Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Airports and Slip-Ups

Y/N POV

The airport is, unsurprisingly, packed with hundreds of other people all doing their last minute holiday traveling, making it a little harder to go completely unnoticed as Lizzie and I attempt to make it to our gate before our flight takes off.

Usually I don't really mind the hustle and bustle, or even the random fans asking for photos and autographs. But it's currently like seven in the morning and I just rolled out of bed half an hour ago, and I am no morning person by any means. I'd sleep until noon if I could, but Lizzie and I both agreed that an earlier flight would be less of a hassle than one later in the day.

I'm still gonna complain about it, though.

"Baaaaabe, it's so early! I seriously can't be expected to be a productive member of society at this hour."

Lizzie rolls her eyes as she tugs me through the crowded lobby, looking almost just as tired as I am. Christmas with Lizzie's family lasted the whole day and well into the early night hours, so we only managed to get around five hours of sleep last night before we had to be up and ready for our flight. "Y/N, honey, I love you, but I am so close to leaving you here and spending New Years with your mother alone."

Choosing to ignore Lizzie's words, I chuck myself into the nearest seat once we arrive at our gate and let out a very dramatic yawn. I have every intention of spending the entire plane ride catching up on as much sleep as possible. Then, and only then, will I be able to function like a normal adult.

"Here."

Blinking rapidly a few times my tired eyes focus on the cup of coffee in front of my face, and I can't help but smile a little as I lift my gaze to meet Lizzie's. I hadn't even realized the brunette had wandered off, but I'm incredibly thankful for the pick-me-up.

Taking the cup from the older woman, I wait until she's seated next to me before leaning over and placing a light kiss to her cheek, suddenly feeling a little less grumpy and knowing it has everything to do with the woman beside me. "Thank you."

Lizzie seems to also visibly brighten as well, with just a hint of her usual nose crinkle appearing. "You're welcome, baby. Are you going to tell me your super secret plans for the next few days now that I got you coffee?"

I can't help but chuckle at the brunette, taking a quick sip of my drink before shaking my head. "It won't be a surprise if I tell you what I have planned, you know?"

Lizzie cocks an eyebrow, looking entirely too mischievous for this time of the morning. "I could act surprised. Get it? Because I'm an actress?"

That earns the woman an eye roll as I settle myself further into my seat, mildly amused. "Yeah, no. I'm not telling you what your surprise is. That was a horrible joke. So horrible in fact that I think we're gonna have to break up. I can't be with someone who has such a horrible sense of humor. I hope you understand."

I'm not prepared for the not-so-gentle smack across the stomach my girlfriend gives me, the force almost knocking the breath out of me as Lizzie glares over at me. Laughing lightly, I sit up a little straighter in my seat and turn my body so that I'm fully facing the brunette. "I'm sorry, my love. And for being mean, I will give you a hint. It involves us driving in my dad's truck."

I almost cackle at the confused look Lizzie gives me, but the announcement for our plane boarding interrupts and I end up only assuring the older woman that I know she's going to enjoy whatever I have planned.

Just like with our Christmas plans, every moment of this three-day trip has been planned out down to the very last second. We're spending the rest of today after we land just hanging out around the farm with my mom, where I plan on giving Lizzie the full tour of my childhood home. Tomorrow we're heading out to tour the town, and will close off the day by attending the New Year's Eve party my favorite bar throws every year, where Lizzie gets to meet a lot of my friends from high school. The day after my mom is making us all lunch while we do our New Year's tradition of visiting my Dad's grave, and then that night I have a surprise date planned for Lizzie. All-in-all, it's going to be an interesting little trip. I'm genuinely excited to show Lizzie all my favorite spots and the town that I grew up in. It's small, but it'll always be home to me and I'm glad that I get to share this part of my life with her.