Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 81

A few days later, we find ourselves heading through the first class lounge on the way to the plane to head for a quick break of 5 days. I have managed to keep it a secret from Sophie so far with regards to where we're going and after pestering me for more info - and me not breaking - she seems not to be bothered and has not even clued into the fact that we walked past the destination at least 5 times now in the airport.

''Excited, babe?'' I ask her as we settle down in our seats in the first class section of this British Airways flight.

Nodding her head slowly, she grips my hand tighter as our fingers lace through each other's hand.

''Eh? You alright? Sophie, you know I'm here. I'm not going anywhere'' I say softly, rubbing the pad of my thumb across the back of her hand.

Nodding her head slowly, her hand relaxes slight in mine as she lets out a deep breath.

''Yeah, I'll be fine. Just not the greatest flyer. Once I'm up there though, I'll be fine'' she smiles at me.

''Same here, babe. Even with all the flying that I do, you'd think I'd not be nervous at all'' I half laugh at her as the intercom sounds out loudly and we hear from the captain of the flight for the first time.

'Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain Derek Lloyd speaking and welcome onboard this Virgin Atlantic flight to Antigua & Barbuda'

Sophie squeezes my hand and lets out a light squeal as she finally hears about where we're going. Thankfully, she listened to me when I said she needed her bikinis!

'Flight time is just over 8 hours so please sit back, relax and we should arrive in St. John's at approximately 14:00 local time'

Sophie lets out another small squeal as she hears once again that we are headed to the Caribbean.

''Gary!?'' she says softly, playfully slapping me across the arm.

''Antigua? Are you fucking crazy?! This must have cost you a fortune!''

I can't even speak. I don't want to speak. I don't need to speak. No words will ever do it justice just how beautiful she looks right now. Big broad smile erupting across her beautiful face, so much that I think she might split her face into two pieces, the smile is that wide!

''I wanted to see that smile. That one right there. All the secrecy and trying my best not to let slip, where we were headed to, was now all worth it. Every single time I told you I didn't know or I can't remember? Yeah, it's been all worth it just to see you smile like you just did'' I say to her softly before pulling her close to me so that I can claim her lips with my own.

''Oh, and I called your work and told them you will be taking a couple more days off'' I wink at her naughtily.

''Gary... How much more?'' she scolds me, but I can hear the playfulness behind the words.

''I don't know. Another week?'' I bite the inside of my cheek to try and keep myself from laughing too much.

''A week? Gary, but...but we haven't brought enough stuff. It's way too much money, babe. No, no sorry'' she says as she looks away from my eyes and drops her head slightly.

''Sophie? Sophie Brooks, you look up at me now'' I had to get a little stern but it works as she slowly lifts her head to meet my eyes with her own once more.

''Sophie, I don't care about the money. I do not care at all. I care about you. I love you! I just wanted to make you smile. That's all that I wanted''

She smiles slightly at hearing these words. Brilliant. I know I can continue now as I'm on home soil.

''I know that I'm beyond fortunate that the way my life has gone. I have become used to a certain level of lifestyle. I cannot help that. However, you are part of my life now. I want this forever. I want you to be mine from here on in. Nobody can match you, Soph. Nobody could even come close, okay?''

Nodding her head slightly, she continues to remain silent.

''I want you in my life, Sophie. However that may be. We do not have to do these extravagant holidays but it's supposed to be a beautiful place and I wanted to spoil you. I always want to spoil you because you deserve it, baby. But if it is too much for you then we can scale the trips back. A week in Skegness is equally perfect as long as I'm with you. The weather though is always shit up there...'' I chuckle the last few words out before I break into a full giggle.

Sophie stays quiet for a few minutes before saying anything.

''I know you can't help it. I know this. Obviously. It's just still taking some time to get used to it. However, I am getting used to it. Slowly, but I am'' she smiles at me softly once again.

''I don't want you to feel that you need to spoil me but if you want to, I won't say no...'' she bites her lip to keep herself from giggling but she fails spectacularly.

''Oi! Cheeky madam! I knew you were liking it all'' I gasp at her, smacking her leg lightly as we feel the plane begin to taxi out onto the runway.

''It's just about getting used to it, Gary. That's all it is. I'm so used to looking after myself. I even put myself through University, so it's a big change. I hope you're not disappointed in me'' she says softly.

''Baby, I could never, ever, be disappointed in you. I am so in love with you it hurts at times. Now, let's forget about this, relax and just enjoy ourselves for the next 10 days, yeah?'' I say as I give her hand, that is still linked with mine, a tight squeeze.

''You're right, babe. We're on holiday. Let's just forget it all and get nice and drunk for the next 10 days'' she winks at me as the plane's engines roar into life and we begin hurtling down the runway.

''I love you, Sophie. Never ever forget that, yeah?'' I say in her ear as we're drowned out by the engines.

''I love you more, Gary''

''You know that's not possible, sweetheart. Now, come here and give me a kiss''

As the plane leaves the tarmac of dreary London Heathrow behind, we lean in a have the most breathtaking kiss imaginable. This is going to be one hell of a holiday. I can't wait to get her in a bikini!