Nothing belongs to me. Just borrowing. Odd that I write another chapter
when I have a huge paper due Tuesday and it needs to be good. I am such a
masochist sometimes. Enjoy all.
Ascension
"Fi, if your sorry self isn't down here in two seconds we are both going to miss our flights! The shuttle guy is going to drive off or something!" Clu screamed from the bottom of the staircase in the Phillips home as he paced like a mad man. Molly and Irene has teamed up and arranged their flights within an hour of each other so that they could go to the airport together. All parents involved felt very bad about having to be gone on their travel day but they had to prepare for the upcoming leg of the tour. Sending them both together made them feel just a little bit better.
"Just hold on Clu, I'll be down soon. Why don't you help him load up the bags?" Fi whined back to him from the top of the stairs. She was not to be rushed, even by someone as cute as Clu. Fi blushed as she realized what she had just thought. She quickly ran down the hallway to where Annie was reading a book and singing along with her headphones. They had a girly bonding session/goodbye the night before but she wanted to say one final goodbye. "Annie!" Fi yelled at the girl on the bed.
Annie jumped, the voice reached much louder than the rhythms blasting through her headphones. "Fi? Are you leaving?"
"Ya. The shuttle guy is here and Clu is throwing a fit." Fi laughed as she told Annie about Clu's childish impatience.
"I wish you weren't going so soon. Now it's back to testosterone central around here." Annie stood up and walked over to where Fi stood in the doorway.
"Well good luck with them. You'll need it if you hope to make it until summer." Fi smiled nervously as she approached her next subject. "Annie? Can you promise me something?"
"Of course Fi, as long as it doesn't include anything to freaky."
"Take care of Jack for me?" Suddenly they were both unable to avoid thinking about the forlorn boy a few doors down the hall that had lost all of his charm and humor. He had come home from the funeral a broken and lost little kid. He tried to be his normal self but just didn't have the energy. He kept to himself mostly and sat in his room, the door closed of course.
Annie and Fi embraced as the sadness crept in. "I will do everything I can to help him Fi. I promise."
"Thanks Annie." They parted and Fi stepped back and turned to leave. "Goodbye."
"Bye Fi." Annie sat back down and returned to her music. She hummed a harmony along and drifted back into her own world.
Fi stepped lightly as she walked down the hall to Jack's room. She hadn't had time to ask Clu how his goodbye with Jack had gone and was left to go into hers without any hints. Why was she so afraid? This was her brother, the only boy who would never break her heart besides her Daddy. Yet her heart still fluttered as she knocked lightly on the door.
"Ya?" A tired voice replied to her knock.
"Jack? It's me, Fion.Fi. Your sister?" Fi stumbled over her words as she attempted to gain access.
The door opened and a sad but smiling Jack peered out at her. "I know who you are dweeb, come in." He held the door open as she stepped in and then shut it. "You guys leaving?"
"Yes, and if I wait any longer Clu might sprout wings and take off." Fi sidestepped and fidgeted. "Are you going to.umm.you know.be okay?"
"I'll be fine Fi, you need to get going though." He began to usher her out but Fi stood strong and grasped his arm. "Jack, you know that no matter where I am or where you are, I'll always be there for you, right?" Fi felt mini tears creeping up on her as she stood in front of Jack. "You're my brother and I love you. You have always been there for me in the past few years, even when you were being a total freak I could tell you meant it with the best intentions. Please call me, e-mail me, or anything if you ever need me." Her voice carried a strong tone, her stutter was gone and she spoke with gentle concern and love.
All Jack could do was reach out and embrace his sister. "Thank you Fi. I might just have to take you up on that sometime." He of all people could hardly deny that he needed help. His voice was weak and melted with his words. He leaned on his sister and for once, he didn't want her to leave.
"I have to go Jack, but before you know it I'll be home again." They parted and Fi looked into his eyes. The gentle, caring glow in her eyes put Jack at ease. "Goodbye Jack."
"Goodbye Fi, be good out there in Seattle. Tell all the boys that if they mess with you they'll have to deal with me. Then if they survive that they'll have to deal with Clu and Carey." Jack laughed for the first time in weeks at himself and Fi giggled along with him.
They embraced one last time before Fi descended the stairs to the very impatient Clu who stood there tapping his foot and glaring at his watch. "Come on Fi, we're going now!" He barked at her as he grabbed her and their remaining carry on bags and ran out the door.
"Alright, alright Clu. We're going." Fi laughed at Clu's sudden responsible actions. It was already six in the evening and the darkness outside was cool and damp. They would be at the airport within the hour. Their flights were late but conveniently close together.
The ride to the airport was a silent journey except for the random radio signals caught by the driver from his dispatcher. The passengers picked up before them were all keeping to themselves while Clu and Fi simply sat in utter awkwardness. They got off the shuttle van and went to check in their bags. Their flights were on the same airline; courtesy of Irene's scarily perfect planning. Only once they were inside the airline did they begin to converse and act somewhat normally.
"Sorry I rushed you so much Fi. I guess I just wanted to get here." Clu looked down at his feet as he apologized.
"It's okay Clu. It's my fault also. I was taking forever and not being very nice about your concerns. Better that you rushed us since my flight is boarding pretty soon." Fi felt horribly about delaying Clu as she had done.
"Still Fi, you had a lot to do before you left. A lot of it couldn't be done until you left." Clu's silent reference to Jack was felt by them both as they stood there. Fi gently turned and eased them into walking further. They made their way down the corridor to Fi's terminal, deciding to stop for coffee on the way since they had a few minutes. "How about a nice cup of hot coffee to ease your mind short stuff?" Clu offered, throwing in an old nickname to break the ice.
"Make that hot chocolate and I'll forgive the short stuff reference." Fi smiled as she delivered a comeback to Clu's remark.
"Okay then." Clu teased her. "We'll have two large hot chocolates please." Clu told the girl behind the coffee stand. She grabbed the cups and began to make their drinks as they stood there and waited. "Good idea Fi. Hot chocolate always makes everything better."
"That's for sure. I can remember Jack and I making hot chocolate together and watching the fire burn in the fireplace every winter. It seemed as though nothing else mattered." The sorrow in her voice was masked but not hard to find.
"He's going to pick up Fi. I know him. He's just pretty broken right now." Clu spoke these words to her comfortingly.
"I know Clu, I just hate to see him so hurt. Jack has always been the strong one. Not only is it hard for me to hold him up but he wouldn't let me this whole time."
"How did it go before you left?" Clu gently prodded.
"Better than I thought it would. I think we might be talking more now. He seems to know that he needs us all to help him."
"We just have to be careful. Jack has always prided himself on his independence. We'll just have to make him realize that he can ask us for help, no matter what.
Fi smiled at Clu. Sometimes this big lummox spoke the most beautiful things. The stood for a moment until the girl called to them for their hot chocolate. Clu paid her and took the warm cups in both hands. He placed one in Fi's hands and began to sip his. "Aigh! Hot!"
"That's what you get for drinking it too fast!" Fi laughed as Clu jumped from the heat on his tongue.
"Hey! Be nice. I'm a man in pain here." Clu put on his sad puppy face.
"Come on Clu, suck it up and be a man." Fi smirked at him as she progressed down the hall to her terminal. Clu was soon to follow.
A voice came over the speakers. "Flight 1258, non-stop to Seattle. Now boarding rows fifteen through thirty. Now boarding Flight 1258, non-stop to Seattle."
"That's my flight Clu, they'll be boarding my section soon, we should get down there." They picked up the pace and arrived at the terminal within the minute. Fi was glad to see a short line at the check in desk and was soon holding her boarding pass. They stood near the boarding area waiting for her section to be called.
"Well I guess this is it until Spring Break." Clu said nervously to Fi.
"If they're even the same. Do you know when yours is?" Fi asked.
"I have no idea. I'll e-mail you when I find out." Clu was saddened to think that he wouldn't see Fi until summer. It seemed so long from now. He would miss her pretty face. ~ Jack's baby sister Clu! Don't think like that. ~
"Sounds good." Fi played with the strap on her bag as they stood there awkwardly. "Thanks for coming with me to the airport Clu. I thought for sure you would throw a tantrum at the idea of having to go with me and wait around."
"Are you kidding? I had to leave anyways and this is far better than having my Mom refuse to let go of me while my Dad chokes back tears at the thought of his son, the college man." Clu laughed as he remembered those fond family farewells.
"Now boarding rows six through fourteen. Now boarding rows six through fourteen" The tinny voice called out again.
"Well that's me Clu. I guess this is goodbye." Fi felt her whole body flutter as she said goodbye.
"I guess so Fi. Have a good flight. E-mail me soon." Clu felt equally flustered as he watched Fi gather herself to join the line of people boarding the plane. Not sure of what else to do her gathered into an awkward hug. They soon adjusted and stood their, embracing one another with their arms wrapped tight. "Be careful out there Fi, be good." Clu whispered into her ear.
"Same goes for you college man." Fi whispered back as she enjoyed being in Clu's strong arms. She wished the hug would never end but she had to board her plane. "Time for me to go Clu." Fi separated herself gently and turned to walk over to the line. She glanced back as she handed the flight attendant her boarding pass and then focused on the journey ahead. Before she disappeared out of sight and into the tunnel she glanced back one last time. Clu stood there watching. He waved and she smiled back one last time before waving. Within a moment, she was gone.
Clu gazed out the large windows for what seemed like forever waiting for the gentle rev of the engines as the plane backed up and gently journeyed down the runway. He watched as the plane sped up down the runway in the distance and prepared to take off. His heart, and the plane, both leapt for the sky, both carrying Fi inside of them.
Ascension
"Fi, if your sorry self isn't down here in two seconds we are both going to miss our flights! The shuttle guy is going to drive off or something!" Clu screamed from the bottom of the staircase in the Phillips home as he paced like a mad man. Molly and Irene has teamed up and arranged their flights within an hour of each other so that they could go to the airport together. All parents involved felt very bad about having to be gone on their travel day but they had to prepare for the upcoming leg of the tour. Sending them both together made them feel just a little bit better.
"Just hold on Clu, I'll be down soon. Why don't you help him load up the bags?" Fi whined back to him from the top of the stairs. She was not to be rushed, even by someone as cute as Clu. Fi blushed as she realized what she had just thought. She quickly ran down the hallway to where Annie was reading a book and singing along with her headphones. They had a girly bonding session/goodbye the night before but she wanted to say one final goodbye. "Annie!" Fi yelled at the girl on the bed.
Annie jumped, the voice reached much louder than the rhythms blasting through her headphones. "Fi? Are you leaving?"
"Ya. The shuttle guy is here and Clu is throwing a fit." Fi laughed as she told Annie about Clu's childish impatience.
"I wish you weren't going so soon. Now it's back to testosterone central around here." Annie stood up and walked over to where Fi stood in the doorway.
"Well good luck with them. You'll need it if you hope to make it until summer." Fi smiled nervously as she approached her next subject. "Annie? Can you promise me something?"
"Of course Fi, as long as it doesn't include anything to freaky."
"Take care of Jack for me?" Suddenly they were both unable to avoid thinking about the forlorn boy a few doors down the hall that had lost all of his charm and humor. He had come home from the funeral a broken and lost little kid. He tried to be his normal self but just didn't have the energy. He kept to himself mostly and sat in his room, the door closed of course.
Annie and Fi embraced as the sadness crept in. "I will do everything I can to help him Fi. I promise."
"Thanks Annie." They parted and Fi stepped back and turned to leave. "Goodbye."
"Bye Fi." Annie sat back down and returned to her music. She hummed a harmony along and drifted back into her own world.
Fi stepped lightly as she walked down the hall to Jack's room. She hadn't had time to ask Clu how his goodbye with Jack had gone and was left to go into hers without any hints. Why was she so afraid? This was her brother, the only boy who would never break her heart besides her Daddy. Yet her heart still fluttered as she knocked lightly on the door.
"Ya?" A tired voice replied to her knock.
"Jack? It's me, Fion.Fi. Your sister?" Fi stumbled over her words as she attempted to gain access.
The door opened and a sad but smiling Jack peered out at her. "I know who you are dweeb, come in." He held the door open as she stepped in and then shut it. "You guys leaving?"
"Yes, and if I wait any longer Clu might sprout wings and take off." Fi sidestepped and fidgeted. "Are you going to.umm.you know.be okay?"
"I'll be fine Fi, you need to get going though." He began to usher her out but Fi stood strong and grasped his arm. "Jack, you know that no matter where I am or where you are, I'll always be there for you, right?" Fi felt mini tears creeping up on her as she stood in front of Jack. "You're my brother and I love you. You have always been there for me in the past few years, even when you were being a total freak I could tell you meant it with the best intentions. Please call me, e-mail me, or anything if you ever need me." Her voice carried a strong tone, her stutter was gone and she spoke with gentle concern and love.
All Jack could do was reach out and embrace his sister. "Thank you Fi. I might just have to take you up on that sometime." He of all people could hardly deny that he needed help. His voice was weak and melted with his words. He leaned on his sister and for once, he didn't want her to leave.
"I have to go Jack, but before you know it I'll be home again." They parted and Fi looked into his eyes. The gentle, caring glow in her eyes put Jack at ease. "Goodbye Jack."
"Goodbye Fi, be good out there in Seattle. Tell all the boys that if they mess with you they'll have to deal with me. Then if they survive that they'll have to deal with Clu and Carey." Jack laughed for the first time in weeks at himself and Fi giggled along with him.
They embraced one last time before Fi descended the stairs to the very impatient Clu who stood there tapping his foot and glaring at his watch. "Come on Fi, we're going now!" He barked at her as he grabbed her and their remaining carry on bags and ran out the door.
"Alright, alright Clu. We're going." Fi laughed at Clu's sudden responsible actions. It was already six in the evening and the darkness outside was cool and damp. They would be at the airport within the hour. Their flights were late but conveniently close together.
The ride to the airport was a silent journey except for the random radio signals caught by the driver from his dispatcher. The passengers picked up before them were all keeping to themselves while Clu and Fi simply sat in utter awkwardness. They got off the shuttle van and went to check in their bags. Their flights were on the same airline; courtesy of Irene's scarily perfect planning. Only once they were inside the airline did they begin to converse and act somewhat normally.
"Sorry I rushed you so much Fi. I guess I just wanted to get here." Clu looked down at his feet as he apologized.
"It's okay Clu. It's my fault also. I was taking forever and not being very nice about your concerns. Better that you rushed us since my flight is boarding pretty soon." Fi felt horribly about delaying Clu as she had done.
"Still Fi, you had a lot to do before you left. A lot of it couldn't be done until you left." Clu's silent reference to Jack was felt by them both as they stood there. Fi gently turned and eased them into walking further. They made their way down the corridor to Fi's terminal, deciding to stop for coffee on the way since they had a few minutes. "How about a nice cup of hot coffee to ease your mind short stuff?" Clu offered, throwing in an old nickname to break the ice.
"Make that hot chocolate and I'll forgive the short stuff reference." Fi smiled as she delivered a comeback to Clu's remark.
"Okay then." Clu teased her. "We'll have two large hot chocolates please." Clu told the girl behind the coffee stand. She grabbed the cups and began to make their drinks as they stood there and waited. "Good idea Fi. Hot chocolate always makes everything better."
"That's for sure. I can remember Jack and I making hot chocolate together and watching the fire burn in the fireplace every winter. It seemed as though nothing else mattered." The sorrow in her voice was masked but not hard to find.
"He's going to pick up Fi. I know him. He's just pretty broken right now." Clu spoke these words to her comfortingly.
"I know Clu, I just hate to see him so hurt. Jack has always been the strong one. Not only is it hard for me to hold him up but he wouldn't let me this whole time."
"How did it go before you left?" Clu gently prodded.
"Better than I thought it would. I think we might be talking more now. He seems to know that he needs us all to help him."
"We just have to be careful. Jack has always prided himself on his independence. We'll just have to make him realize that he can ask us for help, no matter what.
Fi smiled at Clu. Sometimes this big lummox spoke the most beautiful things. The stood for a moment until the girl called to them for their hot chocolate. Clu paid her and took the warm cups in both hands. He placed one in Fi's hands and began to sip his. "Aigh! Hot!"
"That's what you get for drinking it too fast!" Fi laughed as Clu jumped from the heat on his tongue.
"Hey! Be nice. I'm a man in pain here." Clu put on his sad puppy face.
"Come on Clu, suck it up and be a man." Fi smirked at him as she progressed down the hall to her terminal. Clu was soon to follow.
A voice came over the speakers. "Flight 1258, non-stop to Seattle. Now boarding rows fifteen through thirty. Now boarding Flight 1258, non-stop to Seattle."
"That's my flight Clu, they'll be boarding my section soon, we should get down there." They picked up the pace and arrived at the terminal within the minute. Fi was glad to see a short line at the check in desk and was soon holding her boarding pass. They stood near the boarding area waiting for her section to be called.
"Well I guess this is it until Spring Break." Clu said nervously to Fi.
"If they're even the same. Do you know when yours is?" Fi asked.
"I have no idea. I'll e-mail you when I find out." Clu was saddened to think that he wouldn't see Fi until summer. It seemed so long from now. He would miss her pretty face. ~ Jack's baby sister Clu! Don't think like that. ~
"Sounds good." Fi played with the strap on her bag as they stood there awkwardly. "Thanks for coming with me to the airport Clu. I thought for sure you would throw a tantrum at the idea of having to go with me and wait around."
"Are you kidding? I had to leave anyways and this is far better than having my Mom refuse to let go of me while my Dad chokes back tears at the thought of his son, the college man." Clu laughed as he remembered those fond family farewells.
"Now boarding rows six through fourteen. Now boarding rows six through fourteen" The tinny voice called out again.
"Well that's me Clu. I guess this is goodbye." Fi felt her whole body flutter as she said goodbye.
"I guess so Fi. Have a good flight. E-mail me soon." Clu felt equally flustered as he watched Fi gather herself to join the line of people boarding the plane. Not sure of what else to do her gathered into an awkward hug. They soon adjusted and stood their, embracing one another with their arms wrapped tight. "Be careful out there Fi, be good." Clu whispered into her ear.
"Same goes for you college man." Fi whispered back as she enjoyed being in Clu's strong arms. She wished the hug would never end but she had to board her plane. "Time for me to go Clu." Fi separated herself gently and turned to walk over to the line. She glanced back as she handed the flight attendant her boarding pass and then focused on the journey ahead. Before she disappeared out of sight and into the tunnel she glanced back one last time. Clu stood there watching. He waved and she smiled back one last time before waving. Within a moment, she was gone.
Clu gazed out the large windows for what seemed like forever waiting for the gentle rev of the engines as the plane backed up and gently journeyed down the runway. He watched as the plane sped up down the runway in the distance and prepared to take off. His heart, and the plane, both leapt for the sky, both carrying Fi inside of them.