We reach our gate just in time. The airport employee calls our section to board, and we’re ushered into line. We hand over our boarding passes without complications.
We walk through the long metal bridge, the hum of the airplane in the distance vibrating through the floor beneath us.
The metallic clang of the bridge underfoot mingles with the indistinct murmur of passengers around us. I catch Millie’s hand, feeling the slight tremble that betrays her calm facade. I know this travel anxiety all too well, and I silently vow to be her anchor, just as she has been mine.
I get Aura and Millie settled in the pod first, securing her in their seats. Then, I stow our carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment.
As I sit down, I take a moment to breathe in the space's peace. Millie’s sitting beside me, her eyes still full of the soft reflection of Italy, but now there’s something else there, too.
Something deeper.
When she catches my gaze, her eyes seem to shine even brighter, like I’ve just discovered a layer of her I haven’t seen before. I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently as I bring it to my lips, kissing the top of her hand with a soft, lingering touch.
She looks at me, and for a moment, it feels like no one else exists in the world. “You know, your eyes remind me of a hidden forest,” I say softly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “In the right light, I can see flecks of gold shimmeringwithin them, capturing the warmth of the sun in the green hue of a forest.”
She tilts her head, curiosity piqued, her expression softening. “Oh really? Tell me more,” she says, her voice almost breathless as she leans a little closer to me.
I feel the air between us change, the intensity of her attention making my heart race. “Sometimes they’re bright and alive, sparkling with desire, and other times, it’s almost like they reflect your passions and dreams. It’s impossible for me not to get lost in them.”
Her lips part slightly, her breath catching as she feels the weight of my words. She bites her lip, an emotion crossing her face that I can’t quite place. “You carry such a warmth within you, and when you look at me, the entire world fades away. Like we are stuck in our own little bubble.”
Her gaze softens more, and without a word, she brings her hand to my face, cupping it gently. Her thumb traces the line of my jaw, and she leans in slowly, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss so soft, so full of promise. My breath hitches for a second, and I forget where we are.
“I love you, Gabriel,” she murmurs between kisses. “I treasure every moment we share. I do my best to make sure you feel loved and valued in each one—because the way you make me feel is unlike anything I’ve ever known. What we have makes me believe deeply in the love stories you only read about in books.”
I feel a lump in my throat as I pull her closer, my heart swelling at her words. “Millie…” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
She leans her head against my chest, and I close my eyes, holding her in the silence that follows. The hum of the airplane fades away, and it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.
Neither of us notices when the plane lifts off, the engines roaring as we leave theground.
I’m lost in her, in the way her words wrap around me, making me feel both weightless and anchored at the same time.
The rest of the flight is smooth. We don’t hit a single bump, and the hours drift by quietly. Millie rests her head on my shoulder, her breathing soft and steady. I stay awake, watching over both of them—Millie and Aura—and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This trip, this little family I’ve created, has given me something I never knew existed. Something that feels permanent.
When we finally land in Cherry Falls, the fatigue from the long day of travel hits us all at once. It’s a quiet exhaustion, the kind that comes from doing something worthwhile. I turn to Millie as we pull into my driveway.
“I was sad to leave Italy,” she sighs, “but there’s nothing like coming home.”
Her voice is soft, almost wistful, and I know she’s not referring to my house as “home” in the traditional sense. But for a moment, I imagine a life where weshareda home—where this feeling of contentment isn’t something fleeting, but permanent. It’s a daydream, but one I hold on to as I turn off the engine.
I glance at her one more time as she opens the door. Her smile tired but genuine. “Yeah,” I agree softly, my thoughts lingering on the future. “There’s nothing like coming home.”
We stand there for a moment longer, the air heavy with unspoken promises and the soft twilight settling in. I reach out, pulling her hand into mine, fingers interlacing naturally. In that simple touch, I feel the strength of what we’ve built—not just this trip, but everything we hope for. The past is behind us, and the future feels full of possibility.
Ciao, cucciola- hello little one
Finalmente- Finally
