A/N Sorry, it's a short one today! Enjoy!


It had all come down to this. Emily was standing in line at the JetBlue desk, checking in for her flight across the country. Cal watched her from afar as she checked her bags and got her boarding pass. Gillian wrapped herself around Cal's arm, offering whatever comfort she could to him. Standing about six feet away, completely ignoring Cal and Gillian, Zoe was standing in her grey pantsuit and talking on her cell phone. Truthfully, she was yelling on her cell phone. Any passerby wouldn't have a clue that the two groups were even together, saying goodbye to the same person.

Emily walked over to the odd group, boarding pass in her hand. She had on a pair of black yoga pants and a white, loosely fitting t-shirt. Her hair was up in a bun on the top of her head. When her Dad had asked her why she hadn't dressed up more for her flight, she told him it was going to be a long flight, and she wanted to be as comfortable as possible.

"What, you don't want to look nice for Jessica?" Cal had asked.

Emily had rolled her eyes. "Dad, you do realize that this is what college students wear, right?" Gillian had nodded, confirming this statement, and Cal had dropped the issue.

Emily tapped her Dad on the shoulder, he was staring off into space. "My flight leaves in about two hours, and it could take an hour to get through security. So I should go pretty soon."

Zoe walked over to join them. She placed her hand in the small of Emily's back. "All set, honey?" She asked.

Emily nodded. "Yes. And I've already shipped almost all of my things to Jessica's already, so I should be all ready to move in next week."

Zoe nodded, acknowledging Emily's answer. Emily hugged her mom quickly. "I love you mum, I'll text you when I land."

Zoe hugged her daughter tighter. "Okay honey." Gillian watched a tear fall into Emily's shoulder. They pulled apart, and Zoe turned to address Cal and Gillian. "So, will I see you two for thanksgiving again, or will you be too busy with wedding plans?"

Gillian wrapped her arms tighter around Cal's arm. "We wouldn't miss it." She answered.

Zoe nodded. "Okay. See you all then. I really have to get to work. I'm sure you will make it to your flight okay." She stated to Emily, and Emily nodded.

"Yes, Mom, I'll be fine. Just go to work, you don't need to lose your job because of me!" She hugged Zoe again. "I love you. I'll talk to you soon." With that, Zoe turned away and left, but Gillian could see her wiping away the tears.

"I'm walking up to security with you." Cal announced.

"Dad, you know you can't go through with me." Emily said.

Cal nodded. "Yes, but I can stay in line with you up until they ask for a boarding pass." Emily and Gillian laughed. "I'm just not ready to say goodbye yet." Cal said sheepishly.

Emily gathered her Dad into a big hug. "Okay." She agreed into his ear. The three of them walked over to the security line and waited. Emily handed her phone to Cal. "Can you take a picture of me in my outfit? I want Jessica to know what I am wearing today, so it's easier to spot me!" Cal nodded, and took a few pictures of her, some serious, some silly. He gave the phone back. She hugged him again, and they held on to each other through half of the line, in awkward silence. Neither one of them wanted to say goodbye, and they both stayed quiet, afraid of crying, and just enjoying each other for as long as possible.

Gillian thought it was nice to see Cal like this. For the tough façade he always put up around everyone else, he was such a teddy bear when it came to his daughter. Gillian snapped a few candids while they weren't paying attention. They waited until they were three away from the TSA agent, and Emily turned suddenly toward Gillian. She wrapped Gillian in one of the largest hugs she had ever given the woman, and Gillian embraced her back just as hard. "You take care of Dad, okay?" Gillian laughed and held back her tears. "No, I'm serious. I've been telling him for years that he's lost without me, and we both know it's true, so you have to keep an eye on him!" Gillian laughed harder.

"Keep an eye on yourself." Gillian finally answered. She kissed the teen's cheek. Cal and Gillian stepped out of line, and Emily passed through the checkpoint alone. They watched her put her carry-on on the belt, and take off her shoes. She turned around and waved one last time, and walked through the metal detector, disappearing in front of them.

Gillian knew Cal would never cry in front of his daughter. She also knew now that Emily was gone, he would be inconsolable. She reached out for him and embraced him. He cried silently into her shoulder while she rubbed his back. She held back her own tears, staying strong for him. She had known Emily for around ten years, and she was torn up inside about her leaving. She could only imagine what Cal was going through, watching his baby leave for college without him.

They stayed in this position for a good five minutes before moving, Cal finally lifting his head from Gillian's shoulders. He took her hand and they walked toward the car together. As usual, Cal opened the passenger side door, and was surprised to see Gillian hopping in the driver's seat. "You're upset, so I'm driving home." Cal opened his mouth, but Gillian interrupted him. "No arguing. I can get us home." He knew there was no arguing with her once her mind was made up, so he sat down in the passenger seat, and held his tongue. Gillian turned the radio to music he would like, and started to drive.

Cal stayed glued to his phone for most of the trip. Gillian heard it going off again and again. "You do realize that once she's in the air, she won't be able to answer you, right?" Gillian teased. Cal stuck his tongue out at her, in true Emily fashion.

"I just don't want her to forget me." He finally answered after a long silence.

"Cal. You realize how ridiculous that sounds? How could she forget you, you raised her for eighteen years." He nodded silently. Gillian understood that he couldn't be reasoned with today. "I'll tell you what. When we get home, we can make a paper chain counting down the days until she comes home. Sound good?" She teased him some more, and he grinned from ear to ear.

"Alright luv, let's go home."