“This isn’t about being perfect partners. It’s about being partners who keep choosing to show up and work through the hard things together.”
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“There’s another thing I want to observe before we wrap up my assessment,” Elena said. “I’d like to watch one of your flight sessions. See you in instructor mode, how you handle responsibility and safety decisions, how you teach.”
My stomach tightened. “When?”
“Friday morning, if that works.” She closed her notepad. “I’ll monitor from the ground with a headset, observe the instruction without interfering.”
“Yes ma’am,” I forced myself to sound steadier than I felt.
We all stood. “Thank you both for your honesty today,” Elena smiled. “This kind of vulnerability isn’t easy, but it gives me what I need to help rather than guess.”
“Thank you,” Alex nodded.
We walked out together, Alex’s hand in mine, both of us quiet with the weight of everything we’d exposed in that room.
“That wasn’t as terrible as I thought it would be,” she spoke once we were outside, afternoon sun warm on our faces.
“Elena’s good at what she does,” I squeezed her fingers. “You were amazing in there, darlin’. All that directness.”
“No drugs,” she glanced at me. “Makes it painfully easier to say what I actually mean instead of deflecting.”
“I like it.”
“Yeah, well you don’t have to lie awake at night replaying it over in your head.”
“Next time it does, wake me up and let’s talk about it.”
Friday’s flight observation was coming, but for now, I just wanted to be with the woman who loved me. Who’d sat through all of that—the hiding, the shame, the ways I’d kept failing us both—and still chose me.
Whatever Elena saw on Friday would be what it was.
All I could do was show up and be honest about what I still had.
Chapter 49
I never needed the magic
Finn
The morning air was cool and clear. Perfect flying weather. I stood outside the hangar watching Alex complete her walk-around of the Cub, her movements confident and methodical after a month of near-daily practice.
“Everything looks good,” she returned to where I stood, hands on her hips. “She’s ready when we are.”
“Good,” I checked my watch. Elena would be here any minute. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Alex studied my face. “Hey. You’ve got this.”
“Yeah,” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Just nervous about being observed, even though I should be used to it by now.”
“I know,” she stepped closer, her hand finding my waist. “I’ve been thinking. We should make this comprehensive. Full demonstration of how you teach.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean even for stuff I’m comfortable with now. Give me the complete talk-through. Show Elena every aspect of your methodology.” She squeezed gently. “Don’t hold back just because I’ve gotten decent at something. Demonstrate the whole process.”
I looked at her. “You want me to over-coach you.“
