Page 1 of Raised By Firefighter Daddy

CHAPTER ONE

Lacey

“Last call for final boarding on flight number 226 Nome, Alaska,” called out the stewardess’s voice over the intercom as it echoed through the airport. “All boarding passes for B and C may now board.” Rising to my feet, I hurried to get in line to board the plane, my boarding pass in one hand and my carry-on in the other.

This is not how I wanted to spend my weekend, but I already knew I didn't have a choice. When I told Clary that she should follow her heart and fight for the man she had fallen in love with, I didn't think she would move to Alaska and cut all contact with everybody. The only one she had ever bothered to talk to with me, and everybody was counting on me to bring her home in time to help her parents, who are both sick in the hospital and needed to be put in a retirement home on assistance I knew it wasn't exactly my responsibility, but, considering the fact that I still felt guilty that she moved to Alaska just because of some advice I gave her, I felt like it was my duty to at least talk to her since she wasn't answering my calls.

Everybody called me crazy when I said I would have to fly to Alaska to get Clary home. Still, after seeing how I had been trying to reach her for the last several weeks with no luck at all, they determined it was the best course of action, especially since her family needed her, so with the help of several friends from work, I scrounge together enough money to get to Alaska in order to look for her knowing that if I didn't come back within a week, her family was going to be put in hospice. She may never be able to see them again.

The stewardess looked a bit strange as she stared at my ticket, almost as if she suspected that it was a fake. I wasn't quite sure what exactly the issue was, especially since that was the ticket I had been issued whenever I arrived at check-in and sent in my bag, but I wasn't going to argue with the stewardess and risk my mission. So, I just smiled politely as I watched her examine the ticket.

“Have a good flight,” she said politely as she handed me back the ticket, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I accepted back my boarding pass and made my way onto the plane, relieved that she hadn't tried to argue with me when I tried to board.

Considering the fact that this was my first time flying on an airplane, I had no idea what to expect. I was terrified, and I wanted nothing more than just to go back home and completely forget about the trip. I was terrified of heights and never wanted to fly in the first place, but everybody told me it was the fastest way to get to Alaska in order to help Clary reunite with her parents after she moved away. Thankfully, I chose an aisle seat and wouldn't have to look out the window the entire trip, but, at the same time, I was still just as terrified of flying as I would be if I were at the window seat.

“Excuse me, I think you're in my seat,” said a tiny petite woman as she approached me. “ I'm supposed to have an aisle seat, and my fiancé here is supposed to have a middle seat which means that you need to be next to the window.” I felt the color drain from my face as I looked up at her feeling a bit confused as I took in her expression

Even though she was obviously smaller than me, her short spiky blond hair and entitled attitude already told me that she was one of those people that everybody called Karen and wouldn't let me get away with what I wanted when I had what she wanted. I already felt that this would turn into a big altercation if I didn't, but I still didn't want to take the window seat. Looking down at my boarding pass, I checked the seat number and ensured that I was in the correct seat.

“You probably have the wrong row,” I informed her as politely as possible in order to avoid angering her any further than she already was. “According to my boarding pass, this is the correct seat.” She scoffed as she rolled her eyes and shook her head at me

“Well, I have astigmatism and need accommodations,” she demanded that she crossed her arms at me. “This is obviously my row which means you're in my seat. Aren't you going to accommodate for the fact that I have astigmatism and need the aisle seat? or am I going to have to get a lawyer and security because you're refusing to accommodate for my medical needs?” I was about to respond when the flight attendant made her way down the aisle to check on the three of us.

“Is something the matter here?” she asked politely with a slight grimace on her perfectly composed face. I started to open my mouth to say something when Karen and her so-called fiance immediately turned to the flight attendant, and I already felt sorry for the poor woman.

“This woman is refusing to accommodate for my medical needs by giving me her seat so that I don't end up having any issues during the flight,” she said as she picked up her sunglasses and placed them on her head. “I demand that this woman give me the aisle seat before you have to call security, but she's not listening, so I think you'll have to kick her off the flight.” A terrified whimper escaped me as I stared at the flight attendant, who was already regarding me with a stern look on her face as she considered Karen's words.

“Ma'am, can I have you come with me for a minute?” the flight attendant asked, and she gave me a polite smile. “There's something I need to discuss with you before we take any further action regarding this customer's complaint.” Realizing that I had no choice, I rose to my feet and started to follow the flight attendant down the aisle back towards the plane's door, completely ignoring the smug look on Karen's face as I left. As soon as we were far enough away from Karen and her so-called fiance, the flight attendant turned to face me and politely smiled. “I'm so sorry about all that. Can I see your boarding pass really quick?” I nodded my head absent-mindedly as I handed her my boarding pass, knowing full well that I was about to get kicked off the flight just because some jerk wanted my seat

“I'm about to get kicked off the flight, aren't I?” I asked as she studied my ticket for a moment, unable to handle the suspense any longer. Surprisingly, she looked up at me and shook her head, looking confused as she giggled at me.

“Actually, no, you're not,” she reassured me, and she handed me back my ticket. “That customer that just confronted you is actually a frequent flyer with this airline, and we all have had issues with her at least once in our careers. So, in order to prevent any issues when trying to take off, we decided to give her whatever she wants and upgrade anybody she inconveniences to business class as long as we have room. Lucky for you, we have plenty of room up in business, so I was going to ask if you wouldn't mind flying in business class.” I gave a huge sigh of relief as I pressed the hand on my chest, amazed at the fact that everything was working out as well as it.

“I wouldn't mind at all as long as I don't have to sit next to the window,” I replied eagerly as I nodded my head. “Not that it's a requirement. I'm just new to flying and absolutely terrified of heights.” The flight attendant laughed as she motioned for me to follow her.

“You weren't the only one,” she said that she led me towards business class. “It happens more often than you think.”