A Sky Full of Stars

14. I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

Emilia promised herself that she wouldn't cry when she left Glasgow. She promised herself that she would stay strong and tough it out. But nothing lasts forever in a military world, and Emilia had to make a new sacrifice.

Glasgow's train station was always busy with people rushing in and out. Tourists hung out by the front trying to get their bearings straight, and homeless people acted out their regular routine to either receive money or sympathy. Her family, along with Logan, arrived at the station early so that luggage can be put on the train and the two of them can say their goodbyes.

Emilia followed her father through the train station. Tears welled in her eyes as she did the slow death march to the train platform. Logan walked next to her and kept her hand engulfed in his. Just like Emilia, Logan also walked slowly. The two of them couldn't take the pressure anymore.

The train, a blue Avanti West Coast, sat on the tracks. Steam engulfed the sides and covered travelers in a white, smoky glow. Station workers stood near the train to make sure that travelers were going on the train and to answer any questions. Her father and Derrick stopped at the farest train couch and opened the train door. Her father stepped inside while Derrick stood outside and put the bags into the train. Derrick turned to Emilia and held up 5 fingers.

Five minutes. All she'll get is five minutes.

Emilia turned to Logan, and he engulfed her into a hug. Emilia began to cry and squeezed Logan. Logan squeezed Emilia back and kissed the top of her head.

"Text me when you get to Heathrow," Logan said.

Emilia looked up at Logan. Logan tried to hold back tears, but the tears started sliding down his face. Emilia laughed and brushed them away with her hand.

"I will. I'll send my flight info too," Emilia said.

Emilia went back into Logan's arms and took a deep breath. Logan rubbed her back and pulled away from her. Emilia instantly knew why-it was time for her to go.

"We'll plan our next visit when you're in California," Logan said.

Tears formed in her eyes again as she smiled. She went onto her tip-toes and kissed Logan one final time. She slowly pulled away and squeezed his hand. Logan squeezed her hand back, so she began to pull her hand away from him and walk to the train.

She didn't care that her sobs were audible. She didn't care that people looked at her. She didn't care at all. She took a deep breath, grabbed the train's handrails, and pulled herself onto the train.

"Emilia!"

Emilia got off the train and was swept up into the air by Logan. Logan swung her around and then kissed her in true princess fashion. At that moment, everything disappeared and it was just Logan and Emilia in the train station.

Logan broke the kiss and placed a hand on her cheek. He brushed her cheek with his thumb and bit back tears. "Please be safe. I love you so so much."

Emilia nodded her head and placed her hand on top of his. "I love you so much too."

She turned around and slowly walked back to the train, not letting go of Logan's hand. Logan's fingers brushed her hand slightly as she walked onto the train. She waved to him and the train door closed, sealing her away.

Not wanting Logan to see her cry even more, Emilia walked to the cabin where her brother and father sat. Her family booked four seats with a table in the middle. Her father sat facing the rear of the train while Derrick sat facing the front. Emilia slid past Derrick and sat in the window seat facing the train.

The train started to move and Emilia closed her eyes. She held back tears as the train picked up speed and whisked her away from Glasgow. Soon the city that she loved turned into the green countryside.

The noise of the train carriage was soon snuffed out by noise-canceling headphones and the haunting yet loving tune of Enchanted by Taylor Swift. Enchanted was bitter-sweet but the song made Emilia instantly think of Logan and what she was leaving behind. Logan and her promised that they would work through the long-distance and she can come back to Scotland stronger.

I was enchanted to meet you. Please don't have someone waiting on you.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

London Euston had a different atmosphere than it had a couple of months ago. Emilia remembered that she was nervous but deeply excited when she arrived in Euston all those months ago. But now, the nerves she experienced were taken over by extreme sadness and her wanting to abandon ship. It took everything inside her to not jump onto the next train to Glasgow.

As she followed her family to the tube station, Emilia disassociated herself and daydreamed about her reunion with Logan or any possible situations to make her go back. The flights could be canceled, her family's orders can be rescinded, her father changing his mind about her going back. Anything was better than her marching to her doom.

The tube train to Heathrow was filled with people heading to work, school, or heading to the airport. To keep her mind busy, Emilia people-watched those getting off and on the train at various stops. Texts from Logan started blowing up her phone and Emilia couldn't stomach answering back.

When they arrived in Heathrow, Emilia felt even worse. Her stomach twisted as she walked to the departure wing and watched from a distance as her father checked the three of them in. Her father walked to her and Derrick with a stack of tickets and passports. There was no turning back now.

Her father handed her a boarding pass and her passport, and suddenly, it all felt real. Everything was crumbling underneath Emilia and she knew that she couldn't do anything about it. Nothing could be accomplished to change anything.

She slowly walked to security and watched as people queued to dump any hazardous or illegal materials and to join the security line. Emilia stood out of the way and watched from a distance.

She felt a hand reach out and grab hers. She turned and saw that Derrick was holding her hand. She gave him a small smile and mouthed 'Thank You.' Derrick smiled and squeezed her hand.

Hand-in-hand, the two of them walked through security and ready to tackle anything new coming their way.