The Pilot And The Dreamer

Chapter 31

"Guys?" I ask. Bentley hugs me before introducing me to his wife.

"Hazel, Noah, this is my wife, Holly." Bentley says. She's a beautiful lady, with strawberry hair, and someone who I feel that I can trust.

"Nice to meet you Holly." I say, holding my hand out, which she takes. Noah does the same.

"Likewise." She says in a midwestern accent. Natalie grabs my arm and pulls me away from Noah while Peter does the same to him. Natalie pulls me into the bathroom.

"Natalie?" I say. I turn around to see a white box, that is strikingly similar to the one from Florida. She's holding it and I look at her.

"I promise, it won't bite." She says so I take the ribbon off and open the box. It's the red dress from the dinner with my mother.

"Nat, how did you get this?" I ask, when a letter falls out. I pick it up to open it.

'My dear, Hazel,

I'm so sorry for the terrible way I acted towards you. You did not deserve that and I understand if you want to disown

Carolyn called me crying, saying the authorities arrested Nathan. I rushed over to her house to find that Nathan spilled his guts, that the only reason he turned me against you was so you can get back with Logan.

I'm sorry that I did not see that coming, but I hope that we can move on from this.

Love,

Your mom.'

I feel tears slip down my face as Natalie holds me.

"She..she, I don't understand."

"It's okay. You don't need to process it now. Let's get you ready." I nod and I put my dress on, followed by the shoes. She does my makeup to cover up the tear stains, and then does my hair. "You look like a million bucks." I smile because what's different about this time was I was not under scrutiny from my mother and I see a slight blush on my face. Natalie opens the door and I step out and standing in the kitchen was Noah, dressed in a charcoal grey three-piece suit, complete with the pants and jacket, and also wearing a white shirt underneath and a striped tie. He looks me up and down before smiling.

"Hazel, you are the most gorgeous woman I have ever met." He whispers, walking up to me to hold out his elbow.

"You look handsome, Noah." I say, taking his elbow and he leads me to the table and pulls out my chair. I thank him and he nods, taking a seat next to me. Natalie is sitting to my right, then Peter, Bentley, and Holly. There is champagne on the table in an ice bucket, lemon parmesan chicken, cheese garlic bread, and bacon avocado caesar salad. Peter holds up his glass after we fill them and we follow suit.

"To best friends, significant others, and new friends." We clink our glasses before we plate our dinner.

"This is delicious." I say, after swallowing. "Thank you Natalie."

"This was all Holly's doing." She says and I look to see Holly, blushing.

"It's no problem at all." Holly replies, before we finish our meal and I help clear the table. I put the food away in containers and go to wash dishes when Holly comes up next to me. "I believe Bentley told you about me." I pause, holding the plate in my hands. "It's fine if he did. He only would do it if it was to help someone." I look at her to see sympathy in her eyes. I put the dish down and move towards the barstools to sit down, Holly following my lead. She grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses, pouring a glass for each of us.

"We just got back from Florida when Noah had to move to the cockpit to figure out what happened with the plane. We had a layover and Noah, using his airline power was able to get us seats together in first class. I boarded and took my seat, but was sad when Noah walked to the seat behind me and Bentley took a seat next to me. We made small talk and I can tell Noah was not happy. When I came back from the bathroom, Noah and Bentley were talking about football. We got off the plane and met at the baggage claim before saying goodbye to everyone, but he gave me a note." I walk over to my purse and pull it out, giving it to Holly to read.

"He's always had a heart of gold." She says, putting the letter down. "If he saw something, he usually speaks his mind. That's what I love about him, and with my past history, he wanted to be the best man that I deserved." She looks over at Peter, Noah, and Bentley out on the balcony. Noah looks over and catches me looking at him, sends a wink my way. My heart flutters and I look down at the table. I hear Holly chuckling and I look at her.

"What?" I say, giggling.

"You're in love with the man." She says, placing her hand over mine. "Don't let the past hurt the best thing to ever happen to you." She says just as the balcony door opens and the guys walk in, Noah walking towards me to wrap an arm around my shoulders.

"Everything okay, sweetheart?" He asks and Holly sends a knowing look my way and I roll my eyes. We hear music coming from the living room and Peter asks Natalie for a dance and Bentley follows suit. Noah holds his hand out and I take it as he leads me to the floor. I lay my hand on his shoulder just as I hold my hand in his and we dance to the music. "Talk to me, Hazel?"

"Holly was just explaining herself on Bentley's behalf." I lay my head on his chest. "He's not afraid to speak his mind."

"Ironically, Bentley told me to show you my love in everything I do." I look up at him to see him already looking at me. I grab his face and gently bring his lips to mine, his grip tightening around my waist.

"Okay lovebirds, I can feel the tension." Peter says, chuckling and Noah lets me go reluctantly.

"Is my apartment safe?" I whisper and he nods before I look to Bentley and Holly to give them each a hug. "Thank you, both of you. I have no idea how I could ever repay you." They both look at each other before grinning and turning back to me.

"Invite us to the wedding." I look at them wide-eyed but they just have a serious facial expression.

"Oh uh.... you guys are kidding. We will see about that." I reply as we exchange contact information and I hug them again before leaving with Noah back to my apartment. We lock the front door and walk to the bedroom and I stop in the doorway.

"Hazel?" Noah asks.

"Sorry, just a little nervous since it was invaded." Noah comes up to me and holds my arms.

"You caught him and he's not gonna hurt anyone for a long, long time." He says and I nod, letting him lead me into the room, but I turn the webcam around just in case. We curl up, letting my head fall onto his arm. "I love you Hazel Greene." I turn to face him with the biggest smile on my face.

"I love you too, my airline pilot."