By Your Side

Together As One

Attention passengers, we will be arriving in Philadelphia shortly. Please fasten your seat-belts as we begin our decent."

Hanna looked up from her phone where she had been jotting down her latest notes on her to do list for the upcoming week as the flight attendant caught her attention, informing everyone that they were finally almost back home.

After locking her iPhone and clicked her own seat-belt back together, Hanna glanced over to the seat beside where 2 year old Maisie Ilsa Rivers was currently curled up, her small body fitting perfect in the seat with her head resting on the pillow she had squished against the arm rest. She hated to have to wake her up, her little girl had just experienced he busiest week of her life thus far after all and that had become very apparent only hours prior as Hanna had to carry the cranky toddler out of the hotel, through the airport and then onto the plane before she was able to actually comfort her and encourage her to go back to sleep.

Reluctantly, Hanna gently reached over, running her hands through the blonde mop of hair that covered the little girls face, moving her fingers through her hair continuously until she roused her from her sleep "baby it's time to wake up" she told her, lowering her hand over her shirt to pull it down as it rode up. Maisie slowing opened her eyes as she took in her surroundings, having forgotten where she was was. "We go home?" She questioned as she lifted her head, looking at her mother. "We're almost there" Hanna informed her, reaching over to fasten her seat-belt "you slept the whole way" she continued. Maisie reached her hands out for Hanna, feeling more uneasy due to the motion of the plane "mamma up" she whimpered, begging for the comfort of her mother. It broke Hanna's heart that she couldn't pick her up and wrap her arms securely around her daughter',although Maisie had become pretty accustomed to flying, in times like these where sleep deprivation was playing into the picture, it wasn't all that easy to have the 2 year old sit calmly in her seat.

"No baby, you have to stay, we are almost touching down" Hanna tried to explain, although she knew there wasn't much of a point. As predicted, at her mothers words, the toddler stuck out her bottom and seconds later tears were streaming out of her eyes as cries escaped her mouth. "Shh" Hanna tried to soothe her, running her hand down the small girls back, trying her best to calm her down, all the while keeping her safely in her seat. "Its OK, we're almost home, and then we are gonna see daddy" Hanna tried, it was a long shot at this point.

To Hanna's surprise two brown eyes shot up and met hers "Dada?" Maisie questioned, the slightest bit of excitement in her voice through the tears. "Yes, daddy's waiting for us at the airport" Hanna continued, in hopes to keep the toddler relaxed until they touched down.

With the thought of her daddy on her mind combined with Hanna grabbing onto her hand and holding it in her own, the little girl leaned her had against her mothers arm, and shifted as close to her as she possibly could, waiting to land.

To some minor miracle, Maisie got through the rest of the flight with limited concern, only becoming slightly anxious during the final few minutes. as the pressure and movement of landing caused some discomfort for the toddler.

After what felt like forever after touching down, the flight attendance eventually opened the doors and allowed passengers to exist the plane. Hanna held tightly onto her daughters hand at they made their way to arrivals "Where's Dada" Maisie whined. "He's waiting for us" Hanna replied, distractedly looking around for signs to her designated location. "Here we are" she continued as they rounded a corner, where an escalator was to lead them down to baggage claim.

As soon as Hanna and Maisie stepped onto the escalator, Hanna immediately began looking around at all the people, desperate to find her husband. "Look who it is" Hanna announced excitedly when she finally found and somehow locked eyes with him. She pointed in his direction in order to show Maisie where to look. Maisie gasped as soon as she caught sight of her father "It's daddy!" She practically screamed, quickly shuffling around as he walked closer to the bottom of the escalator. Hanna wrapped her arms around Maisie's small body in order to keep her in her spot "hold on, we are almost at the bottom" Hanna told the little girl, laughing all the while at her excitement.