Page 95 of Bound by Love
“Yes. This trip is needed by all of us.” Brie stood on tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Now, I need to buy a christening outfit for her.”
“Let me go with you,” Sir insisted.
“No need. I’ll do it online. Gives me time to start packing. Having to travel overseas with a baby will require a lot more planning and equipment. But I’m not complaining. I can’t wait to seeNonnahold Hope for the first time.”
Tears welled up in her eyes just thinking about it. “This is exactly what my heart needs.”
Brie double-checked to make sure Hope was secure before the plane started down the runway. As she glanced out the window, she was overcome with a feeling of dread. Grabbing Sir’s hand for comfort, she found his was ice cold.
Looking up at his calm face, Brie would never have guessed he was terrified to take this flight, but she could clearly feel his terror rolling off him now. Brie squeezed his hand tightly to give him reassurance.
He glanced at her and nodded before looking ahead again.
The fact he was on this plane spoke to Sir’s level of courage and love of family. In all aspects of his life, he had never let unwarranted fears stand in his way. This, however, was different. He had every reason to fear flying, having almost died in a plane crash at this very airport.
And yet…
Here he was, quietly facing that fear so he could present their daughter to his father’s family.
As the engines revved and the plane started bouncing just before takeoff, Rytsar made an offhand comment. “Comrade, I don’t want to alarm you, but I heard that a small two-seater plane crashed into the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills yesterday.”
Sir narrowed his eyes.
“Rytsar!” Brie cried out in protest.
Rytsar smiled at her and continued undaunted. “Search and rescue workers have recovered two hundred bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues.”
Sir shook his head slowly, glaring at Rytsar as the plane lifted off.
Brie felt her stomach drop as they broke contact with the ground. Her nerves increased, along with Sir’s, as they rose higher and higher over the ocean, and then the plane banked sharply to the right, finally settling into its set flying pattern.
Sir suddenly let go of her hand and relaxed.
Raising an eyebrow at Rytsar, he said, “That joke was worthy of Ms. Taylor, but she would have the sense to wait untilafterthe plane had taken off.”
“Ah, but that was purposeful on my part, comrade. If you are concentrating on being upset with me, you naturally would think less about the plane crashing.”
“Surely, there must have been a better way to handle it,” Brie insisted.
“Not for a sadist.” Rytsar smirked, adding, “I rather enjoyed myself.”
“I could tell,” Sir replied. He turned to unbuckle the baby, holding her against his chest as he closed his eyes.
Brie said nothing as she watched, knowing he needed that connection and peace that only holding their little girl could provide.
Rytsar gazed at Sir for several moments, a tender look in his eye. As cruel as he could be sometimes with his humor, Rytsar was a true and loyal friend.
“Must you hog the babe?” he finally complained after several minutes had passed.
Sir opened his eyes. “For that little stunt? I think a timeout fordyadyais in order.”
“You wouldn’t,” Rytsar protested, turning to Brie for support.
Brie didnotwant to step in between the two Doms, choosing to say nothing about it as she stared out the window at the land racing by down below them. “So amazing. Everyone is going about their lives, busy with their daily routine, but us…?” She turned to face them. “We’re headed to Italy!”
“And a christening,” Sir added, handing Hope over to Rytsar. “Not that you deserve to be her godfather after that joke.”
Rytsar gratefully took the babe into his arms. “You know you love me, comrade. Who else would be brave enough to jest with you in such a way?”
