Laura took her time on the stairway up to the jet door. She was mostly prepared for this flight, but part of her was still afraid. This was how her parents died. It was only natural for her to be fearful, and she was doing her best. She took a deep breath before entering the plane.
The interior of the plane was not at all as she expected. She'd been expecting the tacky blue cloth chairs in rows with uncomfortable armrests and no room to move around. The jet was the exact opposite. It was open and spacious with a large couch and a big screen TV. There were comfortable chairs and space to move around. It looked more like a tiny living room than an aircraft.
“This doesn't look anything like the planes on TV,” Dallas remarked. He ran to the back and immediately started exploring. “It even has a real potty!”
“Airplanes all have real toilets,” Ivy told him, rolling her eyes. But, then she went to look at it too.
“This is your airplane?” Laura asked, looking around. It was certainly not what she thought of when he said she was flying.
“Yes. Well, sometimes,” Ethan replied. He handed her a glass of champagne. “I have another one that's smaller, but it has a more comfortable desk.”
Laura nodded. “Right. Because that's my usual criteria for judging an airplane.”
Ethan chuckled and put his hand on the small of her back. “Let's get seated so we can take off.”
Laura took a big sip of champagne. She could do this.
“Okay, guys,” Ethan announced once Ivy and Dallas were on the couch. He stood in front of them. “I have a surprise for you. It'll make the trip more fun.”
Dallas and Ivy's eyes lit up, and the bounced up and down. The fear of the plane was gone for them, replaced by excitement. Laura was trying. Another couple of glasses of champagne and she was pretty sure she'd be fine, too.
“Do you guys remember the preview we watched for the new Lego movie?” Ethan asked. He picked up the remote for the TV and spun it around in his hands. He pressed a button, and the Lego logo filled the TV screen. “We get to watch it.”
The kids whooped and jumped up and down.
“But it's not even in theaters yet,” Laura said. “It doesn't come out for another month.”
Ethan shrugged. “I know a guy.”
“You know a guy?” she repeated. She took another sip of champagne.
“Okay, sit back down so I can start it,” Ethan told Ivy and Dallas. They both sat down, but excitement bounced in their little limbs as he hit the play button. He turned the volume up loud and sat next to Laura.
“I can't believe you got them this movie,” she said, finishing her champagne.
“I thought it would be a good distraction,” he told her. He motioned to the stewardess and almost instantly Laura had another glass of champagne in her hands.
“It's a good one,” she admitted. The engines started up. Laura looked over to make sure the kids were okay, but they were so engrossed in the movie they hadn't even noticed. They were too excited about the movie to be afraid of the plane. Laura wished she could be that way too.
“You doing okay?” Ethan asked, taking her hand as the plane taxied out onto the runway. Her heart was pounding, and she was seriously considering just opening up the door and making a bolt for it before the plane got off the ground. She wasn't sure she could do this.
“I don't know,” she whispered.
“Focus on me instead,” he told her.
Ethan put her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He looked deep into her eyes and then kissed her. She closed her eyes and focused on the kiss. She focused on the soft sweep of his tongue against her lips, the taste of the champagne and the warmth of his mouth. She focused on the feel of his skin against hers and the knowledge that he would always keep her safe.
That's when it hit her. She was safe with him. He had stabbed a man in the neck to keep her safe. He had come for her.
She set down her champagne and kissed him for real this time. The engines didn't matter. She wasn't sure if the feeling of flight was from the plane or from kissing him and knowing she was loved. She suspected it was the latter.
The flight was faster than she expected. Maybe it was the two glasses of champagne, or maybe it was that the movie was really good, but the flight was quick and easy. She held her breath when they landed, but other than that, she barely had even noticed they were in the air.
The door opened, and Ethan took the three of them outside. The humidity and heat hit her first. Then the soft smell of flowers and clean ocean air. It was so different than the fishy smell of her first beach.
She stepped out onto a single runway and looked around. Cerulean skies and luscious palm trees filled her sight. She turned and gasped as she saw the ocean. Behind her, Ivy and Dallas stood in shock and awe.
A white sandy beach led to perfect turquoise waters that slowly darkened to deep blue. The water stretched out to the horizon, sparkling in the sun. Laura had never seen anything so beautiful. She realized now why Ethan wanted to show her this side of the ocean. This was nothing like what she'd seen in the city.