2 LANDING

Alyssa sighed for the umpteenth time since she walked out of the building in her black quilted parka. She looked at the vast white under her feet. The temperature dropped, and it started snowing heavily in the morning. 

She loved this time of the year but hated the work it brings especially today's Christmas eve. It's everyone's favorite time of year. She always hates the bustling of cars, the rush of people doing last-minute shopping for the season, and the long lines, but also looks forward to the unique gifts she got from her family. It's a love-hate relationship with the holiday. 

However, this time rounded out to be different because her mother was busy with work, her father was abroad and her brother was on a mission. Her clan was not there to see her performance at the school recital. It was her last before graduating from high school and she dedicated it to them. Like all the ones before. She looked at everyone hugging and laughing before they waved each other goodbye. 

Leaning on the dormant tree across the driveway of her school, she closed her eyes and listened to the soft music playing from her green bedazzled headphones while she waited for her mother to pick her up. It was the last day for everyone to see each other before the winter break, so she wasn't impatient. 

Madison, her sidekick, went back to her home country at the beginning of the break hence she had no one to talk to. Alyssa was always an introvert before she met her. While Madison was the total opposite,  she was jovial, loud, no-nonsense, and outgoing. She made her feel more comfortable in a school where she felt like an outsider. She missed her.  

Alyssa felt a presence in front of her so she opened her eyes in shock and what she saw was a big surprise 'Her Father'.

Standing before her was the man with the biggest heart who taught her basic life skills, wearing a knee-length navy blue trench coat with a cream turtleneck, black pants, and features to die for with high cheekbones, straight pointy nose and chin, short jet black hair and smiling eyes. He was the most handsome and sharpest dressed man she had ever seen.

Alyssa hugged him and smiled wide with tears at the corner of her eyes. She hadn't seen him in five months. 

Gabriel smiled and said, "Ally, is this a pleasant surprise?".

She hugged him tighter. "It's the best surprise dad..."

"I couldn't miss my little girl's birthday. I had to let you down to lift you."

"Thank you, dad!"

After Alyssa calmed down, they got into the car and drove away. As they were driving home, she was humming the song, playing on the radio, and tapping her hands on her legs. Her dad asked her about school and what she's been doing in these months. She was always on the dean's list, so there was not much to surprise, but he still wanted to know.

Missing these precious times is the saddest for him and the family, but he has a duty to serve. He loved his job, but he would choose his family in a heartbeat if he had the choice.

Alyssa saw her father had a melancholic mood and asked, "What's wrong dad?"

He smiled. "Nothing, sweetheart. Dad just missed you guys terribly."

She exhaled. "We missed you too, but we always lean on and find comfort in each other when you are away, so don't worry. We are robust women." And she flexed her arm and let out a laugh to lighten the mood.

They were at least an hour and a half away from Woking Surrey. Held up in traffic at the intersection of the busiest Streets in London on Christmas eve is no joke, but they joked anyway, especially about the people walking by in their elaborate festive outfits and oversized shopping bags as they juggled with them crossing the streets. They couldn't hold back their laughter. The happiness was radiating off Alyssa by just being with her father.

The traffic flowed, and they headed to the M3. Twenty minutes on the motorway they suddenly felt an impact to the rear, the car skid on the road and turned sideways.

Gabriel unbuckled his seatbelt to implement his exit strategy but before he could do so, a bright light shone into the car, and another vehicle collided with them. He instinctively shields Ally with his body. Their car flipped and overturned. 

After some time Alyssa opened her eyes and she heard the ringing in her ears. She tried to move, but she felt pain all over her body. She anxiously asked in a croaked voice, "Are you alright, dad?"

"I'm alright sweetheart." 

Gabriel's voice was very faint, but he responded to her to ease her worries. 

Upon hearing his voice, Ally followed the direction of his voice. He was in the back. 'How did he reach there', she mused. She turned her head in pain to look at him and gasped. Blood running up her father's head from his mouth and injured forehead, a metal fragment in his chest, and his eyes shutting down.

Ally's flustered started shouting out for her father but her voice was like a whisper instead. "Dad! Dad! Dad, don't sleep, wake up!"

He seemed to have heard her along with the siren approaching and he opened his eyes in pain. He used all his willed to smile at her with those crescent-shaped eyes and uttered "Happy Birthday Sweetheart, I love you."

Tears fell up her forehead, and she trembled uncontrollably when she saw he closed his eyes. Her mind was in a trance and her heart felt cold.

Her eyes felt very heavy, but she was fighting to not fall asleep and stay strong, but she lost that battle.

She blacked out!

Alyssa felt someone gently touch her shoulder and said, "Excuse me, miss, please fasten your seatbelt." She opened her eyes and saw the flight attendant with a polite smile.

She strapped the safety and wrapped her hands tighter around her son who was laying in her arms. Her limbs felt so numb by being in that position for hours. She was hungry and wanted to pee. This was not her best trip, but she was content when she looked down at the sleeping baby because he slept through it without a fuss.

Hearing the announcement "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Phazing City International Airport. Local time is 13:25, and the temperature is 75 degrees."

********

Wearing a blue denim romper with one strap hooked, the other hung loose and white inner t-shirt which perfectly hugged her hips enough to see her long legs and toned body. 

Alyssa walked confidently along the aisles of the airport. Her waist-length wavy black hair with natural hints of golden strands cascading down her back looked like the silhouette of the ocean sunset.

The big framed sunglasses hid her serious expression as she looked around while pushing the travel stroller and two large suitcases.  

As she stepped out of the arrival lounge multiple eyes were glued on her, some with envy and some with lust. She always gathered admirers unintentionally. She was truly a rare beauty thanks to her mixed genes. 

Being born to a white mother and Chinese father, she exudes unique features. Ally had a well-defined heart-shaped face with big green eyes, a neat pointy nose, and a chin. Standing at 1.7m with very pale skin. 

Most people would say, Ally was the epitome of perfection.

She strolled further out of the arrival hall and saw a couple holding a pink placard with big writing. "Welcome to Country X, Ally and Lucas."

"Who are these people?" she wondered.

The girl approached Alyssa with a big hug and said, "I'm Alexis, your cousin, but you can call me Lexi." 

"Nice to meet you." 

"How was your flight? We made sure you got a good seat and insist they take special care of you. Dad was sending his driver to pick you up, but I insisted on being here. Who would want a stranger to greet them? I won't."

Lexi seemed to be super hyper and excited because she won't take a breather. That reminded Alyssa of her best friend. There was this kind of transparency in her eyes and she couldn't help but like her already. 

"Thank you for picking...."

"Family should welcome family." Lexi inserted before Ally finished her sentence.

"Eh Em" the guy behind cleared his throat to get their attention. 

"Oh, Ally, this is my boyfriend Toby Wang."

"Boyfriend, huh? Don't bother with her. I'm her fiancé. It's nice to finally put a face to the name since Lexi won't shut up about you." 

Toby scrunch up his face at Lexi and gave Ally a friendly bear hug and then collected her luggage. 

They walked out of the airport to a black Limousine. The driver put the suitcases in the trunk while Lexi collected the baby from Ally, and Ally folded the stroller into a little compact square and got in the vehicle.

Lexi was playing with the now awake Lucas, who was babbling and laughing at her funny faces. She was like a child in an adult body.

Toby was looking at her with eyes full of tenderness and said, "Let's make one."

"Do you want me to beat you up now?" Lexi replied rudely.

"I'll just have to tie you up then."

"Thought you already did that," she remarked.

"Yet you say I'm your boyfriend."

Ally smiled at the bickering couple and remembered her parents were the same. It felt like forever since she saw this kind of love. She felt her phone vibration and answered the call.

"Hi Mom, we arrived safely and are now with cousin Lexi," Ally said in Mandarin, totally forgetting she was talking to her mother. 

"Okay dear, I just want to know if the flight was pleasant for you and Luc," Regina said with her posh British accent.

"He slept through most of the trip and didn't fuss. He was a good lad." Ally stated in English while looking out the window at the passing scenery.

"Alright then, I know you must be exhausted, so take care and call often. I love you."

"I will. I love you too." She hung up.

She looked back at the gleeful Lucas and thought his father would've been happy to embrace and love him. If only she could have turned back time.

Lexi interrupted her thoughts. "Aunty missed you guys already."

Ally nodded.

Lexi added, "We will have a family dinner to welcome you tonight. Grandpa especially has been dying to meet you."

"Oh!" Ally didn't know what more to say. She was not familiar with her paternal family. 

Her father said he made his own family because his father disowned him for walking out of an arranged marriage. He was still in contact with his older brother but avoided meeting him.

"Ally, grandpa is remorseful to Uncle Gabriel and just wants to make up for the time lost with you," Lexi explained with a sad look.

"I mean it's a little too late now, dad is not here anymore and I'm already grown." Ally was a bit on edge so she just said it carelessly. After experiencing darkness over the years, she learned to guard her heart and avoid compassion.

Lexi sighed. "I know."

Ally leaned her head on the headrest and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, she mused, 'If the choice was mine I would not be here. Mom said it's the safest place for us, let's hope it is.'