Without You

VI

He did as she asked him and he showed up in front of her house at 7 PM. It was Friday night and he wore a simple brown sweater and jeans. He wore a leather jacket and She came out a few minutes later and he walked towards her, gently taking her suitcase. She had jeans on with a sweater too.

"Excited?" He asked as they walked back to their car.
"I've only been to New York City twice." She grinned.
"Oh yeah? For what?" He asked, loading her suitcase in.
"My mother's awards." She said as he opened the door for her.

"Oh, right." He nods, closing her door after she gets in. He started driving after he got in his seat and he smiled. He would be away from everyone for long enough to feel like he was actually with her. He couldn't help himself from glancing at her at every red light, every straight road, watching her look out the window and smiling.

Looking at her, he was content. She was all he would ever really need in life. He parked underneath the airport and then got both of their suitcases out of the car. She walked beside him as he wheeled in their suitcases.

"I lied a bit." He grinned after they had sat at their gate.
"About what?" She asked curiously.
"It's not just a consult... I am heading the surgery."
"The whole thing?!" She almost squealed.
"I know, it's going to ruin the weekend, but..."
"No." She grabbed his hand. "I don't care."
"You don't?" He asked, turning to her.
"I don't care how long the surgery is." She smiled.
"Really...?" He asked, "It is 26 hours." He grinned.
"I will be comfortable in the gallery." She smiled.
"About that..." He trailed, making her eyes go wide.

They sparkled and he gave her a small smirk.

"You're in it." He grinned as they called the terminal. He stood up and she threw herself at him again. He picked her up and laughed.

"You're amazing." She whispered into his ears before he set her down and kissed her gently. They walked onto the plane and he put their suitcases on top and offered her the window seat. She sat down and he sat in the aisle. She held his hand and he leaned over and kissed her gently. They didn't talk much, but she rested her head on his shoulder and they slept for the four hours.

As they walked off the plane at JFK airport and she squeezed his hand. It was a much bigger airport than she'd ever been to. Even Boston wasn't this busy. He let go of their suitcases and waved for a car and it immediately pulled up.

The driver opened the trunk and Derek put the luggage in before they got in.

"Where to boss?" The driver asked.
"West 110th Street." He smiled.
"Alright, it's going to be an hour." The driver said.
"You got it." Derek smiled.

As they drove, they looked out the window, and the scent of NYC filled his lungs. She had the window open, that same enchanted expression that he had when he looked at her. She squeezed his hand every few minutes and he squeezed hers.

"We're here." The cab driver said.
"Let's go." Derek smiled. He let go and got out before walking around and opening her door. She followed him as he paid the driver with a hundred.

"Alright." He smiled, as she looked all the way up. He let go of the suitcases and she hugged him around the torso. She grinned and he kissed her head before holding the suitcases again.

"Derek, is that you?" The doorman asked.
"Yeah, it's me Michael. How's it going?" He smiled.
"Good, is Mrs. Montgomery-Shepherd coming?"
"No... She won't be coming." Derek shook his head.