20 Questions

Chapter 49

I rush to my car like my ass is on fire, put on my seat belt and look in my rear-view mirror. I hadn't paid much mind to my appearance today, but now looking in the mirror, I wish I would have. I hadn't expected to drive to the airport to reunite with my one true love. I can't show up looking like this. I look at the clock and it reads three thirty. I make the executive decision to run to my house first and make myself look more presentable. Thankfully, I am not far from the hospital so I should have plenty of time.

When I arrive at my house, I run in and immediately plug in my curling iron. I change out of my yoga pants and sweatshirt and dig through my closet. I pull out a pink sweater because I know Hunter loves the way I look in pink. I change into my pink push-up bra and matching panties. With our chemistry, we may end up in a bathroom, closet or backseat of my car before we ever leave the airport. My insides flutter just thinking of the possibility. I apply some vanilla lotion and put on my favorite form-fitting jeans. By the time I get done getting dressed, my curling iron is heated up. I curl my hair into loose waves and touch up my makeup. I put in my silver hoops and add a little gloss to my lips. I'm glad I decided to come home first. I want to look my absolute best when I see him again.

The drive there goes fairly quickly. Before I know it, I am pulling into the parking garage at the airport. My mind is all over the place and my nerves are shot.

What if he doesn't want to see me and that's why he hasn't called or texted?

Will I stand there like an idiot, desperate for a man who thought he got rid of me?

I push the thoughts out of my head. That can't be true. He loves me. He asked me to be his wife. I take one last glimpse in my mirror and get out of my car. I walk into the airport that I just left yesterday. It was all a blur yesterday as I stormed through the terminal, rushing to get to my dad. I am in a better place now and all will be right in the world again as soon as I see that handsome face.

I look at the board and see that the next flight from Aspen will arrive in thirty minutes. I know I can't go directly to the terminal, but all arrivals lead to the security checkpoint. There is a bench beside the checkpoint and I take a seat next to an older lady. She is flipping through a magazine but looks up and smiles at me when I sit down. We sit side by side without speaking. I look at the picture on my phone of Hunter and me at the Christmas Eve party. We looked so happy. We were so happy and we will be happy again in twenty-five minutes...but who's counting?

A sweet voice asks who I am waiting for and it takes me a second to realize that it is the lady by my side and she is talking to me. I show her the picture on my phone.

"I am waiting on this handsome man."

"Oh, he is very handsome. You two make a lovely couple." I thank her and ask who she is waiting on. "I am waiting on my daughter and granddaughter," she answers. "They live in California and they are coming to visit me. I have never met my granddaughter. She is four."

"California is pretty far away. I bet you are so excited to finally meet her."

"I am, dear," she tells me with glassy eyes. I pull a tissue out of my purse and hand it to her. She thanks me and takes the tissue. She wipes her face as she continues, "My daughter moved to California when she found out she was pregnant. The father of my granddaughter was a terrible man, an abusive alcoholic if you will. He didn't want her to keep the baby and told her that he would kill her if she did. So, she decided to move away to have the baby and keep her safe."

My heart is breaking for the sweet lady sitting next to me. I can't imagine the pain she must have felt having to say goodbye to her daughter in order to keep her safe. Her poor daughter become a mother all alone without having her own mother there for guidance, support and love.