Part 605

“Well, that was certainly easier than the last flight we took.” Nick was busy strapping Garrett’s infant carrier into the wide, comfortable seat in First Class. Their check-in through security screening had been a breeze, and this time they’d allowed the baby to remain asleep in his carrier rather than taking him out and waking him up. 

“It’s screwy how different each airport seems, isn’t it? One is easy, one is kind of middle of the road, while the next is nearly impossible.” Becca was struggling to get their last carryon bag into the overhead compartment. 

“Then it’s just a damn good thing I was here, huh?” Nick grinned. 

“Absolutely,” Becca said rolling her eyes. Pitching her voice almost an octave higher she gushed, “Oh Nick … I mean, ‘Mr. Carter’, come right this way. We’ll just get you right on through this long waiting line.” 

“Aw come on Bec, can I help it if she was a fan?” 

“Can I help it if I’d like to report her for being derelict in her duties? Nick, she was so far off the procedure-” 

“Bec? Shut up.” Wrapping his hand behind her head, he planted a huge kiss on her lips, the one sure fire way to silence her. 

“Ahem.” The amused sound behind them caused them to quickly break apart in embarrassment. It was the pilot, trying to make his way from the galley in the rear of the plane to cockpit. “If you’ll take your seats and buckle up, we can get this plane in the air.” 

“Sorry,” they both mumbled as he chuckled. 

“Buckle up kids, we’ll have you home in about an hour.” 

It was getting to be dusk as they took off from the Atlanta Airport. Their layover had been unavoidably long, since they had only reserved the tickets a little over twenty four hours prior, but it was thankfully uneventful. Their first class seats had allowed them the privilege of waiting in one of the exclusive Sky Club areas, thereby avoiding possibly never-ending fan encounters and finally they were airborne.  

“Almost home, baby,” Nick said as he leaned over Becca to peer out the window. As much as he detested flying, it always seemed better when she was there. 

“Isn’t it beautiful?” The plane banked as it curved toward the south, and the bright lights of the city sparkled below them, slowly growing tinier and tinier as the plane rose higher and higher. Becca reached for Nick’s hand and squeezed it. Their almost year-long adventure was nearly over and she was unexpectedly excited to see what the future would hold. 

“Not as beautiful as you,” Nick whispered in her ear. 

“Nick Carter, I swear, you’re turning into an old mush just like me,” she laughed. 

“You complainin’?” he grinned. 

Becca smiled. “Not a bit.”

Part 606            Index