Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 53

***6 Hours Later***

The plane touches down on the runway in Mindelo, São Vicente and even through the airconditioned plane, we can feel the sheer heat blast it's way through the plane. I look through the window beside where myself and Sophie are sitting and the view is nothing short of spectacular. Even at this time of year, early to mid-December, the sun is absolutely splitting the rocks around these islands and I cannot wait to just kick back with my beautiful girlfriend and relax for the next few days. We have 4 nights here in absolute paradise and I am going to make sure that we enjoy every single second of it!

''It's absolutely gorgeous, Gary. Look how blue the ocean looks!'' she says to me as she slides her arm underneath mine and cuddles up beside me as we both stare open-mouthed out of the windows like two fish gasping for oxygen.

''I know, babe. Looks stunning. Just like you'' I whisper to her, as I pull her even closer into my frame and plant a light kiss in her hair just above her temple.

''Gaz, you softie. You're such a romantic underneath it all, aren't you?'' she playfully mocks me, lightly poking me in the side.

''I can't lie that you've got me there. I'm just so in love with you, Sophie. I feel like I need to pinch myself every time I wake up with you in the morning or fall asleep beside you at night. Or even like now, the fact that we have traveled here to paradise together almost feels like a dream. I love you very much, baby'' I say softly to her, before leaning down and taking her lips in mine.

It is the softest of kisses. Possibly the most tender kiss we have ever shared. No need for tongues. No need to fight for dominance. No need for anything like that. This is all we need. Just us two and a kiss filled with love.

She pulls away from the kiss after a few more moments and slides her fingers through mine as we hear the door of the plane begin to open after the captain switched off the seatbelt light and Sam and Jessica began to get everything ready to disembark the plane with us. I have a surprise for them in just a few minutes, but we'll get to that.

Just as I'm about to undo my seatbelt, Sophie whispers the words that make my heart melt each and every time I hear them;

''I love you too, Gary''

*****

''Okay, so here we are'' I say about 10 minutes later after we have put the luggage in the awaiting runway ready to take us to the villa we're staying in for the next few days.

I see Sam counting the bags on his list and watch him smile to himself at knowing that he has all of our bags in the car now.

''All good, Sam?'' our pilot, Danny, asks him as he sticks his head out from the side of the plane at the top of the steps.

''Yep, all the luggage is here and accounted for'' Sam smiles back at him and I can genuinely see the relief wash over him as he says to which Danny smiles back at him as if to say 'good job'.

''Great stuff, mate. Well done, guys. Great flight over today. I'll just turn the plane around so that we can refuel and then we will be off again in a few hours time'' he smiles down at the 4 of us before he goes to head back to the cockpit.

''Hang on there, mate. Come down here for a second, would you?'' I call out to him up the stairs.

He pauses momentarily before turning once more and then descends the steps to join us on the tarmac.

''Everything alright, Mr. Barlow?'' Danny says, with some nerves evident across his face, looking at both Sam and Jessica who equally look just as confused.