The Girl With The Nasa Bomber Jacket

April 2021 - Derry, Ireland

Tom was sitting at Vee's parents' dinner table, not exactly feeling at ease next to her father. Not that the guy had ever acted like he didn't approved his daughter's choice to live with him but...he was massive and intimidating! He was a stern dude, not that much of a talker. He always looked like he was deep in his thoughts and Tom felt like bothering him would be a bad idea. So they never really interact with each other.

It was a different story with Arlene, Vee's mum. She had immediately adopted him and he felt at ease with her. She would do the talking for both her husband and herself. The pair was a perfect example of opposite attraction!

The four of them, Tom, Vee and her parents, were gathered around a big homemade birthday cake after a delicious family dinner. Vee was turning 25! She had planned a party next week end with her friends but Tom's agenda wouldn't allow him to attend it. And he wanted to be with her on D-day anyway, so there he was.

Vee was shooting on the Atlantic coast of Ireland at the moment and she had flew home after her day of work. She had a day off after that and Tom had planned a little surprise for her, with her mum's complicity. She had already opened her parents' gift before blowing her candles: a complete set of dishware that made Vee surprisingly happy. But then Tom understood it was kind of a family tradition when one child was living the nest to go on his own. He had been living in Tom's apartment for a few years now but they were about to buy a place together.

They were still searching for their future house, mostly because they hadn't made up their mind on where they wanted to live. A lovely Irish house was top of the list right now, followed closely by another one on the Pacific coast near LA...!

Tom looked at the clock and glanced at Arlene. She winked at him and walked outside of the room. It was time to give his present!

─ Can I talk to you outside for a moment, Tom asked Vee.

─ Yeah, sure, she smiled.

She got up and put a little peck on her father's cheek before heading to the entrance. Tom followed her after discreetly saying goodbye to him. He thought he saw the man winking at him but that seemed weird, coming from him...

Arlene innocently handed Vee her NASA jacket with a motherly "Put this on, it's not that warm out there". Tom waved her goodbye as he grabbed a paper bag he had strategically placed by the door. When they were both outside - and Tom knew her parents were watching through the window - he took out a letter from the bag and handed it to Vee.

─ What is it, she asked.

─ It's you present, he smirked while moving behind her.

She opened the letter and even though he couldn't see her face, he could imagine her puzzled look.

─ It says "You're about to be kidnapped" ?

Tom chuckled a bit while taking a scarf from the bag that he knotted before her eyes.

─ What the- Tom? What are you doing?

─ I am kidnaping you, darling! Please don't resist 'cause I don't wanna tie you in the car.

─ What?!

She turned over to him and tried to remove the scarf from her eyes.

─ Just...please, play along, Tom said taking her hands.

─ Where are you taking me, she whined.

─ It's a surprise, love. Or else I wouldn't have to blindfold you...Or to put these on, he added putting a headphone over her ears.

─ Really? Is this all necessary?

─ Yes. Now I'm gonna put some music on so you can't hear anything.