"Are you absolutely sure you have everything?" Jack asked her again, maybe for the 10th time since they'd arrived at the airport. Lisa, trying to not get frustrated, just nodded, looking at him from the corner in which they were standing.
"Passports, formula, bottles, purse, diaper bag, and oh," she said with a soft smile, "baby. Yes, I have everything, Jack."
He nodded and looked down. He hadn't said much on the drive to the airport. Lisa had just assumed he would drop her at the curb with all of the bags, which was fine, but he'd insisted on dropping things for check-in, parking, and coming inside. She really did hate airport goodbyes because she just felt awkward, and she wasn't sure what to say.
Jack leaned down closer to John, who was buckled into his car seat and that was strapped onto the stroller. She couldn't make out what he was saying; Jack was speaking in a quiet tone, and it did almost make her tear up watching how sweet he was with him, but she did watch as he kissed his forehead and stood up again, groaning slightly with a slight wince. He'd been recovering the last 10 days or so, and he was doing much better. He was able to lift John now, and she knew by the time they returned, he would be back to his usual self. She hadn't protested when he'd lifted things to bring into the airport, only because she knew he'd argue he was fine anyway, and she absolutely didn't want to end their airport good-bye with an argument. She gave him a soft smile when he stood after his moment with John. He sighed and looked away; she was sure trying to hide his feelings. When he looked back, he squared up standing in front of her.
"You be careful and take care of yourself, John too," he told her. He lightly put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing his thumbs on her shoulders and met her gaze, giving her a nod. "You can call me anytime, you know?"
"I know," she said her voice soft and low. "I will," she amended, rolling her eyes and nodding. "I have a lot of travel first, and I hope he does well with it."
"Me too," he nodded. "Toronto, then Paris, correct?" Jack had asked her this a few times and had her itinerary, but she appeased him with a nod. "Yes, I connect in Toronto, then Paris, and then the train down. I'll keep you posted about the trip."
"Don't try to be some super mom hero," he said giving her a look and then pulling her in for a hug. She clung tightly to him, and he did the same. "Enjoy yourself, get your business done, and come back home in one piece. I'll miss you both," he told her, the two still in their hug. She nodded, unable to say anything. She could feel tears building behind her eyes, and that really surprised her.
Jack kissed her cheek as they pulled apart, and he looked down and away, not wanting to make eye contact with her. She reached out and squeezed his hand, and then, he looked at her.
"Thank you for letting him go," she nodded to John. "I know it's really hard, and I appreciate it. I'm glad you were able to spend so much time with him these last few days."
Jack's accident had somewhat been a blessing in disguise. He was in a decent amount of pain and realized that right away. He'd spent a good deal of time at Lisa's house with John, and that had been good for her too. She'd been able to get things packed, and they hadn't argued about where he would be each night. Jack realized his limitations, but Lisa knew a huge conversation would have to happen when she returned to come up with a better schedule.
"I'd better get going with security and all, "she told him with a soft smile.
"Alright," he told her, with a nod and a look at John again. He ran his hand on John's cheek and looked back at Lisa. "I haven't told you," he said, now choked up, "he was the best surprise ever, Lise. He really was."
She teared up too and nodded at him, "I'm glad," she replied, a smile on her face. She looked away and wiped at her face, the emotions hitting her, and she wasn't sure why. It was hard to watch Jack emotional, even though she was really excited about getting back to her place in France. She'd been thinking about taking John there, and she couldn't wait to take him on long walks and visit her favorite local village.
"Okay," she said, picking up the diaper bag, putting it on the stroller, and then putting her purse on her shoulder. "Bye."
"Bye," he said with a quick nod. He put his hands in his pocket and called to her as she started away, "Lise, I'll be right here when you get back. Promise."
"I promise I'll be back with him in one piece, Jack."
Lisa made her way through security, glancing back to make sure she hadn't left anything behind since they'd had her take John out of the stroller, had gone all through the stroller, her diaper bag, and her formula. At her last glance back to security, she caught Jack, still there, hands in his pockets. He made eye contact with her and gave her a single wave to send her on her way.