Poppy stood before security, her eyes wide as she turned to Francis. “Okay. I guess this is it, right?”
She hesitated and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear before stepping forward to embrace him, her face buried in his chest. “I love you, okay? No matter what happens.”
He was quiet, as if catching his breath. He automatically hugged her back. "I love you too. I love you so much."
She looked up at him and her eyes were wispy. “I’m not going to die,” she told him, her voice trembling. “Okay? I’m going to try really hard not to die.”
“Every night,” she replied, her hand on his jaw. “I promise.” The intercom echoed and she swallowed. “That’s my flight. Craw, I... I have to go.”
“I love you,” she replied, squeezing his hand once more before letting go. She cleared her throat, picked up her luggage and headed into security, glancing back once more. She gave him a sad smile and blew him a kiss before she passed through the gate and disappeared.
The airport was busy. Francis hadn’t heard from Poppy the evening before, but this was where he was supposed to meet her, this time and this day.
He seemed panicked, constantly switching between sitting and pacing. His fingers tapped as he looked around, his arms crossed nervously as his fingers twitched incessantly.
Her flight was announced and people began to stream out of the boarding area. Poppy was nowhere to be seen among the crowds of people.
Finally, at the very end, a glint of curly auburn hair would catch his eyes, barely noticeable in the crowd.
