100

"Jarek," he spoke firmly, like a businessman, "I accept your help. Now tell me what we're going to do to take down that fucking Richard Quirrell."

Jarek stood up, holding back tears at seeing his grandson rise from the ashes, and extended a trembling hand that Nathan looked at impassively.

He shook it firmly and swallowed hard, remaining resolute.

"It's a deal," his grandfather said, proud of the man Nathan had become. "I know him well and I’m certain he won’t resist the bait we set. That bastard will fall; his time has come."

Nathan nodded, saying nothing more. He still didn’t forgive him, but at least he wasn’t in the mood to hit him with him close by.

"What do you plan to do once you know the full plan?" Enzo asked.

"Get my wife back," Nathan said firmly, lifting his chin.

"Get ready, 'dear' father, because Nathan Strong is back to kick your wrinkled ass," he thought.

This time, he wouldn’t give up, even though the real war would begin when he got Suzanne back and his father found out about his alliance with Jarek. But he was determined to fight tooth and nail for the woman of his life.

He promised himself to do his best, and hoped God would help him, because he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

"I will find you, babe. I’ll come for you and my kids," he swore silently.

He was ready to collaborate with Jarek for the first time for the sake of everyone; Suzanne, his children, his mother, even for himself and his grandfather.

Richard Quirrell would soon be finished, paying for each of his crimes.

…

Suzanne was stunned; everything that had happened left her in terrible anguish and with a heart aching.

She wanted so much to hug Nathan, she was dying to kiss him and be with him and their children. Her eyes even filled with tears several times during the story, moved.

"Jamie..." she whispered when she could find her voice.

"Yes?"

"W-what’s the plan?" she grimaced, looking at him, hoping that everything would really work out.

"Oh, dear Suzanne," he smiled crookedly, pointing toward the door of the mansion. "Why don’t you ask him yourself?"

Her heart leaped at the sight of the figure in the doorway, looking at her in a way that sent shivers down her spine.

Tears filled her eyes immediately, and she told herself it couldn’t be her imagination.

"Nathan!" Unable to contain herself, she ran toward him and jumped into his arms, beginning to cover his face with kisses.

He held her as best as he could and smiled, delighted by her reaction, knowing that if she was by his side, everything would be worth it in the end.

"I love you so much," Suzanne said, kissing his lips now. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Nathan smiled at those words, loving to see her smile and receive him this way; it filled his chest with love.

They had been through so many hardships that having her so close, wrapped in his arms and eagerly receiving his kisses, felt like an idyllic dream.

"I love you too, Suzanne," he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. "I was dying of desperation."

She clung to him as if her life depended on it and closed her eyes tightly. Nathan looked at her with concern, cupping her chin.

"I’m here with you," he said, and she began to cry. "It’s okay, darling."

"Don’t leave me, stay," she murmured with a broken voice, and he kissed her on the head.

"I’m not going to leave you, not again."

She stopped hugging him and looked into his eyes with concern, noticing the dark circles under his eyes and the weeks-old beard.

"You look so tired," she said, stroking his cheek.

"It doesn’t matter, I had to see you," he smiled faintly and kissed her lips, which he had missed so much.

"I missed you so much, love," Suzanne said, feeling her eyes well up.
"Not more than I do," he smiled and looked into her eyes.

"I don’t want to lose you again."

"It’s not going to happen," he kissed her forehead.

They were in their own bubble of happiness, under the satisfied gaze and smile of Jamie.

Jamie cleared his throat loudly to get noticed, as the couple seemed mesmerized by each other, lost in kisses, glances, and happy laughter.

Nathan raised his hand to stop him, and Jamie rolled his eyes, as the pair of lovebirds seemed to need more time alone. They had forgotten he was there, and for a moment Jamie let them enjoy that small respite of peace.

"And my babies?" Nathan asked anxiously, looking around. "I can’t wait to see them, love."

Suzanne smiled with nostalgia and joy, because their babies had changed so much, and she regretted that he had missed that experience.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of pain in her chest, but she told herself they would move forward and would have time to make up for lost moments.

"They’ve grown a lot," she said with a smile, pointing to the stairs. "They’re sleeping in their room; we can go see them if you want."

Nathan nodded, and although Jamie wanted to intervene, he couldn’t help but be drawn to the place Suzanne was pointing to. He had missed them so much, and he felt a strange emotion in the pit of his stomach.

He stood at the threshold and his eyes widened.

Those little ones he had once held were now grown. Nathan closed his eyes and stifled a sob; it was not the time for sentimentality.

"They’re... so beautiful," he whispered, and Suzanne could hear him, watching the scene with a grimace. "Never again... I’m never going to be separated from them or from you, Suzanne."

His words were sincere; he was determined to have a long and lasting life with his family and was not willing to give them up again.

"It was so hard not having you with us," she said, watching their children sleep. "I thought more than once that we would never see you again."

He made a face because he had thought the same.

He had even considered the possibility of walking away from their lives entirely, but he wasn’t ready for that.