Chapter 6 - "Welcome Home"
The captain's voice returned one final time.
"Colonel Mercer..."
"On behalf of every crew member aboard this aircraft..."
"...welcome home."
The cabin erupted into applause.
Not loud.
Not forced.
Respectful.
Passengers stood.
Veterans saluted.
Children looked through the windows in amazement.
Avery stood quietly.
She returned every salute.
Nothing more.
No speech.
No tears.
Only dignity.
Sienna remained frozen beside her seat.
She wanted to apologize.
But no words felt big enough.
The two Raptors peeled away together into the clouds.
Within seconds...
They disappeared.
Only blue sky remained.
Blake quietly approached Avery.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"I believe you."
Then she returned to her seat.
Sienna whispered,
"...Can we ever fix this?"
Avery looked out the window before answering.
"That depends on whether you respect the uniform..."
"...or finally respect the woman wearing it."
The airplane continued peacefully toward its destination.
For the first time in years...
The silence between two sisters wasn't filled with hatred.
May you like
Only truth.
If someone you loved spent years risking everything for strangers—and you only realized it after the whole world stood to honor them—would your apology ever be enough?
