One Long Flight 💙

Interrogations

"It's fine, Megan. I'll make it up to them some other way." Chris stood in the foyer, pacing while he spoke on the phone. It was clear he was in some kind of trouble for canceling a work commitment. Aisling leaned against the doorway, observing him. "I'll do another interview. I'll do extras, I don't care. I had somewhere more important to be today." Their eyes locked as he continued his conversation. "My girlfriend had a death in the family and needed me. Yes. Okay."

Aisling smirked, intrigued by the term "girlfriend."

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't stay awake on a 7-hour flight for just anyone, Aisling." He stepped closer, his voice lower as he placed his hands on her waist. "Let alone what we did yesterday morning."

She giggled, nodding in agreement. "I've never brought a man home to London. Let alone had one show up randomly. My parents have only ever met men I've dated when they've come to visit me. And you lied to me."

Chris groaned, admitting his fault. "I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to be there for you today, but I didn't want you to worry about me getting in trouble or anything."

"Are you in trouble?"

He shook his head. "It's fine. People have to cancel interviews all the time. I'll do others. It will be fine. Now let's go. Something tells me your parents aren't done with me yet."

Aisling chuckled and grabbed his hand, leading him back into the kitchen where her parents were waiting. She retrieved ice cream and two spoons from the freezer and set them on the table between them.

"Okay. Go on with your hounding now." Aisling looked at her parents, a playful tone in her voice. Chris chuckled beside her, and her father rolled his eyes.

"No need to be so confrontational." He directed a slightly amused glance at Chris. "I'm sorry. Somehow she never developed a filter."

He shrugged, observing her as she enjoyed her ice cream. "I don't mind. She's perfect as is."

Patrick nodded, his curiosity evident. "Okay. How did you guys meet?"

He turned to look at him, recounting the story. "On the flight to London. I accidentally spilled my drink on her, she snapped at me, and then fate had us seated next to each other on the plane."

He raised an eyebrow. "So...you've only known each other for a few days?"

He nodded, shrugging. "Guess so, yeah. Feels like forever though. Guess that's what happens when you have 7 hours to talk and get to know someone." Aisling's chuckle beside him warmed his heart, and he glanced at her to see her smiling.

"So you flew with her, and you're still here?"

He laughed, playfully shrugging off their concerns. "I guess so." He noticed their hesitations and decided to reassure them. "Look, I know we haven't known each other that long. But time isn't always a reliable indicator of connection. You can be with someone for years and never truly know them." His gaze shifted to Aisling, and he continued speaking directly to her parents. "I know you can't rush her into opening up, but she'll come to you in her own time. She can handle her liquor just fine, except when she hasn't eaten." Aisling's laughter resonated through the room, and he smiled. "She has no filter, can be high-strung and even abrasive at times. But she's also an honest, kind, and undeniably beautiful woman whose eyes transform into a vivid shade of emerald when she's upset or crying, making it nearly impossible for her to conceal her emotions." He glanced back at Aisling, noticing her teary-eyed reaction. "See?"

She chuckled, wiping her tears and shaking her head. "Can you please stop talking now?"

He nodded, turning his attention back to her parents with a grin.

Elizabeth's smile brightened. "If you're from Boston, why are you in London?"

He nodded in confirmation. "I'm an actor. I'm here for work."

Her face lit up with recognition. "I thought you looked familiar. Captain America, right?"

He chuckled, nodding. "Yes, that's right."

She nodded, clearly intrigued. "And we're going to be seeing more of you?"

He glanced at Aisling, waiting for her input. "I hope so," she replied, her eyes sparkling with a mix of happiness and playfulness.

She nodded, feeling everyone's eyes on her. "Yes, Mum, you will." About to elaborate, her phone rang, prompting her to excuse herself and answer the call. She spotted Chris watching her as she hung up. Taking his hand, she led him back to the kitchen where her parents awaited.

Curious, Elizabeth asked, "Who was it, love?"

Aisling sighed, "You're looking at the new Art History Professor at Harvard."

Chris's excitement was palpable. "So you're moving to Boston?"

With a grin, she turned to him. "I am. Well, not immediately. I need to wrap things up in New York, finish my current job, but yes, Boston." Before she could continue, Chris enthusiastically lifted her off the ground, making her laugh. "Alright, put me down, babe."

Elizabeth approached her daughter, "And Boston is where you want to be?"

Looking between Chris and her parents, Aisling nodded. "Yes, it is. In fact, Boston was where I wanted to be even before I met Chris."

Her mother sighed, seemingly accepting the decision. "I suppose there's no convincing you to stay in the UK, then?"

Aisling shook her head, groaning, "No, Mum, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, dear. We just want you to be happy."

Aisling smiled warmly. Turning to her father, she saw him join in. She laughed, gently shrugging off their embraces. "Okay, I'm tired. It's been a long day." She shifted her attention to Chris. "Will you stay with me?" She glanced at her parents and saw Chris's cheeks redden.

Chris hesitated, and Patrick laughed. "It's fine with us. Really."

Aisling nodded, looking up at Chris with an imploring gaze. "Please?"

Chris groaned playfully, looking to her parents before acquiescing. "Alright, geez." He twirled a strand of her hair, a smile forming on his lips. "I'll never be able to say no to you."

Aisling grinned. "Good. Let's go." She turned to her parents, giving them affectionate cheek kisses before guiding Chris upstairs to her bedroom. Realizing she was still in her dress, she groaned. "I need to change." Quickly grabbing some comfortable clothes from her suitcase, she headed into the bathroom to change into shorts and a tank top, splashing water on her face. Returning, she found Chris already in his underwear and a t-shirt. She playfully groaned as she watched him crawl under the blanket. 

"What's wrong?"

Sighing, she slipped into bed beside him. "You look like that, and I can't have sex with you." His laughter filled the room as he pulled her close against his chest.

"We'll have plenty of time for that when you move to Boston. I'll give your number to my friend Tara tomorrow. She's a real estate agent in Boston."

She sat up, studying him. "Friend?"

He chuckled. "Yes." Pulling her back to him, he continued, "Jealous already? Tara's the woman I mentioned, my best friend since childhood. She's married with kids. Nothing to be jealous about, love."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't be. Now, just go to sleep, love."

She giggled. "Yes, sir." The sound of a low growl resonated from his chest as he playfully rolled her onto her back, eliciting a squeal.

"Shh." He teased her senses by trailing kisses along her neck, nibbling, licking, and biting.

"Chris. I said no teasing if you're not going to follow through."

He chuckled, lying on his back and pulling her against him. "Then don't call me 'sir' unless you plan to follow through."

Aisling giggled once more, curling her arm around his waist. "Deal."