Chapter 2: 2. Even the Universe.

Ella looked round her room checking things off in her head as she zipped up the last of her bags.

Her wardrobe still held some clothes in it seeing as she had to get an entire new wardrobe, a task her mother had assisted her with.

She was prepared. She had everything packed. Two weeks she had spent organizing, planning and packing. Everything was in order.

She had a place to stay in New York, a car she had purchased online which should already be waiting for her at the new place in New York. Everything was ready. She was ready.

Then why did she feel like throwing up?

"Deep breaths, Ella." She whispered to her self, taking in deep breaths and exhaling just to calm herself. It wasn't working.

She closed her eyes and sat on her now bare bed, still breathing, clutching her chest and counting to hundred in her head, something Dr. Miller said would work for times like this. Times she felt like she was having a panic attack.

She'd only ever had three in the past two years. That was good. There was a time she had it every single day. Every single day since...

She calmed her thoughts and continued counting.

Inhale. 86. Exhale. 85. Inhale. 84. Exhale. 83.....

She opened her eyes, no longer breathing heavily. Heart rate was calm and she didn't feel the overwhelming feeling to throw up anymore.

She looked around her room one more time and let out a breath. "I can do this. I'm ready."

She pulled on the luggages and left the room with a smile on her face and positive thoughts only in her head.

I hate goodbyes.

"Mom, you're crushing me." Ella gasped as she tried to pull away from her mother's tight hug.

Reluctantly, Margaret let her go her hand wiping a stray tear on her face. "I'm sorry, you know I get," she cleared her throat and let out a breath. "emotional."

Ella cleared her throat, feeling her emotions threatening to choke her. She was even more emotional than her mother. She looked at her father just in time to see him wipe a stray tear from his cheeks too.

Tears burning her eyes now she dropped her bag and embraced her parents. "I love you. Both of you." Tears slid down her cheeks when she felt her parents arms around her. For a long time it had been just the three of the against the world. And she knew she was their world.

Being the only child should have made her feel lonely. But she was never alone, not when she was with her parents. They made her happy, ways supporting her and standing by her side when she'd made a mistake they had warned her about.

She hugged them tighter. "I love you guys so much."

"We love you too, sweetie." She knew from the sound of her mom's voice that she was crying in earnest now. Her dad only wrapped his arms around them tighter.

After an eternity, they let go, all three cleaning their tears away. Her dad kissed her cheeks. "You be a good girl and remember we love you more than anything in world."

She smiled. "Even the universe?" Recalling when she was younger and asked what her parents loved more than her. Her dad had only smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and said, 'Nothing, we love you more than this world.'

Bright eyed she'd asked 'even the universe?'

Her mom kissed her forehead and laughed lightly. 'More than the universe.'

Her more laughed again and kissed her forehead. "More than the universe."

Hugging them one more time she kissed both of them on their cheeks and rushed to the cab waiting for her before she changed her mind and decided to stay.

She looked out the window of the cab taking in the final view of their home with the mowed lawn, the historical look of her house and her parents holding hands and waving to her. She smiled and rested her head in the car seat.

"I'm ready."

For some reason Ella loved airports. Some people didn't but she was among the very few who did. Her best friend, Alex, the only friend she'd ever had hated airports. Always complaining about how they were too crowdy. People rushing in and out, bumping into each other, and the charging spaces were always full.

It was the main reason she didn't do any travelling during the holidays. Except on rare occasions when she was feeling generous. Or when she needed a taste of Ella's mom's apple pie.

Ella on the other hand loved airports. She had always been fascinated by it. From the first time her parents took her travelling for one of their book signings when she was six. She'd remembered watching everyone making their way to their destination. Some in a hurry, others not. Some on calling, others texting. Some pulling on luggages and others not. She had remembered watching the whole thing with bright eyes wondering where they were all going. While her parents processed their tickets she remembered guessing where each person could possibly be going.

And even now nineteen years later she was still doing it.

A couple holding hands and giggling to each other as they carried two small bags. Ella smiled. Couples, probably on their honeymoon.

A lady leading a group of identically dressed kids to the ticket line. Obviously students on a field trip.

This went on for minutes until one person caught her eye.

In Ella's life only once had she seen things move in slow motion. First day of high school when she'd watched a group of girls moving in perfect synchronized steps like they were linked to one brain.

And now the second time as she watched this man walking.

Slowly her eyes watched his long legs then slowly, very slowly moved up to the rest of him, and when her gaze finally came to his face, she gasped.

Well, there couldn't be a more beautiful man in this world, right?

His hair was light brown, with hints of gold in it, it glittered when it caught the light. Cheekbones perfectly carved, plump lips, but not too plump. Just right. She couldn't see his eyes, he had it set on the cellphone in his hands. His footsteps were light. Moving with a grace she'd only seen make models move with, he was perfect.

Business suit pressed, coat in the crook of his hand and a single luggage he pulled on while talking to his earpiece. Ella watched in a daze as his longs legs strode in her direction wishing he'd lift up his head and show her his eyes.

Still in slow motion he moved last her talking in rapid Italian to his earpiece.

Ella swallowed and blinked, the slow motion phase had ended. She looked behind her and saw the man still striding purposely toward the - where the attendant checked his ticket and documents before letting him through all the while watching him with full interest.

Ella sighed. She didn't blame her, she'd been going him a few seconds ago. She scoffed. She really had no self control for someone who'd sworn off men.

Hearing the speakers announce the flight was ready she grabbed her belongings and made a mad dash for the -

New York here she comes.

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