Gerald stood near the entrance of the arrivals gate at the airport, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he gazed at the stream of people walking out. His heart raced with excitement, and he adjusted the bouquet of flowers he held in his hand. The vibrant blooms were a mix of soft pastels and bright colors, just the way Aubrey liked them. He could already picture her smile when she saw them, the way her eyes would light up with that familiar spark of happiness. Aubrey never asked him to pick her up, but Gerald wouldn’t have missed this for the world.
He glanced at his watch, noting that Aubrey’s plane should have landed by now. His patience was unshakeable, though, and he continued to wait calmly, his eyes scanning the faces of travelers as they emerged one by one. Around him, people were reuniting with loved ones, their laughter and chatter filling the air with a comforting buzz. Gerald couldn’t help but feel a warm sense of contentment; soon, Aubrey would be among them, and he would be the one to welcome her home.
A few moments passed, and then he spotted her—a familiar figure moving through the crowd, her luggage rolling beside her. Gerald’s heart gave a little leap. He raised his hand, waving to catch her attention. "Aubrey!" he called out, his voice carrying above the noise of the bustling terminal.
Aubrey’s head turned toward him, and for a brief second, she seemed to pause. Gerald’s smile widened as their eyes met, and she began walking toward him again, her expression a mix of surprise and something else he couldn’t quite place.
As she approached, Gerald opened his arms wide, his embrace warm and genuine. "Welcome home, Bree," he said softly, his voice filled with a warmth that came naturally whenever he was around her. He pulled her into a hug, feeling the familiar comfort of her presence.
Aubrey returned the hug, though there was a slight hesitation before she fully leaned into it. "Why am I not surprised?" she muttered with a small, crooked smile as she pulled back to look at him.
Gerald grinned, his eyes twinkling with a playful light. "Because you know me too well," he replied, his tone lighthearted. He handed her the bouquet of flowers, his grin widening as he watched her take them. "I hope you like them."
Aubrey’s smile softened as she took the flowers from him, lifting them to her nose to breathe in their sweet fragrance. "Thank you, Gerald," she said, her voice carrying a note of sincerity. "They’re beautiful."
There was something different about her smile, Gerald noticed—a hint of tiredness, perhaps, or maybe just the strain of the journey. But he didn’t dwell on it, not wanting to spoil the moment. Instead, he took the handle of her luggage. "Let’s get you out of here," he said, his tone gentle as he turned to lead the way.
Aubrey fell into step beside him, her footsteps light as they walked together toward the exit. As they moved, Gerald’s focus became entirely centered on her, making everything else fade into the background.
"So," he began, glancing over at her, "how was the flight?"
Aubrey shrugged, her fingers absentmindedly brushing over the petals of the flowers. "It was fine," she replied, her voice carrying a note of fatigue. "Long, but nothing I couldn’t handle."
Gerald nodded, understanding the exhaustion that came with long flights. He didn’t press her for details, sensing that she might not be in the mood for much conversation. Instead, he offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Well, I’m glad you’re back. I missed you."
Aubrey’s gaze softened at his words, and she glanced up at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "I missed you too, Gerald," she said quietly, and there was a sincerity in her voice that made his heart swell with warmth.
Her confession that she missed him too had been exactly what he needed to hear after the time apart. The sounds of the city enveloped them as they stepped outside into the crisp air. Aubrey walked beside him, her fingers lightly brushing the petals of the flowers he had given her, her expression thoughtful and serene.
As they reached the car, Gerald turned to her with a gentle smile. He carefully placed the suitcase in the trunk, making sure it was secure before closing it with a quiet thud.
Gerald opened the car door for her, stepping aside to let her in. As she settled into the passenger seat, she let out a quiet sigh, her hands still holding the bouquet close to her chest. Gerald waited until she was comfortable before closing the door, then quickly walked around to the driver’s side. He slid into the seat, the leather cool against his back, and started the engine.
As he pulled out of the parking spot and entered the main road, Gerald couldn’t help but glance over at Aubrey. She was staring out the window, her eyes tracing the blurred lines of the road. Her expression was calm, but the subtle tension in her shoulders told him that her mind was elsewhere. The bouquet of flowers now rested on her lap, her fingers idly tracing the edges of the petals.
Gerald’s brow furrowed slightly as he watched her. Aubrey was usually so lively, so full of energy and enthusiasm, especially when they were together. But now, she remained quiet. He recalled the way her smile hadn’t quite reached her ears earlier, and it left a lingering worry in the back of his mind.
He kept his eyes on the road, but his thoughts were on her. They had known each other for years, had been through so much together, and he could usually read her like an open book. But today, she was harder to read. He knew better than to pry; Aubrey valued her space, especially when she was tired or stressed. But he couldn’t help but want to make sure she was okay.
After a few moments of silence, he spoke up, his voice gentle. "Aubrey, are you ok?" he asked, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
She blinked, as if pulled out of her thoughts, and turned to look at him. "I’m fine, just a bit tired," she replied, her voice soft. She offered him a small smile, but it still didn’t carry the usual warmth that he was used to.
Gerald nodded, keeping his tone light. "I figured you might be." He paused for a moment, considering his next words. "Do you want to grab something to eat?