Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Nikki
We’re on the plane heading back home after two unforgettable weeks in paradise. I gaze out the window, watching as the island slowly disappears beneath the clouds, feeling a strange mixture of sadness at leaving and excitement at seeing my loved ones.
A part of me is sad to leave, and a little fearful of returning to the real world. But I’m more confident in my relationship with Victor now. I’m excited to see what comes next. I don’t think either of us has any desire to run.
Victor sits next to me, his hand resting on my knee, his thumb tracing gentle circles that send tiny sparks up my spine. I glance at him, his eyes closed, his head tilted back against the seat. Even with his eyes shut, he looks alert, like he’s ready to jump into action at any moment. It’s what I love most about him, his sheer talent and willingness to do anything.
I lean my head on his shoulder. “What’s on your mind?”
He squeezes me. “Nothing in particular. I’m happy and enjoying the last day of our fantastic vacation.”
“I don’t know if we can call it a vacation. We did work,” I tell him with a laugh.
“It’s why I want to be a chef. Then my work is never something I want to run from.”
“I agree with you. I think too many people get into careers they regret. I love working, and I will to the day I die. We’re very lucky we chose our career paths young.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” he says.
“I’m excited to come home and see Sia and everyone else, but I’m sad to let go of paradise.”
“We’ll continue to find excitement in our lives. We’ll always find paradise no matter where we are in the world. We’ll bring paradise to us with our experiences. We can even recreate the Bahamas in our own back yard. What we do in life influences how we feel,” he assures me.
My heart does a little flip, making me feel warm. We’re interrupted when drinks are served. We continue talking as they serve a meal. We’re over halfway through our flight when there’s a commotion on the plane. I sit up to try to see what’s happening. A woman, maybe in her thirties, is clutching at her chest, her face pale and strained.
After a few minutes the flight attendant’s voice cuts through the cabin, rising in urgency. “Is there a doctor onboard?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Victor jumps from his seat, moving his way down the aisle with purpose. I’m confused. I listen as he approaches the flight attendant.
“I’m not a doctor, but I did medical training with the Marines if there’s nobody else onboard,” he tells her, his voice steady and calm.
They both wait and no one else steps up. The flight attendant nods quickly, ushering him to the woman’s side. I watch, my heart in my throat, as he kneels beside the woman, taking her wrist and checking her pulse. The woman’s children, a boy and girl, look terrified as they stand back from the commotion, tears streaming down their pale faces. My instinct kicks in, and I unbuckle my seatbelt, moving to their side.
“Hey,” I say softly, crouching down to their level. “It’s all going to be okay. My friend Victor is a really good man and will do all he can to help your mother.”
The little girl clings to her brother, her eyes wide with fear. “What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know, sweetie, but we’ll figure it out. She’s in good hands.”
I glance at Victor, his face a mask of concentration, his hands quickly moving with efficiency. He asks the flight attendant for a first aid kit, then checks the woman’s breathing and starts giving instructions. The way he takes control, calm and confident, makes my heart swell with pride. I already knew this man was amazing, but seeing him like this is something else.
He speaks softly to the woman, asking her questions about any medications or pre-existing conditions. She nods, clutching his hand like it’s a lifeline. The passengers around us are all quietly watching, praying for the woman and her children. Soft whispers can be heard, but Victor tunes all of this out, and stays focused on the task at hand.
I turn back to the kids, trying to keep them distracted. “What’s your name?” I gently ask the boy.
“Ethan,” he says with a sniffle. “This is my sister, Monica.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ethan,” I say, keeping my tone light. “You too, Monica. Do you guys like superheroes?”
Monica nods, her bottom lip quivering. “I like Wonder Woman,” she quietly says.
“My first swimsuit I remember having was Wonder Woman,” I tell her. I lean in as if I’m telling a secret. “I even have a Wonder Woman Barbie doll in a box that I refuse to get rid of. She’s my favorite too.”
“That’s really cool,” Monica says, her eyes wide with wonder.
“I’ll tell you what. When we land this plane and get your mom nice and safe with the doctors, I’m going to get your address. I’ve had that Barbie for a long time, but I think she needs a new home. I’m going to mail her to you.”
“Really?” Monica gives me a slight smile.
“Really,” I tell her. “I think you’ll take care of her very well.”
“Can I play with her?” she asks.
I give her a hug. “You can play with her all you want and remember that you’re a superhero as well.”
“I am?” she asks in wonder.
“You sure are,” I confirm. I look at Ethan. “You are too. I’m sure your mom thinks you’re both the greatest superheroes ever created.”
“She’s a good mom,” Ethan says.
“She looks like a very good mom,” I tell them both.
“That man over there helping your mother is a superhero too. He’s helped lots of people just like your mom.”
Ethan’s gaze moves over to Victor, who’s now talking to the pilot through the intercom.
“Is he really a superhero?” Ethan skeptically asks.
“He sure is,” I confirm.
Victor finishes speaking with the pilot then turns back to the woman, reassuring her as he checks her vitals again. “You’re going to be okay. Keep calm, and we’ll soon be landing,” he tells her.
Minutes feel like hours, and the tension in the cabin is thick, but Victor never wavers. I can see the way he’s calculating, assessing, always one step ahead. He asks for an oxygen mask, gently placing it over the woman’s face, and carefully explaining every step he’s taking to keep her calm. He’s so dang good at this. My chest tightens even more with something that feels an awful lot of love.
Finally the plane begins to descend, and I hold on to Ethan’s and Monica’s hands, squeezing them lightly as the flight attendant takes us to a new seat where I can sit with them.
“We’re going to be on the ground soon,” I tell the kids.
Ethan nods, still holding back tears, trying to stay strong for his sister. I see the relief on his young face. Monica leans into me, her tears finally stopped, but still needing comfort. She can’t be more than five, and Ethan has to be around seven.
The plane touches down sooner than I thought possible, and the paramedics are waiting on the tarmac. Victor steps back as they board, giving them a quick rundown of what happened, and what he’s done. The woman’s stabilized enough to be moved, and I help the kids move over toward her.
The paramedics thank Victor, and suddenly the passengers begin clapping, praising him for keeping calm and helping the woman. I feel blessed to be the woman with this hero.
He finally comes back to me. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine, Victor. What about you? Are you okay?”
“I wish I could’ve done more, but I think she’ll be okay,” he says. I now see the strain on his face.
“You did amazing, Victor. That woman might not have made it if you weren’t on this flight.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that. I’m glad my training came right back to me.”
The flight attendant comes over, thanking Victor again, and offering us free drinks. Victor laughs, shaking his head. “I could use some water,” he tells her.
“I’d like to get the woman’s address if you could try. I promised her daughter a superhero Barbie,” I say.
“We’ll get that to you,” she assures us. “We’re going to be lifting off again after fueling so we can get you guys home.”
“Sounds good to me,” I tell her.
We don’t take off for another hour, but I have the address in my hand so I can keep my promise to the little girl. I pray all will turn out well. I settle back into my seat, leaning on Victor. Today I got to see another side of him, another reason to fall more in love. He’s mine, and I intend to keep it this way.