I gripped the armrest. "Gideon… there's… so much water."
He grinned. "More than you can imagine."
"Will we fall in?"
"No," he chuckled. "Not today."
The children pressed their noses to the glass in unison.
"Water!" Klaus shrieked.
"So much!" Hilde cried.
"Are there sharks?" Axel asked, fascinated.
Gideon leaned over. "Only friendly ones."
I laughed—really laughed—and for amoment, I felt weightless.
Meals were served in metal trays: warm rolls, butter, ham, and something they calledcasserole. The children ate until they were pink-cheeked and sleepy. Blankets were handed out. Cushions too. Hilde curled up in my lap. Klaus fell asleep on Gideon's shoulder. Axel stretched across two seats, snoring softly.
Hours passed in a gentle hum.
For the first time in years, nothing hurt.
Gideon surprised us halfway through the journey.
"You want to see the cockpit?" he asked.
The children nearly exploded with joy. He winked at me and led them through the narrow aisle into the sacred space where the pilots sat. I followed on tiptoes, wondering if I was allowed here too. Gauges glowed softly. Lights blinked. The sky stretched endlessly in front of us, a sea of cotton clouds tinted pink by the sinking sun.
Axel whispered, "It's magic."
Klaus reached out hesitantly. "Can I… touch?"
Gideon nodded. "Only this switch."
Klaus flipped it. A tiny light blinked.
Hilde giggled.
Then the plane shuddered, and I froze.
The captain called, "Turbulence ahead, Captain Griffin."
Gideon squeezed my hand. "It's alright. Just air pockets. We're safe."
The plane rattled again. My breath shortened.
Gideon pulled me gently into his chest. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
And just like that, the fear loosened. We left the cockpit, and the children talked for an hour straight about buttons and clouds and how Gideon was obviously a sky king.
I agreed.
Hours later, the mountains rose from the horizon like a painting coming alive. Deep blue peaks. Silver rivers. Forests rolling in endless waves. And the sky—God, the sky—so open and clean it made my chest ache.
"This…" I whispered, pressing my fingers to the window. "This is our new home?"
