The Best Is Yet To Come

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Can sat in his parked truck at the garage. He doesn't want to leave the comfort of his truck and face another hectic day. He's just exhausted. He's been working extra hard so he can keep his promise.

For the past two days, sleep has evaded him. He even started spending his nights at the hut again, in hopes of calming his mind. While developing the countless pictures he took in Athens helped ground his body, it did nothing for his mind. All it did was make him see reality all over again. He just wants Morpheus take him back to where he really wanted to be.

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Can looked down at his watch. 42 minutes before his plane leaves. He's already checked in his luggage. All he has to do now is wait and hope that they'll come.

Who is he kidding? He resigned himself to the truth. She's not coming. She would've been here already if she was. As he walked towards the gate to catch his flight, he heard the most beautiful voices he's ever heard in his life.

Orion and Violet ran towards him as fast as their little legs could carry them. He can finally breathe easier. Can scooped both of them up as best as he could. If he has to carry them the rest of the way to the plane, he will. He never wants to let them go. As he looked towards his wife, the hope he felt at their arrival came crashing down with a bang.

Sanem watched the three of them from a few feet away empty handed. There wasn't a single suitcase or at least a carry-on bag in her hands. He knew her answer. She finally made her decision about their relationship. Her pride had won.

Can couldn't help but look at his children. He knew they won't understand what's about to happen. He'd like to think that despite his lack of presence at the beginning of their lives, he's made an impact on it these past few weeks.

He couldn't help but hug them tighter and breathe their smell in as he is known to do with their mother. Anything to commit their presence into his subconscious to help ease the mounting pressure in his chest. Can tried his best to be optimistic while he explained why he's leaving and why they had to stay. But he promised to be back every single weekend. Istanbul isn't that far away after all. He would gladly sit on an uncomfortable plane every few days just to be with the three of them.

Violet accepted his explanation easily after he promised to bring her back a present. Orion, on the other hand, quickly grasped what it meant and had a meltdown in the middle of the airport. He tried his best to comfort his mini me until he really had no choice but leave to catch his flight. Orion is holding onto him for dear life and Can did the only thing he can think off. He took off his Albatross necklace and placed it around his son's neck.

Can handed his crying son over to his mother who had a guilty but determined look in her eyes. He bent down and kissed his son on his forehead and told him Baba loves him very much. Can carried his daughter back up in his arms, kissed the tip of her nose and was rewarded with a giggle. His little princess. He told her he'll Facetime them every night before bed. After all, he's been relegated as their favorite reader.

When he got to Sanem, he was lost for words. Despite her stubbornness, he loves her. He can't help it. She managed to rip his heart out over and over again. Yet, he still loves her. He could see the fear and apology written all over her face and he still wants to comfort her.

Can tucked her hair back under her ear. He relished the silkiness of it on his fingertips and kissed his wife with everything he had in him. He wanted sear his presence into her soul and make her think about the decision she made. If she loses a few days of sleep because of it, so be it. "Think about what you're doing to them".