Chapter 206
~ Clinton ~
The drive back to New York with Annie was quiet in a way that felt right. We didn't need to fill every silence with words. After everything that had happened, after watching the people we cared about fight for their lives, we just needed to be near each other. Her hand stayed in mine the entire drive, and that was enough.
Every now and then, I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. She looked exhausted, but there was peace on her face that hadn't been there in days. The city lights gradually came into view as we drove, and instead of feeling overwhelmed by returning home, I felt relieved. For the first time in what seemed like forever, we weren't running toward another crisis.
When we pulled up to the house, Trudy was already at the door, waiting. I'd called ahead to let her know we were coming, but seeing her standing there, her face lighting up when she saw Annie beside me, us holding hands made something in my chest tighten.
