Chapter 13

The next day, Frank called for a limo to take them to the airport and bring the four of them home. A town car wouldn’t be big enough for this group—and who knew how much stuff two women might bring when they arrived?

Jane ate her breakfast while Frank gently insisted she finish her eggs, bacon, and toast. He and the other girls sat at the table chatting and enjoying their time together. But once it became clear Jane was too nervous to finish eating, he sent her to the bathroom to start getting ready. The other girls got up to help her, eager to make sure she looked and felt her best.

She didn’t have the body she used to. Her breasts hadn’t fully filled back in, her collarbones were still visible, and her ribs were too thin—but her face looked healthier, and that mattered to Jane.

They found a dress that fit her petite frame—short on Brianna, but nearly perfect on Jane. It looked like it had been made for her. They applied light makeup to her cheeks and eyes, soft and natural. Then it was time to go.

There were hugs and kisses all around. Lisa had asked several times if she was needed, but Frank reassured her he could handle it. Lisa eventually relented after reviewing her packed schedule and started getting ready for her day as Frank and Jane headed to O’Hare.

Frank held Jane’s hand as the limo wove through traffic. He’d sent Elizabeth and Cathy first-class tickets from St. Louis to Chicago so their trip would be as comfortable as possible. The TSA and old-world airport security were long gone under the WE, so the driver dropped them at the terminal and circled while they went inside.

They checked the board, found their gate, and walked hand-in-hand—Jane grounding herself to Frank, steadying her nerves. She’d left her collar at the apartment. No one had thought it necessary for this moment.

Meanwhile, on the plane, Cathy and Elizabeth sat side by side, holding hands and trying not to cry. The one-hour flight felt like the longest they’d ever taken.

When the plane landed with a gentle bump and rolled to the gate, they were among the first to disembark. Each carried a single bag. They weren’t huge fans of Rule 8, but they looked good following it—no big deal, they decided if they hadn’t brought extra clothing to wear.

They walked slowly through the jetway and into the terminal, clutching each other, hearts pounding.

Their eyes scanned the crowd. People bustled past them, focused on their own destinations. Then—suddenly—the crowd parted.

And they saw her.

For a split second, doubt slammed into their hearts. That couldn’t be their mother. She was gone. She had vanished. She was dead.

But there she was.

Elizabeth reacted first. She screamed, “MOM!” and bolted, letting go of Cathy’s hand. Cathy’s mind caught up a beat later. She nearly dropped her bag as she, too, took off running, shouting “MOM!” through sobs, weaving through the crowd.

It took a moment for Jane to register what was happening—that it was them, her girls, alive and whole and running to her. She crumbled to her knees, overcome with emotion. Tears of joy and grief poured down her face as she opened her arms wide.

All three women collapsed into each other’s embrace, sobbing, laughing, and clinging to each other as if afraid to let go. Right there on the airport floor, surrounded by strangers, they became a family again.

Frank didn’t interrupt. He stood back, handkerchief in hand, wiping his own tears as he watched the reunion unfold in the middle of the bustling terminal.

When the emotion finally began to settle, he stepped forward and helped Jane to her feet, steadying her. Then he gently helped Elizabeth and Cathy up too, their arms still around their mother, none of them ready to let go.

“Ladies, shall we get going?” He asked, standing near Jane while she held her babies, each still crying yet happy.

Jane sniffed, wiped her nose and eyes, then straightened her dress and agreed. “Yes, of course. Girls, I want to introduce you to my rescuer. This is Frank Devon. He rescued me and saved my life. Frank, this is Elizabeth and Cathy.”

The women had their mother’s petite frame, but both were several inches taller than her given that their father was a big man. Both girls had light brown hair that both of them had tied up in a ponytail for the trip. Both girls had also worn leggings, yoga pants, for the trip with casual shirts over them. Both women were beautiful, but the years of worry had taken its toll on each of their faces. Frank could see Jane’s lips on Elizabeth, Jane’s eyes on Cathy, each had Jane’s nose but the rest of their features had to be from Kevin.

“Elizabeth, Cathy, it is so good to meet you both.” Frank said with dignity offering his hand to each of them. Neither was going to have that and both wrapped their arms around him instead and hugged him fiercely.

“Thank you Mr. Devon.” “You’re the best Mr. Devon.” They said while trying not to cry while hugging this new and very important man who seemingly found and saved their mother’s life.

“I was glad to do it.” He simply said.

“Where were you? We looked all over town for you. Mom, what happened to you, you look like you starved to death.” And on and on, the questions started once they managed to start walking toward the pick up line and their exit from the airport.