It was Saturday morning and Kate woke up sad. Her flight was set for 11:30 out of Heathrow.
Sure, she was looking forward to seeing her kids and her friends. And even her husband. But she was fully aware that she was leaving Michael was going to be heart-wrenching for her. Of course, she'd miss Molly as well. But her mind was mostly focused on her lover.
Kate packed her things and headed downstairs. When she she looked Molly in the eye to say good morning, she found herself uncontrollably sobbing. Molly, an astute observer of all things human, needed no words. She put her comforting arms around Kate and did her best to assure her that everything would be fine.
The drive to the airport seemed tense. Molly decided to not broach the Michael issue. And apparently, Kate had made this same resolve. With such an elephant standing in the room, they weren't even capable of small talk.
"Tara, Kate. It was wonderful to see you. And keep smiling. Life is grand." Molly tried her best to sugar-coat the moment and to send her friend off on a positive note.
Kate collected herself enough to get her baggage checked and secure her boarding pass. She looked at her phone. Two things stood out immediately.
First, it was 9:00am. "Oh, Molly!" she thought. Molly had a penchant for being hyper-early for any and all occasions. Kate, on the other hand, tended to shoot for punctual - a mark that she usually hit just fine with her own planning methods.
But that little iPhone had something else to tell Kate. There was a text. From Michael.
Kate nearly dropped her purse in excitement upon seeing this. About three days ago, she and Michael had concluded that it would be best to cool their communications for a while, what with Kate going back to her old life across the Atlantic Ocean and all. In theory, that was a fine idea. But in her heart, seeing a text this morning from Michael made her glow.
Perhaps he was going to wish her well. Maybe he was going to send her off with a poem or a witty little note. Maybe a love letter. Honestly, she felt like she would be thrilled with just about any communication with Michael at all right now. She missed his strong, confident, loving presence more than she could imagine.
Michael: "I'm in the terminal."
Kate stood there. She blinked. Her mouth and eyes wide open. She looked around at the sea of strangers. Was he for real? Did he truly come all the way to the airport to see her off? That is so romantic. And seriously hot.
Kate found herself gasping and needing to sit. She found a seat and collected herself. She looked back at the phone just to make sure that she wasn't seeing things wrong.
Yes, apparently, Michael is in the terminal. This moment! Kate's heart raced, teeming with emotions of all kinds.
Michael: "Meet me outside of the Captain's Club for Virgin Atlantic. Now."
...
After buzzing around the crowded terminal for a bit, Kate found him. Wearing a smart blue button-down and a smile. And holding an enormous bouquet. Kate could not believe what she was seeing. They embraced and kissed right then and there. Kate didn't want to let go. They must have kissed for a solid minute. Kate suddenly felt whole again.
Through his friend James, who was currently caught in a torrid affair with Molly, Michael had come to find out that Kate had some time to kill at the terminal before her flight.
"Thank God." thought Kate.
"Would you be surprised if I told you that I'm a member of the Captain's Club? Come join me, we will wait for your flight together over a mimosa."
Kate nodded with her eyes as Michael took her hand.
...
Kate had seen some posh parts of the UK during this trip, but the Captain's Club was a whole other level. The wait staff, which seemed to outnumber the patrons, were all donned in formal black attire. Vivaldi played brightly on the sound system. And a fountain with a cherub sculpture served as the centerpiece for this space. She was awe-stricken.
Michael motioned to the waiter to come to the table.
"Is the business room available?" he asked.
The waiter, a handsome young guy with a strong Italian accent, responded in the affirmative.
Kate was disappointed that Michael was about to do some work. But she figured that she got to see him at all. And felt fortunate for that.
As she prepared to say goodbye, Michael's facial expression indicated that Kate had misunderstood things.
"Kate, the 'business room' is simply a private room that is made available for members upon request. I want you to join me."
What a relief! Kate took Michael by the arm and they followed the waiter to a door leading to a simple-yet-well-appointed private room, including a desk, computer, sofa, and small table.
Michael closed the door and locked it. Kate gulped. She had no clue that her erotic desires for Michael might be satiated this morning. In the Captain's Club, of all places. Michael embraced her strongly, kissing her face. Everything was right in Kate's mind.