Luke sat on the plane alone, loomed with curiosity and excitement. The desolate vehicle was coming to a halt as it rolled against the smooth runway. Before too long, the 27 year old was off of the flying mechanism and collecting his rather small suitcase. He was away for a month, but he left his clothes at his family's house. While he dragged the luggage across the tiled flooring, he clicked his phone on, only to be bombarded with snapchats and texts from multiple people. None from his partner yet. An impatient sigh escaped his lips, but he walked out of the luggage collection area with a low head and a hand gripping his backpack. Approaching a nearby coffee bar, Luke ordered a regular latte, while still clicking his phone on and off, desperately hoping he would receive one text from him. After paying the money and thanking the server who put up with his awkwardness, Luke checked his phone once more. One message popped up. One two-lettered message gleamed on his screen, received at 02:23AM.
Nick
'I'm here.'
Luke was no longer feeling impatient. Nay, he felt eager and happy to see him. Luke grabbed his suitcase in one hand with his latte in the other and rushed out the automatic doors from the airport, looking around the countless cars to spot the blue pick-up truck which Nick owned. After being disappointed with not spotting him, Luke walked over to sit on the bench beside the door, only then realising that it was occupied by a man. The man. The man Luke was searching for. His icy blue eyes and burgundy hat were unmistakable features of Nick. With a gasp and a smile forming on his lips, Luke galloped over and stood before him, coughing to get his attention. Their eyes met, their eyes widened, their eyes recognised each other. Nick stood up in excitement and wrapped his arms around the shorter man. Luke returned the favour, closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of cheap cologne that only Nick could pull off. They whispered each others names and a sweet 'I missed you'. Luke pulled away and looked up to catch a glimpse of his partners face, before pecking him on the lips and cuddling into him once more. Without words, the two walked back to Nick's car and clambered in the front seats. One hand went on the wheel and the other gripped onto Luke's hand, his fingers brushing slightly on the engagement ring given to him mere months ago. They were reunited once again, both gleaming with utmost happiness from seeing the other's face.
"Is Clem at home?" Luke questioned, showing concern for his adopted daughter, to which Nick nodded and hummed in positivity to the R&B tune of The Weeknd's 'Can't Feel My Face'. Said humming turned into singing quietly, and soon enough, the couple were blaring it out with passion and humour. It was a sheer half-hour drive back to the house, and when they reached the designated area, Luke felt his heart race when he thought of reclaiming his daughter and holding her closely again. One more quick kiss reached Nick's face before the latter flicked his keys out of the car and spun them until he found the house one, before twisting it quickly into the lock and opening the door. The young men pondered in, still smiling to each other when one of them looked over to the other. The first thing Luke did was place his suitcase in his bedroom and scurry to the other one, which held his daughter who was probably asleep. He cracked the door open, only to find that she was not asleep and was instead indulging in a good book with a small torch used to illuminate the detailed words. Her head peered up, and her face brightened up even more than the torch when she saw Luke's tired but happy face in the crack of her doorway.
"Dad!" Was all she yelled as she leapt out of the purple duvet and clambered over to him, engulfing him in a long awaited hug —which Luke returned gratefully, "Hey, kiddo. Why aren't you sleeping?" His voice was laced with comedic value, only to be met with a giggle from the 11-year-old and the slightest hint of a yawn.
"See, you're tired! C'mon, let's get you tucked up." Luke scooped up the small girl and returned her into her own luxurious bed - the partners had spoiled Clementine rotten since the day they'd adopted her at the young age of one - before sitting on the edge of it and shining the torch on his face. The daughter only sat upright in her bed, "Can we sing please, dad?" She asked, her voice still quite awake but her appearance faltered at this aura. Luke tutted, "We can sing in the morning, but right now you're going to lie down, think about which song we're going to sing, and imagine us singing it." He was good with kids, and he'd been begging Nick to adopt again since Clementine aged to 9 years old. The now-older girl let out a reluctant 'okay' and snuggled into her covers, closing her eyes with the ghost of a smile still left on her face, "Goodnight, kiddo." Luke pecked her head with his lips and flicked the torch off, but before he left, he could hear Clementine mutter a reply, "Love you, daddy." She was then out like the torch she previously used.
Luke really loved his family, and he wouldn't change them for the world.