A Rhapsody in Blue

20. Embraceable You

With Christmas just around the corner, Haneda Airport was busy as ever that evening. The long open area leading to multiple airline check-in was filled with so many people. They all stood in a snake-like queues, waiting for their baggage to be checked-in. Even the airport staffs seem busier that evening; giving direction to passengers who were still looking for their check-in counter, and helping people with the Self Baggage Drop.

But it wasn't like any other day. Families with their matching sweaters were chatting happily as they stood in queues. Lovers were sitting closely with boarding passes in hand; feeling excited about the upcoming Christmas trip. And there were also the long-distance-relationship couples. They were busy making video calls; talking to their girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband that they are at the airport already. That it's just another few hours till they met.

It's always been exciting to meet your loved ones. Especially when you haven't meet them in such a long time, just being in the airport made your thoughts scattering. And it applied to Yejin too. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop herself from grinning when they finally arrived at the airport. Jimin and Seojin drove Yejin and Ayeon to the airport that evening.

'Aigoo, are you that happy to see him?' As they stopped at the quick drop-off lanes of Terminal 3, Jimin would never miss a chance to tease her. But Yejin looked down to hide a grin while her hands were busy tucking Ayeon in the baby carrier.

Seojin told them to go inside first after taking out the suitcase, diaper bag, and stroller from the car then put it on the baggage cart, 'I'll parked the car first.'

They could see these hints of purple lights filled the giant hall as they stepped inside. The lights were being put at the artificial trees, making it look like the Winter Illumination at Roppongi Hills. And of course, it wasn't Christmas without Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.

'Ayeon-ah, look! Doesn't it look like the stars from your favorite song?' Yejin pointed to one of the trees as she looked at her daughter. The almost 2 years old infant immediately looking at it with a gleam from her eyes. Ayeon pointed out the other trees with her chubby legs moving excitedly as if saying there are so many trees there. 'You're right, there are so many trees here.' Smiling, Yejin nodded to her little daughter as she said that.

Yejin kept talking to Ayeon on their way to check-in counter after that. It was her attempt to keep Ayeon entertained; to stop Ayeon from falling asleep. Jimin said to her before, 'tried to keep her up until the take-off or she'll woke up from the noise and being fussy for the rest of the flight.' If Ayeon is not at her happiest and uncomfortable, other passengers won't be able to sleep throughout the flight.

'I was so excited about this trip, but travelling alone with this little missy for 13 hours flight made me so nervous.' Yejin felt a sudden nausea in the stomach as she let out a nervous laugh. Even there was some queues at the check-in counter for the business class that evening, so they need to wait for a little.

'You'll be fine, trust me. And it is lot easier to fly with an infant in business class.' Jimin assured her best friend that she could do this. Yejin actually planned to fly with economy class because they travelled in peak season. Prices were at their highest, so Yejin thought maybe if she could get a full row seat to herself everything will be fine. But Bin suddenly sent her the E-ticket for Yejin and Ayeon's flights, and her mouth falling open seeing the final price was nearly 5,000$.

'Here, I'll hold Ayeon.' Jimin gave her the bag from the baggage cart just before the passenger before them left the check-in counter. Yejin gave the airline staff the printed E-ticket with passports and id card. She printed it before just in case she couldn't take out her phone because Ayeon doesn't want to be put down or being held by Jimin.