Louis froze.
“As most of you know,” the captain went on, “I’ve been flying for nineteen years, but never with my family on board. My wife has kept our home together while I’ve been thousands of miles away. And today, for the first time, they’re here — sharing the skies with me.”
The attendant from earlier passed Louis’s seat, her smile edged with satisfaction. “She belongs here more than anyone, sir.”
Debbie stood, helping her children gather their bags. She looked Louis in the eye. “I told you my husband was on board.”
She walked away, head high, children in tow.
At the front of the plane, the cockpit door was open. The captain — tall, uniform crisp, eyes bright — was kneeling to hug his kids. Owen clung to his leg, Jack grinned up at him, and Lily wrapped her arms around his neck. Debbie stood beside them, her hand on his shoulder, her smile glowing.
