The Aftermath

Chapter 13

When Alex said night is not over for me yet I felt so excited and happy, felt like if flowers bloomed in my soul in an instant. A second ago, I was rushing about in conflicting feelings, and now I melted in an instant, from his warm speeches. All this because, Jennifer, you are not spoiled by the attention of men. I wonder why? Yes, because you are closed, like immured doors, on which it is impossible to even knock. Despite my conflicting feelings, I really wanted to know what continuation of the evening Alex was talking about. Intuitively, I trusted him and knew that he would not do anything bad to me.

"What surprise", I asked a stupid question with a smile, realizing that it was stupid only after a few seconds.

"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise," - Alex smiled back. "I assure you will like it.

"Jennifer, just don't forget that tomorrow we have an important meeting," Charlie said unexpectedly seriously. 

"Yes, Charlie, of course. Go to the hotel and I'll be back as soon as possible."

It was nine o'clock. Curiosity and excitement dismantled me, I really wanted to know what kind of surprise was waiting for me. Little Jennifer was already jumping for joy. As if now Santa will come and fulfill all her childhood dreams. We said goodbye to Alex's parents separately from everyone else. I wanted to express my respect to them from the bottom of my heart. They made a good impression on me and partly, thanks to them, I became more obedient, pliable, and agreed to Alex's surprise.

"Well, now we can go to where I have prepared something special for you."

I felt so warm from his words, as if an invisible haze of magic enveloped me. And now it was just me and Alex, and no one else.

"Thank you, Alex, that you did not tell anything about us in front of everyone.

"Of course Jennifer, can you imagine if i'd tell them about the future and that story. They would definitely think that I am crazy." I felt happy after his words.

"Right, but if I thought and think that you're crazy, it's okay?" - we laughed together. He took my hand in his and squeezed it tightly, too much for a moment. I immediately remembered his girlfriend, for whom he suffers and I tried to free my hand, but he did not let go. And then I said:

"And your girlfriend wouldn't mind that you make surprises for others." Alex laughed, but for a second he became serious:

"No, she wouldn't."

Well, he didn't say there is no girlfriend. Just like I was back in Dublin on our midnight meeting. He plays with me! Well, Mr. Rocks, I'm not as simple as you think either. If you want to play, well, I accept the rules.

We got into the car and headed ... ehh .. I don't know where we were going, I didn't know the roads in America, especially at night. But it was very beautiful. First, the city lights of New York - life in full bloom. Never sleeping city, people, movement. Then neat, well-groomed huge houses, not to be compared with Irish ones, in America everything is big. Alex turned on the music. I looked again at his strong and beautiful hands, they held the steering wheel, and I felt his strength, such security, comfort, it's good to hold such hands on an airplane, such hands can hold for a lifetime and will not get tired. Oh Alex, why did you come into my life this way, why aren't you just a nice guy, why aren't you my friend, and why aren't you in Dublin. 

The windows in the car were open for both of us. A warm, gentle breeze blew my hair. Music played in the car. The sound was so clear and high quality, Frank Sinatra was singing one of my favorite songs, Fly Me to The Moon. In my life it has always been like that, as if I chose the soundtracks for it, and sometimes life itself chose the soundtracks for me. All events in my life correspond to music, songs, melodies. Sometimes it's classical music, and sometimes silly pop, but it always makes sense. And now, this song played at exactly the right moment. I felt like in some kind of romantic movie, I forgot about all the circumstances and difficulties, I enjoyed the moment here and now. Alex took my hand I felt like as if turned into such a small ball of happiness and wanted to dissolve in it forever. I was ready to go anywhere and no matter what nonsense he was talking about the future or the past, I wanted to be with him. Today and always. 

We have arrived. I didn't know where we were. I could see a building that looked like a mini airport. And a thought flashed through my head, did Alex really do what I think. He turned off the engine and turned to me, in such a half-playful mood. All I could do was smile. For the first time in a long, long time, I looked into the eyes of a man, and not just a man, but one that I really liked and whom I might have loved. For about ten seconds we sat like this, and then he suddenly said:

"Are you ready, Jennifer?"

"Ready," - I answered, - "but what for."

"To make your dream come true," he said softly. Now his voice was so warm and caring, I wanted to listen to him endlessly. Little Jennifer sat with her mouth open and smiled her happiest smile. And she may not have been little anymore, the teenager inside of me gradually began to grow up. I was so obedient, did not think about any future and letters or his girlfriend. After all, he's here now, with me, not with her.

"Are you kidding me Alex Rocks, is it real?" I smiled in a delight.

"It's not real. It just can't be." 

My joy was so childishly sincere and emotionally so stormy that in a second I got close to Alex and hugged him. It was so unconscious, from the heart. I didn't think about whether we would be together, and what he would think of me, I was just grateful to him. My hugs were purely expression of the excitement. We got out of the car, he opened the door for me and gave me his hand I was very flattered.

"Yes, Jennifer Riley, that's exactly how you understood it, we will fly a helicopter over the city at night and you can enjoy it as much as you want until the fuel runs out."

"Oh my God, Alex! You're crazy. You did it," I continued with a wide smile.

"Well, I can't break the way the story goes, you know" - he smiled back. 

It didn't matter to me that he mentioned that story with the future again, I agreed to fly with him and just enjoy the moment. He took my hand and we went to the entrance. I wanted this night to never end, and for us to keep this feeling, it seems not friendly, but not in a relationship, such an elusive flirting of our souls.

"Alex, but how did you know that I would agree for the surprise?" I asked with the same interest and playfulness.

"Well, I'm telling you, Jenn, I know you, I know a little about how our story goes, so I was sure."

"Oh, right, excuse me, I keep forgetting that you are a wizard, and a fortune teller from the future," - I said and we laughed together.

"Jennifer, you are so cute now, I want it to be always like this, so that you will always be happy, like today, and even more." I felt a little shy by his words, I turned away, smiled and looked at him again.

"Somehow you manage to impress me despite all this craziness."

We arrived at the helipad, where the instructor was already waiting for us. Alex did not yet know how to fly a helicopter, he was just learning. We got into the cab and he fastened all the seat belts we needed. At that moment, I felt like a child in a child car seat, I was very pleased with this care and Alex liked it too. I was a little worried, because after all, this is a take-off, and I am afraid of them, and then Alex took my hand and said:

"Jennifer, don't be afraid of anything with me. Everything is ok. Don't worry, ok."

"Yes, Alex," - I was still worried and agreed with everything he said. I experienced such a wild feeling of joy, flirting, affection, fear, it was all mixed up with the expectation and anticipation of my dream coming true. Let's take off!