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We arrived backand Sophie told Gramps and Nana all about the trip to the house, and then we all had a nice meal together, before heading off for an early night. We all had to get up early to be at the airport for the check in. After Sophie’s bath, and of course several stories, and answering a dozen questions about the flight the next day, we said goodnight and Drake and I fell into bed. I think he was asleep within five minutes after we kissed and snuggled into our usual positions, his breathing slow and deep.
I laid awake, my mind going over everything, wondering where we’d finally live, how the judge would rule on the shared custody arrangement, life without my father and Elaine in the house, and my return to Columbia to finish my MA Thesis.
I finally fell asleep, and when I woke, Drake was already up and in the shower. I checked the digital alarm clock on the bedside table. It was five in the morning.
We had exactly forty-five minutes to get up, get ready, eat and take the limo to the airport for our flight at nine-fifteen if we wanted to be there more than two hours before departure. We’d hired a car service to take the Range Rover to be shipped back to New York.
I yawned and stretched, then went to the bathroom. Drake was in the shower and while I would have liked to sneak in with him, I figured we didn’t have enough time to fully enjoy even a quickie before we had to get Sophie up and ready for the day.
So, I waited until he stepped out and then I slid in and had my own shower.
“I’ll go get Sophie up,” Drake said when he had finished drying off and was dressing in his casual clothes. “Our room service should be here right away.”
I finished my shower, got dressed and right on cue, there was a knock at the door and sure enough, a waiter with a cart of food was waiting.
We sat together and ate a very quick breakfast of cinnamon rolls, tea, coffee and some fruit. Then, we went next door to check on how my father and Elaine were doing. They were already finished packing, had eaten, and were sitting reading the newspaper when we entered.
“Just about ready to go to the airport?” Drake asked.
My father folded up his newspaper. “Ready when you are.”
Drake called down to the front desk to get a bellboy and cart up to our suites, and within a few moments, we were on the elevator down to the lobby and the waiting stretch limo that would whisk us to the airport.
“Well, people,” Drake said, one arm around me, the other around Sophie. “We’re off.”
I smiled and kissed him, eager to get onto the plane and back home in New York.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Luckily, the flight went off with no hitches, and Sophie loved every minute of it.
We had an excellent set of seats on the flight from Amsterdam to New York, and Sophie was able to look out the window and enjoy the trip. We kept her busy with coloring, and watching a movie, and eating snacks. She made a trip to the washroom several times, smiling and waving at the people she passed on the way.
She was a very easy flier and for that both Kate and I were thankful.
When we finally touched down at New York’s JFK airport, I heaved a sigh of relief.
We were finally back home.
Soon, I would be starting my new position at NYP and once the judge decided on custody arrangements, we could all get on with our lives.
I had already messaged Kyle at Brimstone Security that we would be arriving at the airport, and he indicated he had security in place and that there would be a waiting stretch limo with my favorite driver, George, at the terminal.
Red coffee mug in the cup holder.
I didn’t need to look for him. He was standing outside of the limo, watching the door for us. When he saw me, he smiled and tipped his cap.
“There’s our limo,” I said and pointed to it.
“How do you know it’s ours?”
“I called and requested a specific driver I met while I was here. He’s good.”
Kate smiled and spoke with Sophia, showing her the limo we would be taking. Behind us, Elaine wheeled Ethan in a wheelchair and an assistant I hired to help pulled our luggage on a cart. I went to George and shook his hand. “Good to see you. Here’s my family.”
“Good to see you again, Sir. Let me help your family inside.”
He opened the rear doors and then together, we helped get Ethan seated in the rear-most seat. Elaine sat beside him and helped buckle him in. I knew he felt frustrated at needing assistance with everyday actions, but Elaine just tut-tutted him, and he gave in, letting her fuss.
