Love at First Sight

“It’s just a shame that we can’t start immediately planning another trip, I had a lot of fun.”

“No, not right away, but it doesn’t mean we have to stay away completely, does it? We can still do another trip, just maybe not one as big. My wallet won’t stretch that far and unless you’re willing to have another fall…”

I shake my head rapidly. “No way, never again. There’s no way I can go through that again. That was a nightmare. I mean, what if I lose more memories? I haven’t fully got back the other ones and I don’t think I ever will. I don’t want more of my life o go missing, no matter what the reward is! It can’t be enough.”

“No, no, I know, I’m only joking. I wouldn’t want you to go through that again either.”

“Oh look!” I jump up as fast as I can from my seat. “The bags are coming around now.”

We have far more to pick up that we left with, but that’s hardly surprising. We’ve picked up all kinds of things along the way to decorate our place when we get one together. We’ll always have the memories to keep us going. I’ve tried to get things truly representative of each place so I can have lots to remind me. The house we eventually get is going to look incredible. It has to happen now, we cannot go from spending every day together to living separately. I’d have separation anxiety now, I’m so used to having him there by my side, making me smile every single day. Yes, we did have the odd row, but nothing too bad. The trip has only confirmed what I already knew. That we can make this last long term and that we’re meant to be together. He’s my world.

“Oh look, there are our bags.” Logan reaches across the carousel and grabs them all. Like the perfect gentleman he is he takes them all without even asking me to hold one of them. He needs to be careful, I’m getting really used to being treated like a princess. “Come on then, the others will be waiting for us. We can’t leave them alone for too long unless we want the airport to be torn to shreds under the Katherine and Al hurricane.”

“Who knows,” I comment with a hopeful shrug. “Maybe they are friends now. Anything could have happened in the last six months. They could have spent every day together because they’ve been so lonely. They could be best mates now with loads of memories that don’t involve us. They might always want to hang out just the two of them now. Perhaps we’ve been gone for so long that we’ve become redundant. It’s possible, right?”

“Hmmm… I doubt that very much. I bet what they said is right and they haven’t seen each other in six long months,” Logan replies warily. “Which has given them plenty of time to find new things to argue about. They might have been stewing over their hatred for one another and now it’s going to all explode in one giant mess.”

“That’s true.” I nod emphatically. “Come on, let’s get out there before they’re arrested.”

“Yeah, plus I’m pretty keen to see what’s going on since we’ve been away. Now that we’re back, I want to know all the gossip again. Don’t you feel that way? Like you want to catch up.”

“Yeah… I kinda do actually. I wonder if there have been any big life changes since we’ve been gone.”

Logan smiles knowingly at me. “There’s only one way to find out. Let’s get going!”

We move through the crowds as quickly as we can, getting through customs with the sort of speed that can only come with experience. Flying so much has taught me all sorts about airlines. We’re like pros now. Since neither of us had done any of it beforehand it was quite a big shock. We’re used to it now though.

It isn’t l

ong until we’re in the arrivals lounge searching for Katherine and Al. I thought they’d be at the gate waiting for us, but we’re wrong. they don’t seem to be anywhere to be found.

“We definitely told them the right day?” I ask, my brain confused. “We’ve been in so many time zones it’s hard to keep track. And we told them the right terminal and gate number? I thought they’d be here with signs.”

“I emailed Katherine the flight details, I figured she would be more reliable than Al. Maybe they forgot?”

I shake my head. There’s no way I can see that. Katherine wouldn’t just forget about me, she isn’t like that at all. She’s the most organized person I know, and I’m well aware that she’s keen for me to come back because we’ve been in communication the whole time. The wonders of the Internet have made it very easy.

“I suppose we should just get a cab then?” I give Logan a helpless shrug. “See them later on.”

He hugs me, sensing my disappointment. “I know it’s a bit of a letdown because we were so excited to see them, but there has to be some good reason. You know they wouldn’t just forget about us.”

I feel bad, as if I’m being selfish but it’s not like I’m holding out for a royal welcome. I just thought they would be here, that’s all. I’ve been so excited to tell Katherine about everything I’ve been through and all my good news. I assumed that she was just as keen to hear it. Now I feel a bit crappy about myself…

“Tamara!” I jump as I hear Katherine’s voice echoing through the building. “We’re here, we’re here, I’m so sorry that we’re late.” I turn to see both her and Al; racing towards us looking very harassed. “We planned to get here super early but as you know, Alistair can’t do anything on time.” She rolls her eyes at me which I can only just about see. “Then the traffic was horrendous, don’t let me get into that. So, I’m sorry, but I’m here.”

She embraces me hard and as we hug I inhale her familiar scent. I’ve missed her more than I care to admit, I’ve just been too busy to notice it until now. I’m so glad that I’m back to see her.

“I really wanted to be here on time so I’m really sorry, I feel so…”

It takes her a couple of moments because she’s so busy trying to spit out her apology, but when she does she steps back slowly, her breaths coming out ragged and shocked. I’m so pleased by her reaction, this is why I saved it. I’ve ben so excited to get to this place, this is why I waited and didn’t say anything sooner.

“Is this… are you…?” Her hand claps to her mouth in shock. “Are you serious? Is this really happening?” I nod slowly while biting down on my bottom lip to keep my joy inside. “This must be a surprise…”

“Yeah, major shock.” I cup my hand under my swollen belly, loving the hard roundness there. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. It wasn’t planned, we weren’t even talking about it, especially not while travelling the world, but we’re really glad now, aren’t we?” I smile at Logan who nods eagerly. “It’s a good surprise.”

“You seem to be quite far along.” Katherine rubs my stomach some more. “Is it from before?”

Admittedly, I couldn’t have thought that same thing since it wasn’t just while we were away that we got caught up in the heat of the moment and contraception didn’t always come into play… but no.