Sound asleep.
He gazed at her. Her face was drawn from her recent illness, stress and months of overwork and worry. He ran a fingertip over the dark circles under her eyes. She had risked everything for him. Now they were going back to New York, to safety. To start their life together.
Michael was going home with the woman he loved.
-
February 25, 2014
When Michael finally cleared US Customs and Border Protection shortly after midnight, Sophie waited for him on the other side of the doors, typing furiously on her iPhone, back propped against their luggage.
“You were only in the interview room for twenty minutes,” she said as he approached. “You’d think that someone reentering the country after an unexplained seven-month absence in a warzone would be subject to greater scrutiny.”
“I believe my father may have taken steps to smooth my return. I received a stern warning and a great deal of unsolicited advice on the perils of entering an active conflict zone.” He held out his hand and pulled her to her feet.
She hugged him tightly. “Welcome home, Mikael.”
“Thanks to you. And my father, it would seem. I think I will not be traveling again soon. My new friends in the Department of Homeland Security have indicated they would prefer if I stayed home for the next few months.”
They walked through the doors together, and Sophie spotted the Nariovsky-Trents immediately. His parents’ eyes bounced between them until they realized the stranger standing beside Sophie was indeed their son. He waved, and Signe burst into tears.
“Go.” She took the cart and gave him a little push.
Michael ran the rest of the way to his parents, picking up his mother to give her a ferocious hug. He kissed her, then embraced his father. Maxwell hugged his son tightly, tears in his eyes. Signe started to fuss about how skinny Michael was. But she stopped when Sophie approached with the luggage cart.
“Hello Signe, Maxwell.” She felt oddly shy. She’d known the Nariovsky-Trents for years, and she had no reason to suddenly feel different. Yet she did.
Michael’s mother stepped forward first, embracing Sophie and kissing her on both cheeks. “Welcome home, mana meita.” Out of the corner of her eye, Sophie saw Michael’s eyes widen at the familial endearment.
Maxwell shook her hand first, then pulled her into a long embrace, thanking her over and over. After he released her, he turned to inspect the luggage. “It’ll be a tight squeeze with you two in the backseat and all this in the trunk, but we’ll manage.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s not necessary. I’ll cab back to Brooklyn.”
“Do you not wish to be with me tonight, mana mila?” Michael looked at her with consternation, keeping his voice low.
She blushed, looking away from his parents, who eyed them with far too much interest. Michael gave them both a warning look, which had no effect. His mother’s eyes grew bright with excitement.
“Of course I do. But I’ve had you to myself for some days now. Your parents want time alone with you.” She handed him his bit of luggage off the cart. “You know that I’d rather be with you than anywhere else in the world,” she said in a voice that only he could hear.
“As do I,” he replied. “I will miss you.”
Her eyes flickered nervously to his parents again. Understanding dawning on his face, Michael put his bag down, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. She hesitated for just a moment, then kissed him back. The world seemed to go away for a few moments.
“Finally,” Maxwell said after they broke apart. Michael didn’t take his eyes from Sophie’s, just cupped her cheek in his hand. Signe had started crying again. Sophie hoped she wept tears of joy and not resignation.