"Do you really have to go, Daddy?" Maddie asked as Edmund stood by the front door with his suitcase and laptop. "I don't want you to go. I'm gonna miss you."

Edmund put his things down and scooped the little girl up in his arms. "I'm going to miss you too, honey." he said. "But I'm going to be back really soon. I promise."

"Are you going to bring Mommy back with you?" Edmund didn't know what to say. "Doesn't she love us anymore?"

"Of course she loves you," Edmund said. "She loves you very much. Mommy's just... she has to take a little more time... to remember more."

"Why can't she do it here?"

Edmund bit his bottom lip. "Mommy's a little confused right now, but she's going to get better, OK." He kissed the little girl's head and put her back on the floor.

"And we'll all be together again?"

"Sure we will," he assured the child. Edmund crouched down in front of her. "I'll call you and Sammie every night."

"Can Mommy Brooke call too?"

Edmund sighed. "Of course." He paused, embracing his daughter. "Be good for abuela, OK?"

"I promise," Maddie said. "I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, baby." Edmund stood and grabbed his things. "I'll be home really soon." The little girl nodded. Edmund stood there for a moment, looking down at her, before leaving Wildwind.



"Are you going to be OK with this, Mom?" Jamie asked as he stood with Brooke in the airport terminal.

"I think so," Brooke said. "Your Dad's coming." Jamie didn't say anything. "Don't worry, Jamie," Brooke said. "I'll be alright." The fear was still obvious in her voice. Jamie raised his eyebrows. "I will. Here comes Edmund."

Jamie turned and saw Edmund approaching. "Are we all set to go?" Edmund said. "Hi, Jamie."

Jamie didn't answer him. "I'll call you as soon as we're in New York, OK?" Brooke said as Jamie nodded. Brooke pulled him into an embrace. "Don't give Jake and Greenlee a hard time."

"I won't, I'm not a baby."

"You're my baby."

"Mom," Jamie said. "You're smothering me."

Brooke pulled away from him, holding his arms. She managed a smiled. "I love you, Jamie."

"I love you too, Mom." Jamie said. Brooke cupped his cheek. "Don't worry, OK." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'll be at the library with Joni. I'll leave my cellphone on." He paused. "I'll see you at the end of the week." Brooke nodded. "I'll let you get on the plane," Jamie said, kissing her cheek once again before walking away.

Brooke looked at Edmund. "It's nothing personal," she said. "With Jamie, I mean."

"He's upset," Edmund said. "I don't take offense." He took Brooke's arms. "Are you alright?" Brooke nodded. "We should get on the plane."

"Tad's not here yet," Brooke said.

"I'm sure he's on his way. Come on." Brooke looked at her watch. "He's coming." Edmund put his hand on her lower back and led her on to the plane.

They made their way to their seats. Edmund sat a few rows up from Brooke, an empty seat beside both of them. Edmund's would remain empty, but as Brooke looked down at her watch, she hoped that the seat beside her wouldn't remain empty too. Tad was playing it awful close.

Brooke shifted in her seat as the announcement came from the flight attendant for the passengers to prepare for take off. Brooke shook her head, standing from her seat and walking up the aisle.

"You need to take your seat, Ma'am." the flight attendant said.

"I need to get off this plane."

Edmund jumped to his feet and approached Brooke. "Brooke?" he put his hands on her shoulders. "Brooke, what's wrong?"

"I have to get off." she said, nervously. "I... I think I'm going to be sick."

"Here, sit." Edmund helped her down into an empty seat. "Just give us five minutes, OK?" he asked the flight attendant. She walked off to notify the pilot as Edmund kneeled down beside Brooke. "Are you OK?" he asked her. Brooke took a few deep breaths. "That's it, deep breaths."

"What happened?" Edmund and Brooke looked up and saw Tad standing there.

"She had a panic attack or something." Edmund said.

Edmund stood and Tad took his place kneeling. He rubbed Brooke's arm. "Can we get some water over here for her?" Tad called.

"I'll be fine." Brooke said. "I'm fine."

"This is what you call fine?" Tad asked. "I'd hate to see you at your lowest."

"Well maybe next time you can wait until the plane's in the air to show up at the airport."

"I'm sorry, alright." Tad said. "I got caught in traffic." He paused. "Are you alright to get back to your seat?" Brooke nodded as Tad helped her back to the seat. He sat by the window, giving her the aisle.

After a moment, the flight attendant announced preparation for take off again. Brooke leaned her head back and shut her eyes as the plane started moving. She tightened her fingers around the arm rest as the plane began to ascend. Her eyes still shut, she felt Tad's hand come down and weave his fingers with hers.

"It's just a regular flight," he said. "We'll be in New York in no time."

Brooke nodded silently. Tad kissed her hand before placing it back down on the arm rest, still linked with his.

Brooke squeezed gently as the plane hit the air. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes. "Calm sown, Brooke." she thought to herself. "It's going to be OK. Everything's going to be fine."

Tad leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Hey," he said, as if he had read her mind. "Don't worry, OK. Everything's going to be fine."