Highly reccomend listening to "All I Want" By Kodaline while reading this chapter (or before or after or don't. I don't make the rules here)!
Estelle was on the aircraft carrier the next morning at five. She stood below deck in the med hallway looking out at the ocean, needing a distraction. Estelle felt more nervous for the pilots than many of them felt. The wind was blowing her hair every which way, causing her to wrangle it into a very messy ponytail.
Her and the rest of the med team completed their final evaluations and deemed all the pilots fit to fly. She still hadn't talked to Bradley, and quite frankly she didn't want to.
She glanced down at her watch and realized she had been standing there for an hour and had to report to her station in fifteen minutes. Begrudgingly, Estelle turned away from the ocean and headed down towards her station.
Once at her station, her boss gave them directions for the day: "Today's going to be easy, that is, if you have patience. We will be waiting until they're back from their mission."
Estelle quietly groaned. If there was one thing she didn't have, it was patience. She wanted to be hands on; and if they were playing the waiting game, it was just going to make her nerves worse.
"From there we will do an evaluation and see if we need to do anything. If everything goes to plan, we won't be needed today." Her boss continued, finishing her speal.
Estelle made her way back out towards the rail she was standing by earlier. She had only been standing there for a few minutes when a familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts, "I thought I'd find you here."
Turning around, Estelle saw her friend Nat causing a smile to find its way onto her face, "Hey. Do you know who's going yet?"
"Yeah." Nat said, slightly looking down, causing Estelle's heart to drop, "It's Maverick, with me and Bob as his wingmen and Rooster with Payback and Fanboy as his wingmen."
"Oh." Was all that Estelle could say.
"But we'll be fine," Nat said, trying to convince herself more than her friend, "We all passed it with plenty of time during practice."
"Well, good luck." Estelle said, smiling at her friend.
"Thanks." Nat said, smiling back and turning around to head back up to the deck.
A few hours later, Estelle heard footsteps down the hallway. Intrigued, she turned around and followed them. She rounded the corner and saw Maverick standing and looking out at the ocean like she had just been a while earlier. She stayed hidden, trying not to disturb him.
"Talk to me Goose," he said, sighing as he did.
Deciding to make her presence known she walked out from behind the wall and said: "I think he would say, 'Do some of that pilot shit.'"
All I want is nothing more
He turned around and smiled once he saw her. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Thanks kid."
"Anytime," she said, looking up at him and winking.
To hear you knocking at my door
"Listen, in case I don-"
"No. Don't even go there." She said, now glaring at him.
'Cause if I could see your face once more
Putting his hands up in mock surrender, he backed away from her, slightly smirking.
She moved in closer to him, and pulled him into a hug. Maverick was slightly surprised by this sudden embrace, but wrapped his arms around her as well a few seconds later.
I could die as a happy man I'm sure
"I love you kiddo. Make sure your mom knows how much I love her too," He mumbled into her hair, planting a kiss on her head.
When you said your last goodbye
"Love you too, Mav. But you can let her know when we get back," she said looking up at him with glossy eyes.
I died a little bit inside
The pair were broken up by Admiral Bates coming to let Maverick know it was time for him to leave. Estelle moved over to where the admiral was standing and the two watched him rise to the deck.
"He'll be fine. I'm sure of it," and with that, he was gone and Estelle was completely alone.
Back in her room, Estelle listened to the comms over her radio. The group had not reached the target yet, and from what she could hear, Bradley was falling behind.
"Talk to me dad." She heard Bradley say.
I lay in tears in bed all night
"C'mon kid." Mav said.
"Come on Bradley," Estelle found herself muttering while nervously wiping the back of her hand across her forehead.
Alone without you by my side
By some miracle, Bradley had increased his speed and was now on time. Maverick hit the first target and he was now climbing out. A few seconds later, there was confirmation over the radio that Bradley had also hit the target.
Exhaling, Estelle was finally somewhat relaxed. She fell back into her chair and closed her eyes. Blocking out everything just for a minute.
But if you loved me
"I'm out of flares, Mav!" She heard Bradley say into the comms.
Her eyes immediately opened, "Dagger One is down. Repeat Dagger One is down." Nat said.
Why'd you leave me
"This is Hangman requesting permission to take off."
Her heart started racing.
Take my body
"Denied."
Her mind started wandering, thinking of the worst possible outcomes.
Take my body.
She flew out of her chair and started pacing, "Dagger Two is down. Dagger Two is down."
'Cause you brought out the best of me
Estelle sat down, this time on the floor. She pulled her knees to her chest and laid her head atop them.
A part of me I'd never seen
Her curly hair falling forward and completely covering her face. She wasn't crying.
You took my soul and wiped it clean
She was in shock. She didn't know what to do or what to say.
Our love was made for movie screens.
All she could do was sit there, and wait.
AN:
Pain. I'm in pain.
Hehe I'm so evil. This chapter hurt my heart.
Thoughts on a epilogue at this point?
I literally listed to "All I Want" and said "I'm want to write a scene based off of this," but I didn't know how or who to write it about 😭. Then I saw Top Gun: Maverick and said, "Yes." Also fitting for this situation could be "Apocalypse" by Cigarettes After Sex. IM IN LOVE WITH BOTH SONGS RIGHT NOW 😭
Also- lowkey want to make a Top Gun: Maverick dr but I'm lowkey scared of flying so... I might go the nurse route- or be a captain or something (idk about the rank) and be grounded and a teacher for the mission instead. Thoughts? 🤨👆
Bradley and I would be childhood besties but he got mad at me when my dad (Mav) pulled his papers cause he thought it was my fault 😋 but then we reconcile and what not 😁
Okay that's all 😭
KJ 🫶🫶