Settling in Seattle

Chapter 2- Leaving

They had mostly packed by the late evening, spending the whole day sorting and loading, stopping twice, once for some lunch, a bite to eat that Rachel had whipped up, and the second time when Rachel's parents turned up to say goodbye to their daughter. That only took all of half an hour, Robert wanted to get back to his own firm, and they wanted to get back to packing up the house. They had to leave tomorrow at around noon, so they couldn't pack their sheets yet, and all the toiletries they had. They'd decided to leave the small things behind as it wasn't worth the hassle.

The next morning came at record speed, and it was spent with Rachel stressing about where their passports were, if they had left the apartment in an appropriate condition for the movers to come and pick it up, what Mike was taking in his hand luggage, and if it was pertinent to take on the flight. At least they weren't late, that was a good thing. If there was one thing that Rachel hated, it was being late. They hung around for a bit, checking, and double checking that they had everything they needed, money, cards, insurance bits, and even phones. They needed it all, Rachel and Mike couldn't get on that six-hour flight and then remember that they needed something. They were going, for good.

"Hey, are you ready for this?" Rachel stood over Mike, who was sat on the floor leaned up against the wall, staring into a space that was once filled with his belongings. She pressed her hands into his shoulders and patted them reassuringly.

"I didn't think it would be this hard to give this place up." Rachel noticed Mike's eyes welling up slightly and moved so she was sat next to him, encasing his hand into hers.

"You will always know this place to be our first home, the one that came from a beautiful deed, and you know that your Grammy would want you to do this. It's showing her that you've found a job, and a family. She'd be so proud of you." Mike looked at Rachel with his big eyes, squeezing her hand even tighter. She leant her head onto his shoulder, and they sat, for a while, just getting ready to leave. They had everything they needed, a trusted new occupant of the apartment, and each other.

"I love you"

"I love you too. Now, let's start this adventure of ours." They got up simultaneously and picked their carry-on's up, layering their coats on and lacing up their shoes. This was it, they were ready, readier than they'd ever be. 

They clipped in their belts as the cabin crew prepared them for take-off. Sat together in the first class, in a two-seater, there was a mother and a baby in front of them. To this both of them hoped the infant was going to be reasonably quiet for the journey. They couldn't spend six hours of their trip listening to a squawking baby. The mother suddenly got up and heaved the small, chuckling little child, placing her onto her hip.

"I'm really sorry," The mother looked desperate as she rocked from side to side, ushering in an attempt to sustain the mood of the little junior. "Could you please sit with Emily for a couple of minutes, I have to go and ask where I can heat this up before take-off." The woman's eyes pointed towards the baby bottle, half full of milk.

"Of course!" Rachel exclaimed without hesitation and held out her arms for the baby. Mike had never seen Rachel with a baby before, but she was a natural. He had a smile plastered across his face when Emily was passed to Rachel, she sat on her lap and snuggled into her. He'd always wanted a family, and he knew Rachel did too, but she was amazing with kids. Mike hoped to be a good father, however he didn't have a clue about parenting, children or babies. Rachel seemed to have it all figured out. She was calm, chatting to her, and Emily seemed content.

"You're amazing." Mike whispered to Rachel as she held onto the mini fingers of Emily's. Rachel beamed back at Mike.

"You want a turn?" Rachel said suggestively to Mike, bracing to pass the bundle across.

"Uhhh, sure." Mike was terrified, but he wanted to hold her. To show her that he'd be a good dad when the time came. Rachel gently picked her up and placed her into Mike's arms. Suddenly he knew how to hold her, and it all came a bit too naturally for comfort. Mike babbled to her, and made her giggle, squealing and wriggling around in the comfort of his body. Soon enough, after Rachel stopped staring at Mike in awe of him and the little baby girl, her mother returned. Rachel had imagined them having a child, or two, lost in thought. They hadn't discussed the details, just that they'd have kids when they were at a point in their career where it was suitable. The woman came back with her bottle in her hand, smiling at her child, but ruddy from the fluster. Emily reached her hands out to meet her mother.

"Thank you so much, I owe you one!"

"No, don't be silly, the pleasure was all ours! Beautiful this one!" Rachel said as her husband handed back Emily. The pilot appeared over the intercom as the woman settled down, preparing for take-off. Once in the air, Rachel pulled the armrest up, and snuggled into Mike, and they chose a film to watch. Mike's vote of Top Gun got shot down, so they settled on The Breakfast Club. Plugging in the headphones, they set in for the journey ahead.

This, was their adventure.