"This is the final call for flight 517 to Washington. Final call for flight 517."
The prickly feeling of dread mixed with disappointment rose from her toes all the way to her head. She took a stuttering breath. "He's really not coming, is he?"
The sadness in her whisper was enough to break Lanie's heart. "Honey…"
"No, I mean…" Kate wiped her eye and forced a blank face. "It's okay, I get it, but…I just-"
"We all thought he'd be here." Espo put his hand on her shoulder and jostled her a bit, Ryan close behind.
"It's okay." Kate pulled Espo into a hug. "I'm gonna miss you guys so much."
"It's only a year."
"Yeah." She sniffed, shaking her hair back and smiling at them. "Yeah, I know it is. It's just going to be so different."
She was still looking over their shoulders towards the huge doors that led outside.
"Honey…" Lanie said. "You gotta go."
"Yeah, let's do it." She gave each of the boys a hug, whispering thanks and a quiet 'see you soon', because 'goodbye' was just too damn hard.
Lanie put her hands on Kate's shoulders and regarded her for a moment, seeing the heartbreak that was swirling around in her eyes, waiting to break free the moment she boarded her plane. "Sweetie…"
"We were just getting started," she said into Lanie's ear. "And it's over before any-"
"It's not over," Lanie said firmly. "Don't you say that. You can't feel the way you do about him and then say it's over. Not an option. You guys are forever, even if there are hiccups on the way."
"This is one hell of a hiccup then. He's not coming. The fact that I love him and he loves me doesn't change that. There is no 'forever'. It's done."
Lanie shook her head, pulling back; hearing the brokenness in her friend's voice was enough to tell her that Kate didn't believe her own words. How could you have a relationship that was so full of love and laughter and ridiculously cute moments and believe that it was over after one big argument? "You call me as soon as you land. And you let us know how everything is going and what's happening or I'm on the first flight out there. And you know that means sticking the boys with Perlmutter."
Kate actually laughed at that. "Bye, Lanie." And with that, she handed her boarding pass to the flight attendant, and walked through the doors.
The three of them watched the doors close, before turning to leave.
Richard Castle was running towards them, out of breath, and a little blue velvet box in his hand.
You sure left your mark,
And we were just getting started.
It wasn't long enough,
It wasn't long enough together.
But it was long enough,
Yeah it was long enough
To last forever.
- Forever, Rascal Flatts