The next few days pass by quickly, as Tinsley is busy making the arrangements for her trip, mostly the paperwork aspects of it. She has her passport ready to go, even with such short notice of the trip, thanks to some of Butler's connections. She has announced her last day at school, and is doing her best to keep smiling, but the full weight of her decision to move to America is starting to sink in.
Artemis keeps telling himself the right time will present itself for him to tell her his feelings regarding her relocating to America. He spends most of his time locked in the study, even more so than usual, trying to distance himself from her, but still, a part of him hopes that somehow, in some way, the perfect time to tell Tinsley he likes her and wants her to stay will come. Naturally, it doesn't, and all too soon, its Saturday, the day Tinsley is leaving and he can't put off the inevitable any longer.
Angeline and Artemis Senior say their goodbyes at breakfast.
"I hope you enjoy America, please do keep in touch." Angeline says.
"Its been nice having you here." Artemis Senior adds politely.
Beckett waddles over and hugs her leg. "My fiancee!" he cries.
Myles gives him a look at disgust at the waterworks (he's long since convinced himself he's too old to cry). "Simple-toon."
He says this, but he has tears in his eyes as well.
Tinsley scoops them up in a group hug. "I'll miss you guys."
She looks warmly at all the members of the family seated at the table. "Thank you, for everything."
Artemis can't even find the words goodbye, perhaps subconsciously he's convinced himself if he doesn't say goodbye then she can't really leave. Of course this isn't the case and half an hour later she's pulling out of the estate's driveway.
Artemis rereads the poem Tinsley had written him over and over. Tinsley left half an hour ago, and he is feeling worse by the minute. As if knowing his situation, Holly calls him on his communicator. He picks up on the first ring.
"She's gone, Holly." He says before she can even get in a hello.
"What?" Holly nearly chokes on her lunch. He hears her mumble something along the lines of 'excuse me, I have to talk to him, I'll be back in a second Trouble..'"
When her full attention is focused on Artemis, its not pleasant. "What do you mean? You were supposed to convince her to stay!"
"I tried, but she is set on the dance academy." Artemis explains.
"Oh man, this has gone too far!" Holly says softly.
"What was that?" Artemis couldn't quite catch it.
"Nothing. Listen Artemis, you need to get to the airport now. Its your last chance. I know you'll regret this later. Besides, I'm on the next chute up right now, so I'll probably get to the airport before you even get there, and so help me, if you are not there, you are going to become the guinea pig for your own brain probe experiment, and I will set it on honesty, so you will tell her everything one way or the other, got it?"
"You don't know the code." Artemis points out, growing slightly pale.
"I have other ways, so get going before you have to regret it!"
Artemis already has been regretting it, that's the reason Tinsley's sad excuse of a poem has yet to leave his fingertips since she left.
"Thanks, Captain." He says. He finds the courage he'd had when he first read Tinsley's poem returning. So what if trying to make Tinsley stay is a selfish move, he reminds himself, he's a criminal, and he didn't get his fortune caring about what's best for other people. Not that it even matters, if Tinsley stays, he'll make sure its because it is the right choice for her. Her aunt isn't the only one capable of providing auditions for prestigious dance academies.
"Why are you still on the phone with me? Go!"
Butler already has the car ready to go, having fully expected Artemis would want to chase after Tinsley. Not even a minute later Artemis is on the familiar road to the airport, and the car can't go fast enough.
Tinsley doesn't remember packing such a heavy suitcase as she rolls her luggage along the floor to her gate where she is supposed to meet her aunt. She finds her aunt examining herself in a compact mirror, and applying a bright ruby red lipstick that doesn't go well with her pasty skin.
Aunt Farrah is so absorbed in fixing herself up she doesn't even notice Tinsley sit beside her. When she does, its with the biggest wide-eyed-surprised look she's ever witnessed. Not just shock from being startled, but, and maybe its Tinsley's imagination, as if she wasn't expecting her to be here.
"You're here." Aunt Farrah says. "I didn't think it was supposed to go this far."
"I'm not sure what you mean." Tinsley says, but she feels this confirms her suspicions. For whatever reason, it appears her aunt hadn't even been expecting her to show up today for the flight to America.