"Finally!" He exclaimed bouncing up and down. "I mean. Man, now I'm pumped. Yeah. Why did it have to take so long?" He asked hugging Street with a laugh.
"Hey, I tried telling her lots of times and she…." Chris thumped his arm and Luca cut back in,
"Yeah, I know, I was just worried that she didn't own it and tell you." Luca laughed moving to them and hugging them both. "I am so friggin' happy for you two." As their hugs ceased and Streets eyes settled on Luca, he wanted to ask one thing.
"Are you sure you are okay with keeping this quiet? I mean until your both back and we can figure something out?" He asked looking at his roommate and friend.
"Man, of course I am. I wanna give you two clowns the best shot at this." Chris smiled and nodded at him, mouthing, thank you. Luca nodded back with a wink.
"Well, we best get you guys checked in now, I'm mean we've wasted enough of your spare time." Street continued.
"Listen, I'll go check in, find the gate and get settled. You two take all the time you need." Luca smiled.
Chris smiled back and looked at Street. Street stepped to Luca and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, man, for all of it." They exchanged a knowing smile and with that Luca moved to the checking in desk and soon disappeared with a wave through security. Chris turned back to Street. Suddenly her stomach felt sick, and a wave of dread flowed over her. As soon as she looked up to him, he saw it all in her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay. I know. I feel it too." He whispered pulling her into a tight hug. "But all I care about is focusing on the fact that we both want this, and we are both there at the same point now and that's all that matters." She smiled as she placed her hand onto her large suitcase.
"This is still gunna suck." She mumbled pulling it slightly to move it.
"I know, but we will be okay Chris. 12 weeks, that's it, remember. Then you'll be back, and we can do this for real." He reassured her as he took her other bag. She nodded as they walked to the check in line. He helped her through the cue and to the bag drop off point before it was time for her to move through security. She stopped and turned to him.
"Well, this is it I guess." Before she had finished that sentence, he had wrapped his arms around her.
"Just 12 weeks." He whispered into her ear as he moved back to kiss her. She caressed his face and kissed him back.
"God, I love you Jim." She said, opening her eyes to look at him, whilst still holding his face. Her eyes dancing with his.
"I love you too Chris. So much." He rested his forehead on her forehead. "Even if you are on the other side of the planet. I will still love you beyond belief."
She squeezed him harder and buried herself in his hug. Taking in the scent of him, the feel of his arms around her, and the sound of his voice. Savouring every little thing about their last few moments together. "I love you so much." She whispered as she stood wrapped up in him. "You better call me and text me all the time and for god's sake, be safe and don't get yourself into trouble." She added with a teasing laugh.
He laughed and rolled his eyes. "Hey, I'm not a baby."
She stood back and swallowed hard. Before he could say anything else, her tears started, and she closed her eyes cursing herself. "Sorry, I, I don't mean to do this." She said with some anger at herself.
"Hey," he said softly wrapping her up again in his arms, as he felt himself getting teary. "Your gunna make me cry now." He chuckled as his voice began to shake. She wiped her tears dry and then reached up and wiped his from his cheeks with her thumbs as she cradled his face.
"This fucking sucks. I love you. I don't wanna walk away through those gates." She motioned to the security checkpoint.
"I know you don't, but babe, this is so amazing for you, and I am beyond proud. You are phenomenal and I and completely shocked that you chose me too."
She smiled moving her eyes around his face. Lost in him. "You just called me babe!" She bit her lip.
He smiled and nodded. "I did." He was scanning her face trying to determine if she liked that. She did. The sound of his voice, so sweetly calling her 'babe' made her legs go to mush.
"I won't ever get sick of that." She whispered as she leant in and kissed him.
After a few more silent kisses, and longing stares. She whispered, "Goodbye. I love you so much." Into his ear and stepped into the line, waving at him as she moved towards the security officer.
"I love you." He called loudly, making her laugh and blush. "Love you too." She shouted back as she was waved forward and soon, with one last glance, and blown kiss, had disappeared from sight.