Luka turned around with the cups of coffee, an apple juice and small sack of Parisian pastries he'd purchased from the airport vendor and stopped in his tracks. It never failed to take his breath away when he saw the two of them together. Abby was smiling as she held Lauren's hand and walked her up and down the slickly polished floors of the terminal. They were both wearing fresh clothing and had their hair pulled back in loose pony tails. His girls.
Luka's eyes rested on his little daughter and he grinned. She'd actually done very well on the flight from Chicago. Almost nine hours in the air and she had slept peacefully for about six of them. Abby had the forethought to pack a familiar blanket and stuffed wind up that usually put her to sleep in her crib at home. Nestled next to Abby in the wider business class seat, Lauren had drifted off as Luka read aloud to her from his favorite "Bellybutton Book". Abby had slept as well. He hadn't. Not much at all. Thoughts of home and family had swirled around in his head keeping him awake. It had been almost five years since he'd been here last. And he hadn't been completely honest with Abby about everything. Each time he came for a visit, Andro made leaving again that much more difficult. He'd never really accepted the fact that Luka had a better life in Chicago than he would have had closer to them in Zagreb. He actually wasn't sure what kind of reception he would get if he came home with a family...a family that tied him to Chicago even more permanently. Luka was suddenly aware of the looks Abby was getting from the men waiting for their flights. Several were watching Abby play with Lauren from over their newspapers. Others were openly gawking. One had even turned around and was walking backwards watching her appreciatively as he passed on his way to another part of the tarmac. Abby was totally oblivious to the attention she was drawing. He frowned a little and headed toward them. Damn Europeans. Next thing you know they'd be asking to help her, flirting with her...maybe even pinching her behind.
Abby was grinning when he approached her and led them toward the corner where they had stashed their carry on luggage. Luka handed her a cup of coffee, set the second one on the window sill and knelt down to fill the sippy cup from Lauren's bag with apple juice. He lifted the little girl to one of the seats and handed her the cup. Lauren smiled at him and batted her long lashes as she took the cup from him. He glanced back at the people in the waiting area and smiled in satisfaction when he saw that they had gone back to their newspapers or were looking elsewhere.
"A girl could certainly get used to living here, " Abby said as she took a sip from her coffee cup and watched him with Lauren. Luka tapped his daughter's tiny snub nose with a smile and then stood up. He picked up his own coffee and turned to face her questioningly as they leaned against the window sill. Abby glanced back toward the people in the waiting area.
"I mean, it's nice to know you've still got what it takes to be a 'looker.'" Luka's face flooded with color and she laughed. She pulled him closer and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She hadn't been oblivious at all. She knew exactly what she was doing with her 'audience'. Luka shook his head.
"Don't get any more ideas," he growled. She chuckled and turned to look out the window. Luka glanced down at Lauren and reached into the pastry bag. He handed her a fruity shortbread cookie.
"My god," Abby sighed and shook her head. 'It's Paris out there. I never thought I would ever be in Paris." Luka looked at her and then out the window. It was barely 9 o'clock. The city was just beginning to wake up. He could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. It disappointed him a little that they had such a short layover. He suddenly wanted to see the city again...through her eyes.
"It's only a two hour flight from Zagreb," he said with a shrug. "Maybe we can come back and stay for a day or two. Would you like that?" Abby continued to stare out the window and frowned slightly, as if she were thinking. After a moment she shook her head and looked at him.
"Not this time," she said quietly. "This trip belongs to you and to your family." Luka smiled softly and tipped his head toward her's. Their foreheads rested together for a moment and then he kissed her. She began to giggle as she saw him open his eyes and glance about the waiting area as their lips held. He was making sure that everyone knew exactly who she belonged to.
They took turns walking Lauren again and then Abby retreated to the bathroom to change the little girl's diaper before they boarded the plane to Zagreb. While she had slept on the first plane, Abby was a bundle of nerves on this one. She was just two hours away from actually meeting Luka's family... from seeing the places where he grew up. Lauren seemed to pick up on her anxiety as well. She didn't settle well for this leg of their trip. Luka tried to interest her in looking out the window but she fussed. Abby tried the books and small toys she had packed but she fussed. She walked her to the end of the plane and back and she fussed. It wasn't till Luka gave her his cell phone to play with that she settled down.
"We should have brought the television remote control," he growled softly. Abby laughed and her breath caught in her throat as she saw the seatbelt light flicker on. They were beginning their descent to Zagreb. She took a deep breath and buckled her seatbelt. Luka handed Lauren to her and Abby fastened her into the baby carrier that held her safely in her lap. Abby took a deep breath and glanced out the window of the plane. Luka turned to say something to her and noticed the ashen complexion and look on her face. She was really, really nervous. He threaded his fingers through hers and then squeezed her hand. Abby turned her eyes to his and smiled. They were finally in Croatia.