One Long Flight 💙

Coming Home

She heard her phone ringing just as she got into a cab. "Daddy? I just got into a cab. I'm on the way. Is she..."

'She's asking for you. We'll see you soon. Just get home safe.'

A sense of relief washed over her as she learned that her grandmother was asking for her. "I will, Daddy." After ending the call, she noticed a message from Chris on her phone.

Aisling: I miss you already

A smile graced her lips, and she didn't have to wait long for his response.

Chris: Me too, love

Aisling: You're so amazing. Thank you for being so great
                 And I think it's only fair 😉

She scrolled through her photos and decided to send him a picture from a boudoir shoot she had done a few months prior. Originally intended for her then-boyfriend, those plans had fallen through. The photo showed her on her knees on a bed, wearing only black panties and thigh-high stockings, with one hand artfully covering her breasts and the other in her hair.

Chris: OMG
              What are you doing to me?
              That is not fair to send that when I can no longer kiss you
              Fuck

His reactions brought a chuckle to her lips.

Aisling: You're welcome
                  I thought it only fair since I saw your dick
                  Besides me, you're the only one to see that pic
                  Hide that picture, old man

Chris: Ugh. I will. I promise
             I can't get out of my cab
             Jesus
             Thank you!

✈️

Aisling sighed as the cab pulled into her parents' driveway. Upon entering the house, she was greeted by her mother, Elizabeth. "Hi, Mum."

"Aisling, how was your flight? Did you get any sleep?"

A small chuckle escaped her lips. "No, Mum, no sleep."

Elizabeth noticed her daughter's blush. "You didn't torment the poor person sitting next to you the whole time, did you?"

Rolling her eyes playfully, she retorted, "No, Mum, I didn't torture him. He was actually very nice."

"Who was nice?"

Turning to her father, Patrick, as he joined them in the foyer, she answered, "Just the guy I sat next to on the plane."

He let out a sigh. "You didn't drive him crazy, did you?"

With another groan, she replied, "No, Dad, he was kind. We chatted the entire time, and he helped keep me calm. Now, please, let's not make a big fuss."

Handing her coat to her mother, she brushed past them into the house.

"Aisling, is that you?"

A smile formed on her lips upon hearing her grandmother's voice from her bedroom off the living room. "Yes, it's me. I'm here." She leaned down, gently kissing her grandmother's forehead, her voice full of affection. "A mhamó." Running her fingers through her grandmother's gray-streaked red hair, she added, "Sorry it took me so long."

Mary shook her head slightly. "You're here now, that's all that matters." Her frail hand reached up to touch her granddaughter's cheek. "You're blushing, dear. There's a boy."

Blushing even more, she shook her head again. "Mhamó."

Her grandmother chuckled softly. "You can't hide from me, little one."

With a nod, she confessed, "I know. There might be... yes."

Mary smiled knowingly. "I know there is. Just make sure you wait for the glow."

"The glow?"

"Yes, the glow. You'll know it when you meet him." Her gaze studied her granddaughter for a moment. "You've seen it already, haven't you?"

Nodding, she recalled her conversation with Chris. "Yes, I have. You'd like him, Mhamó. He's kind and plays the piano."

"Is he handsome?"

A laugh escaped her. "Very handsome." Pulling out her phone, she showed her grandmother a picture she had found online.

Her grandmother chuckled. "He is indeed handsome. Good for you."

With another laugh, she said, "We've just met. It might not lead anywhere."

Mary shook her head gently, laying her hand on her granddaughter's. "Oh, but it will. When you know, you know. It's as simple as that, Aisling. I wish I could have met him."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I wish you could have too."

"Just make sure you don't settle, little one. You deserve a man who will show you every day how much he loves you." She nodded, blinking away tears. "If you have to hide even a small part of yourself to make them happy, then they aren't the one for you."

"I know. I love you. I don't want you to go." A few tears escaped her control, and she felt her grandmother's hand on her cheek.

"I know, my dear. But it's time." Her grandmother patted the bed next to her. "Rest now, little one."

Holding her grandmother's hand, she finally lay her head down on the bed, finding the peace to sleep.

✈️

"Aisling."

She heard her name, a familiar hand on her back. It was her father's voice, causing her to jolt upright. She glanced over at her sleeping grandmother and let out a sigh of relief before standing up.

"Go lay down, love."

She nodded, not uttering a word, and made her way to the bedroom that her parents had prepared for her during her visit. Once inside, she sank onto the bed, allowing her tears to flow freely. After a few minutes, the sound of her phone's notification broke through her thoughts.

Chris: Did you get to say goodbye?
              I wish you would have let me come with you

Sitting up on the bed, she wiped away her tears and began typing a response.

Aisling: I did. She's still here
                 I don't think she'll last the night
                 I wish you were here<

Chris: Me too. I want to hold you
              A song will have to do?

Clicking on the link he had sent, she laid back down on the bed and played the song "I Won't Let You Go" by James Morrison.

🎵If there's love just feel it
And if there's life we'll see it
This is no time to be alone, alone yeah
I won't let you go
Say those words
Say those words like there's nothing else
Close your eyes and you might believe
That there is some way out 🎵

Aisling: The song is perfect
                 I'm going to listen as I fall asleep

She just saw his response before she fell asleep, her phone still in her hand.

Chris: Ok
             Goodnight love