I'm With You

Chapter Five

Chapter 5 (started 12/23/2015)

Luke groaned, this was it. The day he hoped to never have to see, Nicole was leaving for Mississippi and he was scared he'd never get to see her again. As well he still hadn't yet brought himself to tell her the truth, and it dug at him everyday for not doing so.

"Come on, she's packed." Maggie slowly walked down the stairs, she looked like she was going to cry at any moment. Leila gave her a hug.

"It's gonna be okay, Love."

"Yeah, but I'm still gonna miss her, we hung out everyday."

"Trust me, next time I visit we'll be attached at the hip like I never even left."

Nicole entered the living room and had to choke back tears when she saw her cousin holding her aunt and Luke sitting on the sofa. Something in his eyes wasn't the same it was as if he were holding something back and that terrified her. However, he kept quiet so she didn't say anything either instead she walked over to him. Luke got to his feet and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his forehead against hers.

"I don't wanna have to say goodbye."

"Then don't. Goodbye doesn't have to mean forever."

"I'll make sure it doesn't." Luke said.

Nicole hugged her aunt Leila and Maggie one last time while Luke put her suitcase in the trunk. Afterwards, Nicole and Luke walked out to the car. At first he felt bad like he was imposing on their last moments but Leila said that was nonsense and seeing the two cared for each other he should be the only one to drive Nicole to the airport.

The entire drive Nicole held Luke's hand tightly afraid that if she let go she'd never be able to hold back the tears. Luke tried but couldn't bring himself to smile. Nicole was leaving and he wasn't happy about it.

Once Luke pulled up in front of the airport, he parked the car and got Nicole's luggage out of the trunk. They walked hand in hand the whole way until she checked in and her flight was called to board.

Luke held her close and opened his mouth to tell her everything, about who he was, T.O.U.C.H. - all of it until she got on her tiptoes and kissed his forehead.

"I love you. Even though I was scared to at first, I'm not scared anymore."

"I love you, too... Chocolate Bunny," he whispered. "Call me when you get home safe okay?"

"Okay."

A single tear fell down his cheek as he finally let her go and watched as she waved back at him after showing her ticket to the airport attendant. She turned back and blew him a kiss before going further until he couldn't see her any longer.

The flight from Manchester to Atlanta then to Mississippi was over in a blink of an eye, Nicole took a picture here and there but she just wasn't dazzled by the lights and things down below like she was the first time around. She was leaving a piece of her behind in England that pained her more than she could've imagined. A piece she didn't even know she'd need this much.

A light voice beside her made her jump, she looked up and smiled it was the same flight attendant she'd spoke with on the way to England.

"Hello!"

"Hello, Love! So how was your trip?"

"It was good, but bittersweet."

"Well, I hope you fly with us again sometime. In the meantime would care some coffee or tea?"