The Ride that Awoke Me from My Slumber

Disclaimer: I don't own Skins.

Chapter 1

Naomi POV

As I entered the first-class section of the plane, I noticed that my seat was right up in the front. Ugh…I hate right next to the lavatories…everyone strolls in an out from them! Looking around, I see people around me filling up the remaining seats. But there is one empty seat towards the back here…um, next to a young woman and her baby! Oh God! But weighing the options, I think sitting at the back, right next to a baby who will surely cry, is far better than sitting next to the lavatories. At least, I hope so! Okay, here I go…

"Excuse me Miss…I have the uncomfortable seat right upfront, and if you don't mind, could I please sit here?"

"Oh, um sure!"
Looking at her baby again, she said, "Are you sure you won't mind it here, with us, I mean?

I laugh and say, "No, no…I'm sure it'll be better with you guys than the old, fat, greasy twat I'm supposed to be sitting with instead"

She giggles, and gestures for me to take the seat next to her.

After settling down, and putting my laptop bag away safely, I introduce myself to her. "I'm Naomi Campbell"

She bursts out laughing, and after glancing at my face for signs of joking, she abruptly stops, and says, "Oh shit! You're not joking, are you? Hell! I'm so sorry…I just…didn't realize!"

I laugh, and tell her it's okay, and that it's not the first time that I've had people laughing at my name.

"Again, I'm very sorry. Anyways, I'm Emily. Emily Fitch."

"Emily…it's nice to meet you! And care to introduce me to your daughter?"

"Oh yeah sure…her name's Elizabeth."

I look carefully at the baby in her arms, and I cannot help but fall in love with her! Oh my god…this can't be possible. I am Naomi Campbell, and I do not do love. But, oh my, her eyes…so beautiful and mesmerizing! Oh stop, for God's sake…I can't melt! I had thought that I'll have to put up with an unpleasant baby, but I can't imagine any baby to be unpleasant after seeing Elizabeth.

Between the battle of my stubborn mind, and my melting heart, I ask Emily, "Can I hold her? Please? She is just so exquisite!"

Emily laughs, and hands her over.

Elizabeth's pretty little blue eyes stare into my blue ones, and I can't help hugging her. And then, what do I hear? Her laugh. Shit, it is the best sound I've ever heard. So innocent. And before I can stop myself, I ask Emily, "Can I please call her 'Eli'?"

She laughs, and exclaims, "I see…she's already got you wrapped around her finger! Yeah sure, as you like."

I smile, and look down at Eli, who is, presently, making a gurgling sound, and is moving her arms around as if she wants to hold onto my neck. I lift her up a bit, so that she is more comfortable, and then, she sighs comfortably. She has, very loosely, wrapped her arms around my neck, and fallen into deep slumber. Observing her features carefully, I see her light brown hair falling over her eyes, and her cute little nose twitching a bit. And her mouth, oh my, she is so cute…she sleeps with her mouth open!

My revelling in her beauty comes to an abrupt stop when I hear, "Oh shit…I'm so sorry she slept off on you. I'll take her." Emily has her arms extended towards me, so that she could take Eli, and I tell her that I have no plans of giving Eli back to her, at least not for the time being.

Emily is shocked, and then bursts out laughing. "I've never seen Elizabeth like that with anyone but me…not even her dad. She rarely sleeps in anyone's arms."

I let a smile grace my face, and ask Emily, "Where's your husband then? He doesn't seem to be around. Is he late or something?"

"No. Actually he's my boyfriend. David. He told me that this flight, and the one after this, had only one seat available each. And so, Elizabeth and I boarded this one, while he will board the one after this, which is in approximately an hour and a half. So it's okay, really. He asked me to go to the hotel, but I'll surprise him by waiting, so that we can go together."

Looking at Emily while she spoke, I could not ignore her beauty. Her red hair accentuated her pale complexion perfectly, while her rosy lips held my gaze until I heard, "Naomi…Naomi…you there?"

Regaining my composure, although it was pretty tough with her calling out my name so beautifully, I give her a tight smile. "Yeah I'm okay, sorry."

And before she could say something else, the pilot made the announcement that the plane was ready to take-off for Dubai. The airhostess hastily collected the glasses from our seats, which I had, surprisingly, not noticed before. I didn't even remember taking one!

Looking at the baby in my arms, and then at Emily, I sigh contently.

"Bon voyage to us"