Mainline Carrier Pilot – Part l

"Dad!" Ophelia exclaimed and Mason stiffened in his spot.
"Y-yes sweetheart?" Mason's voice stuttered and he coughed. Ophelia stood up straight, one arm on her hip and the other raising the acceptance letter in the air.
"From where did this come?" She asked raising her brows. Mason's gaze was drawn to the letter and to her, and she noticed beads of sweat forming on his brow.
"Of course, from the mailbox." Mason chuckled nervously, and Ophelia's eyes narrowed.
"Where did this come from and end up in our mailbox?" She inquired, and Mason looked around, his mouth opening and closing. "Dad!" Ophelia forewarned, and Mason sighed. He approached her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I know the last month and a few months before that were difficult for you, screw it- the last few years were extremely difficult for you. You left the Air Force because of me and our company, then you were fired from the wretched airline, and now you're just sticking around to support me and be by my side."
"But Dad-" Mason raised his hand and shook his head. "Please allow me to finish, sweetheart. You've worked hard, and so have I, but now that we're on our feet, I want you to do what you love. I want you to fly. I want you to be happy!"
"I am happy. With you, here! I am content to look after you and work with you to rebuild our company." Mason shook his head as Ophelia argued.
"Don't lie to me, little dove. I know you, and I see you. I see the pain you try so very hard to hide. All I want is for you to be happy, sweetheart. And if flying again makes you even a little happier, that's what I want." Mason gently grasped her cheek in his hand, and Ophelia smiled, her eyes welling up.
"Thank you so much, Dad. I love you." Ophelia hugged him tightly, and Mason returned the hug. "I love you too, little dove."
6 weeks later:
"Landing gear position lights," Ophelia asked looking at the clipboard in her hand. "Checked," First-officer Miller responded while she ticked away on the clipboard in hand. And they went on,
"Seat belts/shoulder harnesses?" "Fastened,"
"Trim?" "Set," She nodded and returned the clipboard to its proper place and reviewed the final weather report.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Rightwing Flight 86A with service from Dubai to Paris..." The preflight announcement began, and after performing a final check on everything they wait for clearance.
"So, what do you have planned for the weekend? It's our first weekend together, captain!" Pablo, the co-pilot sitting behind them, inquired, turning to face her as she positioned the headset. "I just wanna slack off, drink some strong espresso in bed with the finest croissants. What about you?" She asked glancing at Pablo.
"I'll be returning to London on another flight." He sighed and moved his gaze to Miller. "How about you, Miller?" He asks the First-officer.
"I'll keep our Captain entertained." Ophelia rolled her eyes as he winked.
"EMIRATES 006, Fly 268, runway 27 Left, clear for takeoff," they receive the final clearance to fly and she confirmed it. "268, cleared to go, EMIRATES 006."

"Crew, please prepare for takeoff." The final call from the captain for the cabin crew and they began to move forward, gradually increasing their speed. They were in the sky heading south in a matter of minutes.
"EMIRATES 006, Fly heading 268, Contact Departure, good day." "EMIRATES 006, good day." She turned off transmission as they started climbing.
They later confirmed the heading route after reaching the required altitude, and after final go from the ground and changing frequency to the Paris centre, they were on their first hour of the 7-hour flight.
"Miller," she called, and he turned to face her.
"Yes, Captain?"
"You make the announcement." Ophelia gave the order, and he simply nodded and began the announcement, while she sat back and gazed at the moon through the glass in front of her.
"When is the wedding, Miller?" Pablo leaned forward, excitedly asking, and Miller gazed back at him.
"Next month, this weekend is like the last bit of freedom I'll have." Pablo chuckled as he sighed.
"Am I invited?" Pablo asked,
"Nah, I'll stick with just inviting the Captain, I don't want your annoying ass at my wedding." Ophelia laughed as he waved his hand in response.
"Well, then, suit yourself. If you stick with Captain, she'll be alone in the bar drinking whisky, whereas I'd have made your wedding more lively." Pablo huffed,
"Hey! I'm offended!" They laughed as Ophelia complained.
"I agree with Pablo in this. You are boring Captain."
"Yeah sure." She sighed and rolled her eyes. They kept making small talk and laughing amongst themselves throughout the flight. It was their 125th hour of flight time together. And they'd grown to be very good friends.
"I'm gonna go take a nap. Wake me up in one hour, Miller." She said as she unbuckled her seat belts and slid out of her seat. "Aye aye, Captain." Miller saluted and she shook her head as she exited the flight deck. They were three hours into their flight and had a long way to go.
She ascended the small stairs behind the c*ockpit and pushed open the hatch to the sleeping compartment. After removing her cap and jacket, she folded them and placed them in their proper place. She removed her tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons, and lay down, wrapping the belt around her torso. It was used so that if there was turbulence, the crew or pilot who was resting would not be injured. She dimmed the light and drew the curtains for privacy as she lay still staring into the distance, sleep invading her tired eyes soon.
-
-
"Where is the Captain?" Miller and Pablo glanced back as a voice inquired.
"Daphne!" Pablo hollered excitedly, and she rolled her eyes.
"She's taking a break," Miller informed, and she knelt down and nodded.