Unchained

How could you?

Devlin felt an anxious, overwhelming feeling just before his phone rang. He jumped up out of his seat and ran over to it. WAIT!! Xavier yelled. Let it ring! Pick it up after the third ring. Xavier said as he started the  recording on the computer. Charlie sat there biting her nails. Her eyes were red rimmed from crying. She had shown up just a moment after Xavier finished setting everything up. On the third ring Devlin picked up. 

Hello? Hayden???? Where are you Baby? Beautiful Please! I know you feel the pain we are both in from this. I just need to know where you guys are? 

Daddy? 

Ava? Hey there Pumpkin. Where are you and Mommy? Are you okay?Are you having fun? 

Yes! We stopped at this BIG BIG Hotel with a BIG indoor pool! We are getting ready to go swimming! When are you coming Daddy? I miss you! 

Oh, Pumpkin... I miss you an Mommy too...soooooooooooo much. Hopefully I came come see you really really soon. 

Okay Daddy! I love you to the moon an back! I need to go get my bathing suit on...Theia is out of the bathroom. It's my turn. 

Okay Pumpkin. I love you too

Hello? 

Hayden? Where are you Baby? I will come with you. Please don't do this to me. I will be with you an Ava. You could have just spoken to me about this....Please ? How could you? I don't understand?

I love you Devlin. You aren't safe with us. 

Neither are you!!! Please don't separate our family. They win if you do!!

Hayden!!!!

Charlie??

Please...come back sister...We need you guys...Please. I can't do this without you. We have never been apart. Devlin is in so much pain without you. We are all hurting because you left without saying Goodbye. Please. Come home. 

Yes. Please come home or at least let me join you Beautiful. I love you Hayden. I miss my daughter.

You guys....... This is so hard. Please don't make this any harder. I  have thought about turning around so many times. But....you guys are in danger if we come back. You all know it. There is no denying it. You know I'm right. I mean look what happened to Xavier! Maybe the next one won't be so lucky. You know he will be back. They will always be back if Ava is there. 

No more danger than what we have been in the past six years. We are ALL in this together. We can get through this, we did it together last time. We can do it again.

I love each an every one of you with all of me. I love you Devlin. Always

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEP BEEEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEP

Devlin put his hands over his face when the phone call ended. He looked up at Xavier hopefully. Xavier gave a thumbs up an continued to type on the computer. She is in Iowa. Close to Hotel Swanson. Maybe inside of the hotel. Ava said that they were going swimming right? That is over nine hours away. If we can get your plane we can be there in an hour. Xavier said as he laid his headset down on the table. Devlin gave him an exhausted look. I have my plane but no one to fly it. Remember Brian an his wife are MIA. Unless someone on this property knows how to fly besides me then we are grounded. Devlin stated softly. Teach me..... I am a quick learner. Charlie stated joyfully. We have their location! We just need to get there! Charlie exclaimed as she jumped up from her chair an clapped her hands together. Devlin looked at Xavier. Xavier shrugged his shoulders. Why not? She is a quick study. He stated as he wrote the coordinates on a piece of paper than shut the laptop. Well come on! It will take at least half hour to show you all the controls. Devlin stood an hurried to the front door with Charlie following close on his heels. The plane was still in the middle of the field where they left it on the west side of the property. Devlin pulled down the stairs an they made their way to the cockpit. Charlie sat down in the co pilot seat as Devlin sat down in the captains chair. He turned the plane on a Charlie jumped. What? I thought you wanted to learn? Devlin stated as he pushed a series of buttons. Yeah. I thought we would just be pushing buttons. I didn't know you were gonna fire it up? Charlie stated as she held onto the arms of her chair looking completely freaked out. Let's focus, we don't have much time. Devlin suggested. Listen carefully. This is important. Devlin stated as he started the process of showing her all of the controls.

Forty-five minutes later Devlin, Charlie an Xavier were ready for take off. Xavier had his computer on his lap. He was going to use GPS on his computer rather than the coordinates on the aircraft. There is a field on the left side of the Hotel. We may need to land there. Xavier stated as he pulled up the map and zoomed in. Okay. Everyone buckled in? Devlin asked as he prepared to take off. Charlie nodded, looking nervous and a little pale. You got this. You will only need to do three things when we go to land. You sure you can do this? Devlin asked seriously. Yeah, Yeah. I'm just a little nervous is all. This IS my FIRST time flying an aircraft. Charlie stated sarcastically. Devlin smiled at her. He turned the plane around and headed as far back as he could so that they could get enough speed to take off. When he got the plane situated the way he wanted he looked over at Charlie. When I say hammer down set the plane at full speed. We need to get enough speed to get over that wall. Devlin pointed to the wall that was about twelve thousand feet away. I usually like to have at least twenty thousand feet but this will have to do. Devlin stated as he flipped a few switches an looked back at Xavier then back to Charlie. Ready. Set. Go! Hammer down! Devlin yelled an Charlie threw the throttle at full speed. The plane took off at full speed. Halfway down the property Devlin started to pull up. The wheels barely lifted off the ground. A little further! Devlin yelled. The plane was still gaining speed. They were about three thousand feet away from the wall. Devlin pulled up as far as it would go. The wheels lifted off the ground. Pull up the landing gear!! Devlin yelled as Charlie hit the button to pull the wheels up. They barely missed the wall. The plane continued to climb. About three hundred feet away they were headed straight for a tree. We need to be higher!!! Devlin yelled. Charlie reached over an pulled up on her side just as the bottom of the plane took out a few branches at the top of the tree. DAMN!!!! That was close!!!!! Xavier yelled. WOOOOOOOOO! Charlie screamed. She felt as if they just completed a successful take off. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Devlin laughed. Charlie looked over at him with a smile. It was good to see him laughing. Charlie thought to herself. Just a few hours ago, she didn't think she would ever see that smile again. She glanced back at Xavier and he gave her a big smile. An hour from now we will be with Hayden. We will talk her into coming back with us. Or, I am going to go with her. Devlin stated seriously. I will not leave their side. I will not feel the pain I have felt all day...... ever again. I wanted to die. He added. If it makes any difference... I don't think she wanted to leave you. I think she felt like she didn't have a choice. She didn't want any of us in danger again, you guys all heard her. I know it in my heart. Charlie said sincerely. Well I feel like everyone in this world always has a choice. She could have come to me with this plan. We could have spoken about it and then told everyone else our plan. It didn't have to happen like this. This way caused so much confusion an pain and heart break. Devlin said as he looked over at Charlie. Well... she will have plenty of time to explain herself when we get there. Charlie added. Yeah. If she is still there. Xavier said from behind them, still typing something on his laptop. Devlin and Charlie both turned in their seats to give him a dirty look. What??? It's the truth. She could have taken off right when we got off the phone! Xavier said cautiously looking back an forth between them. Charlie shook her head. She will be there. She wouldn't tell Ava that she would take her swimming an then not do it. She wouldn't lie to our daughter. Devlin said as he turned back around in his seat an pushed the plane to full speed. 

Hayden watched as Theia and Ava played in the pool. Theia looked as if she was having just as much fun as Ava. Hayden sat on the side of the pool with her feet in the water, laughing at them. Their laughter was very contagious. Theia had Ava laying across her arms teaching her to swim. Ava flapped her arms an kicked her feet. She looked like a fish out of water. Hayden thought as her mind veered in a different direction, a new house, about getting a new house with a pool, where ever they were headed. She felt a little tug at her heart thinking about her and Devlin's house. The only place Ava has ever known as home. She looked down at the rippling water and imagined what it would be like if she had just stayed an watched her daughter grow up there, family in tact. Everyone at the property was so kind an they all loved Ava so much. They would die for her. She thought to herself with regret. She had been having these mental debates with herself since the moment she had drove through the gates earlier that morning. She looked up at Ava and Theia just as Theia threw Ava in the air then caught her. Hayden smiled as slid into the pool. She swam over to them under the water an grabbed Theia by the leg. She could hear Theia's muffled scream from under the water. Hayden popped out of the water and started to laugh. YOU SCARED ME TO DEATH! Theia yelled as a smile grew on her face. Sorry....I couldn't resist. You having fun Pumpkin? Hayden asked Ava as she smoothed her wet hair back an held her arms out to her daughter. YEAH! Can we do this everyday Mommy? Ava asked with excitement in her voice. Hayden gave her a big smile. Well, I was thinking that we could get a pool of our own. Hayden revealed. Seriously!? Daddy would love that too!! Ava exclaimed. Hayden's smile disappeared from her face an she glanced at Theia. Theia gave her a sad smile an moved closer to her. Maybe you should tell her Hayden. Theia whispered. Hayden moved back with wide eyes an shook her head vigorously. That is your call, but you know you will have that question from her everyday. Theia tried to keep it vague. I know, I just don't think...... now, is a great time. Hayden replied quietly. A great time for what Mommy? Ava asked as she splashed at Theia. Oh, nothing Sweet Pea. It's something us women talk about. We were thinking about heading to the mall tomorrow and I was telling Theia now isn't the time. Hayden said and instantly felt bad for lying to her daughter. DADDY!!!!!! Ava yelled looking behind her mother. Hayden didn't see that Ava was looking over her shoulder. I told you Honey, Daddy is gonna meet us later. Hayden replied as she threw Ava in the air. Ava squealed with laughter. Soon as Hayden caught her again Ava yelled again. Daddy!!! I missed you so much. This time Hayden did turn around. Her heart leapt into her stomach as she met Devlin's eyes. They held the hurt an pain in them also a little bit of betrayal. Hayden regretted leaving him the moment she seen his eyes. She could see all of that, but, she could also see the love he had for her in them as well. Hayden took Ava to the side of the pool and lifted her out. Her hands were shaking so bad, not with fear, but with excitement at seeing him again. Ava ran to Devlin an he picked her up, even though she was soaking wet, he squeezed her tightly. I missed you so much too Pumpkin. More than you will ever know. Devlin expressed as he rained kisses on her cheeks over and over. Never taking his eyes from Hayden. Hayden looked over at Theia. Theia had her hand over her mouth in shock. She looked at Hayden with wide eyes. Hayden shrugged her shoulders and climbed out of the pool. Devlin looked her up and down as she made her way over to him. His eyes grew hungry with the sight of her in her little white bikini. Hayden already had tears streaming down her face by the time she reached him. Devlin slowly put Ava down. They just stood an looked at each other for a moment, stopping a foot away from each other. A moment too long in his mind. Devlin could take it no longer, he reached for her and pulled her into a tight embrace. I am so sorry! Hayden cried into his chest as he embraced her like he would never let her go. I was just trying to protect everyone! I swear I never wanted this! I didn't know what else to do! I want us to be together...always. Hayden cried as she pulled back and looked into his tear filled eyes, waiting for him to respond. Devlin just stood there looking at her with a mixture of hurt, anger an love. He sighed an pulled her against his chest again. I forgive you. Please, don't ever do this again. You should have spoken to me about this. I would have gone with you. We didn't have to separate our family. Your mother an father are worried to death. You brought them to our place an then just left. They thought that you an Ava had been kidnapped. I explained to them otherwise. I told them that we went out to find you an that hopefully you would be coming back with us. Devlin explained. Hayden stepped back from him an wiped the tears from her face. No, Devlin, we can't go back. It isn't safe for anyone if Ava is there. Hayden protested. Devlin looked over at his daughter. Theia had Ava back in the pool. Theia had her laid over her arms again, teaching her how to swim. Devlin looked back at Hayden. Then we will do as planned an go to the Island until Ava has learned to use her powers. We need to stay together Hayden. I can't bear to live without you an our daughter. We will figure this out. I promise. We are not letting the enemy break our family apart. That is what they want. They want you alone an defenseless with our daughter so that they can get their hands on her. We will do what needs to be done. Devlin explained as he stepped closer to his wife. Hayden put her hands over her face an sobbed quietly into them. Devlin pulled her against him once again. She dropped her hands an wrapped her arms around his waist. I have missed you so much. Hayden whispered in between her sobbing. It hasn't even been a full day an already I was a mess without you. Look at me. I am pathetic. Hayden cried. That isn't true. You had the courage to leave what you love most in order to protect the ones you love. I couldn't have done that. The pain that it caused you had to be excruciating, I only felt a little of what you were feeling an yet you continued on. If it wasn't for Xavier an Charlie I would still be feeling sorry for myself. Xavier an Charlie were on top of their game the moment they realized you were gone. Charlie learned how to fly a plane in thirty minutes for you. Devlin explained. Hayden immediately started to calm down at the tone of his voice. She lifted her head to meet his eyes at the sound of Charlie's name. She is here? Xavier is here? Where are they? Hayden asked as she looked around. They are back at the plane. They thought that I needed some privacy when I approached you. They didn't want to overwhelm you, I mean, you did just take off without even a Goodbye to either of them. She took it pretty hard. Devlin stated as he looked at Hayden. She turned her head back to meet his eyes again. I am sorry, for everything, I thought that I was doing the right thing. I thought that I was protecting you all an our daughter. I had Theia with me, she is powerful. She could have kept us hidden. Hayden said sincerely. That was what I was afraid of. That is why we had to find you quickly. She kept your mother an father hidden for most of your life. I knew that  if we didn't find you before you got to where you were going.... I would have never found you. Where were you going anyway? Devlin asked her curiously. Hayden gave him a sad smile. That, Honey, I do not know, I was just going to drive until it felt............. right. Hayden answered honestly. Devlin smiled back at her. I am glad we found you. Devlin said as he leaned in an gave her a kiss. When the kiss was over Hayden looked up at him with a smile. Me too. I was really lost, it's good to know that you will always find me. Hayden said with a smile an squeezed him tighter. Will you get Charlie an Xavier in here. I need to talk to them. Hayden asked. Devlin nodded an stepped back, pulling his phone from his pocket. He sent Xavier a text an put the phone back into his pocket. I told them to come in. Devlin stated as he watched Ava try to swim from the side of the pool to where Theia was a few feet away. She got an inch away from the wall an started to sink. Theia reached out an grabbed her. Ava an Theia both laughed. Devlin looked at Hayden an smiled. Since I am here, I guess I could go for a swim. He said with a wink. Hayden laughed and dove into the pool. Devlin took that as an invitation an started to strip his clothes, down to his boxers. He dove in after her. When he popped back up from under the water he heard a loud scream. He looked around to see Charlie running through the gate. She was still fully clothed in her jeans an t-shirt. Soon as she seen Hayden she had screamed an ran an jumped into the pool. Soon as she swam over to Hayden they were hugging each other tightly. He could hear Hayden apologizing over an over as Charlie cried into Hayden's shoulder. Xavier stood on the side of the pool smiling at Devlin an shook his head. He could tell that Xavier was relieved to see that Hayden an Ava along with Theia, were safe an sound. He laughed as his wife turned to look at him, completely clothed an soaking wet. She had tears in her eyes but there was also a smile on her face. He knew a weight had been lifted off of his wife's shoulders at seeing her best friend again. Xavier shook his head at Devlin an started to strip down to his boxers. Might as well....Right? Xavier said as he kicked his clothes away from the pool an dove in.