“C’mon novia,” he whispers in her ear. “Everything will be fine. Once we’ve started, you’ll see that it’s no big deal. And when we’ve landed you’ll be so glad you came. I can hardly wait to show you the island! We have our own bungalow right on the beach. There are amazing trails we can hike up the mountains. I’ll take you to my favorite lookout point, Arloa Wana View. You feel like you can see forever, it’s like nothing else you’ll ever see. I want you to see the sunset. Magnificent.”
She looked into his eyes, shining with excitement, and she believed she could do anything, as long as he was there.
It was their first trip together, alone. More important, at this moment, is the fact that it is her first flight. Never before had she been so scared. But she loved him. The chance to be alone together overrode her fear, and here she sat. She was buckled in. Her hand held his in a near death-grip
“Novia, listen to the stewardess. You’ll feel better if you know what is going to happen. She’ll tell you all the safety precautions. And I’m right here.” He kissed her cheek.
She was glad he had arranged for the seats they had: the last row of the plane, just the two of them. Everyone else was ahead of them, so they wouldn’t see her fear, she wouldn’t feel so foolish.
The stewardess was no comfort, with talk of emergency exits, floatation devices, and oxygen masks. Oh Lord, what had she done? She began to hyperventilate as the pilot’s voice came over the intercom and the monstrous tin can they sat in began to move.
He touched her chin, turning her to face him. “Look at me. Nothing will happen. We’ll be fine. And when we get there, it will all be worth it.” Then he kissed her. Her mind shut down...
The stewardess cleared her throat. “Would you care for a drink, sir?” He ended the kiss with a grin. “Yes. I’ll have a vodka and lemonade, and my lady will have a shot of peppermint.” He unbuckled their seatbelts since they had passed the all-clear mark.
The stewardess recognized him immediately as the singer of every woman’s fantasy, herself included. She stood still, enjoying the view for a moment, even though the woman certainly ruined it. He turned back and looked at her as if he expected something. What? Oh! “I’m sorry, sir. We have no peppermint.” Nice recovery! But boy, she’d kill for some, even if it was for the woman. If she had peppermint, she’d give it to him; she’d do anything he asked, give him anything he asked. But she was working, and he seemed to be very involved with the woman next to him. What a kiss that had been! She hadn’t seen anything quite like that, firsthand, in a long time.
“That’s all right, I’ll have the same.”
The stewardess poured their drinks, lingering as long as she dared, trying to steal surreptitious looks at him. Reluctantly, she left. It turned out that they would need nothing else during the flight, so she was left to content herself with being able to wish him a pleasant stay in Hawaii - not her though.
“So, did the earth move, or did we take off?”
He laughed. “Ah, so my plan worked. I figured if I could distract you, you’d be fine during take off.” He sipped his drink, and added, “And I was hoping you’d give me back the circulation in my hand.” He flexed.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” She took his hand, kissed it. “I feel so stupid. I was – I still am – so scared. But I’d do anything to make it up to you. Forgive me?”
He ran his hand over her long, silky soft hair. “No forgiveness necessary. I am proud that you faced your fear. I’m glad you came with me. It’ll be good to get away from everyone. Hawaii can make you forget the rest of the world exists. I love it there, and I want you to love it, too.”
“If you are there, I know I will,” she said, running her thumb over his cheek, playing with his ear.
The plane dipped as they hit an air pocket. “Turbulence,” he explained as her eyes widened in fear. “Happens all the time, novia.” She paled, downed the remainder of her drink, set down her glass. “Oh Sweet Jesus.” She snuggled against him, and he wrapped her in his well-toned arms. “If you say so.” She reveled in the sensation of security he gave her.
Now if only he could convince her that he wanted her, just where she was, always
She remembers that is how they remained for the rest of the flight. She would have never seen Hawaii without the reassurance he gave her. In this case, he literally gave her the wings with which to fly.