i tried, seavey

11. DISAPPOINTED

"THERE'S SO MUCH MORE to the city than the craziness and popularity of it." daniel promised, leading her through the airport gates, priorly bidding farewell to kailee's dads, the people she would forever be grateful for, even though there was lots of issues within their systems.

"i know, i just don't want to get lost one day and lose you."

"please, like i'd ever let go of you." he scoffed, pressing a light kiss into her hair as her backpack hung on her back, his arm placed over her shoulders, his hand dangling loosely on the other end. "besides, i'll protect you."

"oh right, you're my knight in shining armour." she joked, a fit of giggles bursting passed her lips as he only smiled, adoring every feature of her.

he remembered how beautiful she was from before, but now seeing her grown and had gotten even more gorgeous compared to what he had already set as a very high standard, he didn't realize that it was the smallest parts of her that he adored the most. from the way her nose would crinkle as she laughed, the wide smile that proved she was happy, the bright eyes that made captivated him every time- there was never a dull moment with her, and the young man decided that for the remainder of his life, he would try to make her keep smiling, keep laughing, and keep being the best version of herself.

it was easy when it came to him, kailee would always be the same around him, despite the heartbreak and obvious trust issues she suffered through for several sleepless nights, tears rolling down her rosy cheeks as her nose looked as if it was dusted with pink fairy dust, the shininess from her blowing her nose causing the whole rudolph the red-nose reindeer moment to occur every-so-often.

"what was it like the first time here for you?"

"it was challenging. it was hard leaving everyone i loved behind." she spared him a glance, knowing he was speaking of his family and her. "i left you because i didn't want to believe i could ever have you. i wanted you to be happy with someone who would be there for you. i made my career a priority, even if you supported me- encouraged me to be a better version of who i was back then- i felt as if i disappointed you."

"how would you have disappointed me, dan? if we stayed together the guilt would eat you alive as to not seeing me. i get why you ended things, but i promise you, i'm here now and that's all that matters."

as they sat on the chairs, he patted his lap, motioning for her to move to sit with him. "i love you, i hope you never forget that."

"i never will if you keep reminding me." she joked, tapping his nose teasingly, leaning up against his chest to feel his warmth.

daniel could tell this was what he should've done the first time; he should've brought her with him. "may everyone on flight 0185 please board the plane to los angeles, california."