Bluey and Jean-Luc watched the movie on the screen. It was just as nostalgic as they'd remembered. They laughed at all the funny lines, cried during the emotional scenes, and held each other close during sweet times in the movie.
Soon there was a scene in the movie where the protagonist reunites with his love interest and it hits Jean-Luc in a newfound way. He couldn't help but keep glancing over to Bluey. During the love song, Bluey would start to sing it. Listening to her more than the movie, he could feel his heart beat from her singing. Apparently, Bluey had the same reaction towards the scene as he did.
"You sing wonderfully," Jean-Luc told her.
Bluey blushed. She didn't realize that she could be heard, especially by him. "Thanks, Jean-Luc," she giggled.
Jean-Luc held her hands. The two of them sang the final lyrics of the love song together.
"You have a great singing voice too," Bluey said, still hand-in-hand with him. Her heart began to beat as fast as his as well.
Jean-Luc blushed as well from the compliment. "Thank you, Bluey," he chuckled.
They leaned against each other's shoulders for the rest of the movie. By the end of the movie, Bluey was nuzzling against Jean-Luc. And he enjoyed every bit of it as he nuzzled back against her.
After the movie, they folded and packed up the blanket back into Bluey's backpack.
Jean-Luc then texted his uncle.
Jean-Luc: Hi Uncle Marcel.
Uncle Marcel: Movie's done already?
Jean-Luc: Yeah.
Jean-Luc: Are you in the parking lot now?
Uncle Marcel: Yeah.
Uncle Marcel: But there's no rush for you to get here.
Uncle Marcel: Still eating my sandwich so take your time with your girl.
Jean-Luc smiled from the text. His uncle was letting him stay as much time as he can with Bluey.
Jean-Luc: Okay Uncle Marcel.
Jean-Luc: Thanks.
Uncle Marcel: Not a problem.
With that, he put his phone away and helped Bluey up from the ground.
"Do you want the scenic route to the parking lot?" Jean-Luc asked, "My uncle said we can have a bit more time together for a few extra minutes on the way back."
"Okay, Jean-Luc," Bluey said with a smile, "Let's go through the flower gardens back. They lead to the parking lot."
Jean-Luc smiled too from the suggestion. "Sounds like a great idea!" he agreed. He followed Bluey to where the flower gardens were.
They walked through a flower garden together. Along the path, there was a bridge under a small river from one of the waterfall fonts. They decided to cross it.
On it, Bluey turned towards Jean-Luc. "I just wanted to tell you that today has been perfect," she started to say, "And I can't imagine it any better without you in it." She looked into his eyes lovingly. "Thank you for being here for me," she said, giving him a hug, "You have no idea how much it all means to me."
Jean-Luc smiled as he hugged her back. "You're welcome, Bluey," he told her, "I'd do it all over again if I could too, just to see you smile."
Bluey giggled, giving him a smile.
Jean-Luc smiled back at her.
They continued on their way through the gardens. Jean-Luc picked some of the flowers and gave them to Bluey. Some fireflies flew around her, making her glow in contrast to the evening. The sight made Jean-Luc's heart beat faster. He smiled as the two of them held each other in an embrace under the moonlight.
Eventually, they reached the parking lot at the other end of the flower gardens. There, they could see Marcel's car. He was inside, finishing the last bites of the sandwich he was eating.
"Hey there, you two," Marcel greeted, "I hope you had a lot of fun today."
"We did, Uncle Marcel," Jean-Luc said.
"Well, that's good," Marcel said. He turned to Bluey and told her, "And happy birthday, little sheila."
"Thanks, Mr. Marcel," Bluey said with a brief giggle and a tail wag.
Jean-Luc and Bluey then went inside the back seats of the car.
"Are you two ready to go?" Marcel asked as he started the car.
"Yes," they both answered.
"By the way," Marcel said before he began to drive, "I got you both these just in case you're hungry." He handed them both a couple bags with big sandwiches inside them.
"Wow, thanks!" they both exclaimed, taking out the sandwiches to eat. They were hungry, and aside from buying a couple snacks and drinks from a vendor during the movie, they hadn't really eaten since the planetarium earlier that day.
They ate the sandwiches throughout the way back to Bluey's house.
When they reached her house, Bluey and Jean-Luc stepped out of the car to say goodbye for the day. He walked her over to the door.
"Thanks again for giving me the best day ever, Jean-Luc," Bluey told him.
"You're welcome, Bluey," Jean-Luc said, "I just want to make you happy."
"But you do make me happy," Bluey commented.
Jean-Luc smiled. "I do?" he asked.
"Yeah," Bluey answered, "You do."
The two of them smiled at each other and gave each other a hug.
Jean-Luc then walked his way to his uncle's car, looking back at Bluey. She was watching him back. They waved to each other before he got inside the passenger side of the car.
Bluey sighed passionately as they drove off. She then opened the front door and got inside the house for the night.
Jean-Luc watched in the rear view mirror and sighed as she went out of sight.
"She really has you, huh, Jean-Luc?" Marcel noticed.
"Yeah," Jean-Luc said, "She has." He was basically lost in love over her.
"So how was your day?" Marcel asked, "I take it went far better than your first date?"
Jean-Luc nodded. During the trip back to Gold Coast, he told his uncle about their day and the gifts they got for each other. It was wonderful for Jean-Luc to recall everything that's happened.
Meanwhile, Bluey was in her room, still feeling lovestruck from how the day went. She went to her end table to take out her diary. She began writing in it.
My dear Diary,
Today is my birthday. And it's actually been the best birthday I've ever had.
There was a party this morning, and it was great and all seeing everyone there. But the highlight was having Jean-Luc over and what we did for the day.
We went to the planetarium and saw the night show together. It was beyond amazing! We also went to the gift shop. I bought him a keychain of our favorite planet. And he got me this beautiful necklace and a photo frame. I'm going to put a picture of us in it later. I want the perfect picture of us in it.
Then we went to the park. We walked around a bit and saw The Wolf King that played tonight on their screen. It was great, but I felt different when Nimbo and Dali reunited and fell in love with each other. I couldn't stop thinking about Jean-Luc during that entire time. I wonder what that means. Does that mean that I love Jean-Luc?
It sure felt like it even walking through the gardens after the movie. Jean-Luc even picked a few flowers for me. It was real sweet!
I wonder if he really is the one for me. Honestly, I really hope so.
XXXOOO
~ Bluey
Bluey took the little bouquet that Jean-Luc had given her earlier from the flower gardens. She gave the flowers a good smell and sighed contently. Then she placed the flowers on the page of her diary to press them, preserving them in memory of this special day. She also took the drawing out from the back and caressed it as always.
With that, she put the drawing back in its place and closed the diary. And she gave it a tight hug. She put the diary back.
There was soon a gentle knock on her bedroom door.
"Come in," Bluey said.
The door opened and walked in was Chilli.
"Oh, hey, Mum!" Bluey greeted.
"Hi, there, sweetheart," Chilli greeted back, "How was your day?"
"I don't know how to describe it, Mum," Bluey told her happily, "How can you even describe how great today was?"
"I don't know, darl," Chilli smiled, "Maybe recall your favorite times."
Bluey then described her day with Jean-Luc and how she felt during all the time they had together.
"Hmm," Chilli said happily, "Sounds like love to me."
"You really think so?" Bluey asked, hopeful in her tone.
"Possibly," Chilli stated, "It also depends on how he feels too, you know."
"That's true," Bluey agreed. She may really like Jean-Luc, but she wasn't entirely sure if it was mutual between them.
"You'll see one day," Chilli advised, "Maybe he does or maybe he doesn't."
"Yeah," Bluey said with a shy smile, "But I hope he does."
"I know you do, sweetie," Chilli smiled back, "But right now, it's time for bed. We'll see you in the morning."
"Okay, Mum," Bluey said, going under her blanket.
"Good night, Bluey," Chilli said softly as she walked towards the door.
"Good night, Mum," Bluey said.
Chilli exited her room to go back to her and Bandit's room for the night.
Bluey then took out her phone and browsed through the multiple pictures taken today, admiring each one. Today really was a special birthday for her and she felt nothing could ever top it.
"Good night, Jean-Luc," Bluey whispered to one of the photos of them. She cuddled her phone as she drifted off to sleep for the night.
The next couple days, Marcel had no work, so Jean-Luc wasn't able to see Bluey. However, they settled on having video calls and text messages during those times.
On one of those days, Jean-Luc grew curious. "Uncle Marcel?" he asked.
"Yeah?" Marcel replied.
"Why do you live in Gold Coast when most of your work is near Brisbane?" Jean-Luc asked him, "Wouldn't you rather live there so you don't have to commute as far?"
Marcel laughed. "Yeah," he began to tell him, "I've thought about it. A lot, actually." He took a sip of his coffee. "But it's a bit nicer here. I've got a lot more recreation options, and I love going to Surfer's Paradise for a day at the beach."
"Isn't it more expensive here though?" Jean-Luc asked.
Marcel thought quite heavily for a moment. "That's the disadvantage of here, Jean-Luc," he said disheartenedly, "It is harder to get by here than it is in Brisbane. And that includes the moving costs, so even if I had a house ready over there, it'd be rather difficult to come up with the funds to move. And if I had the funds to move, then I wouldn't be able to get a house in Brisbane. It's like I can only have one or the other."
"Oh," Jean-Luc emphasized, "I see, Uncle Marcel." He realized how much of a hardship that must be for his uncle to face. "Where would you prefer to live?" he asked.
"Hmm," Marcel thought, "I can settle for either way, but maybe in Brisbane since I'd be able to afford more over there and it would help ease work commuting. But I'd have to give up my nice house and lifestyle here in Gold Coast." He thought a bit more. "I'll see how my work goes," he said, "If it seems to have a more favorable outlook, I'll look into it more. Is that fair, Jean-Luc?"
"Yeah," Jean-Luc agreed with a nod, "That sounds fair."
Marcel smiled with that all settled. It wasn't Jean-Luc that tried to persuade him into considering to go to Brisbane. He had actually had such thoughts in his mind beforehand. It would make his work easier as well as more often. However, he knew his own limits, and he had to simply settle.
There was something that Marcel wanted a straight answer for though. "You're not asking me about moving to Brisbane so you'd get to see Bluey more often in future trips, are you?" he asked questionably.
"Not really," Jean-Luc answered, "It would be convenient, but it's also just a thought I had too because you travel so far just for your job."
"I guess," Marcel said, "I can see why you'd ask about that then when you put it that way."
Jean-Luc and Marcel continued more on their conversation about it. Marcel explained why he had moved to Gold Coast from when he was a lot younger and how he'd convinced his parents into buying him a place there and how he'd gotten his training and job there as a park ranger. He felt like it was his calling. Jean-Luc listened in fascination.
The next few days, there were times when Marcel had work close to Brisbane. And on those days, Jean-Luc would visit Bluey. They would visit various locations throughout Brisbane together, growing closer each time they saw each other. That was, until it was time for Jean-Luc to return back to Montréal.
"Can we please see Jean-Luc at the airport?" Bluey asked her parents. She even tried giving her classic puppy-eyed face.
Chilli felt like she didn't need to resort to that. "Of course we can, Bluey," she said. She knew how depressing it can be to know when a loved one is leaving and how painful it can be not to be there.
"Do you want me and Bingo to come with you too?" Bandit asked.
"No, it's okay," Bluey responded, "It's only if you want to. But it's fine if it's just me and Mum."
"Are you sure?" Bandit asked to make double-sure about everything.
"Yeah, it's okay, Dad," Bluey nodded, "You and Bingo can stay here."
"Yeah, Dad," Bingo agreed, "Jean-Luc is more Bluey's friend than mine. Even though I think he's okay."
Bluey laughed.
"Alright, then, Bluey," Chilli said, "When is Jean-Luc's flight supposed to be?"
"I think he said it's at three, but let me double-check," Bluey said. She took out her phone and called Jean-Luc.
After a couple rings, Jean-Luc picked up on the other end. "Hello, Bluey," he greeted.
"Hey, Jean-Luc," Bluey greeted back, "Um... What time is your flight? It's at three, right?"
"Yeah," Jean-Luc responded, "Why?"
"'Cause Mum agreed to let me see you off," Bluey said, "So she was asking when you'd be at the airport."
"Oh, okay!" Jean-Luc happily exclaimed. Well, as happy as he could be as far as leaving Bluey behind. "Uncle Marcel and I are actually on our way to the airport now," he continued.
"Tell her we're about halfway to Brisbane," Marcel told Jean-Luc.
"Uncle Marcel said that we're about halfway there," Jean-Luc added, "So you can go there now if you want in order to meet us at the airport."
"Okay, Jean-Luc," Bluey said, "I'll tell Mum."
"Alright, Bluey," Jean-Luc said, "I'll see you there, okay?"
"Okay, Jean-Luc," Bluey said, "Bye."
"Bye, Bluey," Jean-Luc said.
Bluey then hung up her phone. "He said that we can go there now if we want," she informed her mother, "They're about halfway here from Gold Coast."
"Okay, honey," Chilli said, "Let's go then. We might be a little earlier than them, but it's better than being later."
"See you later, Dad! See you, Bingo!" Bluey said as she waved goodbye to them.
"See you later, Bluey," they said, waving back.
With that, Chilli and Bluey left to go to the Brisbane International Airport.
Bluey was both excited as well as upset to see Jean-Luc go back. It was overall a bittersweet day for her.
Chilli noticed her. "Are you okay, sweetie?" she asked.
"I think so?" Bluey answered, unsure of exactly how she felt, "I'm happy that I'm getting to see Jean-Luc one last time here. But I'm also sad because it's the last time I'll get to see him until who knows when." She paused for a moment before admitting, "He won't even be able to go camping this year because he gave that up to see me for graduation and my birthday."
Chilli was empathetic. "I know it's real hard to see someone you love leave," she said, "The only thing you can really do is treasure all the moments you have with him and let him go until you do get to see him again."
"I know," Bluey said, nearly in tears, "But it's still real hard to. I wish we could just be together forever."
"I wish so too, sweetheart," Chilli said to make her feel better, "But maybe someday that might happen. You never really know."
Bluey just sighed. She didn't want it to be just "someday." She wished it were now; where there were no good-byes or wondering when she'd be able to see him again on a mere visit. "I wish I did know..." she said to herself.
Before long, Chilli and Bluey reached the airport. Chilli parked the car and the two of them went inside the airport to wait for Jean-Luc and his uncle. Bluey texted Jean-Luc.
Bluey: We just got here to the airport.
Bluey: Let me know when you're here.
A few minutes went by before Bluey got a reply back.
TING! TING!
Jean-Luc: We just arrived here.
Jean-Luc: Where are you at?
Bluey: We're over by the indoor cafe by the baggage claim.
Jean-Luc: Okay.
Jean-Luc: We'll meet you over there after we submit our passports.
Bluey: Okay.
"Jean-Luc said that he'll meet us over here, Mum," Bluey told Chilli, "He and his uncle are just checking in their passports right now."
"Alright, Bluey," Chilli said. She looked around and spotted a couple chairs next to the café. "Let's sit down over here while we wait."
"Okay, Mum," Bluey said, walking over to one of the available tables.
"Would you like a coffee, Bluey?" Chilli offered, walking her way inside the café. She didn't just want to take a table without ordering anything.
"Yes, please!" Bluey exclaimed, "Can it be an iced mocha cappuccino though?"
"Sure thing, hun," Chilli noted. She went inside the café to place the order.
A few minutes later, Chilli came back with Bluey's iced mocha cappuccino and a caramel latte for herself. It wasn't long before Jean-Luc found them at the table.
"Hello, Bluey," Jean-Luc greeted as he walked over to them.
"Jean-Luc!" Bluey greeted back. She turned around and went over to him to give him a hug.
Jean-Luc smiled as he hugged her back. "I'm so happy you're here," he told her.
"I am too," Bluey said, "I'd never want to miss seeing you off without me."
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
"Hi, Jean-Luc," Chilli greeted, "Would you like a coffee too?"
"Sure, thank you, Mrs. Heeler," Jean-Luc accepted.
"How about you, Mr. Marcel?" Chilli offered to Jean-Luc's uncle, "Would you like one too? My treat."
"I mighty appreciate it," Marcel said, "Just a small cup."
"Okay," Chilli said, "I'll be right back."
"Alright, Mum," Bluey said as her mother walked back into the café.
Marcel sat on a chair to the table next to theirs. He smiled and picked up a newspaper to give Jean-Luc and Bluey some privacy.
"Hey, Jean-Luc?" Bluey asked.
"Yeah?" Jean-Luc asked.
"When do you think you'll be able to visit again?" Bluey asked him, wondering if it will be a long wait until he would come back to see her.
Jean-Luc thought for a moment. He really wasn't sure what to tell her. "I... I don't know, Bluey," he hesitantly said, "I only know we won't be able to come here for the camping trip or Christmas. Uncle Marcel is even coming with me back to Montréal to spend Christmas with the family. Then he's returning back here to Australia by himself."
"So it might be another long time until then for you to come back?" Bluey guessed in a saddened tone. Her tail hung low.
"I'm afraid so," Jean-Luc confirmed, "Possibly next year would be the soonest."
"Next year?!" Bluey exclaimed. It felt like her whole world crumbled right in front of her eyes. She couldn't bear to not be with him for that long.
"Yeah," Jean-Luc said. He didn't like the idea of being that far away from Bluey either.
Bluey and Jean-Luc clung onto each other tightly.
"But I don't want you to be away for that long, Jean-Luc!" Bluey cried with her ears held back. She didn't want to let him go. "I need you here," she said quietly, "With me."
Jean-Luc held her close. He didn't want to let her go either. "I want to be here with you too, Bluey," he softly said to her, rubbing her back in order to comfort her. A short pause between them before he tried to tell her, "Bluey... I... I lo—"
"Flight 521 to Vancouver, British Columbia, now boarding at Gate 19," the announcer said, then repeating in French.
The announcement only made Bluey more upset.
"Here you go," Chilli said, giving Jean-Luc and Marcel their coffees.
"Thank you," Marcel said, grabbing his cup.
"Thanks, Mrs. Heeler," Jean-Luc said.
Chilli simply placed his cup on the table. She could see that his hands were full in trying to calm down Bluey, who was still clinging to him.
Bluey looked up at Jean-Luc with tear-filled eyes. Jean-Luc looked back, trying his best not to cry too. Both of them knew that it was time to go. It was very difficult for both of them, but they eventually let each other go from the embrace.
"Come on, Jean-Luc," Marcel told him. It was hard to see his nephew be so down like that. "It's time for us to get to our flight," he continued, "We can't have it leave without us on board it."
"Yeah, I'm coming, Uncle Marcel," Jean-Luc sighed. He grabbed his coffee cup from the table. Still looking at Bluey, he began to follow Marcel down to the gate.
Bluey sadly stayed behind. She watched Jean-Luc leave with teary eyes until he was no longer in her sight. She then ran to her mother and clinged to her.
Chilli tried her best to comfort her, but it seemed like nothing will ever make Bluey happy ever again. Not until she and Jean-Luc would be able to be in each other's arms again.
At the gate, Marcel and Jean-Luc waited in line to present their boarding passes. They hadn't missed their flight.
Jean-Luc still looked downhearted, and Marcel noticed him.
"You'll see, Jean-Luc," Marcel told him, "If you're meant to be together, one day, you and Bluey will be together forever where you don't have to be apart like this ever again."
Jean-Luc looked at his uncle. "Do you really think that'll happen?" he asked him.
"I'm not sure," Marcel confessed, "But I'm hoping for that day to come."
"So you won't see me be all depressed?" Jean-Luc assumed. He felt like he was being a bit of a burden to his uncle right now.
"No," Marcel clarified, "Because I know you love her. It's as clear as crystal, Jean-Luc."
Jean-Luc blushed. He realized that he did love Bluey. Not as an infatuation, but as genuine love. He cared for her, and he aimed to wanting to make her happy. He could move the world for Bluey, and if it simply made her smile, it would all be worth all the work. "I do love her, Uncle Marcel," he admitted, "I even tried to tell her earlier, but the announcement came on before I could."
"Ah, yeah... I noticed that," Marcel said, "That stuff will happen a lot."
"Do you think that means Bluey and I aren't meant to be?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Not at all!" Marcel told him, "It happened quite a lot for your mom and dad as well."
"It did?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Yes, it did," Marcel answered, "Especially at the beginning of them dating."
Jean-Luc started to feel a little more at ease from his uncle's words.
It was then when Marcel and Jean-Luc presented their boarding passes to the gate's attendants. They checked over them and permitted the two to board the plane.
Marcel and Jean-Luc went inside the terminal and looked for their seats inside the plane.
"There they are," Marcel pointed out, finding their row of seats. He led the way to them.
Jean-Luc followed his uncle to the seats. He then placed his carry-on luggage up above into the overhead cargo hold. He sat in his seat next to the window.
Marcel put his luggage up above as well and sat in his seat next to Jean-Luc. He took out his book and began to read it.
Meanwhile, Jean-Luc looked outside the window and at the airport. It will be a while until he would be back to Australia. And it saddened him greatly. He placed his hand on the window, trying to hold back his tears.
The airplane began to taxi out into the runway. It started its engines and started its journey to Vancouver.
"Bye for now, Bluey," Jean-Luc whispered as the plane began to fly off into the sky, "I love you."