Chapter-14: Departure

The sun had barely begun to rise over Los Angeles when Aaron Sanders and his cousin Sally found themselves wide awake. It was Sally's last morning in LA, and the bittersweet reality of her departure was setting in. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows on the packed suitcases sitting by the door. Sally had spent the previous evening meticulously packing, making sure every gift, every new piece of clothing, and every souvenir had its place. She had arrived with just one modest suitcase, but now she had two—one overflowing with the memories and treasures of her trip.

Aaron nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You came with one suitcase, and now look at you—two full ones. We might need to check if you can carry all that."

Sally chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the edges. "Blame it on all the shopping you made me do! Not that I'm complaining," she added quickly, glancing at the silver bracelet on her wrist, one of the many gifts Aaron had insisted on buying her.

"Well, I wanted to make sure you had a piece of LA to take back with you," Aaron said, walking over to the suitcases. "And don't forget the gifts for Uncle and Aunt. You know how much they'll love them."

Sally nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I know. They're going to be so surprised."

They dressed quickly, the quiet of the early morning lending an air of calm to the otherwise busy day ahead. By the time they made their way downstairs for breakfast, the house was still and silent, save for the faint sound of the coffee machine humming in the kitchen. Aaron had arranged for a light breakfast—croissants, fresh fruit, and scrambled eggs. Sally picked at her food, her appetite dulled by the thought of leaving.

"Are you sure you packed everything?" Aaron asked between bites, his tone half-teasing, half-concerned. "Passport, tickets, phone charger?"

"Yes, yes, and yes," Sally replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "I triple-checked everything last night."

"Good," Aaron said, though the crease in his brow didn't smooth out. "Just be careful, okay? You've got some expensive stuff in there now. I don't want you taking any chances."

Sally reached across the table to pat his hand. "Relax, Aaron. I'll be fine. I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know," Aaron said, squeezing her hand in return. "But you're my little sister, and it's my job to worry about you."

They finished breakfast in companionable silence, the reality of the impending departure settling in. Aaron checked the time—8:30 AM. They needed to leave soon if they were going to make it to the airport in time for Sally's 11 AM flight. He helped her carry the suitcases to the car, his mind already running through a checklist of things to do: make sure Sally got through security, call their uncle, and wait for the flight to take off safely.

The drive to the airport was smooth, the usual LA traffic surprisingly light for a weekday morning. As they neared LAX, the conversation between them grew sparse, the impending goodbye casting a shadow over their usual banter.

"You nervous?" Aaron asked, glancing over at Sally.

"A little," she admitted. "But mostly just sad to leave. This has been the best week of my life, Aaron. I can't thank you enough."

"You don't have to thank me," Aaron said softly. "I'm just glad you had a good time."

They arrived at the airport just after 9 AM, with plenty of time to spare. Aaron parked the car and helped Sally with her luggage, the weight of the moment pressing down on both of them. They walked together to the check-in counter, where Sally handed over her passport and ticket.

"Everything's in order," the agent said, printing out Sally's boarding pass. "You're all set for your flight to Denver."

"Thank you," Sally said, taking the pass and slipping it into her bag.

Aaron glanced at the time—9:15 AM. "Let's get you through security," he said, guiding Sally towards the entrance.

As they approached the security checkpoint, Aaron's protective instincts kicked into high gear. "Remember, keep an eye on your bags at all times. And don't talk to strangers, especially anyone who seems overly friendly."

Sally laughed, a light, musical sound that drew a few glances from the other travelers. "Aaron, you're acting like I'm about to embark on some dangerous mission. It's just a flight home."

"I know, I know," Aaron said, his tone sheepish. "But you've got some expensive stuff with you now, and I just want you to be safe."

"I will be," Sally promised, her voice gentle. "You don't have to worry so much."

"I'm going to miss you, Sis."

"I'll miss you too, Brother," Sally whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Sally gave Aaron one last reassuring smile before turning to head towards the security line. Aaron watched her go, his heart heavy. It wasn't until she reached the front of the line that she turned back and gave him a little wave. Aaron waved back, forcing a smile.

As Sally disappeared from view, Aaron pulled out his phone and dialed their uncle's number. The phone rang a few times before a deep, familiar voice answered.

"Aaron! How are you, my boy?"

"Hey, Uncle Joe," Aaron greeted, his voice brightening a little at the sound of his uncle's warm, comforting tone. "I'm good, just a little sad that Sally's leaving."

"Ah, I can imagine," Uncle Joe said with a chuckle. "She's been having the time of her life over there, hasn't she?"

"She really has," Aaron confirmed. "I just wanted to let you know that her flight leaves at 11 AM, and it should take about three and a half hours, give or take. Can you make sure to pick her up at the airport? She's got two suitcases now, so she might need a hand."

"Of course, I'll be there," Uncle Joe assured him. "I'll bring the car, don't worry. Sally will be in good hands."

"Thanks, Uncle Joe," Aaron said, relief flooding through him. "Also, she's bringing some gifts for you and Aunt Marie. I hope you like them."

"Well, that's very kind of her—and of you, I'm sure," Uncle Joe said warmly. "But you didn't have to go through all that trouble."

"It was no trouble at all," Aaron said sincerely. "I wanted to do it."

"Well, we'll be sure to thank you both properly when we see you next. You're still planning on visiting soon, right?"

"Definitely," Aaron said, a smile spreading across his face. "I just need to wrap up a few things here first, but I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Good, good. We'll be looking forward to it," Uncle Joe said. "Now, you take care of yourself, Aaron. Don't work too hard, and make sure you're eating properly."

Aaron chuckled, the familiar concern in his uncle's voice bringing a sense of comfort. "I will, Uncle Joe. And thanks again for picking up Sally."

"No problem at all," Uncle Joe said. "I'll give you a call as soon as she lands safely."

"Thanks, Uncle Joe," Aaron said, a wave of gratitude washing over him. "Talk to you soon."

They said their goodbyes, and Aaron hung up the phone, slipping it back into his pocket. He checked the time—9:45 AM. There was still plenty of time before Sally's flight took off, so he found a seat in the waiting area near the departure gates. His eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any sign of trouble, but everything seemed calm and orderly. Still, he couldn't shake the nagging worry in the back of his mind.

Aaron watched as passengers moved through the terminal, some rushing to make their flights, others moving at a more leisurely pace. The steady hum of conversation, the occasional announcement over the loudspeakers, and the distant rumble of planes taking off created a strangely soothing background noise.

After what felt like an eternity, Aaron's phone buzzed with a text message from Sally.

"I'm through security! Just waiting to board now. Don't worry, everything's fine. 😊"

Aaron smiled at the message, his tension easing slightly. He typed out a quick reply.

"Glad to hear it. Just be safe, okay? I'll be waiting here until your flight takes off."

Sally's response was almost immediate.

"I will, I promise. Thanks for everything, Brother. Love you! 💖"

"Love you too, Sister. Safe travels!" Aaron sent the message and leaned back in his seat, his eyes drifting to the large windows overlooking the runway.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as he waited for the inevitable announcement that Sally's flight was boarding. He glanced at the departure board every few minutes, his anxiety growing as the clock ticked closer to 11 AM.

Finally, at 10:30 AM, the announcement came.

"Attention, passengers on Flight 2378. We are now beginning the boarding process. Please have your boarding passes and identification ready."

Aaron's heart skipped a beat as he heard the flight number. That was Sally's flight. He knew she would be one of the first to board, given her punctual nature, so he scanned the boarding area for any sign of her.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, he spotted her in the line, her head held high as she handed over her boarding pass to the gate agent. She looked back one last time, her eyes searching the crowd, and when they landed on Aaron, she gave him a bright, reassuring smile.

Aaron waved, his heart swelling with pride and affection. He watched as she disappeared down the jet bridge, the finality of the moment hitting him like a ton of bricks. Sally was really leaving.

He stayed in his seat, his eyes glued to the runway, as the minutes ticked by. Finally, at 10:55 AM, he saw the plane begin to taxi towards the runway. He held his breath as it lined up, the engines roaring to life.

At exactly 11 AM, the plane began to speed down the runway, lifting off into the clear blue sky. Aaron watched until it was nothing more than a speck in the distance, his chest tight with a mix of emotions—pride, worry, sadness, and a touch of loneliness.

With a deep sigh, he stood up and made his way back to the parking garage, his mind already racing with thoughts of what to do next. He would head home, get some work done, and wait for the call from Uncle Joe. But the house would feel a little emptier without Sally's presence, her laughter, and her bright energy.

As he got into the car and started the engine, he couldn't help but think about how much had changed in the past week. Sally's visit had been a whirlwind of excitement, laughter, and bonding, and now that it was over, Aaron found himself missing her already.

He pulled out of the parking lot and merged onto the highway, the city of Los Angeles sprawling out before him. The day was just beginning, and there was work to be done. But as he drove, his thoughts kept drifting back to Sally, hoping that she would be safe, that her flight would be smooth, and that she would be back home with their parents soon.

Aaron knew he would visit them soon, and the thought brought him a small measure of comfort. Until then, he would keep busy, throw himself into his work, and maybe, just maybe, start planning his next visit.

As he drove through the bustling streets of LA, the city alive with energy and possibility, Aaron couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. But no matter how busy or successful he became, his family would always come first.

And that was something that would never change.