The Mighty Storm (Raura Revised)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"I haven't eaten."

"Cool. So what do you fancy – in or out?"

His eyes linger on mine again. A shiver erupts deep inside me.

"In," he finally says. His voice sounds a little gruff, I notice. "We can order up room service and watch TV."

"Sounds perfect," I smile, as Ross reaches for the TV remote handing it to me, he picks up the room service menu and I climb onto the sofa beside him.

It's 7am and I'm in the car with Ross going to the airport to collect my folks. I'm practically bouncing around in my seat with excitement. It's been nearly two months since I last saw them.

"You look like you've got ants in your pants," Ross chuckles.

"Sorry! I'm just really looking forward to seeing them," I beam. "And my dad is gonna be so stoked to see that you've come to pick them up with me."

"He won't be," he slides me an amused glance.

"Yes he will. He always thought of you as the son he never had and I know he's looking forward to seeing you again."

Stopping at the lights, Ross looks across at me. This look intense, meaningful. "Billy didn't need a son, Laura. He got everything in you."

I gulp down.

"But he was the closest thing I ever had to a dad," he adds.

Without thinking, I reach over and caress his cheek lovingly.

Ross looks at me surprised, instantly tensing under my touch.

Coming to, I take my hand back, my cheeks heating. I sit face forward. My heart is pumping hard in my chest.

I can't believe I just did that.

We're silent for a moment. And I'm sitting here squirming in my seat at the act of intimacy I just showed to Ross.

"Laur...," he begins, voice soft.

A horn beeps behind us making me jump, and I look up to see the light is on green. Ross shifts the car into drive, never finishing his sentence.

Ross pulls the car up into a waiting bay outside the airport, and I climb out to go and meet my folks.

Walking into the airport, I check the board for arrivals. Seeing their flight has already landed, I head straight over to the arrivals gate.

I'm only waiting five minutes when I see the familiar faces of my mum and dad.

"Daddy!" I cry out, jogging over to him, I launch myself into his arms.

"Hey, baby girl." He squeezes me tightly.

I feel a sudden lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes.

"Mama," I smile hugging her.

"My beautiful girl," she says taking my face into her hands, she kisses my cheek. "You look well ... happy."

"I am happy, because you both are here." I put my arm through hers; resting my head against her shoulder we start to walk, following my dad pulling their case along.

"The car is just over there, dad." I point to the left at Ross' rented Mercedes.

My dad turns back, eyebrow raised. "You're driving a Merc?"

"Not me silly," I giggle. "I got a ride here."

I was going to tell them Ross was in the car, but I think it will be a nice surprise for my dad when he sees him.