This is the LAST chapter to FOREVER!

Walk Through The Fire by Zayde Wolf

Did we light too many matches?
Turn ourselves into these ashes.
Did we throw it all away?
We walk through the fire.
Is there a way out?

Besides the flashes of the planes lights, there was absolute darkness through the window as I peered at it endlessly on end.

My heart was screaming, but no one could hear me.

My eyes were crying with silent tears, but no one could see.

Even though I was now thousands of miles away from him, he somehow found a way to linger under my skin into my mind, my thoughts...my heart.

Humiliation filled as I thought about us, regret seeping through the cracks of my decision to escape.

Nothing...there was nothing left now.

No Baby Kale. No Henry. No Ally.

There was just hopelessness...nothingness...

Nobody would ever know my pain.

And now that everything was surely, truly, unconditionally gone forever...

I nearly wished all the bad moments that has happened between us-the lies, the fights, the suffering-could returned...

Because with them...would also be our good moments together.

The flight attendant woke me up after the plane landed at Sydney Airport. My eyes slowly adjusted to the light outside as I peered through the window to look at the unfamiliar yet familiar environment.

When I walked out from the terminal to the exit, I saw Patty and her assistant holding a sign with my name: Alexandria Cavill.

I pushed my kart over to them and her assistant gladly accepted the kart from me. Patty wrapped her arms around me in a hug and took my arm, leading us out into a car nearby.

"How was the flight?" she asked once we pulled away from the airport towards the highway.

"It was very good. The longest flight I had ever been on. Still a little jetlagged."

We both chuckled. "We're going to the hotel so you can get some rest."

I nodded before staring out the window at Sydney.

The city drew nearer from the distance. Its tall buildings and waters reminded me of Chicago and thinking of Chicago reminded me of a certain someone.

The car passed on the bridge towards downtown and the beautiful Opera House came into sight. It looked so much more elegant to the naked eye than in photos.

Patty took me to dinner before going to the Hilton. We discussed things of the past, present, and future. But no mention of him. I was sure she knew how I was feeling. It was after a busy twenty-four hours finally until I settled into my room.

I opened the sliding doors and stepped onto the balcony to scour the view. I could make out Sydney's downtown streets and boutiques along with the other buildings, the ocean with the sun drowning in the far horizon.

A knock came at my door and I went to open it for Patty. "Good evening, Patty."

"Evening dear."

I closed the door as she entered the room.

Patty paced over to the couch, seating herself down. "Come here, Ally, dear," she said, patting the empty seat cushion.

I rested myself down next to her, and noticed her face was not happy anymore but full of seriousness and sadness.

"Ally, I wanted to tell you at dinner earlier, but I thought it best for you to settle in first."

"Yes, Patty. What did you want to tell me?"

She grabbed my hands. "Nick called me while you were on the plane here."

"Okay?" I nodded, a little apprehensive of what she was going to tell me.

"What I am going to tell you is not easy. You need to hear this, because if you don't, you're going to regret this decision. It's still early. You can still change your decision."

I was even more afraid now. I didn't want to hear it and get my heart broken all over again for the millionth time. I ran all the way here from Chicago to escape it, and it seemed to be catching up to me-forever and unending. "If it's about Henry, I don't want to hear it."

"I'm sorry, Ally. I know you and Henry left on bad terms, but there's so much more that he hasn't told you Ally. We all know he loves you dearly, more than himself."

I closed my eyes and shook my head. This was the last thing I needed to hear right now. "That's not true, Patty. He doesn't love me. He only thinks of me as a responsibility-a burden which he has to carry forever."

"No, you don't understand. Henry ... You have changed him, Ally. I know you may not realize it, but he has changed. Remember Violet, the girl you and Nick met at the Sally's Place, the little girl who drew the picture of the family. When Henry realized you went to the shelter to see her, he located her and her mom. He helped them out. He filed a restraining order against her father. He found them a place outside the city and hired a full-time officer for their protection."

I turned to look at her in full disbelief, recalling that day I spoke with Violet and her mother.

Patty continued, "As for your sister's family, Henry built a home for them in Georgia and he set up college funds for Eason and Alexis."

No wondered Eve didn't want to accept my money. She didn't tell me anything about this.

"Henry also offered a new home to Nancy, but she didn't accept it. So, instead he created a small retirement fund for her, which she took after much pleading..."

I remained silent, my mind trying to make sense of her words. This didn't sound like Henry.

"He visited Chris many times in prison. I don't know if he forgave your brother yet, but I know, he's trying. He's making an effort, Ally."

I remembered Chris' words before the guard took him away. I repressed the urge to cry, but they came out unknowingly. Patty soothed my back as my endless tears wouldn't stop.

"There's more..."

My heart couldn't take more. This was too much in such little time. But I prepared myself. I needed to know because I was afraid now-afraid if I didn't listen to Patty, I would regret this forever.

"When you lost Baby Kale, your body went into shock because you lost a lot of blood. Because your blood type was O negative, it was nearly impossible to find a donor for your match."

Patty didn't have to explain it further, because I knew it already. Once the first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. I broke down into sobs, trying to control my overwhelming emotions pouring out from a place where I've kept hidden for so long.

"He gave his blood to save you-to save your life...because he couldn't imagine life without you."

Patty stayed silent with me until my cries stopped. I couldn't believe any of this. After all the things he has put me through and all the things I have put him through, he has always been ...

A good person.

Henry was a good person. I only realized that now. He stuck with me and endured all my immature nonsense.

After I regained my composure, I finally managed to speak. "Why didn't he tell me any of this?"

"Henry must have told everyone to keep it a secret. He does things not to be recognized. He hates being acknowledged for this kind of stuff."

"Henry... Henry..."

"Nick wanted me to tell you this. He wanted to let you know before it's too late."

My gaze lifted to her, and I leaned into her chest. "My heart hurts."

She smiled. "I knew you would make the right choice. Here." She handed me a letter and I looked at her confused. "I got this ready just in case."

I opened the letter and inside was a one-way ticket back to Chicago.

"Don't let him go, Ally," she said before leaving me alone.

Immediately, I packed my belongings into my bag and headed out of the hotel room. I flagged down a cab and told the driver to take me to the airport.

All I could think about was Henry and what he did. Why didn't he say anything to me during the whole time we were together? He never whispered a soul. Did he really think I hated him that much? Did he think I wouldn't have believed him that he really changed?

Once inside the airport, instead of heading straight to TSA, I rushed to the Delta customer service counter.

.....

Henry's POV

Moments-whether sad, sweet, hurtful...no matter what they are-they all defined us, shaped us, changed us in one way or another.

Physically.

Emotionally.

Intellectually.

Even if we may not notice it ourselves.

And in this moment...this place...this very minute-I realized how much...she has defined me, shaped me...and changed me.

I want her.

I need her so much-she doesn't even know it.

My mind and heart was obscured by the pain and suffering of losing loved ones over and over again.

And because of that...I held myself back from getting closer to her-going against my own heart.

I didn't tell her I love her-even though my lips wanted to say them to her dearly.

I told her to leave-even when I needed her the most.

And when she did-I should have done something to stop her.

But when I find her again, I vow never to let her go again from me.

We stood waiting at the terminal for Ally, even though her flight has already arrived an hour ago. I double-checked the flight status, and it clearly displayed flight 7493 as landed on time.

She should be here by now. Where is she? Was she playing a game with me again?

Nick got off his phone. "Nobody knows where she is, Henry," he said with frustration. "Delta found no record that she ever boarded the plane."

"I don't understand this."

"My grandmother said she left the hotel room after she handed her the ticket. But she doesn't know what happened after."

I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to keep an optimistic outlook even though I was worried to death where she might be right now.

Lily and Adam rushed to us from the end of the hallway.

"Where is Ally?" Adam asked.

"She's not here. She never boarded on the plane," Nicked answered them.

"Fuck!" My lands landed on the wall, punching it repetitively until Nick and Adam pulled me away. "This is all my fault. I told her to leave. I made her leave."

I dropped to my knees, breaking down into cries.

Lily frowned and bent down to her knees, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "If you really love Ally, you would know where she is," she said. I looked up confused at her. "If you truly do, you don't need to find her using your money or your resources, but find her with your heart."

I stared up at her, speechless.

"I'll give you a clue. I'm not doing this for you, but I'm doing this for my friend because I know how much she loves ... She's where you left her."

I thought about her words, repeating them in my mind. Use my heart? Where and how do I even begin?

Where could she be?

What was the one thing that Ally adore?

Family...No...she wouldn't go to Eve.

What was the place here I had left her?

Wait...

Flowers-the one thing I knew about Ally...was how much she loves them.

"I have to go now."

I rushed to my feet and took out my phone. "Bob, please get my plane ready in half an hour."

I stopped and turned around to hug Lily. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Go to her."

My attention landed on Nick. "I'm sorry, Nick. I misunderstood you and Ally every step of the way. Thank you for everything, my brother."

"I'm sorry too, my brother." Nicked pulled me in for a hug. "Okay, you go and get her back. If you can't, don't ever show your damned face here again," he joked as his eyes started to well up. Surely, mine were too.

I smiled and nodded my head once before sprinting out of the airport towards the runway where my plane was already waiting by.

Ally, wait for me a little longer. I'm coming to get you. I'm not going to repeat the same mistakes. I can't afford to lose you.

I will surrender. I have surrendered a long time ago.

From this moment on, I promise we'll be together...

Forever.

Thank you guys for reading!!! Thank you for your support, likes, comments, pleading for me to update LOL.

This is the end to Forever. God, it's been one hell of a rollercoaster.

I went into this book with so much inspiration, but then we lost my grandma, and that was a hard period since I don't update for a long time. Anyways, everything's getting better now.

Now onto TOGETHER!! I can't say much, but for those of you waiting for Henry and Ally to finally be together, your time has arrived.

There's still tons of loops and closure that I have to write about, and I hoped to end it all in TOGETHER.

Thank you for being with me every step of the way. 😊

If there's questions, please leave one.

May ❤️❤️❤️