His Darling (ON HOLD)

Chapter 2: Resurfaced

"Darling I know, you're a million footsteps away, but maybe someday; I can take all those footsteps and pray that I can run to you, run to you anyway." - MAX

JUNE 27, 2016
JACKSON-EVERS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
MIKAYLA'S POV

Today was the day.

Dad had all of my things other than a couple bags on the way to Toluca Lake last night. My one-way, First Class, Delta Airlines ticket was in my pocket book. I had all my important documents, phone numbers, addresses, and emails just in case I needed to get a hold of anyone for whatever reason. I was also given numbers of the people that knew my dad that were in the NYC, Tupelo, Traverse City, and Los Angeles Police Departments. And I would only be exchanging brief goodbyes so that dad, Ellie and Stevie could head to Knoxville as soon as possible.

Breaking the news to Stevie was the hardest thing to have to see through all of this. She's been having to sleep in my room with me every night since because of the panic attacks and nightmares she kept having. Dad was right about not wanting her to have anything trigger her, but she deserved to know what was going to happen. Even if it meant she'd flip out and not want today to happen, she's not a kid anymore.

Dad wouldn't even allow it that he, Ellie and Stevie say goodbye to me inside. I can't blame him, though. Knowing her, she could be anywhere. And if she sees us together, we're doomed. Despite that, our goodbyes were very emotional and contained a lot of tears. As soon as I got my suitcase and carry-on bag out of the bed of the truck I'd never see again, they were off.

Going through security was a breeze. Dad dropped me off late enough to where I don't have to spend more than ten minutes waiting in the airport lobby before boarding.

Once I was on the plane, the trip went really well. As expected, the food was better than I thought it'd be, the flight attendants weren't rude, and there were enough people in first class that no one sat next to me. For the entire five and a half hours, I was able to listen to music, watch the passing clouds, eat whatever was served to me, and sleep. I think one of the flight attendants even gave me a blanket because it wasn't on me before I took a nap.

A few minutes after a rough turbulent woke me up, we got the call from the flight attendant that we were about to land at LAX. The overall view was absolutely spectacular. I could see the LAX sign, the swaying palm trees, and even the waves of the Pacific. To say it was breathtaking was an understatement.

Getting off was a breeze... probably because I sat by myself and was in first class. But stepping into the terminal was like entering an entirely different world. I had been told to look for an older woman holding a white sign that had the words "Looking for Mikayla" on it. It took me a while to find, but I was eventually able to.

The woman was short; probably about as high as my shoulders. Her hair was a whitish blonde, with pink tips coloring her bangs. She didn't look grandparent old but you could definitely tell that she had aged a lot by the wrinkles showing through her tan skin. Her body was larger than I expected, but even so I wouldn't consider her lethargically big. Once she set her sights on me, her large brown eyes lit up with excitement and opened her arms up to me once I was a few feet away.

"It's so good to see you again, Mikayla," the woman exclaimed as she embraced me.

*See me again? How does this woman know me?*

"You probably don't remember me, hon, but I surely remember you. You can call me Charlotte, by the way. And there's no need for introductions from you because I obviously know who you are."

"O-okay," I reply nervously, to which she just chuckles at. Getting my suitcases from Baggage Claim wasn't a struggle as we found them about a minute or so after we got there. And with that, we were out of the airport and heading to Toluca Lake. It took about an hour before we were finally there, but the drive was worth it. The best part was probably the Los Angeles scenery that we passed by on the way.

The stories that Charlotte told about how she knew me were neat. Apparently her son and I were best friends from about 4th grade up until they moved out here for his career. But for some reason I couldn't remember this guy. Maybe if she shows me pictures when we get to the house that'll possibly jog my memory.

But this house that we arrived at is much fancier than I imagined.

It was two stories with tan bricks, a one-car garage, a stone path, and lots of shuttered windows. It was pretty simple, but looked expensive at the same time.

"We honestly wouldn't have been able to live in a house like this on our own, but my son insisted." Charlotte chucked.

"I see," I replied in awe. As we went inside, I was even more in awe at the interior than I thought I was at the exterior. It was large, sophisticated, inviting, and looked VERY expensive. But seeing the family portraits on the walls and the fireplace where what threw me off the most.

In each of these pictures there was a boy, sometimes a teenager or a man, which looked strikingly familiar. A black mop of hair, a pair of deep, warm brown eyes, and a snarky and playful grin. And for some reason I was in a few of these pictures with the boy/teen, as well.

I guess all the news I've gotten this week is what's causing my memory to be so bad.

"Excuse me, Charlotte?" I called.

"Yes, dear?" she asked, walking into the room behind me. Once she realized what I was eyeing, I could feel her smiling from behind me. "So I see that you found the pictures of you and my son?"

"Yes, but... I can't put my finger on who it is at the moment... What's your son's name?"

"His name is Maxwell. Maxwell Schneider."

Maxwell Schneider?

Maxwell?

Schneider?

Maxwell...

Max...

No. It couldn't be. He lives here? I'm with his mother? I have a chance to see the boy that was taken away from me again after all these years?

"It all makes sense..." I gasp. "Where is he now? Is he in town?"

"He's playing at some club tonight. A basement place in downtown Los Angeles. I'll get you the address for you and you can try and see if you can catch him."

"Thank you. And I'm so sorry that I couldn't remember you."

"Don't worry about it, dear. You helped Max when he needed it most. Now it's our turn to help you out."

"I really appreciate all of this. Does Max even remember me?"

"Sad to say, but it's a vague memory just like yours was. But seeing you will probably jog his memory."

"And, uh... does he even know I'm here?"

"Well not yet, dear. But he will if you find him tonight or when he gets back here. Anyway, I meant to tell you that the U-Haul just showed up. So let's get your stuff all unpacked, shall we?"

~~~

Don't have much to say with this chapter.

Hope you enjoyed!