Chapter Thirty-Six - Time for the truth

Brandon

Skyla and I were enjoying the last four hours before I needed to head to the airport. She wanted to take me, but I told her no. Yes, it upset her, but then she realises my reason for it makes sense. It would be too hard to say goodbye to her there. I honestly think I wouldn’t get on the flight if she came with me. I don’t want to leave! It is too damn hard, and I have no idea when we will see each other again. I am nowhere ready to say goodbye.

Skyla will cry when we say it, and I can’t handle it. I sigh at the idea of going home without her. A part of me just wants to stay here for good, but I can’t. I have too much to deal with back home.

We spend the first couple of hours of the morning in bed, making love. Now, she is making breakfast for us. Homemade pancakes with banana and a side of bacon. She wants to make sure I have good food in me before my long assed flight. I am flying first class, which means it will be decent food, but she insisted she make us a big breakfast.

I smile as I watch her from the table, drinking my coffee. She has music playing lowly, dancing as she cooks. Though, my heart breaks a little after a second since I had no idea when I would see this again.

I really hope I can come back here in a couple of weeks. Skyla can’t come to me anytime soon since she is busy with preparing her book release, which is out in less than two months. There will be a book launch party to celebrate and then a book tour if sales are good, which I am sure they will be. Skyla has a lot coming up, and I want to be around to support her as much as I can.

“You are staring,” she giggles.

“Yes, I am.” I chuckle.

Skyla glances over her shoulder at me and playfully rolls her eyes before she turns back to breakfast. I chuckle and stand, making my way over to her. I slip my arms around her and kiss her shoulders.

She moans softly and rests back against my chest.

“Are you sure I can’t help, sweetheart?”

She snickers, “For the tenth time, no.”

“Fine. If you give me a kiss, I will leave you alone.”

“I guess I could do that,” she teases.

Skyla turns to face me and wraps her arms around my neck. She puckers her lips, and I reach in, capturing my lips with hers. I groan into her lips and hold her hips.

She whimpers and kisses me harder. Fuck, I will miss her lips. It doesn’t take long for us to get carried away. She hesitantly pulls back from the kiss.

“I will burn the pancakes if you don’t leave me alone,” she pants.

“Sorry, I will leave you to it,” I smile.

I peck her lips and retake my seat. I don’t want to distract her too much. It doesn’t take long for her to join me at the table with a plate with too many pancakes on it.

“You do realise there are only two of us, right?”

“Yes, I know. I made too many,” she giggles and shakes her head.

Skyla grabs everything else we need to go with the pancakes and the bacon before she finally sits down.

“Everything looks great, angel.” I smile.

“Thank you. Now tuck in. I want to shower and go out for a little while to enjoy the day before you need to leave,” she says, her voice breaking at the last part.

I reach over the table and take her hand in mine, “Skyla, please don’t cry.”

“I am trying not to,” she whispers.

I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles, “I will see you again soon. I promise.”

“I know,” she says softly, “For now, eat.”

I nod, and we dig into breakfast. My flight is at five, but I need to be there for three. I won’t only miss Skyla, but I will also miss Scotland when I leave. It is such a beautiful, friendly country. I can see why she is proud to call it home. Who knows, one day, I may be able to make a home here with her. Though, I should probably tell her I love her first and not while she is asleep before we plan our future. I need to tell her before I leave. It isn’t something I want to do over the phone. It is too important not to say it to her face. I just need to find the perfect time and place.

****
Skyla and I were at her favourite park, which is only a ten-minute walk from her place. We brought a blanket with us and were sitting on the grass with coffee and cookies. She has her head on my lap.

“I can’t believe we only have two hours left together,” she whispers.
“I hate it, Skyla! I hate I need to leave you,” I whimper.

“I hate it too, Brandon, but sadly we don’t have a choice. Promise we will talk every day?”

Skyla moves to sit on my lap, straddling my hips. I hug her to my chest, “I promise, beautiful.”

We may not be able to video chat every day, but I will always make time to text her or call her, even for a minute, just to make sure she is okay.

She lifts her head and kisses me softly. It is gentle and sweet. When we part, I stroke the hair away from her eyes. I think now is the perfect time.

I take a deep breath and stroke her cheek, “Skyla, I love you.”

The words came out easier than I thought they would. I wait for her reaction, scared she tells me she isn’t there yet. Her lips curl into a smile, and her eyes light up. I will take those as good signs.

“I love you too. I have wanted so badly to tell you, but I was scared it would be too soon.” She blushes.

“Yes, me too, but I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I wanted to tell you in person rather than over the phone. I promise, my love, we will be fine. We will make the long-distance thing work.” I say softly.

“I really hope we are. It isn’t going to be easy, but I know it will be worth it.” She smiles.

“Yes, it will be.” I agree and kiss her.

Skyla snuggles back into my chest, and I hold her in place. I don’t want to let go. I am not ready to let go.

The long-distance thing will take a lot of adjusting for us, but I am confident we can make it through. I think the first couple of months will be the hardest, but I know I will do whatever it takes to make sure we get at least one weekend a month together. It may not always be possible with our schedules, but if we make time for one another, we should make it through until we develop a more permanent plan.