Epilogue
Hadley – 6 years later . . .
“ D on’t forget the pepper spray, make sure you buy some the moment you land, okay?” I remind Margo as she steps towards the terminal.
“Okay, byeeeeee now.” Her tone is sarcastic and not reassuring, then she grins at Dad while waving half-heartedly at me.
To her, me thinking of her safety is funny.
It’s not hit her yet that she’s about to leave the homeland she knows and grew up in and fly to New York City. You know, the city that never sleeps. She will know no one there and be all alone. As proud of her and her achievements as I am, the older sibling comes out in me, and it’s petrifying to even think about her going, and she’s actually going.
With his arms wrapping around me, I sink back into Luke’s warm chest as Mum breaks down in tears for the hundredth time today. “She will be okay, this is Margo,” my husband whispers into my ear.
Spinning around, I wrap my arms around his torso. “I really hope so.”
Cupping my face in his hands, he gently places a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“She’s off to chase her dream, Tigger, I dare any bad man to stand in her way.” He winks.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth before turning back towards my family, and my brows shoot up as Margo runs towards me and pulls me into a hug. “Promise me you will send me photos and videos of Billie every day, and in turn, I will get the pepper spray the moment I land, I’ll send a pic for proof.”
Squeezing her tightly, because I don’t know the next time I will see her again, I promise to do just that, as a tannoy announcement sounds around the airport, calling all passengers for flight 561 to JFK to board now.
She takes a step back from me and hugs Luke, whispering in his ear. I have no doubt it’s something along the lines of burying him in the back garden if he hurts me. I smile at them when they both burst into laughter at something my dad said from the other side.
Margo bends over and picks Billie up from her stroller, and tears stream down her cheeks as she kisses her forehead. In the two years Billie’s been in our lives, they have come to form the best auntie and niece bond, and even from the other side of the world I don’t think that bond will break. I’ll make sure it doesn’t.
With watery eyes and after giving one last hug, Margo waves and walks towards the terminal. She fades into the distance until I can no longer see her. After a short time, I hear muffled voices from behind me.
“Ready to go when you are, pudding, she’s too stubborn to back out now. Let’s go home,” Dad says as he pulls me into a side hug.
I nod, knowing he’s right. I’m going to miss my best friend. It’s sad that I won’t get to see her every day, but when I turn and see Luke holding our daughter, pride and happiness takes over. With them here with me, I know I will be okay.
The End.