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Everyone loved that plane, wanted it to fly, almost like it was a symbol of the business. Having it sit for years and years was a disgrace in their minds… and Flyboys was anything but that.
It was a dream, a hope, and provided well for their families, giving them the chance to thrive in what they all loved.
Flying.
Now it was time for the old bomber to soar into the skies once again.
“Let’s get this going,” Valkyrie began, kissing the baby once more, before leaning forward to kiss Nicolette on the cheek and turning to her mother. “Quit worrying. I’ll be fine.”
“You better be,” her mother said tightly, plastering a smile on her face that was completely fake.
As the crowds melted back from the runway, Nicolette smiled as Luke kissed her again, before jogging back to rejoin Glory and Alpo in the hangar with any last-minute items that came up.
It always took her breath away when the huge hangar doors would lift, like some massive animal opening its maw… but this time was different. Instead of the B-52 being towards the back of the hangar on display?
It was directly in front, ready for flight.
Nicolette swallowed – and dutifully picked up the sippy cup Erin dropped, only to see that her other child, sweet little Marie, was still sound asleep in the stroller. Her stomach gave a lurch, as if her son was making his presence known once again, saying hello, or could feel her anxiety that she was trying to hide.
Pushing the stroller towards the building, she smiled gratefully as Houdini helped lift the front of the stroller, getting it into the building.
Luke had suggested she watch from Harley’s office window, the big bay window on the front of the building. It was actually a fantastic idea, too. Air-conditioned, comfortable seating, and it would help muffle the noise for the children… plus protect them if there was another fuel leak.
She could also dial 911 if something went wrong.
Waiting patiently, she gave Erin a piece of paper and a highlighter to ‘color’ with, watching out the window patiently… only to hear a roar in the distance that caused all of them to be startled.
Erin looked at her nervously, and Nicolette immediately smoothed her daughter’s dark blond curls.
“It’s okay. Grandpa is going to fly the big plane today.”
“Poppy?”
“Yes. Poppy is going to fly.”
Before her very eyes, the roaring grew louder – combined with a massive cheer that went up from everyone standing there waiting. She saw Luke, Glory, and Alpo run out of the hangar after the plane – before cheering, jumping into the air, and hugging each other wildly as it lumbered with such a force down the runway it was staggering.
It also made her wonder if the runway was long enough!
The plane suddenly lifted – and everyone grew silent as the massive roaring and rumbling suddenly faded as it careened into the sky… a black smear against a bright blue horizon.
The radio suddenly crackled behind her.
“Flyboys this is Valkyrie… we’ve got liftoff, and she’s sailing beautifully.”
Moving over to the speaker, she smiled at her daughter.
“Let’s tell Poppy hello… okay?”
Pressing the button, she smiled tearfully – so happy for Luke, her father, and being able to share these moments and events with the people that mattered the most.
Her family.
“Poppy – congratulations and land that bird safely soon. Okay?” Nicolette said openly, smiling at her daughter, who hollered happily ‘Poppy, Poppy!’ as a way of saying hello.
“You betcha, pumpkin. I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
