Perfect Storm

Chapter 19 - I'll Always Choose You

"On behalf of Delta Airlines, the flight crew would like to welcome you to JFK International Airport. The is time ten-fifteen and it's a brisk 45 degrees outside. Please ensure that you keep your seatbelts securely fastened until we reach the gate and take care when opening the overhead luggage..."

Kate zoned out as she stared out of the distorted aeroplane window at the airport terminal, a familiar anxiety rising in her chest at the thought of being back in the city she once called home. There were so many emotions attached to New York, many of which she had left behind for a reason.

She was pulled out of her chaotic mind by a warm hand covering hers on the arm rest, fingers giving it a comforting squeeze as she turned to look at the man in the seat next to her. Kate had been looking forward to spending some time with Hank away from the 21st, the prospect of four, completely uninterrupted days filling her with a buzz of excitement despite the deep-rooted anxiousness.

"You worried your brother won't approve?"

Leaning over the armrest to plant a chaste kiss on his lips, Kate rolled her eyes and let out an amused snort.

"Have you met me? Since when have I ever been even remotely concerned about what other people think?"

With a smirk of concession, he turned his focus to their interlaced fingers, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand in slow circles.

"But your brother isn't just anyone."

Whilst he'd never admit it out loud, Kate knew he was concerned that her brother wouldn't approve of him, despite her telling him on numerous occasions that Matt just wanted her to be happy. He worried that he was too old, too set in his ways, too jaded.

Bringing their joined hands to her lips, Kate pressed a kiss to his knuckles before she returned her gaze to his face.

"He's going to like you just fine. Trust me. Like any good big brother, he wants to know that I'm safe, happy and all of that fluffy bullshit."

Hank made a humming noise in the back of his throat before he dipped his head down to whisper in her ear.

"Fluffy, huh? Guess he doesn't know how rough you like it, hmm?"

The immediate blush that coloured Kate's face had Hank chuckling as she jabbed him in the ribs with a sharp elbow, earning a grunt and a wince from him as a smile crept on to her face at the memory of their little encounter on the couch the previous evening.

"Can it, Voight."

Her embarrassed mumble had him grinning like a Cheshire Cat as the two stood to collect their things and made their way into the terminal. When they arrived at The Plaza on 5th Avenue, they were shown to their room by a well-dressed concierge and Kate couldn't stifle the gasp as she dropped her bag in the middle of the room, taking in the view.

Hank had evidently gone all out for their mini-break.

Their suite had a huge Queen-sized bed in the middle of the far wall, complete with a beautiful ornate headboard at the top and a chais-longe sitting at the foot. All of the furniture was a regal-looking dark oak, the marble surfaces boasting identical detailing to the headboard. The view over Central Park was breath-taking but it was the bathroom that really had Kate's head spinning. A large, clawfoot tub sat just under a decent-sized window that looked out over the city, giving a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline.

Hank let out a light whistle, dropping his own bag on a nearby sideboard as he too took in the view out of the window.

"Hank, this is stunning."