her.

"This was a mistake. I'm sorry, wrong house." Maggie manages to blurt out and takes off in the direction of my car.

It takes me a moment to register what's transpiring and by the time my mind catches up, Maggie's already in the bloody car.

Fuck.

"Maggie!?" I shout, my voice filled with panic and worry.

I quickly run to the car and as she's starting it, a dastardly notion appears that she might just leave me behind. What a fucking day that would be, stranded with Maggie's newfound family as she takes off.

The thought propels my legs to run faster and I swing the door open violently, leaping in just as she begins pulling away.

I swing my legs in the door and slam it shut taking a moment to breathe as she speeds off backward like she's a professional racecar driver. I remind myself this is the same daft woman who put my charger in reverse on the on-ramp to the freeway and begin to panic.

"Maggie, pull over." I caution but she doesn't reply or show signs of slowing. She struggles for breath and her fingers grip the steering wheel for dear life as she twists it in a skillfully fast motion then shifts the gear into drive in the direction of our hotel.

"Fuck!" I shout as my knuckles turn white with the death grip I have on the roof handle and the center console. Maggie's ocean eyes begin to flood with tears and her breathing rapidly increases.

"Maggie, stop the bloody car!" I shout, causing the tears to fall down her face and terrifying noises to make their way through her open mouth.

"You're going to kill us both!" I try to reason with her.

I'm not concerned with my life in the slightest. I used to purposely put myself in danger's path in order to feel alive, but I no longer need the threat of death to feel alive. I have Maggie, she breathes life into me every time we touch but if anything were to happen to her-

She slows slightly and pulls over to the side of the dirt road. The tension releases in my chest and finally, I'm able to breathe.

I never imagined this is how their meeting would go. I thought this would be a happy event, her father would take her in his arms and thank his lucky stars to be reunited with his long lost daughter. This might have been the case if Maggie would have given him the opportunity, but I couldn't have fathomed we'd be on the run right now.

Her father didn't recognize her, which honestly should have been expected considering he abandoned her as a young child.

I've forgotten a hundred women's faces, but from the moment my eyes met with hers I knew she would be forever etched in my mind. Her wild ocean eyes mixed with waves of emerald green are a dead giveaway and I noticed her father's resembled them, despite the surrounding tired circles.

Other than his eyes, there wasn't much that seemed to indicate Maggie was his daughter. I suspect most of her appearance was acquired from her mum.

I want to take her pain and the tears streaming down her cheeks but I'm afraid no words I can possibly speak will numb the pain. Instead, I unbuckle both our seat-belts and simply pull her into my arms.

Maggie's arms instantly wrap around me, gripping me tightly as sobs wrench through her body.

"It's okay love. Just breathe." So much for ripping it off like a band-aid. I internally roll my eyes at my stupid analogy. Great bloody advice Jack.

She gasps for air just barely managing to speak. "I'm so stupid."

My chest and jaw clench alike when I hear her insult herself. "Stop it, you're not stupid."

"He has a family, a daughter- My sister?" She questions.

"How do you feel, knowing you've got a sister now?" I ask, but immediately regret my foolish words as her brows crinkle and she flinches as if my words caused her pain.

"I feel like-" She bites the inside of her cheek and shakes her head no, pulling away from me slightly and looking to the floor. "I feel like- Like he forgot me."

Shit.

Words evade me and I desperately wish I could find them. What is it about simple human comfort that I've mentally barred from my mind? It's as if I've shut myself off from communicating remorse or solace.

Say something, anything you bloody wanker.

"I'm sorry." I cringe as the too basic words slip through my lips, yet Maggie doesn't seem to notice.

"I feel like I should have known he would have moved on. He's got his own family now, what good would I do by showing up at his doorstep?" Maggie speaks through ragged breaths.

"How could you possibly be disrupting his life? Wouldn't anyone be happy to see someone they've missed for so long? You're thinking of this in all the wrong ways Mags." I've managed to intrigue her enough to slow her tears and she lifts her face to confront mine.

Mascara streaks below her ocean eyes and tears have stained her cheeks. Despite the absolute mess her face is, I'm still stunned by her beauty shining through. Maggie takes a deep breath, attempting to calm herself before she speaks.

"You've moved on with your life despite your past, you've met me and have a successful career. Your parents show up unexpectedly to meet you for the first time since you were born, derailing your life and halting everything you've built. How would you react?" Her words startle me and even though they weren't said with malice my jaw tightens in irritation.

"My parents didn't give enough fucks to make sure I was safe, they dropped me off on the doorstep of a firehouse. Your father wrote you letters for years hoping you'd receive them and maybe one day show up. I'd say that's a massive fucking difference." I reign in my anger and take a steady breath. I need to be there for her, I can't let the broiling heat take control.

She simply nods and lowers her head to my chest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. But you have to admit if someone from your past showed up unexpectedly when your life was going well you wouldn't be happy."

I'm beginning to hate hearing her compare her past with mine. "My past is a fucking disaster, every person in it a landmine." My jaw clenches and I drop my head back onto the headrest as she waits patiently for an answer, I decide not to lie.

"I'd be furious." I admit. "But your ghosts from the past are not nearly the same as mine and you know it."

Maggie is silent as her head ebbs with the rise and fall of my chest and her breathing calmed. "I want to go home."

The energy in the car has noticeably drained and we're both emotionally exhausted. I debate on convincing her to go back and try again but she's strong-willed and I know it won't happen without forcing her hand. Somehow, I know I'll find a way to get them to meet.

"Alright love." I say before pressing my lips to her forehead.

I exit the car and step around to the driver's seat as she glides to the passenger side. Maggie is reserved the entire way home, she doesn't bother moving as I get out to grab our things from the hotel then load everything into the trunk. She simply stares mindlessly out the window with her head pressing against the smooth glass.

The silence is comfortable but I prefer a little background music so I plug in some acoustic Hozier. I know she prefers the calmer genre and Hozier happens to be one of her favorites so I specifically downloaded a few of their albums to have on hand.

She always loves the type of songs that generally put me to sleep. Her taste in music used to drive me crazy, but now that she's managed to calm my temper a bit, I understand the reason she loves these slow jams.

I will not ask you where you came from,

I will not ask you, neither should you.

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips,

We should just kiss like real people do.

I reach across the center console to grab her hand in mine and give her three little squeezes. 'I love you.' I think with each little grip.

Her head swivels to look into my eyes and I see a smile grace her face for the first time in hours.

"Why don't you take the next few nights off?" I offer, knowing she can damn-well use the rest.

"I can't, I've got a few manuscripts still left from this weekend I've yet to read." She shrugs and her eyes glance out the window at the passing pine trees.

"How about you grab those manuscripts and I'll help you tonight over a glass of wine." I offer again, tempting her further. "No dry reds, I promise."

"I'm sure you don't want to spend your weekend working with me." She pouts. I can't imagine anything would be better than spending a quiet weekend cooped up with her.

"Maggie, reading isn't work. I enjoy it, plus that was one of my first jobs you know. You've got a real pro on your side." I wink and give her a cheeky smile before my eyes are back concentrating on the road.

"Okay." She attempts to hide a grin, but I sure as hell notice it. "I'll stop and pick them up later."

"Why don't we just swing by on the way home?" I offer the obvious option as if it evaded her.

"Jack-" She pauses, biting her cheek. "I think- I think I need to go alone, driving calms me."

I simply nod, "I understand."

"You're not angry?" She asks in surprise with both brows raised.

I can understand why she'd think I'd be irritated, I haven't always been patient in the past.

"Why would I be? I'm buzzin' about a weekend locked up with you. I think we can spare a few minutes between." I'm granted a smile and I offer her a cheeky smirk in return.

"Jackson," Maggie starts but pauses as if she's deep in thought.

"You alright, babe?" I ask.

"I want you to know that no matter the length of time we spend apart, the distance between us, the worst possible fight, I won't ever forget you." She takes my free hand in hers and holds it close to her chest then continues to speak.

"I won't forget how you make me feel, how you light a fire in my soul every time we touch, how the first kiss of the day always makes my stomach do flips, or when I catch you looking at me from the corner of my eyes and a warm blush taints my cheeks. I love you." Her words, although fueled by believing her father has forgotten her, bring warmth to my chest.

I pull my hand from hers and circle my arm around her, pulling her into my chest before I kiss the top of her head. "No one, I mean no one, could ever possibly forget you, love."

The rest of the ride home we avoid the subject of her father and a calm peace falls over us.

WE FINALLY ARRIVE at my penthouse and Maggie immediately grabs her keys. Before she leaves she plants a lingering goodbye kiss on my lips and I'm tempted to make her stay.

I walk through the kitchen to grab a cuppa despite the hour and notice how clean everything is. Maggie must have scrubbed the whole apartment down while I was in Seattle.

When a new pot of coffee is finished brewing I grab a cup and head out to the balcony. The night air smells like rain and the clouds above me are brewing, hiding the quickly fading sunset.

Before I've had a second sip the first few droplets begin to fall. I grunt in annoyance and decide to finish my cuppa while I get the shower running.

The hot water eases the stress I've been holding in, but my mind continuously thinks back to the day's events. I wash up quickly, towel off, then wrap a fluffy grey towel tightly around my hips and head back to the family room. I'm fully intending to distract myself with mindless tv while I wait for Mags.

The moment I step back in the living room I'm greeted by a knock at the door and I chuckle to myself, that was quick.

"We really need to get you your own key." I tease as I open the door but I stop dead in my tracks when I realize it's not Maggie standing outside my door. It's Julie.

I attempt to slam the door in her face but she wedges her stiletto in the gap before it closes, causing it to bounce back open.

"Get. Out." I growl through clenched teeth.

"Jack, I just want to talk about what happened with us in Seattle." Julie's words are urgent as if she's trying to convince me not to slam the door in her face again.

If Maggie finds out I was with Julie in Seattle it won't be good. I haven't even decided if I want her to know. There's really nothing to tell, we had some drinks and she kissed me but I turned her down.

I'm still earning her trust after our last blowout where she caught me in a lie. In my mind what happened is no big deal but to Maggie? I'm not sure what would run through her head and I'd rather not find out.

"There's nothing to talk about." I growl. I have got to get her out of here.

"Jack, I know you were drunk but I think we do need to talk about it." Julie stands with her hands on her hips in defiance. "I need to explain-"

I cut her off, unwilling to hear any of her useless words.  "The bar was a mistake, we never should have-"

"Kissed? But we did and you can't take it back, it happened. But that's not why I'm here." Her eyes plead with me, begging me for a chance to explain why she's showed up at my doorstep late at night.

"Julie you need to leave, if Maggie finds you here-" I start but I'm quickly interrupted as the door bursts open.

Maggie stands in the doorway, hair slick with rainwater and flames burning in her once ocean colored eyes.

"Too late." Maggie breathes in a mixture of shock and anger.