Her plane landed a half hour ahead of schedule, and Topaz realized how good it felt to actually be home. Her sister, Tara, would be meeting her at the airport, and Kayla would be with her. She missed her little girl. She was everything to Topaz and it showed. She walked through the gate, and into the crowded Dallas airport. Suddenly she heard a shriek.

"Mommy!" Kayla was running toward her. Topaz picked her up and kissed her on the forehead. She was such a beautiful little girl, and a few passengers stopped to stare at them.

"Kayla baby, mommy missed you so much. Now I have to put you down, you're getting so big." She smiled down at her daughter. It was almost scary how much she resembled Aj.

"I took her shopping at the Disney store. She had such a good time in there." Tara announced.

Topaz gave her sister a hug, "Oh you did, did you?"

"Yeah but I didn't spoil her this time, I promise." She looked over at her niece and winked.

"Hmm, I bet. I am beat. Can we get out of here?" Topaz asked, tiredly. She took Kayla's hand and led them away from the gate.

********

Later on that evening, after she had settled back in, she picked up the phone and called Aj.

"Hello?" He answered, sounding exhausted.

"Alex, it's me. I am home safe and sound. I don't want to bother you if you're busy, I just thought I'd let you know." Topaz said a bit too quickly.

"Hey slow down, it's alright. I've got time to talk. How was your flight?" He asked curiously.

"Fine. Long. Boring. I am so tired I think I'll go lie down in a little bit." She yawned into the receiver.

Aj asked, concerned "You do sound tired. Are you feeling ok?" Ever since she told him about the cancer, he'd been worried.

"Yeah, I am ok. I have that surgery tomorrow, which I am not looking forward to, but I'll be alright." She said, stifling another yawn.

"Ok, you take care of yourself and get some rest. Call me after the surgery alright?"

"Sure thing..."

"Hey Topaz?"

"What sweetie?" She asked.

"I love you." Aj said, smiling into the telephone.

"I love you too, goodnight." With that, she hung up the phone.

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