Heaven is on earth (Loubbie)

45 . Phone calls.

-A week later-

As the day of her departure approached, Lou couldn't help but feel anxious. Saying goodbye to Debbie and Danny was breaking her heart, yet she knew she had to return to New York for her responsibilities at the club and to tie up loose ends. The thought of leaving them behind was difficult to bear, and she wished she could stay with them forever.

"I don't want to go."

"I know; I don't want you to go either," Debbie replied, her voice trembling. "But you have to, we both knew this day would come."

Lou nodded, trying to find the strength to let go. She bent down to Danny's eye level, trying to hide her tears. "Hey, sweetie," she said softly. "I have to go back to New York for a little while, but I promise I'll be back soon, okay?"

Danny looked up at Lou, eyes filled with confusion and sadness. "Why are you leaving?" she asked, her voice cracking.

Lou swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to find the right words. "I have to take care of some things in New York, but I'll be back before you know it. And we can still talk on the phone and video chat every day."

"But I want you here," Danny said, her lower lip trembling.

"I know, and I want to be here with you too," Lou replied, her heart breaking at the sight of Danny's tears. "But sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do. It doesn't mean I love you any less."

Debbie knelt down beside Danny, wrapping her arms around her. "Lou loves you so much, sweetheart," she said gently. "And she'll be back soon, I promise."

Danny nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Okay," she said softly.

Lou hugged Danny tightly, wishing she could stay with her forever. "I love you, Danny," she whispered. "I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise."

"I love you too," Danny replied, holding onto Lou as if afraid to let go.

After a tearful goodbye, Lou made her way to the airport. She tried to focus on the tasks at hand, checking in and going through security, but her mind was filled with thoughts of Debbie and Danny. She found a quiet corner in the airport and called Debbie, wanting to hear her voice one last time before her flight.

As she spoke to Debbie on the phone, the tears flowed freely. "I don't want to go,"

"I know, baby, but it's just for a little while. We'll be together again soon."

"I love you," Lou said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you too," Debbie replied.

With a heavy heart, Lou hung up the phone. She wiped her tears and made her way to the gate, feeling a deep sense of loss and longing. The flight back to New York felt like an eternity, and all she could think about was the love she was leaving behind.

When she finally arrived in New York, Lou felt empty inside. She missed Debbie's warmth and Danny's laughter, and the apartment felt lonely without them.

****

-Day 1-

Lou: Hey, it's me.

Debbie: Hey, I was thinking about you.

Lou: Oh really ? I just miss you like crazy.

Debbie: Same here. It feels so strange to be apart.

Lou: Yeah, it really does. I can't wait to see you and Danny again.

Debbie: Me too. We'll be counting down the days.