No matter how badly he wanted to...Kelly couldn't stop time. And all too soon it was time for them to say good-bye to Mikayla.
The last month or so had been a non-stop roller coaster ride of emotions...starting the moment he had found her pawing through the garbage looking for something to eat. He never imagined that it was possible to fall so completely in love in absolutely no time flat. But that's what had happened. He was gone...hook, line and sinker...before he ever bought her the second cookie.
As much as he hated to admit it, Aunt Jo was the best thing for the munchkin. She was caring and nurturing...and even though she didn't have kids herself, she had a ton of experience...a damn sight more than him and Shay.
Jo was absolutely all for them staying in touch and visiting. She recognized what a strong bond Mikayla had developed with them in the short time they had known each other.
Now all the paper work was complete...all the "i's" dotted, all the "t's" crossed...and the ink was dry on the papers.
And they were standing in the terminal at O'Hare. Mikayla had her new pink back-pack with the wheels on the bottom that Kelly had bought for her and stuffed with coloring books and dot-to-dot books...stories...sticker books...Polly Pockets...and anything else he could cram in there to entertain the munchkin on a four hour plane ride.
They were standing at the window watching the planes out on the tarmac...watching the luggage being loaded into the cargo hold.
Kelly was dreading the moment he'd have to let go of Mikayla's little hand.
"Kelly?" she asked. "Did you ever go on a air-pwane 'fore?"
"Yeah..." he answered. "Lot's a times...why?"
"I never goed on a air-pwane." she said.
"You'll like it...trust me." he said. "Just make sure you chew some gum when it's time to take off."
"I don' gots no gum..."
"Sure you do." he told her. "I put a bunch in the front pocket of your bag."
He squeezed her hand to get her to look up...and he smiled at her.
"I got your back, Munchkin."
"Attention, passengers. United Flight 231, with non-stop service from Chicago to Denver...then continuing on to Portland is now boarding. At this time we'd like to invite parties with small children and those who might need a few extra minutes to get settled to board now."
This was the moment he had been dreading all week long.
"Mikayla...it's time to go, Sweetie." Aunt Jo said gently. "We need to say good-bye to Kelly and Leslie..."
Mikayla let go of Kelly's hand and ran over to Shay.
The little girl wrapped her arms around Leslie's legs and squeezed her tight.
"Bye-bye Wes-wee..." she said, her voice quivering. "I wuv you..."
Shay squeezed her eyes shut for a long moment, willing herself not to cry.
She disentangled herself from Mikayla's grip so she could get down to the munchkin's level.
"Bye, Mikayla...I'm gonna miss you...so much."
"I wuv you..." Mikayla said again.
"I love you too, Sweetie. I'll always love you."
Reluctantly, she released the little girl...so Kelly could say his good-byes.
He dropped to his knees in front of his little munchkin. And he reached into his jacket pocket and took out the little Matchbox Squad.
"You remember what this is, Munchkin?" he asked.
Mikayla nodded.
"It's your fire truck you ride in."
"That's right...you take it with you...okay?" he said.
"You don' need it?" she asked.
Kelly chuckled...and swallowed hard.
He was about two seconds from completely losing it.
"I've got a big one, Silly..." he said.
Then he reached into his other pocket...and pulled out the Jitterbug phone the Garcia's had bought. The one she had insisted have his number programmed in as "home".
"And you remember how to use this, right?" he asked.
Again, the little girl nodded.
"Well, you remember to call "home" every day...okay?"
Mikayla nodded one last time...her big blue eyes filling up with tears...her lower lip trembling as she launched herself at Kelly...throwing her arms around his neck.
"I wuv you Kelly..." she said. "You're my bestest friend in da whole world..."
Kelly felt the hot tears running down his own face.
"I love you too, Munchkin..." he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I love you too."
Aunt Jo gently pried Mikayla away from him...and Kelly slowly got to his feet.
Taking the little girl by the hand, Jo led her toward the door that led to the tunnel...to the plane that would carry her far, far away.
Mikayla looked back over her shoulder one last time...and Kelly waved to her...and then she was gone.
Kelly wiped the tears from his face, and threw his arm around Leslie's shoulders. She was crying unashamedly.
Leslie wrapped her arms around her best friend...and together they walked from the terminal toward the parking garage.