She was always ready for what she needed to do, but never complacent. She couldn’t approach any rescue the way she had the one before or the one before that. Each one was unique, even if it sounded like the same story she heard a thousand times over. She always had to remember that. Each of these women were people. Souls. And the stories weren’t always the same. As much as people might want to think it was always a bad husband, or a dangerous boyfriend, those weren’t always the case. She carried women and children out of cults, away from parents who held them captive, from people who pretended to be their friends and then enslaved them. Each one had a story, and each one deserved for that story to continue.
It was fulfilling, but it also left her aching. By the time she handed the rescued off to the next link in the chain, she felt drained and ready to be herself again. She needed Ian and Emma. She needed to savor her home and a life where she never had to hide.
That’s why she was so excited that night as she finished packing for this mission. It might not be as smooth and easy as the last one, but it would be fast, and then she would be home. Home to be with her family for the next few months. She wasn’t stopping. She would never stop as long as she had the ability to help. But she was taking some time for herself and her family. Others on the team would handle things until she came back.
Emma didn’t know yet. Mariya was waiting to tell her until Easter morning. She couldn’t wait to see her face.
Ian came into the room and watched her as she put the last of her things into her bag. He didn’t say anything as he walked with her to the door.
“I won’t be long,” she promised. “Just a few days.”
“I know,” her husband said, wrapping his arms around her. “But I always miss you.”
“And I always miss you. But it won’t be for long this time; then you won’t have to miss me for weeks. I’ll be around so much you’ll get sick of me.”
He kissed her.
“I could never get sick of you.”
“I’m going to hold you to that. I love you, darling.”
“I love you.”
“Don’t forget to finish Emma’s basket. There are two bags of jelly beans in the closet. Remember, she hates the licorice and cinnamon ones, so you’ll have to take those out. Put the licorice ones aside for me.”
“And cast the cinnamon ones out into the darkness, I know,” Ian said.
Mariya smiled and put her bag down.
“I’ll be right back.”
She ran up the stairs to her daughter’s room. Emma was already sleeping; her blond hair spread around her on her pillow, and one arm crooked over her head. She was wearing her favorite nightgown, the one she said made her feel so pretty. Mariya lowered herself to her knees beside the bed and gently brushed her hand along Emma’s forehead. She sang to her softly, not wanting to wake her, but hoping the words of the Russian lullaby she’d sung since Emma was born drifted into her dreams and kept her safe until she came back.
Mariya could have stayed there all night just watching her little girl sleep, but she needed to go. She touched a kiss to Emma’s forehead and left the room. Just as the door closed behind her, she opened it again, getting one more glimpse.
“Do you really have to leave?” Ian asked, pulling her into his arms.
“Yes, love. You know I do,” Mariya said, looping her slim, graceful arms around his neck. "She needs me."
"I know she does," he sighed. "Have I told you recently how incredible you are?"
Mariya grinned and touched her soft mouth to his.
“I won't be gone long. Then, Easter,” she said happily.
“Did you kiss Emma good night?” he asked.
“Yes. Of course I did. When she wakes up in the morning, make her pancakes. I left cookie cutters on the counter so you can make them into the shapes of flowers for her. She can help you boil some eggs so they can be in the refrigerator for Sunday.”
“Do you think you'll be able to call?” he asked.
“I don't know, darling. I will if I can,” she told him.
“Don't, if it's too dangerous. You know we'll be here.”
“I know you will. I love you,” she said.
“I love you, too,” he told her. He brought her close and kissed her.
“I'll see you soon,” she whispered.
He walked her out to the car and kissed her one last time through the window.
“Do you have everything you need?” he asked.
“I think so. Goodbye, my love.”
She was halfway to the airport when she realized she didn’t have her phone. So accustomed to it being in her purse, she’d forgotten it was having problems earlier. Ian had it in his office, trying to repair it. She glanced at the clock on the dash. Her name was on the manifest for a flight at midnight, but the actual plane she was using, a tiny private one she wasn’t looking forward to boarding, was an hour later than that. It gave her just barely enough time to go back to the house. Traveling without the phone would be far too dangerous. She couldn’t make contact the way she needed to or follow a rescue timeline perfectly timed down to slivers of seconds.
She got back and asked the driver to wait for her and rushed toward the back of the house. She didn’t want to
