"It's time, Rachel." Pedro said hardly above a whisper, his face etched with worry.

We'd gotten Rose up first thing this morning so that we could explain everything to her. Well, not everything, but we explained that she would be going to stay with Pedro for a while, while momma and daddy went to our honeymoon. I hated lying to her more than anyone. I also hated that Logan wasn't here to tell her goodbye.

Regardless of the fact that he is obviously pissed, and probably running for the hills, I know that Logan loves Rose more than anything and that he will be upset when he does realizes that she'd already left. I tried to call him, but when he'd stormed out last night he hadn't taken his phone, or even his shoes. He'd literally just driven away and now night was falling and he still wasn't back yet.

The sound of my zipper on my bag was loud and ominous, like I was zipping up my life and putting it away for who knows how long. Maybe Calvin knows, but I sure don't, and even Pedro seems unsure of this grand plan. All he will tell me is that it is our only chance.

I put the bag over my shoulder, walked to the wall and flipped out the lights, an uneasy feeling taking me over as I walked out of my house, possibly to never return, and I closed the door behind me.

Rose's little warm hand in mine was the only thing keeping me from losing my cool right now. She is my center, my sanity, and my strength. I have no idea what I'm going to do without her at my side to keep me in check.

Two cabs were waiting down in the driveway, and I had to remind myself over and over to just keep breathing, and not to let my worry slip through my façade. I didn't want to frighten Rose or give her any reason to worry. She is very smart and notices things. She is very perceptive to people, and I don't want her going into this already on edge.

Pedro nodded to me once as I opened up the cab door, putting Rose's little bag on the seat. She'd packed light, mostly just a few play clothes, books, and a couple of dolls. I put on a smile and knelt down in front of her, kissing both of her cheeks. "I'm going to miss you so much." I said to her, careful not to let my voice shake. "I'll be thinking of you all the time."

She grinned, yawning sleepily already. "Where are you and Daddy going?" She asked.

"I'm not sure yet, sweetie." I shrugged. "Daddy says it's a surprise."

"Daddy is good at surprises." She smiled.

My heart ached and my eyes burned, but I smiled anyway. "Yeah, he is."

She frowned a little as she looked down at her little red shoes. "He couldn't come home early?" She asked softly for the third time today. She knows it is odd that she wouldn't see Logan before she leaves. He's always doted on her, and she loves him so much. I couldn't help the sadness that showed through my smile, but I pulled her into a hug, kissing her head. She leaned into me, but then she suddenly jerked back. "Daddy!" She called, looking passed me down to the road where Logan was parking the car by the curb, nearly taking out the mailbox in his hurry.

Logan hopped out of the car and ran towards us, pulling Rose and me both into a hug. "I'm sorry." He whispered to me, kissing my cheek softly. He let us go and he leaned down to Rose. "Let me talk to mom just a second, alright Rosebud? Then I will help get you buckled in."

"Ok, Daddy." She grinned up at him, her dimples digging into her cheeks. "I knew you'd come." She grinned, and it was like I'd been punched in the stomach.

Logan kissed her forehead, then pulled me by the hand over to the side and I glanced back over and saw Pedro watching us unapprovingly before he bent down and started talking to Rose to keep her distracted.

"Babe, I'm so sorry." Logan whispered, drawing me back to him. His eyes were swollen and he had dark rings under them like he hadn't slept at all. He looked away from me and back over to Rose. "I can't believe I almost missed telling her bye because I was being so stupid." He shook his head at himself.

"I don't blame you, Logan." I told him. "That was a lot to drop on a person."

"I blame me." He said seriously. "I made you a promise, to love you and Rose and take care of you both, no matter what." He said as he brushed my hair off of my shoulders and pulled me to him. "I still don't know how to feel about any of this, and it honestly scares the shit out of me, but I won't lose my family just because I'm afraid." He said. "I'm going with you."

I leaned back, looking up at him surprised. "Going with me?"

He nodded, his dirty hair falling into his eyes. "Yes." He said. "If I can't go with Rose to help protect her, then I am going with you. If you're in danger, I'm at your side."

"Logan, you don't have to...it'll be very dangerous."

"That's exactly why I'm going." He said firmly, nodding once, meaning he was done talking about it and his mind was made up. I chewed my bottom lip, and he leaned down to kiss my head before jogging back over to Rose. "Alright, Rosebud, let's get you ready to go." He said, lifting her up over his head and tickling her sides, making her erupt with laughter.

Pedro came over to me, his eyes strained. "You cannot be seriously considering bringing him with you." He snapped.

"Pedro, what choice do I have?" I asked. "Honestly, I kind of want to have him with me."

Pedro narrowed his eyes. "Why? So you can keep yourself reminded that you have another?" He asked bluntly. "Is that why you're so afraid of seeing Calvin again? You worry all the feelings will come back and you'll lose the pretty boy?"

Angry tears burned at the corners of my eyes. "Who said the feelings ever went away?" I snapped. "You know more than anyone else what all I went through with Calvin, and what I went through coming home and building this life. I'd be stupid to not be afraid that I'm going to lose all of this, but it won't be for Calvin." I shook my head. "He made his choice to get rid of me, and he made the choice to not bring me back when he found out about Rose, so no, I don't want to see him. Yes, I'm afraid of what I might feel, being there again, and seeing him. He always had a way to make me forget about everything else and only focus on us." A tear did fall from my eye and I quickly wiped it away. "It's not just the two of us I have to worry about anymore. I have to think about Rose, and what is best for her, and Logan is what is best for her, and best for me. I love him, Pedro. I really do, so don't you ever say something like that to me again. You can never imagine the pain I felt for so long until Logan came into my life." I said hushed but seriously. "I'm going to marry him, and if he wants to come with me, then he is."

Pedro looked down at the wet grass between us. "I'm sorry, Rachel, I didn't mean to..."

"It's fine." I said dismissively, trying to get my emotions back in check.

"Just know, this will only further complicate things for you upon your arrival there."

"I know, and I don't care."

Pedro nodded his head. "Alright, I will let your handler know of the change."

"My handler?" I asked annoyed.

Pedro smiled at my expression. "Yes, well, last time I was there to care for you, but this time I won't be, so I have appointed a handler to you, but I think you'll like her, and also, Patrick is under strict direction to watch out for you, so if at any point you worry about who to trust, Patrick is always there for you." He said seriously.

"Am I in danger even in the castle?" I asked softly.

Pedro sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly, then he nodded. "Yes," He admitted. "There will be people who are out to destroy you for what they think you did, and then people who will seek to destroy you because of who you are, the life of a royal is always a dangerous one. There will always be people out to steal your power."

"I don't want any power."

"I know." He nodded, reaching out to tap me on the nose. "The plan is to get you out of it, alright? So try not to worry, just be careful, and know that whatever your feelings for Calvin, he will never let something happen to you under his watch. You have to know that much is true."

I swallowed hard, images flashing into my mind that I've tried so hard to fight down. The dark castle, bodies, blood, and a handsome prince looming in the middle of it all, now a king, his eyes always on mine. I shook my head to get rid of the visons. "All I want is for you to protect my little girl." I nodded, watching as Logan pulled out a book from her bag and started reading it to her.

Pedro looked back to look at them too. "I will protect that child with my life, Rachel." He said when he turned back to me. "We will call you when we make it to our destination, but it could be a few days, so don't worry." He said, placing a hand on my shoulder. He took an envelope from his pocket, passing it to me. "This has all the flight information you'll need. When you land in Ireland, a driver will be waiting for you, he'll take you to the city, and your handler, Octavia, will be waiting there for you."

I took the paper from him, then stepped forward wrapping my arms around Pedro's neck. "Thank you." I whispered.

"You know I'd do anything for you, silly girl." He laughed lightly. "Take care of yourself, and I will take care of her." He smiled at me when he pulled away, tapping my nose one more time before he went to the cab, climbing in on the other side and settling in beside Rose.

I took a deep breath before walking over to the cab too, putting my hand on Logan's shoulder. He glanced back at me and put the book away. "Alright, Rosebud, I've got to go get my stuff, but you be good for Papa Pedro, alright? If I don't get a good report, I can't bring you back a surprise." He winked at her.

"I'll be super good." She smiled at him.

He leaned in, kissing her forehead. "I love you, Rose." He said.

"I love you too, daddy." She smiled.

Logan leaned out of the car. "I'm going to get my things." He whispered swiftly as he passed me, careful not to let Rose see the tears in his eyes.

I climbed into the car next. "Rose, I love you so much baby." I told her.

"You and daddy are being so funny." She said has she tapped her shoes together impatiently. "Don't you want to go on your money moon?" She asked and I laughed.

"Honey moon." I smiled and corrected her.

"Oh, right." She giggled.

I leaned in to hug her. "Yes, I do want to go, but I am just going to miss my little best friend." I told her and she reached her arms around my neck too.

"I'll miss you too." She told me. "Love you, Momma."

I leaned back so I could look her in the eyes. "I love you too. All the way to the sky, the moon, the stars, and the sun."

"Sky, moon, stars, and sun." She smiled back.

"Bye, baby."

"Bye, Momma." She grinned, then turned to look at Pedro, totally unaware the dangers that were all around her.

I glanced up at him and he smiled at me, nodding once.

I backed away, covering my mouth with my hand as I watched the cab back out of the driveway and disappear into the night.

Once it was out of sight, I let it all go.

The tears came pouring, and two big hands landed on my shoulders, spinning me around.

I clung to Logan, burying my head in his chest, letting him hold me together.

"She's going to be ok." He whispered to me. "We're all going to be alright."

"I hope you're right." I cried into his shirt.

He kissed my head, then took my hand, leading me to the other waiting cab.

I climbed in, and Logan went back to retrieve our two bags, then he was back at my side, pulling me to him and holding me as I cried.

"Driver, we're ready." Logan said.

The driver nodded, and I looked up into Logan's eyes. "Are we?" I asked, the fear creeping up my spine.

"To the airport." Logan said, then he smiled at me, being strong like I needed him to be. "Here we go." He said to me as the car began to back out of the driveway and I watched my house get smaller and smaller.

"Goodbye." I whispered to it, and my normal life.