The Art of Loving

[55] Slipping Through My Fingers

[If you've never listened to Slipping Through My Fingers by ABBA, I recommend you do that]

"Eleanora? Ellie? Wake up, we're here," Richard, her seat neighbour and colleague said, gently shaking her.

That, combined with the turbulences they were currently experiencing woke her up, slowly but surely. "Ugh I'm not ready to be awake..," Ellie grumbled, squinting. The plane was a little too bright for it being so early - or so late. She wasn't entirely sure what time it was, the only thing that she was certain of was that it was not a good time to be awake. She was on her way back from the long assignment in Alaska, after weeks, and the time difference was already having its effect on Ellie.

"I know, but don't you think it will be better to sleep in your own bed?" he asked. "Are you getting picked up by anyone?"

"Yeah," Ellie said, a tired smile forming on her face. She was, and she was so excited. "Yeah, I am, my boyfriend promised to come pick me up. His parents live right next to the airport so he said he'd stay with them for a night and then pick me up. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to that." They had managed to talk on the phone a few times, but it wasn't enough. She had missed him.

"I can imagine. You said it was his birthday while we were in Alaska, right?"

"Yeah... his birthday last week, and our anniversary im the beginning of the month. It wasn't the best month to be away but he supported the decision. He's amazing. I missed him so much," Ellie told Richard. It really had been a hard month for Ellie, harder than expected.

Her seat neighbour nodded. "I can imagine. He sounds like a good guy. I'm not sure if I would let my girlfriend go on such a long trip with a group of men."

Ellie raised her eyebrows a little. That had never been one of Brian's concerns, not once. "Well, he's amazing. He knows he can trust me, and I know I can trust him. I love him, and he loves me, that's why we support each other," Ellie told Richard. That was one thing she was certain about, his love and trust. And it was one of the many things that she treasured about him.

She spent the remaining flight time, as well as the time it took to get through customs and everything, talking to Richard, telling him many stories about her and Brian's relationship. It was wonderful to reminisce like that, to remind herself how far they had come, and just how much she was looking forward to seeing him again. She hated being away from him so much. She had always thought it sounded silly, but she didn't feel complete. The longer she was away from Brian, the more it got to her. It got to the point where she questioned her choices...

Ellie said goodbye to her colleague relatively early on because she knew that once she was back with Brian, she wouldn't have much else on her mind. She was excited, but she was nervous. They had been apart for a long time and she couldn't be entirely sure what it would be like to be back with him. Her hands were shaking as she walked through the airport with her luggage, skimming the crowds for the only person she wanted to see. And when she spotted him, her heart started racing. She was finally back with him. This was pure happiness, she had never felt so happy. She sped up her steps, and got to him soon. He was looking the opposite way in the crowd, so she stood beside him and gently tapped his shoulder.

He spun around and it took a moment before he realised who was standing in front of him, but then he didn't hesitate. "Ellie!," he exclaimed softly and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Hi," she replied quietly, hugging him back tightly. She had missed him so much. She could feel herself tearing up a little, simply enjoying the fact that they were back together after such a long time.