Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Ashley
I woke up in my old bedroom, the familiar creak of the floorboards under me as I rolled out of bed, the morning light soft through the curtains.
It’d been a week since Mom’s passing, a week since Darryl had been my rock, cooking for me, holding me, and yesterday at the park, confessing his feelings, making it real with that sweet kiss and a night full of love.
My chest still ached, the quiet of the house heavy without her, but his words lingered, warm and steady, giving me something to hold onto.
Today was my first day back at work, my leave over, and I pulled on my uniform, the navy skirt and blazer feeling strange after days in sweats, the bracelet he gave me glinting on my wrist as I tied my hair back.
I grabbed my flight bag, locking the door behind me, driving to the airport with a mix of nerves and calm, ready to get back in the sky, Darryl’s grin in my head keeping me steady.
I stepped into the crew lounge, the buzz of chatter and coffee hitting me, and Riva was there, leaning against a locker, her uniform crisp, grinning as I walked in. “Hey,” she said, stepping over, pulling me into a quick hug. “Welcome back, stranger. You good?”
“Hey,” I said, hugging her back, smiling a bit as I set my bag down, nodding. “Yeah, I’m good. Ready to fly again.”
“Glad you’re here,” she said, handing me a coffee from the machine, her eyes warm. “How’s Darryl?”
“Sweet,” I said, taking the coffee, sipping it quickly, my cheeks warming a little. “Been great. Took me to the park yesterday, made it a good day.”
“Aw,” she said, smirking, nudging my arm. “You two are cute. Told you he’s into you.”
“Yeah,” I said, grinning softly, setting the cup down, adjusting my badge. “He’s the best.”
“Speaking of,” she said, nodding toward the door as Darryl walked in, his captain’s uniform sharp, flight bag slung over his shoulder, his grin lighting up when he saw me. “There’s your guy.”
“Hey,” he said, stepping over, his hand brushing my arm quickly, his voice low and warm. “Good to see you back.”
“Hey,” I said, smiling up at him, leaning into his touch a bit. “Good to be back. Are you flying today?”
“Yep,” he said, nodding, his hand lingering a second before dropping. “Same flight. Short hop to Dallas.”
“Nice,” I said, grabbing my bag as Riva smirked beside me, heading to the gate with us, the crew lounge emptying as we moved.
The plane was ready, a quick two-hour run, and I got to work, checking the galley, stocking carts, Darryl up front with Mike, his co-pilot, running pre-flight checks.
Passengers boarded fast, a mix of business folks and families, and I smiled, helping with bags, pointing out seats, the routine settling me, familiar and grounding.
“Hey,” Riva said, sidling up as we finished, her voice low, nodding toward the cockpit. “He’s been grinning all morning. Bet he’s glad you’re here.”
“Hope so,” I said, grinning back, adjusting a tray, my stomach fluttering a bit. “Feels good to be with him.”
“Sweet,” she said, winking, heading to the back as we buckled in for takeoff, the engines rumbling low, the plane lifting smoothly, Darryl’s steady hand on it clear even from back here.
The flight went easily, Riva and I handing out drinks, collecting trash, chatting with a kid about the clouds, keeping it light.
I was pouring a Coke when the intercom crackled, Darryl’s voice coming through, calm but warm, not the usual pilot tone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, the speaker humming a bit, passengers looking up curiously, a few giggles starting already.
“Got a quick word before we hit Dallas. There’s someone special on this flight, Ashley, one of your flight attendants.
She’s been my rock, my favorite person, through some rough days and the best ones, too.
She’s got this smile that lights up everything, makes me want to be better every day.
Been thinking about this for a while, and I can’t imagine going forward without her.
So, Ashley, I’m asking you right here, with all these folks listening, will you marry me?
No rush, you can tell me when we land, just wanted you to know you’re my whole world. ”
The cabin erupted, passengers giggling, a few clapping, an older lady near me whispering, “Oh, that’s sweet,” her husband nodding beside her.
I froze, my hand on the Coke can, my face burning red, a grin splitting wide as Riva popped up beside me, her eyes huge, laughing softly.
“Oh my God,” she said, nudging me hard, her voice low. “He did it, Ash!”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice shaky, setting the can down, my heart pounding fast, the giggles spreading through the seats, a kid in row ten turning to stare at me with a big grin. “He’s crazy.”
“Crazy sweet,” she said, grabbing my arm, squeezing tight. “What you gonna say?”
“Don’t know yet,” I said, laughing a bit, my cheeks hot, glancing toward the cockpit, knowing he was up there waiting, his words still humming in my ears. “He said I can wait till we land.”
“Smart guy,” she said, winking, heading back to her cart, leaving me to finish drinks, my hands shaky but smiling, passengers sneaking looks, a few whispering, “Say yes!” as I passed.
I kept it together, serving sodas, collecting cups, the flight smooth, but my head was spinning, Darryl’s voice looping, sweet and steady, making my chest feel full.
We landed in Dallas on time, the plane taxiing to the gate, passengers unbuckling, giggling still as they grabbed their bags, a guy in a suit nodding at me with a grin.
“Good luck,” he said, heading out, and I laughed, nodding back, my stomach flipping as I helped clear the cabin, Riva beside me, smirking the whole time.
“He’s waiting,” she said, nudging me toward the cockpit as the last folks filed off, her voice teasing. “Go get your answer ready.”
“Yeah,” I said, taking a breath, heading up front, the door open, Darryl standing there, his captain’s hat off, his grin nervous but warm as he turned to me, Mike stepping out with a wink, leaving us alone. “Hey,” I said, stepping close, my hands fidgeting a bit, smiling up at him.
“Hey,” he said, his voice soft, stepping closer, his hand brushing mine, then taking it, holding it gently. “Meant every word up there. You okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding quickly, my smile growing, squeezing his hand back. “That was sweet, Darryl. Sweet.”
“Good,” he said, grinning bigger, his thumb brushing my knuckles, his eyes steady on mine. “No pressure, alright? Tell me when we’re back, whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay,” I said, stepping closer, tiptoeing to kiss his cheek quickly, my heart thudding loudly. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Trying,” he said, chuckling softly, pulling me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tight, warm, and solid, my head resting on his chest for a second, the giggles from the cabin still echoing in my head. “Let’s wrap up, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said, pulling back, smiling big, helping him grab his bag, heading out with Riva, the crew lounge buzzing as we debriefed, her teasing me the whole time, “Captain Romantic strikes again,” making me blush harder, Darryl grinning quiet beside me.
The flight back was quick, me stealing looks at him up front, his voice calm over the speaker with landing updates, my answer simmering warm and sure in my chest, waiting till we hit the ground.
We landed smoothly, passengers filing off, a few tossing me grins, one lady whispering, “Hope it’s a yes,” as she passed, and I laughed, nodding, my stomach fluttering as I cleaned up, Riva nudging me one last time.
“Go get him,” she said, heading out, leaving me to meet Darryl at the gate, his bag over his shoulder, his grin soft as he walked up, taking my hand again, leading me out to the lot, quiet now, just us.
“So,” he said, stopping by his car, turning to me, his hand still in mine, his voice low and warm, his eyes searching mine. “What’s your answer?”
“Yes,” I said, grinning big, stepping close, wrapping my arms around his neck, kissing him soft and slow, his hands sliding to my waist, pulling me in, his lips warm and steady against mine, sweet and full of everything we’d built.
“Yes, Darryl,” I said, pulling back a bit, smiling up at him, my heart full.
“Best answer ever,” he said, grinning widely, kissing me again, quick and tender, his hand brushing my cheek, the night cool around us, his sweetness settling warm and real, no rush, just us, starting something new.