An irish Lovestory - the summer of Life

True love goes over Borders

In the city, she goes straight to the nearest airport, buys a last-minute ticket to Cologne and checks in. As soon as she has passed through the checkpoint, she sees two security guards approaching a boy with a backpack. Instinctively, she goes up to them and chats them up, because she has also recognised Luke from behind and wants to save him unnecessary trouble. "Excuse me, there's a man at the front counter threatening a woman with a pram right now." The two gentlemen thank her and go to the counter while Carlotta passes Luke and puts something in his hand. He looks at it and finds a small note and a necklace he gave to Carlotta. The note says in her handwriting:
I love you and I can't let you go just like that!
He looks up and sees her red hair disappearing into the crowd. He immediately runs after her and reaches her just before boarding. Luke stands behind her and puts his hands in front of her eyes. Carlotta turns and falls around his neck. "I love you Carlotta, so much that even the distance between Germany and Ireland would not be too far for me!" A passenger looks at them both and whispers to his wife, "That must be true love!" She nods and whispers back, "This one even crosses all borders!"
The two walk on and board the plane. Luke hugs Carlotta and walks with her towards the plane. They are waved through and are lucky that the last minute ticket and Luke's ticket are seats next to each other. The two kittens in the transport box are also on board.
When the plane takes off half an hour later, it immediately hits turbulence and Carlotta holds onto Luke. "I didn't know you were airsick!" he whispers with a grin. She presses out between her teeth, "Neither did I! But I've never flown through turbulence before either!" Luke pulls her close to him so she can calm down. Carlotta hides and eventually falls asleep while Luke strokes her hair.
When they arrive in Cologne a few hours later, it is pouring rain outside. They sprint to board the next flight to Hanover. They arrive on the plane just in time.
It is already late afternoon when they arrive in Hanover. They are barely out of the airport when Carlotta sees Luke's family and immediately starts to reproach herself. But Mrs Giesmas runs up to them and even passes her son so that she can take Carlotta in her arms. A little hesitantly, she also embraces Luke's mother. Only after giving Carlotta a long hug does she embrace her son. The rest of Luke's family is also happy to have her back. As they walk to the car, which doesn't have a scratch on it, Carlotta hesitates a little. "Don't worry Carly, it's not your fault, it was Luke's fault.... Okay, maybe a little yours too, but it was Luke's idea. And then the thing with your fight about going back..." Carlotta looks at Luke. He looks a little pained. "It was both our fault and there was alcohol involved in the argument. And if I hadn't agreed, we never would have gone. I lied about that and it was the only way we could leave in the first place. I'm sorry, I'm no longer on your backs, I'm moving back to my house and living there!"
Luke's father slams on the brakes and turns backwards. Chiara and Luke's mother also turn to Carlotta. "You're not on our backs and you're not old enough yet. We didn't fight for you in the family for half a year just to have you officially live with us for two days," Luke's mother starts.

Luke knew it would come to this discussion and says: "Mum, Carlotta will be eighteen in three months, then she can live on her own anyway. You can move out of home earlier for that and you're not her real parents. She wouldn't be all alone either..." Chiara stares at her brother. She is the older of the two and also still lives at home. Luke's father interjects. "You're right Luke, we're not her real parents and she's allowed to live on her own in three months, but we've made a commitment to look after Carlotta. We've already failed in that by you both running off to Spain, but for the next three months we're still her legal guardians and she'll be living with us, just like you too young sir!"
They all spend the rest of the drive in silence. Only when they arrive home does Mrs Giesma say, "We only want what's best for you! And then you'll split up and then it's poo-poo again!" Luke rolls his eyes. "Mum, nothing can separate us again so quickly. Not even the distance between Ireland and Germany on holiday." Chiara looks at him questioningly. So Luke's family knows nothing of their interim separation.
As soon as they are inside, Mrs Giesma cooks dinner and Luke and Carlotta unpack their things.
In the evening Luke comes back to Carlotta's room. "We'll get my parents to come!" he says confidently. Then he hums a little tune and Carlotta closes her eyes and grins. Luke starts to summ.

You know I want you
It's not a secret I'm trying to hide I know you want me
So stop saying our hands are tied You claim we're not meant to be
But fate is pulling you miles away
And beyond my reach

...

But you are here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide you're my destiny
What if we rewrite destiny
Say you were made to be mine Nothing
Could keep us apart tonight

Unlike usual, Luke also sings along to the last part.

You know I want you
It's no secret I'm trying to hide but I can't have you
we're doomed to break up
and my hands are tied!

"Carlotta, no matter what happens, I want to spend the day with you when it all ends!" whispers Luke. Just at that moment Chiara looks in through the crack in the door. "Luke, Mum and Dad want to talk to you!" she says, turning and going into her room.
Luke and Carlotta go downstairs to the living room. "You wanted to talk to us?" asks Luke, annoyed. The parents point to the couch. "We've been thinking about what happened earlier. Luke, you'll be eighteen in a few days, Carlotta not for another three months, but if you promise to leave us at least one sign of life every day, maybe we could talk about it. But not until after the school trip in three weeks!" Luke looks at Carlotta and falls around her neck. He knew that his parents wouldn't think twice, but would just let him do it.