Chapter 35 Ivy
Ivy
Eight years later
I’ve never felt more anxious in my life. Not when I quit my jobs at Sunny Stitches and The Harmony Grove to pursue art full-time, or when Ford proposed during a trip to Maine, or when we got married five years ago.
I mean, I love being an artist for a living, and I love my husband like I’ve never loved anyone else, but those moments can’t compare to today.
Because today…
Today is the day.
Ford places our bags in the overhead compartment as I nervously bounce my leg on my too-small seat. Are they making planes tinier now, or am I going crazy?
When he takes the seat next to me, his hand falls on top of my leg. “Breathe, sweetheart.”
“That’s a good one.”
He squeezes my thigh. “It’ll be fine.”
I know that, but the nerves swirling around in my stomach don’t agree. At this point, I’ve stopped fighting them.
The plane gets busier as the minutes go by, the loud voices around me expanding my anxiety to concerning levels.
“How do planes even fly?” I ask nobody in particular. “That’s, like, impossible. This thing weighs tons. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“You’ve asked Joe that question a hundred times, and he explains it every time.”
“Still doesn’t make sense to me.”
He leans his head back against the headrest and smirks. “Want me to help you take the edge off in the bathroom?”
I smack his arm with no real force. “Let me freak out in peace.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and captures my lips with his, relaxing me instantly. It’s that easy. Some things don’t change no matter how much time passes.
“Enjoy the flight,” he whispers against my ear. “We’ll never live this moment again.”
For some reason, those words get to me. It’s not that I hadn’t realized we don’t have a time machine, but between my anxiety and my need to cry, it hadn’t registered what today actually means. In so many ways.
A flight attendant announces that boarding is complete, and the plane moves in the direction of the runway, getting ready for takeoff.
That’s when a familiar voice comes out of the speakers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Flight 176, bound for Chicago. My name is Joe Farnsworth, and I’m your first officer today.”
I grab Ford’s arm and squeeze it so hard, his skin turns red. He only chuckles and kisses my forehead as the tears start streaming down my face. But no matter how hard he tries, he can’t hide his watery eyes either.
“Today’s flight is very special to me, as it’s my first flight as first officer,” Joe announces.
“I’m honored to be here, particularly because the two most important people in my life are among the passengers.
My sister and my brother-in-law, who cheered me on every step of the way.
My sister became my guardian when I was just sixteen, and she’s fought tooth and nail for me to be here today, flying this plane.
So thank you, Ives, and thank you, Ford, for helping my dreams come true. ”
The plane erupts in a loud cheer as I become a ball of tears. Ford hugs me close to his chest, his own cheeks wet.
He did it. He really did it, my snot.
Thanks to my art, I managed to save more than enough to send Joe to flight school, stress free. And Ford, being the mama bear he is, insisted on buying him his first uniform. The day he got accepted was one of the happiest of our lives.
The journey wasn’t easy, but it was one hell of a worthy one.
Joe clears his throat, and I can tell he’s also choked up. But he hides it well because he’s oh so professional now. I love him so much.
“We’re just finishing up our last checks and should be on our way soon. Thanks for flying with us, and we hope you enjoy the flight.”
Ford and I exchange a look as everyone on the plane claps again, and I laugh at how his wet face mirrors mine.
“You did a goddamn great job with him,” he says.
“And you helped,” I tell him.
As Joe grew older, it was easy to see how thankful he was for having a strong male figure in his life to look up to. Our father got out of jail eventually, but neither of us remained close to him. He moved away to another city, and we speak once or twice a year. To us, it’s better this way.
Ford, however, became a pillar of our household. Not only did he become my husband—he became my brother’s best friend, his guide and inspiration.
It wasn’t just the two of us anymore—Ford’s parents and brothers became our family too. Our very own village.
My life changed when Joe was born, then again when I met Ford, and now once more as the plane speeds down the runway with my brother piloting it.
I squeeze Ford’s hand as the plane launches into the sky. He brings it to his lips and plants a kiss next to where my wedding ring glimmers in the sunlight filtering through the window.
“He did it,” he whispers, emotion clogging his voice. “I didn’t want to cry, but damn it. I’m so proud of him. He’s really flying this thing.”
I smile at him, my heart soaring. “I’m so happy I broke into your shed that day.”
“Me, too, beautiful. Me too.”