So I've decided to create an ending to the two parts in the previous chapters where Chuck is stuck in the airport on Christmas Eve. The first section you would have read already, but I wanted to have the whole story all together. Enjoy!
Toes in the Sand – Chapter 13
The phone in Chuck's pocket started ringing. Dragging his suitcase along behind him and a carry bag in the other, he fumbled around trying to get at the offending piece of technology before the person on the other side hung up. He dropped his bags on the ground and quickly answered it, not stopping to see who was calling.
"Hello."
"Chuck? Where are you?" Worry laced Sarah's voice.
He paused. "Oh, hey Sarah. I was just about to call you. There was a snow storm a couple hours ago and all the flights have been delayed or cancelled?"
"Tell me you're joking, Chuck?" The worry now replaced by despair.
Chuck frowned, "I'm sorry. I'm trying to find a flight out, but I'm not having much luck."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"I'll let you know. I was just about to get a bite to eat and a drink before checking again." He let out a small laugh; "I think they're getting sick of me at the check-in desk."
A silence fell between the couple.
"I miss you, Sarah. And the kids."
He could hear her smile over the phone. "I miss you, too. Tyler asks about you all day and Ella is growing so much."
"I'm gonna be there, Sarah. I won't miss Christmas," he choked out.
"I know. Let me know if I can do anything from my end."
Chuck nodded. "Just wait for me, Sarah. I'll be there."
After hanging up with his wife, Chuck found the nearest bar and ordered a drink, hoping for a miracle. Sitting forlornly at the bar, Chuck just stared into his almost untouched drink. It was Christmas Eve and he was snowed-in at an airport, hoping and praying that he will make it in time to see his kids open their presents the next morning.
"Is this seat taken?" a woman's voice next to him spoke.
Chuck looked up and motioned to the space next to him. "It's all yours."
"I'm Amy." The woman held out her hand in introduction. Chuck smiled softly and took the offered hand.
"Chuck." He took a sip of his drink before he turned his gaze to the muted television playing some sort of sport.
The blonde woman ordered a glass of wine before turning her attention back to Chuck. "So what brings you here on Christmas Eve?"
Chuck sighed, "Waiting and hoping to fly home. You?"
"The same. I've been on writing assignment for three months and I'm trying to surprise my parents for Christmas."
"Nice surprise for them." Chuck finished his beer and motioned to the bar tender for another.
"Yeah, if I can get there. The snow storm is sort of delaying my trip a bit." Amy took a sip of her wine, "So what about you, Chuck, who are you on your way home to?"
A smile spread across Chuck's face as he thought about his family that was at home waiting for him. He quickly pulled out his wallet and opened it for Amy to see the photo that was pride of place inside.
"My wife, Sarah and our two kids. Tyler is eight-and-a-half and the baby is Eloise. She'll be celebrating her first Christmas tomorrow."
"Your children are adorable. I can see why you're anxious to get home."
Chuck ran his finger over the photo. "Yeah. I really don't want to miss it."
The airport PA went off over the comfortable silence between the two as it called flights that were ready to board. Amy finished off her drink and slid off her chair, "They just called my flight. Good luck in getting home, Chuck."
"Thanks, Amy. It was nice to meet you; good luck with your work."
Amy gave a little smile and wave as she left the bar, leaving Chuck to wait for his flight to be called… if it was going to be called.
Chuck rested his fist on his chin and leant on the bar, running his fingers over the picture from his wallet with his other hand. Downing the rest of his beer in one gulp, Chuck threw a couple notes down next to the empty glass before he made his way back over to his assigned gate. He slumped down into one of the seats, wishing for a miracle. Chuck hoped that these kinds of miracles didn't just happen in the movies.
Pulling out his phone, Chuck decided to put in a call.
"This better be an emergency, Bartowski," came the voice on the other end.
Chuck looked at his watch, "It's barely gone eight o'clock, Casey. Don't tell me you're in bed already?"
Casey grunted in reply and Chuck heard a chair scrape along a tiled floor in the background. "I'm having dinner with Alex and the bearded moron."
"You love Morgan, he gave you those two awesome grandkids to spoil."
Another grunt.
Chuck smirked, "Anyway, the reason I'm calling is because I'm stuck here in DC and I need to get home. Most of the flights have been grounded and it's taking forever to get on a plane."
"And you need me to make a call," Casey stated without missing a beat.
"Yeah, pretty much," Chuck paused momentarily. "I need to get home to Sarah and the kids. You understand, Casey."
"Give me five minutes."
"Thank you, Casey." Chuck let out a sigh of relief.
"I'll be over for pancakes in the morning."
Chuck laughed out loud. "Not too early."
After the phone call had ended, Chuck sat up higher in his chair. He was going to make it home for Christmas.
Six minutes after the call to Casey, Chuck's phone rang.
Before Chuck could say a word, Casey's voice resonated from the other side. "Bartowski, head to the passenger pickup; Captain Tucker will take you to your ride home." And then the call ended.
In stunned silence, he followed the directions given. Pulling his coat tighter, Chuck made his way out into the frigid air. He didn't have to wait long before a signature khaki green Jeep pulled up outside the arrivals area. Quickly jumping in, Chuck stashed is bag in the back before turning to his savior.
"Captain Tucker, I presume."
The stoic Marine nodded and Chuck just continued. "I appreciate you giving me a ride."
"Just following orders, sir."
"Oookay then," Chuck breathed out, realising at that moment that it was going to be an awkwardly silent trip to their destination. Huddling into his seat, Chuck focused his thoughts on his family and how Christmas would now be complete.
Just over three and a half hours later, after taking a few detours due to the snow piled up, the Jeep pulled up at the Naval Airbase in Norfolk, Virginia. It was nearing midnight, yet Chuck jumped out of the vehicle with his bags as quick as he could and followed the Captain to the where he was headed. In the distance, surrounded by floodlights, was the C-130 Hercules. Chuck looked up at it in awe at the sheer size of the aircraft; the closer he got to it, his excitement grew; this was his ride home.
Captain Tucker stopped at the ramp to the Hercules and turned to face Chuck and snapped to attention, giving him a salute. Chuck stood in shock and held out his hand for his savior.
"Thank you, Captain Tucker."
The officer took the offered hand and shook it firmly. "It's been an honour, sir. I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family."
Chuck was speechless. These Marines… he should know better; they were all softies inside.
After finding his way to his seat and strapping in, Chuck put on the headphones provided; the pilot telling the rest of the passengers – which consisted of two other stoic Marines sitting opposite Chuck - they were about to depart. He was finally on his way home.
Five hours later, someone shaking Chuck startled him awake.
"Wh-what?" he slurred.
"We've landed, Agent Carmichael. Welcome to sunny California. A Colonel Casey has arrived to take you home," the man replied.
Quickly unstrapping himself, Chuck stood and thanked the man before departing the aircraft. Looking at his watch, he smiled. It had just gone eight in the morning; he could still make breakfast and surprise his family.
Chuck found Casey waiting by the exit gate leaning against his shiny Crown Vic.
"Get in, Bartowski. You've got a Christmas to make."
Grinning, he did what he was told, letting out a massive sigh of relief as he collapsed into the car seat. It was good to be home.
Half an hour later, the duo pulled up outside Casa Bartowski. The white picket fence stood proudly and the bright red door welcomed everyone to the happy home. Deciding to leave his bags in the car, Chuck was almost bouncing with anticipation and excitement.
He inserted the key into its lock and turned the handle. Opening the door, Chuck was assaulted by the warmth and comfort of his home. He could smell the pancake batter cooking; mixed in was the heavenly scent of bacon. He was home. It was Christmas.
Quietly, Chuck tiptoed into the kitchen. Standing in the doorframe, he drank in the welcoming sight of his wife.
"Something smells amazing," Chuck complimented.
Startled, Sarah dropped the spatula she was using and turned to face Chuck, a huge grin lighting up her entire face.
"You made it," she breathed.
"I made a promise." Chuck slowly made his way over to his wife, pulling her in for a soft kiss once he was close enough. Sarah made a move to deepen it when they heard someone clear their throat in the background.
The couple turned to see Casey holding a sleepy Eloise. "She woke up."
Sarah chuckled. "Chuck, could you finish breakfast while I feed this one?"
"Sure, honey."
Whistling softly to himself, Chuck turned his attention back to the stove and continued on with the cooking.
Not five minutes later a small body ran into his legs. "Daddy!" the boy yelled.
Quickly turning the stove off, Chuck picked up his son and hugged him tight. "Hey Ty, how are you?"
"Better now that you're here. I was scared that you were gonna miss Christmas."
"I would never miss it, Ty. You, mommy and Eloise are too important for me to miss this."
Tyler smiled. "Good!"
The Bartowski Christmas went off without a hitch. Tyler got new clothes and awesome toys; the toys were what he was most excited for and couldn't wait to try them out.
When the day was done and dusted and the children were asleep in bed, Chuck and Sarah lay cuddled together on the couch. "Thank you for keeping your promise, Chuck."
"I always do, Sarah." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Nothing in this world could keep me from you today; not even a little bit of snow."
Sarah smiled. "Well, I'm glad. You're what make Christmas in this family. Without you, it just wouldn't have been the same."
"Works both ways. I love you and I love the family we've made. Without any of us, it'd just be another day on the calendar."
"You're right." Sarah untangled herself from Chuck's embrace and got up from the couch. Holding her hand out and gave him a saucy grin, she continued, "There's still a few hours left in the day, we should celebrate just that little bit more."
Chuck jumped up and followed Sarah eagerly. "I like how you think, Mrs. Bartowski."
So what did you think? Did you like the closure I gave on those two snippets?
Side Note: Yes, I Google Mapped distance it is to get from Dulles to Norfolk; it's 194 miles.
Also: I finished my first teaching prac and I completely smashed it. It went awesomely. I tell you, doing a poetry unit with year 10 students is good but you need to go through 'Jeremy' by Pearl Jam. It was legitimately my best lessons.
Lastly: It is only two and a half weeks until I get to meet Jeri Ryan – Seven of Nine herself. I'm so excited!