Rose's Dagger

Chapter Five: We're Not in Brooklyn Anymore

The ride to the airport is long and uneventful. This was another hint to me that we might have found our forever home. Before, we had always lived within half an hour of the nearest airport. In this home, we live over an hour away.

The whole way there, Mathias and Steve talk about random subjects; work, life, sports and moving all make it into the mix. I try to join in, but don't have the heart to keep going. So I just listen as Steve describes what has been going on his his life for the past few weeks.

Steve is a nice enough guy. We have known him for four years; the longest assistant to my Father in a long time. He's around 30 and has an expecting wife. Luckily, my Father is kind enough to let him mostly work from home to care for his wife. He's not bad looking either. Black, unruly hair sits atop his head and covers half his brown eyes. It needs a cut, but I haven't had the time. He has high cheekbones and a very well defined jawline. I like him and Mathias likes him so that also mean our Father likes him.

There isn't much to see on the ride except tall buildings and lots of people. It is boring to me now; I see them every day. After a while more of driving, I see the airport.

I've only been here one other time and I hated it as soon as I saw it. There were too many people trying to leave and more coming in. It was crowded, loud and overall, very scary. Then again, I was only 14 when we first came here.

Steve pulls up to the drop off area and parks the car. He tells us that Miranda, another worker of my Father's, will meet us inside. He helps us with our luggage and then it's time to say goodbye. He hugs Mathias first and gives him a warm smile as he ruffles his hair. To anyone else, it looks like a tender father and son moment. He then turns to me and my eyes pool with tears. He is the only person who I will truly miss.

"Rosey," he pulls my to him in a hug.

"Stevie," my voice shakes and I struggle to keep it steady. "Promise you'll write us? You and Lisa. And once little Stevie is born, him too."

He nods and pulls away, wiping my tears. "I forgot to tell you-"

"Mathias and Rose Williamson, your escort is here," a voice echos through the terminal. I begin walking backwards but tell Steve to continue.

"It's not going to be a little Stevie. It's going to be a little Rose!"

This sends me over. One tear followed by another one falls down my face. It's a girl. And from the sound of it, they will name her Rose. The gesture has me frozen so I have to be dragged by Mathias into the airport.

Now, I shut off the thinking part of my brain. We find Miranda and she rushes us through check-in, security, and customs and before I know it, we are sitting in first class. Miranda tells us one of our Father's international workers, David, will meet us when we land. Then we are left alone.

Mathias holds my hand as we begin to roll down the runway. I give him a small smile and squeeze it. He is scared of flying so he will hold my hand the entire way, I just know it.

Then, with little warning, we are in the air.

I lean over and look out the window. New York seems tiny from up here. I can't see my home, but I know it is down there. Just like how I know Father isn't here with us or looking out the window and saying his last minute goodbyes.

Mathias leans over me and shuts the window with a small, sad smile. He did it partly from his fear and partly to tell me not to think about it anymore. I give his hand another squeeze and close my eyes, hoping to sleep.

The next thing I know, I am being shaken awake. 

"Ro, the flight attendant says we're here. Look out the window and see if she is lying or not."

Slowly, I blink open my eyes and let them adjust before opening the window slightly. Below me is a foreign land-literally. But I know it is London by the trademark places.

Big Ben stands tall, but not as tall as the London Eye. London bridge spans over the Thames and just a ways away lies Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. It's truly beautiful here. Just as I had imagined. 

"Hello, this is your captain speaking. We are getting ready to land so we would ask that if you have not done so already, please fasten your seatbelt," the voice over the intercom is soft, but holds an accent. This must be his home. 

Mathias and I already have our seatbelts fastened, but I see Mathias tighten his even more. I wonder how he can breathe. I can feel him tense as we begin to descend. I give him a reassuring smile and look out the window as we go down. Everything becomes bigger until we are right above it. Then, we bump a little and land on the ground. 

'London...we are here.'  I don't know how I expected to feel. Maybe a little excited, scared, nervous? Instead, I feel nothing. Maybe I will once we get off and into the airport.

 

Mathias instantly relaxes as soon as we stop and undoes his seatbelt when we are told we can. He grabs my hand and we get off the plane first. We have no carry-ons to worry about, so we are out of there in a second. 

There, waiting for us at the gate, is David. He holds up a sign that has both my brother's and my name on it. We go to him and he greets us with a warm smile. He can't be older than 19. How did he end up working for my Father at such a young age? Maybe he is just an intern or a trainee. He has dark brown curly hair and warm brown eyes. His facial features are sharp; he must have a lot of girls chasing after him.

"Hello, Mathias. Hello, Rose," he tips his cap and suggests that we go and get our luggage. We grab what few things we can and put the rest in a cart. David leads us to his limo and puts our things in the trunk while telling us what we will do for the rest of the day.

"You can rest and when you feel hungry, we can eat. The jet lag will be a bit difficult to handle at first so your Father has it to where you don't start school until next Monday," he says and opens my door before getting into his seat.

He pulls out into the busy street and skillfully navigates his way through the city. He pulls up to a small apartment complex. He gets out, opens my door and hands Mathias what must be the key to get in. 

"It's a nice place you have here. Very big and open and the two of you have your own room on separate sides of the place. It's very nice," David explains. 

"Thank you." Mathias nods and walks up the stairs. I turn to David. 

"Thank you, David. Do you live close by?"

He nods with another smile. "Yes, I live just down the street. Call me if you need anything. A tour of the town, some help with finding something, a dinner date..." he winks and hands me a slip of paper with his name and number written in neat handwriting. I blush and take the paper before saying my goodbyes and following Mathias. Once he closes the door, I sigh.

"Mati...we aren't in Brooklyn anymore."