Danielle stood at the curb in front of the Alaska Airlines terminal, her heart thundering in her chest. She felt like crying… again. But she willed the tears away. What would David think of her insanely emotional state? He was just going to California, two states away. And it was only for three months. It wasn't as though he was going to a different country. And they'd be in the same time zone. But her efforts at self-assurance were of no use. Deep down the anxiety, the fear, the uncertainty was still there.
She looked at her watch, surprised at how much time had passed. She'd arrived early, much earlier than the time that they'd agreed on. Fortunately Sea-Tac Airport's main terminal, while not the most comfortable place to be, had adequate seating which allowed her to pass the time by reading her Kindle. But after she'd read page after page of her latest e-book (a fascinating autobiography on one of her favorite singers), having no recollection of the words, she knew that it was hopeless.
She couldn't concentrate, couldn't think, and couldn't do anything without thinking of him. As she pictured his handsome face, the tears threatened once more and she quickly brushed them away.
Where was he? They should have been at the airport by now. She went outside and watched car after car, bus after bus, truck after truck, van after van and every kind of motorized vehicle imaginable as they zoomed past her. People got out of their vehicles and stood on the sidewalk in front of their respective airlines. Some were excited, some were crying, some were hugging, some and some were laughing, and kissing their loved ones. But she simply stood there, feeling more alone than she'd ever felt in her life.
"Oh David, where are you?"
She brushed away a few escaped tears, trying to ignore her thundering heart when she saw the charcoal grey Mercedes pull up to the curb. Relief flooded her and a few more tears escaped.
Dr. Crane climbed out of the car, followed by Mrs. Crane. Daphne (Mrs. Crane, as Danielle called her) was so beautiful and her accent was just heavenly. And David's father (Niles... what an interesting name. She'd never heard that name until she'd met David. And she was certain that it was a sign) was so handsome. She knew that she shouldn't think such things, but now she knew where David got his good looks. She wanted to get to know his family better. They were such kind and generous people and so very interesting. And she hoped that she'd have a chance to get to spend more time with them now that David was leaving.
Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him get out of the car. "David!"
With a quick nod to his parents, he went to her, engulfing her into his arms. "Hey…"
She clung to him, inhaling his clean scent, never wanting to let go. She hadn't wanted to cry but the relief of seeing him was so great that she could no longer help it.
"Where were you? I thought you'd left without me! I thought-."
He drew back and brushed the fallen locks of hair from her forehead and the tears from her cheeks. "Never, girl. I would never leave without a proper goodbye. How could you even think-."
She nodded, trying to keep the second round of threatening tears from falling. And from the expressions on his parents' faces, they were trying to hold in their emotions as well. The sight of his father's tear-filled eyes, whom David said almost never cried, almost broke her in two.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, holding the man she loved a little tighter. "I'm just-."
"David, you should probably get checked in."
David turned and smiled at Dr. Crane. "Already done, Dad."
At his father's confusion, David smiled, reaching into his carry-on bag where he produced a piece of paper. "I went online last night and printed up my boarding pass to save us time. I can just go directly to security without waiting in those huge lines at the ticket counter."
David's father opened his arms and hugged him. "My son.. Always prepared."
When the brief hug ended, the four of them stood awkwardly at the curbside.
"I guess I should get in there." David said. "The security line is probably pretty long and those TSA people take forever."
Dr. Crane nodded. "Right. Well, have a safe trip." The slight catch in his voice made Danielle's heart ache.
"I will, Dad."
"And call when you get there, okay? So that we know that you got there safely, all right?"
David smiled and nodded. "I will, Dad. I promise."
"All right then."
The two men embraced, bringing Danielle's tears dangerously close to the surface.
"My turn."
David's mother went to him, almost pushing his father out of the way in order to hug David tightly. She kissed his cheeks and then hugged him again. "I'm gonna miss you so much."
"I know Mum. I'll miss you, too."
"Promise you'll call."
"As soon as I land at the airport. I promise, Mum."
Mrs. Crane smiled at him and then touched his cheek. "I'm so proud of you. I-." She began to sob, prompting David to hug her once more.
"Don't cry, Mum. I love you too and I'm going to miss you both. That means you too, Dad."
Mrs. Crane dried her eyes with the handkerchief that his dad handed to her. And then David hugged his father again. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, David."
David hugged his mom once more. "I love you, Mum."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
When the hug ended, Dr. Crane looked at Daphne and then at David and Danielle. "We'll give you two some privacy."
Danielle tried to smile but the effort was minimal. "Thanks, Dr. Crane, Mrs. Crane."
When his parents moved away to give them their promised privacy, she turned to the man she loved. But one look into his brownish-blue eyes and she burst into tears.
David took her into his arms at once and she cried against his chest. "Come back to me." She sobbed.
He drew back, brushing the tears from her cheeks. "You know I will."
"I-."
"I may be in San Francisco, but my heart is with you. Always."
She sniffled as more tears fell. "Oh David…"
"Oh, don't cry. Please. We won't be apart for that long. You're flying out to San Francisco in two weeks. That will give me time to settle in. And you'll finally get to meet my
Uncle Frasier and Aunt Charlotte." She smiled. "I can't wait. I feel like I know them already."
"I love you, girl."
"I love you too."
He drew her close for a kiss that she wouldn't soon forget. And then he grabbed his luggage and headed into the main terminal, turning at the sliding doors and blew her a kiss.
She smiled and waved back, suddenly aware of the hands on her shoulders. His parents were standing on either side of her, watching their son disappear into the terminal.
And when he disappeared from sight, she turned to find herself in the arms of his parents. The three of them cried for the man who was leaving them.
She knew that she'd see David in a few weeks. But it seemed like a lifetime away.