Page 3 of Love's Hot

The trip to the airport is full of idle conversation about our day, what the plan is for when we land in New York, and more importantly, where we’re off to after the show. I doubt Grant and Zara will be coming out partying with us tonight. They haven’t seen each other for two weeks, so if I were them, I’d want to be ditching us and heading back to Zara’s apartment. Not that I will be saying that to my big brother. Alesha and I might have that sort of relationship, but Grant is my oldest brother. Talking to him, even jokingly, about sex is totally off the table. He doesn’t want to know anything about his sister’s sex life and probably still sees me as his virginal little sister. Let me assure you, I’m far from that. I feel that same way about Grant. Thinking about him having sex is like walking in on your parents going at it. That vision burns the back of your eyeballs and it’s an image that can’t be unseen. Thinking about Grant gives me the same sick feeling in my stomach. It’s just off limits.

Thank god Xavier chose valet parking so we can get inside and checked in. Grant is already blowing up our phones wondering where we are. I’m going to need champagne to cope with him this afternoon, until he gets to see his girl. Zara is the only one who can calm him and have him eating out of her hand. I never thought Grant would find someone who would put up with his dominant personality, but Zara has him on his knees and he’s happy to be there.

We can see him pacing as we head towards the gate for our departure. I don’t know what his problem is, we have at least twenty minutes to spare. That’s got to be a record for me. Xavier and Alesha reach him first. He leans in and hugs her, leaving a kiss on her cheek, and then a man hug for Xavier.

“Working on Lilly time again, are we?” He scowls as he turns to see me.

“We’re here before they’re calling us to start boarding the plane. I don’t see an issue. I would say that I’m early, wouldn’t you?” I flash a big smile and dip my head and get just what I was aiming for. Grant to take me in for a hug, laugh a little, kiss my cheek and say what he always does: “Only you, Lilly, only you.”

Now that, people, is how you tame a big brother.

Sitting in airports is always so much fun. Watching people and trying to guess their stories. Where they’re travelling to, what for, who with and what sort of things they packed in their bag. Alesha and I used to play this when we were younger, but the older we get, the more elaborate the stories become. Mine always involve some crazy turn of events or a weird piece of luggage. They always end up coming back to something a little naughty. Alesha elbows me and looks across to the guy sitting on his own in the corner of the lounge where we’re sitting waiting. I smile at her and grab my phone, because the boys would not appreciate our stupidity. I start texting.

Lilly: He has been on a buying trip for his company that sells sex toys. His suitcase if full of samples and his girlfriend is waiting for him at home. He told her to be naked when he gets home so they can try out the samples.

Alesha: Wow, you went there early. I’m sure you have sex on the brain most days.

Lilly: Me…? Not a chance. I have it on my mind every single day. I’m just not lucky enough to be getting it every day like you.

Alesha: Sucks to be you then. Maybe you should go ask him for a sample.

Lilly: Why, Alesha… I never, young lady!! Lol

I can see Alesha giggling to herself as she hits send. I can’t help but laugh a little too as I read it. Who would have thought I would be the one being jealous of my sister’s love life? Not me, that’s for sure.

Lilly: Ok, your turn. The two young girls sitting with the older lady near the check-in counter.

Alesha: That is their grandmother who they have been staying with. Their mother and father have been travelling to New York for a job interview for their mom to be a Journalist with the New York Times. They’re flying to New York to meet up with them for a family holiday.

Lilly: Yours are always so sweet, just like you.

Alesha: Someone has to balance out your perverted mind.

Lilly: Oh, the horror!!!

Alesha: What about the lady over near the window looking out at the planes. Holding the baby and rocking her in that cute pink blanket.

Looking over at her, there’s something a little different. It looks like she has security with her and no bags, not even a small carry-on for her and the baby. Before I have time to answer her, the people start filtering out of the doors from the plane that’s landed. I can see Grant getting antsy to get on the plane to get to Zara. Xavier is relaxed, sitting in his chair and looking at his tablet, with his arm around Alesha. Just slowly and softly rubbing up and down her arm. I turn back to watch the lady with the baby who has gained my attention and imagination; maybe she’s waiting for someone rather than her and the baby boarding the plane. The security guy says something to her and she moves a little closer to the gate.

The passengers keep streaming past her, yet she still stands there nervously, rocking from side to side, slowly patting the bottom of the little one in her arms. Her body language tells me she’s nervous, apprehensive but also excited. You can see the anticipation inside her. I can’t hear what she’s whispering to her little girl, but the words are making her smile every time she looks down into the eyes of her baby. She keeps glancing back up to the people exiting the plane, looking, searching and trying to contain her excitement. I start to worry that whoever she’s waiting for has missed the plane because the passengers have stopped coming. Then part of the flight crew starts to come out with the captain waiting by the door for the last person.

We become witness to the most emotional reunion. The man in an army uniform steps through the door, shaking the hands of all the flight crew. He’s limping, obviously carrying a leg injury. I look across to the woman who is now walking towards him with tears streaming down her face. She must have special military clearance to be in here to wait for him, hence the security.

He turns to face her as she approaches him. He drops his bag and reaches out to take her face in his hands, slowly taking in every feature on her face as if to memorize it. Then he leans forward and gives her a kiss like he wants to consume her.

Finally, he pulls back and then his hand drops to the bundle in her arms. He strokes the baby’s cheek and leans forward to kiss her. His tears now falling freely as his wife lifts the baby girl into his arms. This big strong soldier is sobbing from what I am guessing is the first time he is meeting his daughter. His shoulders are rising and falling, showing the emotion flowing through his body as he clings to her with all the strength he has while he lifts his other arm around his wife, and they bond for the first time as a family. The waiting area has gone quiet as we’re all aware of the private moment we’re sharing.

The captain and the flight crew start clapping and that has us all starting to cheer and clap. Alesha and I are both wiping tears from our cheeks. You can’t help but feel emotional after what we just witnessed. I hear Grant behind me whisper to no one, “Thank you for your service,” which is his way of showing how he’s affected by what he just saw, but he’s a macho man and doesn’t cry.

Picking up his bag in one hand and carrying his little girl in the other arm, the couple start to leave the waiting area with his wife’s arm linked in his. I doubt they will be breaking that connection for days. Good luck to them and I wish them happiness and a speedy recovery from the injury.

Looking to Alesha, I say through my tears, “I could never have made up anything as beautiful as that.” She just nods at me from where her face is resting on Xavier’s chest, him leaning down and kissing the top of her head. One day I want what they have, and especially the connection that is unspoken, like the soldier and his little family.

One day, just not yet; I still have so much fun to enjoy.

Note to self, though – men in uniform to be added to the future date list!

Finally, they’re calling boarding instructions for our flight. I wipe the thoughts of a cozy family life from my mind. Time to party, getting myself another booty call to erase the memory of poor little Lenny.

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