«Star Shadows» A Night Angel Sequel

EPILOGUE

January 2013. 21:45. John F. Kennedy International Airport. Queens, NY.

Third Person POV

Sophia was walking to the private room for her to board the jet Tony had sent for her to take her to Paris. Looking at the clock, she saw it was still fifteen minutes left until she had to board, so she sat down on the sofa and started reading her book.

Turning the page, she heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching the room she was in and as she turned, she saw a tall figure with dirty blond hair talking to one of the guards.

Frowning, she stood up and walked to the door.

-It's okay, Raul, let him through.- She said and the guard nodded, moving aside and revealing Steve's figure standing there panting. -Steve.- She said as the Captain walked towards her.

-I thought I was not going to make it.- He said, his breathing now normal as he looked at her.

She was wearing a pair of gym leggings and an oversized white sweatshirt that had the Nike logo in the chest. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had her glasses on.

-Well, you almost didn't. I leave in ten minutes.- Sophia said funnily and Steve nodded.

-I know. I just wanted to come and say bye again. I know it's going to be a while before we see each other again, so I wanted to make the most of it.- He said sheepishly and Sophia smiled at him. He took something out of his pocket and handed it to her. She looked at the object and a small smile drew on her lips. -I made it for you last night after you left. I know you love to read and you have tons of dividers for your books, but I just thought it might be nice to have one that no one else does.- He said and Sophia smiled at him.

He had given her a divider for her books, but not just any divider, no. It was one painted by him. It was the drawing of the Eiffel Tower with the Seine River in front of it, the sky at the back painted in pastel colours that were pink, purple and blue. It was like a tiny painting and Sophia beamed at him.

-Steve it's beautiful, thank you so much.- Sophia said as she hugged the Captain.

Steve reciprocated the hug gladly as he took in her scent for the last time, her red berries shampoo and her lavender natural scent filling his senses and encrypting his mind.

-It's nothing.- He said as he gave her a gentle squeeze. They stayed like that until the sound of a male voice made them pull apart.

-Miss Dumont, we are ready.- One of the men who helped in the airport said and Sophia nodded.

-I'll be right there.- She said and turned back to Steve. -Well, I guess this is it, for now.- She said as she took her bag from the couch and walked to the door, Steve following closely.

-Yeah, I guess it is.- He said as he looked out of the window at the jet ready to receive the young Dumont. With one last hug, Sophia smiled up at Steve.

-I'll see you around, Captain.- She said mockingly and Steve laughed.

-See you around, Agent Dumont. Take care.- He said, giving her a nod.

-You too, Steve.- She said before giving the Captain a small wave and walking out with the stewardess.

Steve saw Sophia walking to the jet and then going up the steps. As she reached the last one, she turned one last time and waved at him, the man returning the gesture.

He stayed there until the door closed and the jet made its way through the track until it finally lifted in the air and flew away.

Mixed emotions were filling his body and while he knew most of them were guilt and sadness, the other one was hope. Hope that this time apart might either clear things between them and for them or make them miss each other a lot more than they did before. This could either help them sort their feelings out and leave them behind or intensify them.

But only time would tell.

Sophia watched through the window how her big city became smaller and smaller, lights fading until they were like glitter on a black canvas, painting the night like shining stars.

Taking a deep breath, she thought of what she was leaving behind. Maybe it had not been the best decision to make with a lot of emotions running through her at the time, but as she remembered what she went through in just the span of three weeks, she knew this is what she needed. She needed to take a break and disconnect from everything, give herself time to heal, emotionally and physically, work someplace else to free her mind from doubts and secrets, build trust once again in those who she lost it and maybe, just maybe, when she came back, be able to open her heart one more time.

As she looked one last time at her home, she smiled. She was giving herself another chance. A chance to recover and be light, and not just a Star Shadow. 

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THE END 

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