A/N: 'Ello! I thought I'd come up with a new story. If not a lot of people read this or I get some not so nice or bad reviews, I'm pulling it and not posting anymore. This is basically a test.
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recongize from the movie 'Flightplan'. Everything else is mine. Hell, the title isn't even mine...I got it off a Sting album.
So without any further ado...it begins!
My husband, Rich, and I had loved planes and flight since we were both very young. I guess that's what attracted him to me in the first place. Rich and I had met in college and fell in love by graduation. He eventually became a pilot...I did, too, but I only had a private pilot's license; Rich had a commercial pilot's license.
A few years after we received our licenses, we were married. And we had one of those not-so-ordinary weddings. Our wedding was held on a commercial jet (not in the air, just sitting on the tarmac...it was a lot easier that way).
After we were married, in the States, we moved to England. Rich wanted to move back to his homeland, and I was willing to follow...I'd follow him to the ends of the earth, if I had to. It's not like I'd have a hard time seeing my family or anything. I could fly home whenever I wanted.
A little more than four years ago, we had our first (and possibly only) child; a baby boy we named James Liam. He looked so much like his father...except for his nose; that he got from me. His eyes, though, were a hazel type color; a mix between my light brown orbs and Rich's gray-green orbs. When James started talking well enough for us to understand him, we found that he had a slight accent because of listening to Rich (obviously).
When I found out I was pregnant, then gave birth to James, I had to stop flying for a time; which made me a little sad and irritated. But after I got the okay from my doctor to fly again, Rich didn't want me to fly. We got into a slight argument, but was settled when he suggested that I should try flight attending...that way, I could technically still fly. So I went from being a pilot to a flight attendant. The good thing about that was that I was able to stay home with James more, while Rich actually flew.
Every once in a while, Rich and I would be on the same flight. When that was the case, James would spend the time we were away at Rich's sister's house, who just happened to be James' favorite aunt. It was hard for me to leave him there, but I knew he was in good hands. Sharon (Rich's sister) had a son, named Cole, who was about a year and a half older than James, so he had someone to play with and entertain him.
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One night, I was sitting with James in a rocking chair in his room trying to get him to fall asleep. I was reading to him and by the end of the short book, I felt him fall asleep. Carefully, I set the book on the floor and carried James over to his bed. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead, then turned on his plane nightlight before turning off the main light to his room. Closing the door (leaving it only open a crack), I walked downstairs and into the sitting room, where Rich was reading his own book on the couch, and resting his back against the arm of the couch.
"Is he asleep?" Rich asked over his book, as I walked into the room.
"Finally, yes," I answered, sitting on the couch next to him and leaning against his chest.
Rich put an arm around my shoulders as I put a hand on his chest, under my head. Looking up at him, I grinned sleepily. He returned the grin, then leaned down and kissed me.
"Oh, what was the phone call?" I asked him after we parted.
I had heard the telephone ring while I was with James.
"Aalto," he said simply.
I pushed myself off his chest and stared at him, a worried look crossing my features.
"What? Rich, you just got back two days ago. And they want you to leave again?" I asked.
Rich closed his book and set it on the coffee table.
"I know, Jo. I don't like the idea anymore than you, but you get to come with me," he said softly, wrapping his arms around me, trapping me against him (my hand still on his chest).
"What are the details?" I asked, sighing.
"We leave at the end of the week for Germany."
At least that gave us five days at home yet.
"Three days after we get there, we're to take the E-474 to New York, then immediately come back home on a Boeing 747," he explained, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
"Less than a week. That's good," I said after a moment's hesitation.
"Very good," he agreed, then kissed my head.
I slid my hand out from between our bodies and turned slightly to rest my back against Rich's chest. His arms slid from around my shoulders, down to around my waist. My arms rested on top of his.
Staring off into the gated fireplace on the other side of the room (gated to protect James), I relaxed against my husband as my mind went wandering.
"So what do we do in Germany?" I finally asked.
"I was thinking about that," he replied. "Do you remember our friends from college, Dave and Bridgette?"
"Of course. They were married a few months before we were," I said, looking up at him.
"Yes. They now live in Germany because Bridgette wanted to return home..." he started.
"Like I did for you," I interrupted.
"Yes, and, lucky for us, they're in Berlin. I'll send them an e-mail in the morning to ask if we can stay with them while we're there."
"What a coincidence. And smart on your part," I grinned up at him, then my grin faltered. "And we have to call your sister."
"Yeah, that too," he sighed, tightening his embrace on me.
Rich knows I don't like to leave James...especially at such a young age. Come to think of it, I don't think Rich likes the idea any more than I do.
I looked back into the flames for a few more long moments.
"I need a drink. Do you want anything?" I asked, taking my arms away from Rich's.
"No, I'm okay, Love," he said smirking, using his pet name for me, and taking his arms off my waist.
"All right," I said softly, half-grinning at him, then kissed him.
Pushing myself off of Rich, I got off the couch and went into the kitchen. I took a small saucepan out of the cabinet next to the oven and put it on the stove, then went to the refrigerator to get the milk, then to the higher cabinet to get the cocoa powder and sugar. Putting the milk, sugar, and cocoa in the saucepan, I turned on the stove and heated the ingredients.
When my hot chocolate was as hot as I wanted it (without burning the milk), I carefully poured the beverage in my favorite mug.
After taking a sip, and nearly burning my tongue, I cleaned up the pan before taking my mug back into the sitting room. When I got back in the room, Rich was no longer on the couch...or in the room for that matter. I went over to the fireplace and sat on the ledge, warming my back. (It was a chilly night.) Crossing my legs on the floor, I held my mug in both hands. After staring into the drink for a moment, I took a sip, then set the mug on the ledge next to me.
Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees, then put my hands on the back of my head, pushing my chin to my chest lightly.
I knew I was being the 'mother bear' wanting to protect my 'cub', but I absolutely HATED leaving James so much. Sometimes, I'd think one day I'd come home and he wouldn't remember who I was. I also knew that it was ridiculous to think that way, since James was past the recognition stages of childhood.
"Joanna?"
I lifted my head to see Rich kneeling in front of me, concern clearly written across his face.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine...why?" I said, picking up my hot chocolate again, taking a sip.
"I called your name twice before you gave me a response," he said, putting his hands on my knees. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I answered, staring into the mug, and running my thumbs along the lip.
"Liar," he whispered.
When I looked up at him, he was grinning slightly. Rich, by now, knew when I was lying or upset by something...not that my body language wouldn't give that away.
"I'm sorry," I whispered back.
Rich stood up, then sat on the ledge next to me.
"You're worried about James, aren't you?" he asked.
"When am I not?" I countered.
"He's your son. You're supposed to worry about him, especially since he's still young yet. If you weren't worried, then I would be worried that you weren't," Rich said.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him looking at me. I took a sip of my cooling chocolate before I said anything.
"I know...am I being too over protective, though?" I asked, looking back at him.
"No, Love, not at all," he said with a smirk, then put a hand on my back, rubbing it in calming circles. He then leaned towards me and rested his forehead against mine.
Closing my eyes, I grinned slightly, then sighed.
"God, I love you, Rich," I said softly.
"And I you, Jo," he replied with a small chuckle.
When Rich leaned away from me, taking his hand off my back, he searched my eyes to make sure I was all right...something he knew how to search for. Once he saw I was okay, he tilted his head to kiss me fully.
After he pulled back, I lifted the mug to my lips, and drank deeply, savoring the taste.
"What did you make?" Rich asked, glancing at my mug.
"Hot chocolate. Want a taste?" I answered.
"I already have," he growled huskily, with that damn smirk of his.
I laughed a little, nodding to agree with him.
"Do you have any left?" he asked, pointing to the mug.
"Yes, I didn't drink it all...yet," I grinned, handing him the mug.
He took a drink, then handed the mug back to me. Looking in the mug, I saw there was just enough of the chocolate to cover the bottom of the mug.
"Thanks, Rich," I muttered, then downed what was left.
I set the empty mug on the ledge on the opposite side of me, then wrapped my arms around my body.
Rich slid closer to me and put his head on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around my waist. I brought my arms up to hold onto his opposite shoulder, then ran my hand through his short hair every now and then.
About ten minutes later, my back was getting really hot from the fire behind me. And I was getting tired; James and I were playing games in our backyard most of the day, and he had so much energy then.
"I think I'm going to head off to bed, hun. Your son wore me out today," I said, letting my arms slide from off his shoulder.
While my hand slid off, I curled my fingers to rake them across his back, sending a shiver through his body.
"He's your son, too," Rich said, lifting his head.
"Fine. Our son," I corrected, rolling my eyes with a half smirk.
As Rich slowly let his arms drop from around me, I picked up my mug so I could take it back to the kitchen. When he did let go of me, I stood and started to walk to the kitchen. Just before I completely left the room, I turned back to Rich.
"Who's your co-pilot, Captain?" I asked, biting my lip to keep from grinning too much.
Rich was named a captain a few years ago, almost a year before James was born. It was my pet name for him.
"Lars will be with me," he replied.
"For the whole circle of flight?" I asked.
"For the whole circle of flight," he answered.
"Oh, good. I can brush up on my German with him," I said more to myself, then turned and walked to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, I washed my mug, then set it on the rack to dry. I made sure everything was put away or clean before I left the room, then went back to the sitting room for a moment. Rich had moved from the fireplace ledge to the couch, taking up his book again.
"You coming?" I asked him, nodding towards our bedroom.
"Not yet. I'll be there in a few minutes," he replied.
"All right," I nodded, then made my way to our room.
I climbed the stairs and went down the hall, into our room, turning on the light on my nightstand. Taking my dark teal, silk-like pajamas (a birthday present from Rich last year) off the bed, I stripped down, then changed into the pants and camisole top. After chucking my dirty jeans and long-sleeved shirt in the laundry basket, I draped my matching teal, terry cloth robe over my shoulders. Tying the belt around my waist, I left the bedroom to check on James before I settled in for the night.
Slowly opening the door to James' room, I walked in, then closed the door just as slowly behind me. I went over to the side of his bed and looked down at him. I had to smile at James: he was sleeping on his back, his mouth hanging open like a fish, and his arms and legs were bent in every way possible.
His shaggy, dirty blonde hair had fallen into his eyes during his tossing and turning, so I reached a hand down and gently moved his hair to the side...he needed to get his hair cut. After I moved the unruly lock, James' mouth closed, and his brow furrowed. He then turned his head away from my touch, followed by the rest of his body, turning to his side.
Smiling a little wider, I then leaned down and kissed his head lightly. I had to pull my head back quickly, though, because his hand came up to swat me away...I swear he had a sixth sense to know when I kissed him sometimes.
I pulled his quilt higher up around his body, then turned to go back to my room. Pausing at the door, I turned my head and looked back at my little boy. He was sound asleep, and I just hoped he would be for the rest of the night. Turning back to the door, I opened it (slowly again), walked out, then closed the door just enough to not let any light into his room.
Walking the few feet down to my room, I untied the belt to my robe. When I reached the bedroom, I took off my robe, slinging it over the chair in the corner of the room. I then folded the sheets down and slid in. I turned out the light on my nightstand and got comfortable.
Hearing the floor creak downstairs, I knew Rich was on his way up. Several seconds later, he walked into the room, then closed the door before walking towards his side (the far side) of the bed. I heard the rustle of clothes, then the 'fomp' sound the clothes made as they went into the laundry basket. There was more clothing rustling as he put on a pair of pajama pants, then there was the soft padding of Rich's feet as he walked towards the bed. I heard him curse when I felt the bed shake slightly.
"Rich? Are you all right?" I asked, sitting up on my elbows.
"Yes, just stubbed my toe," he answered through clenched teeth.
I snorted softly, then brought a hand to my mouth to keep from laughing loudly at him.
"Did you just laugh at me?" he asked.
"No, of course not," I said, taking my hand away from my mouth, then let out a soft chuckle.
The next thing I knew, Rich had swiftly slid under the covers, then put his hands on either side of my body, making me fall back to the bed, and preventing me from going anywhere.
"You did laugh at me," he said, lowering his voice to a seductive tone.
"You caught me," I whispered, bringing my hands up to put them on his back...and he quite literally caught me.
I ran my fingers lightly up and down his back, making him shiver and moan softly.
"Jo, that tickles," he whispered, as his right arm gave way and he collapsed at my side.
"And you think I don't know this?" I asked, tilting my head to kiss him.
Yes, there were times when we acted like newlyweds, but that's what made our marriage fun.
"Mmm, you're warm," he said after our kiss, snuggling closer to me.
"Really? Because I'm chilly," I replied.
"Hmm, I can fix that," he whispered.
Before I could protest to what I thought he had in mind, his body was on top of mine.
"Jeez, Rich, you're crushing me," I gasped, jokingly...he was crushing me, though.
"Are you warmer?" he asked.
"I would be if I could breathe. And if you don't get off, I won't ever be warm because I'll be dead," I squeaked for emphases.
From the little light that came into our room, I could see him frown a little before he slid off of me. When he was at my side again, I took deep breaths to refill my lungs, then turned to face him.
"I thought you had something else in mind when you suggested to warm me up," I finally said, grinning.
"I was thinking about it, but you said James wore you out. I didn't want to pressure you," Rich answered.
"Thank you...if it's still cold, then tomorrow possibly," I smiled. "I am, however, still chilly."
I heard Rich give a low chuckle, as he threw an arm over my waist, rubbing my back to warm it up. He then slung a leg almost completely the whole length down my own, his hip practically on me.
"What about now?" he whispered.
"Better," I smiled.
"Good," he mumbled sleepily.
Before Rich fell asleep, I turned away from him, and adjusted the covers on both of us. He pulled me as close as he could against his body (his arm and leg still around me).
I felt my head sink into the pillow more when he picked up his head. I wondered what he was doing, but when his lips were on my shoulder, I wondered no more.
As his hand left my waist, trailing a path up to my bicep, I shivered, then tried to get even closer to him. He massaged my arm as he kissed from my shoulder to my neck. When he reached my neck, he nuzzled me, then rested his head back on the pillow, his face at the back of my neck. His arm moved from my shoulder back down to rest across my stomach.
"Good night, Love," he sighed against me.
"Good night, Captain," I replied, softly.
Now that we were settled in and comfortable, I could easily fall asleep...and I did just that a few minutes later.
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A few hours later (which really felt like a few minutes), I was woken up when a bright light reached my closed eyes. Groaning, I turned my head into the pillow until the light diminished, then turned my head back, opening my eyes.
"Mommy?"
It was James and he sounded scared. I sat up on my elbows, waking up Rich in the process, and saw my son standing near the door, clutching his stuffed bear, Zeke, close to his body.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" I asked him.
"I had a bad dream," he said quietly.
"Come here," I said, sitting up to rest my back against the headboard.
I held my arms out for him and he walked over to me. Lifting him up, I set him on my lap, wrapping my arms around his small frame; his head rested on my chest, as my head rested on top of his lightly. I looked over at Rich with a worried glance.
James was shaking in my arms, so I held onto him tighter, rubbing his arm and back. I brought my hand up to move his hair away from his eyes and forehead, again, then kissed his head.
"What did you dream about?" I asked, gently rocking him back and forth.
"Monsters were chasing me," he whimpered.
"Oh, don't worry. They won't get you," I said soothingly, rubbing circles on his back.
"How?"
"Because mummy and I will keep them away," Rich said, propped up on an elbow.
"How?"
"You'll be here with us, and we're going to protect you," I answered.
Rich slid over a little in order for James to lay down in between us.
I took my arms away from James so he could crawl under the covers, then I slid back down as well, also propped up on my elbow. My son laid on his back in between us, his bear next to Rich; I put my hand on his chest and rubbed it to calm him so he could sleep again.
Rich put his arm across James to rest on my hip, where his thumb massaged. I smirked at him, even though he probably couldn't see it.
"Close your eyes and go back to sleep, sweetie. We'll make sure the monsters don't get you," I said softly.
James nodded, closing his eyes.
I started humming a soothing song to help him relax and fall asleep faster. When I felt his breath steady after several minutes, I removed my hand from his chest, and dragged my finger slowly over his eyebrow...something my mother did to me when I was little.
When I was sure he was asleep, I put my head back on my pillow with a sigh.
Rich slid his hand up my body to cup my face. I brought my hand up to cover his, then turned my head to kiss his palm.
"This is why I don't like to leave him," I whispered to Rich.
"I know, Jo. I know."
His hand left my face, then slowly made its way back down to my waist, where he stretched a little more to lazily hang his arm.
After another long look at my son, then my husband, I closed my eyes and fell asleep again.
A/N: There you have it! First chapter is done! Let me know what you think, but please, be nice.
On a side note: was I one of the few to notice that Rich wears a wedding ring? Then there are these ficts out there involving him and Pratt...that's just not cool in my books. (No offense to anyone!)