𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃

the father i never had

dina's pov:

i softly scratched circles along ellie's back as she laid asleep in my lap, we're at the airport.

we barely slept last night, we were up playing video games and drinking coffee to keep us awake but it's whatever, i'm sure we'll make up for it later.

my mom and dad sat beside me scrolling on their phones as we waited for the plane to arrive, the sun slowly starting to rise.

"i'll be right back," my dad said, standing up and heading down to the food court area. i quickly looked up at the time above the door, 4:56am.

i don't know why we came so early if i'm honest, the plane doesn't arrive until 6:30am and we've been here since two in the morning.

ellie snuggled into my lap as i played in her hair, talia sat across from us with one of her friends aswell.

i've been munching on the same granola bar for about an hour, trying to savor it so i won't get hungry on the plane.

it would take us about two and a half hours to get from boston to florida, knowing me i'll most likely be asleep the entire flight.

—

"ellie, come on angel." i softly shook her, our plane had just arrived and my parents were already on. she rolled over, rubbing her eyes.

"are we leaving?" she asks, and i nod with a smile. "yes, hurry up."

i quickly grabbed her phone with laid beneath her, walking hand in hand to the boarding bridge.

we finally made it through, ellie requested a window seat so she can look down at the cities while i sat in the middle.

talia sat beside me of course, her friend in the aisle across from us.

my mom and dad rode first class so they could have time alone during their anniversary.

to be honest with you i'm not here to celebrate their anniversary, if anything i just came so i could spend time with ellie.

the plane doors shut with a loud bang, ellie jumping up.

"it's okay, lay back down." i say kissing and scratching the top of her head as she gazed out of the window.

the plane finally took off, talia gripping onto her seat for dear life.

she's always had a fear of planes, ever since we were children she'd always make my parents sit her in the middle 'because it's safer'.

i leaned my head against ellie's, who seemed to have zoned out the entire liftoff.

"snacks, drinks, anything?" a flight attendant came around with a small tray of packaged food and cans of sodas.

i smiled waving her off.

ellie fell asleep after awhile, her head resting on the window as she snored quietly.

i unfolded the blanket which i had carried from home, wrapping it around her legs.

talia was still gripping onto her seat for some reason. i couldn't help but laugh as she widened her eyes.

we've been on planes countless times in our lives, i don't know why she's now choosing to be scared of them but it was hilarious.

"are we there yet?" she repeated basically the entire flight, a couple turning around after awhile to ask her to shut up.

ellie eventually fell asleep, her head resting on the window as the plane started the route to florida.