Epilogue

As I sit at my desk, my eyes remain focused on the document before me. The words seem to blur together, and I feel the exhaustion setting in after a long day of work. A knock on my door jolts me out of my thoughts. I look up to see my partner, Derick Rossi, standing in the doorway, his expression grave.

"What"s up?" I ask, trying to keep the fatigue from my voice.

"Javi, the boss needs to see us in his office immediately," Derick replies, his voice tense with urgency.

I nod, feeling a sense of dread settle in my stomach. Standing up, I walk past Derick out of the office with him following behind, my footsteps echoing in the empty hall. The silence is deafening, and it leaves me wondering what the boss wants.

"I"m curious, Derick." I turn toward him. "Did he hint at what this meeting is about?"

Derick shakes his head, his eyes showing a similar sense of unease.

We walk toward James"s office, my mind racing with possibilities and fears. As we knock on the door, James greets us with a serious expression as we step inside.

"Close the door," James says, his tone brimming with anticipation. "Sit down."

As I settle into the chair, my pulse quickens. James leans forward, his gaze fixed squarely on me.

"The FBI branch in Tennessee is building a new team," James says, his voice steady but filled with gravity. "And they want you to run the unit."

My eyes widen in shock. Running a new unit is a significant opportunity but comes with immense responsibility and pressure.

"Me?" I ask, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Yes, you," James affirms. "You"ve shown exceptional leadership, and they believe you"re the right person for the job."

I attempt to comprehend this revelation as I nod in agreement. Following a momentary pause, I ask, " Can I select my own team?"

James leans back in his chair, considering my request. After a moment, he nods slowly.

"Sure, you can bring Derick onto the team," James responds, his eyes fixed on Derick. "As they"re launching a new unit, it"s important to have a strong partnership to lead it efficiently," he adds, turning toward me.

A sense of relief floods through me. I turn toward Derick, who gives me a reassuring nod, indicating his approval.

"Wherever you go, I go," he says, filling me with a sense of security and comfort. I know that no matter what, Derick always has my back, and I have his.

"How soon do they need us?" I ask.

"As soon as possible. The FBI will cover all travel expenses for both you and your family," James replies.

I take a deep breath, trying to process the information. James stands up from his chair, fastens his suit jacket, walks around his desk, and sits on its edge. "I understand this is a big decision and that you will need to discuss this with Gabby, but you need to let me know by tomorrow," he says, shifting his gaze to Derick. "This includes you as well."

We nod in acknowledgment.

When we're back at my office, I sit back in my chair, sigh deeply, and run my fingers through my hair, lost in thought. The weight of the decision I am facing feels overwhelming.

As I enter our home after a long day at work, I am welcomed by the warm aroma of rice and chicken wafting through the air, making my stomach grumble. I lock the door behind me and hang my keys on the hook.

When I approach the living room, my gaze falls upon my little angel, wrapped in a soft, pink blanket and nestled in Gabby"s arm. Seeing them warms my heart, and a smile spreads across my face at the presence of the two most precious people in my life. I lean down and kiss her soft lips. When I pull away, my joy is short-lived as I remember the news I have to break to Gabby. I sit beside her, clear my throat, and try to keep my tone light as I say, "Hey, baby, I have something important to tell you."

Gabby looks up at me with a curious expression, her eyes filled with a hint of worry. "What is it, Javi?" she asks.

I take a deep breath and brace myself before breaking the news. "I"ve been offered the opportunity to lead my own FBI team in Tennessee."

Gabby's eyes widen. "Tennessee? What does this mean for us?"

"It means we would have to move there," I explain, my voice tinged with apprehension.

I can see Gabby's mind turning in circles as she processes the news. Tennessee means leaving behind our home, our friends, and everything that's familiar to us. "But what about our life here, Javi?" Her fear and concern are evident in her voice.

"I know, Gabby. I know it"s a lot to take in, but this is a huge opportunity for me," I say earnestly, reaching out to take her hand. "I"ve always dreamed of leading my own team, and this could be the chance of a lifetime."

"I understand that, Javi, but it"s not just about your career. It"s about our lives, our future," she replies.

My mind races with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, uprooting our lives and moving to a new state seems daunting, especially with a baby to care for. On the other hand, the opportunity to lead my own team and be closer to Sadie tugs at my heartstrings.

I nod. "I know, Gabby. I know it"s a big decision, and I don"t want to pressure you. But I wanted to be honest with you and discuss it together."

Gabby looks down at our baby girl. After a few moments of contemplation, Gabby finally nods. "Okay, Javi. If it"s important to you, then it"s important to me, too. You"ve always dreamed of running your own team and making a real difference in the field. This transfer is a chance for you to do just that. You deserve this, mi amor."

Relief washes over me as I pull Gabby into my arms. "Thank you, Gabby," I whisper, grateful for her understanding and support. "I promise we'll make it work."

Over dinner, Gabby and I delve deep into the details of our upcoming relocation. We discuss everything from finding a new home to the practicalities of adjusting to a new city. Later, while Gabby is putting our little girl to bed, I tidy up the kitchen and settle down at the table to text Derick.

Me: Pack your bags.

He responds immediately, as if he has been waiting for my decision.

Derick: Already packed.

Gabby walks back into the room wearing her favorite pair of soft cotton pajamas.

"You ready?" she asks in a hushed voice.

I nod, my own heart racing.

I pull out my phone and dial James"s number, putting him on speaker.

"James," he answers in a low voice.

"We"re in," I say.

I drive to Jo"s house the next day, hoping to discuss the news with him. However, when I arrive, Claudia informs me he isn't home and that he has gone to the shop.

A group of guys is gathered around a sports car when I pull up to Seb"s uncle"s auto shop. Jo is among them, his hands covered in grease as they work on a vehicle. Initially, I go unnoticed, but when I turn off my car and step out, everyone"s attention is immediately drawn to me.

With a smile on his face, Jo greets me as I walk toward the group. It"s hard not to notice the significant change in his appearance; he looks much better than he has in the past few months. "Well, what"s up, brother?" he says with a cheerful tone.

"Sup, man." I pull him into a bro hug.

"Hey, guys," I call out to the rest of the group in greeting, then turn to Jo. "Jo, you got a minute?"

Jo wipes his greasy hands with a rag and puts a tool in his back pocket before nodding. The other guys follow us into the garage, and everyone settles in their respective spots. Jo and I sit on plastic chairs while Seb stands nearby, looking concerned.

I take a deep breath and begin. "I"ve been offered the opportunity to lead my own team in Tennessee." There is a brief moment of silence as we exchange glances until Jo speaks up. "You"re leaving?"

I nod. "Yes. Gabby is coming with me, too."

"Shit, man. That"s great, I guess," Jo says, leaning back and spreading his legs apart, looking out into the busy street.

"I want you to come with us." The words are out before I even think, and I wait for Jo"s response with bated breath.

Jo glances at me with a raised brow. "Say what now?"

"You talked about making a difference, right?"

He nods slowly.

I chuckle. "How about joining the Bureau? With my connections at the FBI, we can enroll you into the FBI academy."

Jo lets out a laugh. "That"s fucking funny, man." But his eyes widen when he doesn"t see me laughing. "You"re for real, aren"t you?"

I nod, my expression serious. "Yeah, Jo, I am. I already told you I believe you have what it takes to be a kick ass agent."

Jo expresses his disagreement by shaking his head. "Nah, man. You have to have a clean background, and you know mine ain"t exactly spotless," he says with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"I know, but I can help you clear your record. A clean slate, Jo. You can start over, and you"ll be closer to Sadie and Sophia."

Jo seems to ponder the offer but doesn"t verbalize his thoughts.

Seb emerges from the garage in a plain black T-shirt with the shop logo, jeans caked with grease, and tattoos covering his arms. His presence commands attention. "You should go, hermano," he says in a low, steady voice.

Jo turns to face him, his eyes narrowed. "You eavesdropping, bro?"

Seb leans casually against the garage door, his arms crossed. "Nah, just happened to be walking by and overheard," he replies with a wry smile. "You know how thin these walls are."

Jo lets out a hearty laugh.

"You know Sadie would be the first person to pack your bags right now," he quips, his voice laced with amusement.

Jo"s expression turns wistful, and he lets out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I know."

Ever since Sadie received her college acceptance letter, he has put on a brave face and insisted that he"s okay with her moving away and starting a new chapter; but I can see the sadness in his eyes. It"s hard to watch him struggle to accept the fact that Sadie and Sophia won"t be around. He"s been trying his best to stay occupied lately. He"s been attending appointments, spending quality time with his mom, Abuela, and Elisa, and focusing on his job. Hell, I'm going to miss them too.

Jo looks at me with a determined expression and nods confidently. "Alright, man. I"ll do it," he says with conviction. "But I gotta talk to Mom and Abuela first."

I smile widely in response.

Before I can say anything, Seb clears his throat, and we all look to him. "We"ve been talking too and we want to run something by you," he says in a serious and authoritative tone.

Intrigued, I raise an eyebrow. "Okay. What is it?"

Gio, leaning against the wall with his hands tucked into his pockets, steps forward and says, "We also want to join the FBI." His eyes lock with mine, and my eyes dart back and forth between Gio, Seb, and Max. I lean forward, my curiosity piqued. "The FBI," I repeat, my voice laced with disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Seb, Gio, and Max nod. "Yes," Seb affirms, his words tinged with a sense of purpose.

I see the determination and resolve in his gaze. It is clear that they are serious about their decision, and it fills me with a sense of pride.

It"s remarkable to witness the kind of courage and selflessness displayed by these young men. They fearlessly placed themselves in harm"s way to shield Sadie and Tia from danger, a rare act of bravery in this day and age. It"s not difficult to imagine the positive impact they will have on their community. With their unwavering commitment to serving and protecting their fellow citizens, they are sure to become outstanding police officers.

I lean back in my chair, the weight of their words sinking in. "I understand," I murmur, my tone a mixture of pride and concern. "But you should know that the FBI is no easy feat. It"s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication."

"You doubting us already?" Gio asks, clearly amused.

"Not at all. It"s a brave choice, and I respect you for it. The academy is tough, and being an agent comes with its own set of challenges."

Seb nods. "We know, Javi. But we"re ready for that challenge," he adds.

I glance at Jo and notice his facial expression has softened, a faint smile now tugging at the corners of his lips. "I"m proud of you guys," I admit. "I'll help each of you enroll to get started."

Seb, Gio, and Max exchange glances, their resolve unyielding. "We'd hope you say that because we have a special request," Seb speaks for the group, his voice firm. "It has to be in Tennessee."

Jo smiles and shakes his head.

I look at these young men and consider all they are willing to do to stay together. It is impressive as hell, and it's clear their bond is unbreakable, just like Tia's bond with Sadie. Tia, who changed her entire plans to move to Tennessee.

Jo gives me a suspicious side-eye and says, "You know what this means, right?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"We need our records clean, too," Max says, and I can"t help but laugh.

"No, dumbass," Jo says, "I meant that all the girls are gonna follow, including Mom and Abuela. I ain't leaving them behind."

"Oh, yeah. We ain"t leaving them behind. It was bad enough that Sadie and Tia were not going to be around," Gio says.

"You guys ready for this?" I ask, eyeing each of them.

They all give me a firm nod. "Fuck yeah, we are," Max declares with bravado.

Hang on, Sadie. Your family"s coming home.

The End.