Whispered Curses

The woman's eyes lit up. "What a wonderful name. Please, have a seat anywhere you like. Captain Nichols is your pilot today."

My luggage was stowed and I was seated in a giant leather chair. Eric had given me the window seat, and sat close beside me.

"Can I get you anything before takeoff?" Andrea asked politely.

"No, thanks," Eric said quickly. "We’ll worry about that once we get going. We have a hospital to get to in a hurry."

"Oh," Andrea said, immediately concerned as she realized this was not a flight merely for pleasure, or a business meeting. She dashed into the cockpit, coming out just a moment later. "I've informed the Captain that this is a rush, and he will do everything in his power to, as he put it, ‘run some red lights on the way’."

I laughed too hard, but I really did need a break in the tension.

It was sweet that after Andrea checked my seatbelt and disappeared to the front of the plane, Eric checked my belt himself. "Do you fly very often?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Only four trips to Vancouver and back. Certainly never in a private jet," I said, looking around wide-eyed. "And certainly not at the drop of a hat like this." I picked up Eric's hand from the armrest between us. "Thank you," I said sincerely. "This means so much to me."

“I don't have a lot of experience with normal families,” Eric said. "But I feel like you should do everything in your power to comfort an ailing parent, right?"

"Yes, but this isn't in my power," I said, waving again to the gorgeously designed interior and plush seating.

"It's in your power now," he said gently. "You're an important part of my life, Eden. Everything I have is yours."

I had no idea what on earth to say to that.

Then he shook his head with a loud sigh. "Dammit, I'm sorry. It's too much too fast. I know. This is why I suck at relationships. I don't know how to think before I speak.”

I heard the engines kick in with a low rumble. Instantly I gripped his hand tight. "I think you're doing pretty darn well at this relationship so far," I said. My voice sounded strained.

The deep, powerful chugging from beneath our feet changed. It sounded like a supercar being forced to drive one mile an hour. Like it was barely being held back.

Eric released my hand to clasp onto the other one, so that he could wrap his arm around me tightly. "This is the best company, with the best pilots," he said softly. "As soon as we are up and away, we can have coffee and breakfast. Alright?"

The plane turned, then began zipping down the runway much faster than I could have expected. Maybe it just felt different since I was used to huge airbus vehicles.

"I might need that coffee spiked hard," I muttered, gritting my teeth.

"No problem," he chuckled. "Your only mission for the next five hours is your schoolwork, and telling me how to behave around your family."

I felt the wheels leave the ground with a lurch that dropped the pit of my stomach a couple of feet. My involuntary squeal made Eric laugh. "Breathe, baby. It's fine. I've got you."

Before I could think, he was kissing me gently, his lips barely hovering against mine. Then he sat back, just holding me while I calmed down.

He dropped my hand to pull out his phone, flipping through a few quick texts.

"Wait, you can use your phone here?"

He grinned. "Another little perk of flying private."

His eyes were so deep and sharp as they darted around the screen. "Your mother is doing fine," he said. "She's been moved to a private room, with a private nurse. She's being prepped for surgery right now, and they estimate it will only take around three and a half hours."

"Oh. Thank you."

"That's great," he said brightly. "By the time she is coming around, you'll be there by her side."

I grinned, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"You are extremely welcome,” he smiled. Then he straightened up, giving his shoulders a shake. "Time to get down to business."

As if on cue, a tiny ping sounded, and Andrea came toward us. "Coffee to start?" she asked.