“She’s kidding.” Gabriel swaps my pass with his. With a second scan, we are clear to board.
My legs still feel paralyzed.
Gabriel puts his hand at the bottom of my back and directs me towards the entrance of the plane. “I know you’re scared, Bumper, but I promise you will be okay.” He keeps his hand on my back, soothing me, grounding me.
He urges me forward lightly with one hand while carrying both our bags and Aura in the other. “Just think, the sooner we get on the plane, the quicker we can get off.”
I manage a tight chuckle. He’s trying to make light of it, but the turbulence in my stomach is anything but light. I feel like I’m going to explode.
We finally get to the entrance of the plane. Gabriel is still guiding me, walking ahead with both our bags in one hand and Aura in the other. “You never mentioned you feared flying.”
I shoot him a sidelong glance, trying not to show how much his words affect me. “You didn’t ask,” I mumble, staring down at the floor.
He snickers. “You got me there.” There’s a pause, and then hisvoice softens again. “Why did you agree to spend ten hours doing exactly what you are afraid of then?”
I’m not really sure how to answer that. I can’t keep hiding in Cherry Falls forever. And honestly, I’ve always dreamed of going to Italy. It’s not an opportunity you turn down—even if it means being crammed into a tiny seat for hours.
“I guess it’s time for something new,” I say, glancing up at him. “Italy’s been on my list forever, and maybe this is my chance to finally see what else is out there.”
We find our seats in first class, and for a moment, I forget about my fear entirely. Gabriel leans back in his seat, glancing over at me with that faint grin of his. “You know, you shouldn’t insult a man’s size before seeing it.”
I roll my eyes. “Gabriel Sirolli. Did you seriously just make a dick joke?”
His chuckle fills the small space between us, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Did it distract you, though?” He adds, looking far too pleased with himself.
I groan, but he’s right. For a split second, the joke actually helped ease the tension. Maybe this flight won’t be so bad after all.
Hours later, the plane hits turbulence, and all my earlier anxiety floods back in full force. My body tenses when the first round of shakes hit, but it’s the second wave that makes my hands tremble uncontrollably. The seatbelt light flicks on, and before I can even process it, I’m gripping Gabriel’s arm like a lifeline.
“Gabriel!” I whisper-shout in a panic-laced tone, my voice higher than I meant.
He doesn’t even flinch. “It’s fine, Bumper,” he says calmly, reaching over to give me the panda stuffie I packed. “It’s just a little turbulence, nothing to be scared of. I got you.”
I’m not okay. My chest is tight, and my breath is shallow, but Gabriel doesn’t let go. “Think of it like the carnival,” he continues. “Like a roller coaster? Close your eyes and imagine that. You’re in control.”
I do as he says—mostly because I don’t know what else to do. Closing my eyes, I try to shut out the rattling of the plane. Instead, I picture a roller coaster, the thrill of the climb, the rush of the drop. I focus on that sense of excitement, trying to trick my brain into seeing this as something fun instead of terrifying. The plane shakes again, but then it settles.
The turbulence passes, and Gabriel’s voice breaks through the quiet. “See, perfectly fine.”
* * *
When we finally land in Italy, I can’t help but let out a huge sigh of relief. I’m exhausted, but the worst is over.
I feel like collapsing the moment I step off the plane, Aura tucked against my chest in her sling, my knees wobbly like I just ran a marathon.
I nearly fall to the ground, holding Aura, when I step off the plane, my legs feeling like jelly. I’m not trying to be dramatic or anything, but I really thought my life was over during that period of turbulence.
“You did it, Bumper! I’m proud of you.” Gabriel says, his voice filled with pride.
The compliment hits me harder than I expected. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear that until now. Gabriel’s praise feels like a hug around my heart, and it makes the anxiety worth it.
I follow Gabriel to the luggage claim area, pushing Aura in her convertible car seat stroller. I tell Aura all about what is around us while Gabriel waits to grab our suitcases.
Traveling with a baby requires so much more than you can imagine, so Gabriel has to wait longer for the suitcase that holds all of his daughter’s belongings.
“Okay, girls, let’s head to the villa.”
