Chicago Love ✔️

Chapter 35: Airport

A/N: Thank you for the reads and support. I appreciate it in making this the current #1 #AlexBowman story. Please keep leaving comments and stars. 

Alex pulls up to the airport terminal, sadness filling his eyes as he looked over at the passenger to the right. He never got sad driving his truck. This was one of those times, as he did not want this moment to happen.

The past three days had been awesome - well, except his wreck on the race track. The time they had gotten to spend together had been great. They certainly had chemistry to the max together. He had lost count the number of times his hands had roamed their way down her body. The conversation had been great as they had shared a lot back and forth. The best question had been asked, and answered along the way. It was great to officially call Detective Hailey Upton his girlfriend. 

"Do you really have to go?" Alex questions, even though he already knew the answer himself. She had already stayed 24 hours beyond what she normally did each weekend. It had taken special permission from the boss to do so. There was no way they were getting even another 24 hours together. 

"I wish I didn't have to go," she admits as she looks over at his eyes. Why did they sparkle so brightly right now? Why did they seem like they were swirling, casting a spell over her? Every time they did this it got harder to do so.

"I wish you didn't have to. I wish you could take a whole week's vacation. You work really hard and put your life on the line daily. You truly deserve a break. I don't see how anybody would be mad at you for that." It was his best attempt at trying to get her to stay longer. What else could he say to her? "You could even just tell Hank that you want to watch out for me longer. You are concerned with how I am feeling after that hard hit with the wall." 

"Ale-"

"Can you blame me, Hailey? This distance kills me!" She then takes a deep breath as he hadn't ever lashed out in frustration about anything to her - until now. What was she supposed to do to make him feel better? It wasn't like she could make their dreams come true with a flip of the fingers.

"It kills me just as much, too. I miss seeing you during the week.." She then reaches over, clutching his hand with her own as she looks into those eyes deeply, resisting the ever-growing urge to pull out her phone and send that message to Hank. "Just think. By me staying an extra day, that means you have to wait one less day until we see each other this weekend again. I've cleared it to get every single weekend off so I can be there for you. I am literally counting down the days until I see you again each week." 

"Are we going to just keep doing things like this?" She takes a deep breath, not surprised by the question. She knew that was going to follow the official proclamation of being an official couple sooner than later. She had hoped to get out of North Carolina without addressing it quite yet. Truth be told, she did not have a clear answer for him, yet.

"I know that we can't do this forever. I know that you have a life in Charlotte, and you cannot give up what you are doing for me. I would never force you to do that for me. I can do my job anywhere for any city. It just means working for a different bunch of people. Am I ready for that? Am I ready to leave my team in Chicago for a group of new people? Am I ready to leave what has become my true family, my first real family? I can't bring myself to do that yet. I know it will happen eventually as I know I can't do long distance forever. We both know that. But when will that change happen? I don't know, Alex." Alex nods head his accepting, as his eyes glance down. He wasn't thinking of the positives anymore. He kept reminding himself of all the reasons why he almost hadn't asked her.

"That's also why you want to keep our relationship quiet and not tell too many people yet. You're not ready for everything, yet...." Hailey nods her head, glad that it was settling in. She hated to see him sad, but she knew the conversation and honesty was very important. She knew what lies could do to a couple. She watched it with her parents.

"I've told you that since we got together. I haven't changed my stance one bit with you. The only thing that has changed is I keep falling harder for you, wanting to be with you more, loving you more, and caring about you so damn freaking much." Alex smiles a little as he allows himself to look back across the center of the truck at the woman that surrounded every single thought of his, awake and asleep now.

"I can be patient and wait for you to be ready. That's how much I love you, and want to be with you.." A small smile finally comes across her lips as she leans in, brushing her lips lightly across his. She does it ever so slowly, savoring every single bit of the touch, in knowing it would have to last the next four days.

"I am glad because I don't want to lose you. I love you, Alex Bowman..." 

"I love you, Hailey Upton." He then leans in for another kiss, slowly pulling back afterwards, followed by letting her fingers away from his. "I better let you go. I wouldn't want to be the reason you missed your flight." 

"Would that be a bad thing?" He chuckles, they both already knowing the answer - even if it meant she would have a lecture courtesy of her boss afterwards. Perhaps a couple extra hours could be nice.