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And now we live.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Chyler
Six Months Later.
Atlas and I had disappeared, as far as anyone was concerned. He had reached out to Derek to get an update on what was happening within the CIA, but aside from that, it had been just him and me. Derek had notified the office that Atlas was working on some outside project, so he was unavailable to come into the actual office. Because of that story, he has been working remotely and attending video conference calls when requested.
I called Austin and told him I was going on a long vacation and would return to work for him as soon as I had a clear head. Playing it off as if I was doing some deep soul-searching or some shit like that. He believed every word and said my job would be waiting for me when I returned to the city.
We relocated to a new location every month, a routine born out of necessity. The CIA's pursuit had ceased since Charlotte's staged demise, but Atlas was adamant about not taking any chances. He believed that after a year, things might normalize, and we could consider returning to Minneapolis if that is what I desired, and if I am being honest; I did.
Three months ago, Atlas took me hiking through some beautiful river trails around Duluth, and we spent that day as the perfect couple we were. He surprised me later that night with a candlelit dinner on the shoreline. He brought blankets to bundle up in, and I snuggled in close, just living in the moment with him; us laying under the stars together.
By chance, an electric storm passed through that day, and while we were out on the shoreline, an absolutely breathtaking Aurora Borealis covered the sky. Captivating greens, pinks, and purples kissed the sky in stunning ribbons of light. I sat up abruptly, just staring up at the sky in awe. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; it took my breath away entirely.
When I looked down from the sky to see Atlas’s reaction, he was beaming from ear to ear at me and held out his hand. A small black box rested in his palm, and tears welled in my eyes, my breath catching in my throat.
“Atlas… What—” My eyes met his, and he pressed his forehead down to mine.
“Open it.” He whispered.
With shaking hands, I took the small velvet box from him and pulled the lid open to reveal a bright, white gold ring that sparkled with diamonds like the night sky above us. Tears trailed down my cheeks, and I released a strangled laugh, looking back up at him.
“Well?” He asked, his beautiful eyes drowning me as they always did.
My heart squeezed like a vice, and I threw myself at him, locking my mouth onto his and wrapping my arms around the back of his neck.
“Yes,” I murmured into his mouth. “Yes, yes, yes.” I breathed.
He wrapped his arms tightly around me, and we sat there, locked in each other’s embrace for what felt like hours. I was going to marry this man. My world. My home. I would go anywhere with him. I couldn’t wait to be his wife.
While I’ve loved every second of the past six months with Atlas, I couldn’t help but miss Madison and Alexis. I was concerned for them and what had happened after Derek, Marcus, and Dean took them into custody. I have asked Atlas about them and if there was any update on where they are, but he hasn’t answered me. He always changes the subject whenever I bring them up, avoiding the topic completely. I wasn’t sure who he was protecting, but I only wanted to know if they were okay and alive.
I stepped into our temporary apartment, removed my hood, jacket, and sunglasses, and set them on the dining room table.
“There you are, sweet thing.” Atlas’s voice trailed in from the living room.
“Here I am.” I smiled, but it didn’t meet my eyes. I was in love with him, and I couldn’t be happier that we were still together. But my heart sank at the thought of missing Madison. Wondering…
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he strode over to me and placed his hands on my hips.
“Nothing.” I blew out a breath and shook my head. “Just thinking, as usual.”
He buried his face in the crook of my neck and nuzzled against me. His scent cascaded over me, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to run my fingers through his hair.
“It’s never ‘nothing’ with you. Tell me. I don’t like it when you look like this.” He murmured into my neck.
“Like what?” I pushed him back slightly so I could look into his eyes.
“Defeated, missing, longing… Do I need to add more to the list?” He furrowed his brow with a concerned look.
“We’ve been over this… You know I am missing Madison, and you won’t tell me anything about what happened to her or Alexis after we left. It’s been six months, Atlas. How much longer until you tell me where they are? What are you hiding?” I couldn’t hide the way my voice cracked. I couldn’t even entertain the idea that he would hide anything from me anymore.
He blew out a sigh and took my hands. My stomach sank with the position, and I knew he would hand me bad news. Could I handle knowing that they could be dead? Did I even want to know anymore?
“Look… Chy.” He started. “There are a lot of reasons why I haven’t told you what happened to them.”
