Emily and Matthew walked side by side to the runway, where one of the Lancaster family's private planes was waiting for them. The gleaming jet looked like a work of art, its silver fuselage glinting in the sun. Emily held Matthew's hand tightly, admiring the grandeur of the transport.
"This looks like a mansion with wings," Emily commented, her eyes widening.
Matthew laughed. "That's one of the perks of being a Lancaster. Wait until you see the inside."
As soon as they climbed the stairs of the aircraft, Emily was speechless. The interior was a sight to behold. The floor was covered in soft carpet in neutral tones, while the cream leather seats looked like movie theater seats, with controls to fully recline. The walls were accented with ebony wood, combined with adjustable LED lights, which created a modern and cozy atmosphere.
At the entrance, there was a large seating area with sofas arranged around a central table. Next to it, a retractable screen took up almost the entire wall, perfect for entertaining. Emily looked around the space, almost jumping with joy.
"Is this a plane or a resort in the sky?" she asked, turning to take in every corner.
Matthew gave her a brief tour. "Here's the main lounge, where we can relax during the flight. And over there," he pointed to a door on the right, "is the kitchen. It's equipped with everything a chef needs to prepare any meal."
Emily peeked inside and saw a compact but extremely functional kitchen, with marble surfaces, gleaming cabinets, and modern appliances.
"Well, if I could cook, this would be heaven," she joked, laughing.
They continued walking to the bathroom, which was almost as luxurious as a hotel suite. The sink was made of carved glass, the mirror had recessed lights, and there was even a compact shower.
"I'm starting to think your concept of simplicity is a little over the top, Matthew," she teased.
He smiled and pulled her toward the back of the plane. "And last but not least, the master bedroom."
Emily gasped as she stepped inside. The king-size bed, covered in silk sheets, occupied the center of the suite. There were gold accents on the moldings and a panoramic view thanks to the side windows. A comfortable armchair and a small work desk completed the space.
"I never knew sleeping on a plane could be so glamorous," she said, running her fingers through the soft sheets.
After exploring the jet, Emily and Matthew settled into the living area. Matthew made two drinks while Emily slumped on the couch, fiddling with the controls for the entertainment system.
"You can literally watch anything in here," she commented, scrolling through the vast list of movies and TV shows available. "I want to live on this plane!"
Matthew handed her a drink and sat down next to her. "Trust me, this is just the beginning. We can program the environment to imitate a starry night or even the northern lights, if you want."
Emily laughed, delighted. "You're spoiling me too much, you know?"
"It's my duty as a husband," he replied, kissing her forehead.
After a while, Emily began to explore the space more. She went through the kitchen and came back with some snacks, which she shared with Matthew as they laughed and reminisced about recent events: the wedding at the registry office, the family's reactions, and even their plans for the future.
"By the way," Emily said, pointing to the master bedroom, "I think you owe us a romantic evening there when we get back."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? I'll take that as a challenge."
They spent some more time playing cards they found in a compartment in the lounge and watching a comedy film. Every moment, Emily couldn't help but smile.
"Matthew," she said, looking up at him as the plane flew smoothly above the clouds. "I've never felt so lucky in my entire life. Thank you for bringing me into your world."
He took her hand. "You're not alone in my world, Emily. You are my world."
The plane continued on its course, as the two of them indulged in happiness, laughing, exchanging glances, and making memories to take with them on their new journeys together.
The plane landed smoothly in a small town in the countryside of a region of Europe. As Emily descended the steps, she felt a wave of humid heat envelop her body. She raised her hand to block the bright sun as she took her first steps onto the hot asphalt.
"Ugh, it's really hot," she said, wrinkling her nose and fanning her face with her free hand.
Matthew, who was walking down the stairs behind her, chuckled lightly. "I told you it would be like this. I thought you were prepared for the heat."
Emily gave him an exasperated look. "Prepared? I thought you were exaggerating! This is hotter than the spotlights on set."
As they waited for their luggage to be checked, Emily began to feel uncomfortable with the sweat that was gathering on her forehead. "This isn't fair," she muttered, crossing her arms. "Why do I always get so sweaty in these situations?"
Matthew noticed her discomfort and, distressed, called over to a nearby assistant. "Could you get a bottle of cold water, please? And hurry."
The assistant nodded and hurried to do as requested. Meanwhile, Matthew took off the light coat he was wearing and began fanning Emily with it.
"Matthew!" she exclaimed, partly embarrassed and partly grateful. "You don't have to do that here. Everyone's staring!"
"Let them stare," he replied, with a warm smile. "My wife can't be uncomfortable."
Emily looked around and noticed a few passengers in the airport watching the scene. Some were whispering to each other, others just staring in awe. She felt her face flush with embarrassment, even more so when she realized that Matthew, with his bright white hair and deep green eyes, was attracting a lot of attention.
"They're not staring because of me," she mumbled, trying to hide her face in Matthew's chest. However, she quickly pulled away, laughing nervously. "No, too hot!"
A few nearby passengers began to comment among themselves:
"They're such a cute couple."
"Look at his hair, it's so unique. It's like something from a movie character."
"And she's stunning! They're a perfect match."
Emily sighed, trying to ignore the commotion. When the assistant returned with the bottle of ice water, she thanked him genuinely. "Thank you so much. You saved the day."
She took the water and took a few quick sips, feeling the immediate relief of the refreshing liquid. As soon as the bags arrived, Emily reached for hers, but Matthew took it from her hands and handed it to the assistant.
"Leave it to him. You're suffering enough in the heat," Matthew said, smiling.
Before she could respond, Matthew took her hand and squeezed it affectionately. "Let's get out of here. I think you'll like it better when we're at the hotel."
Emily smiled back, trying to ignore the curious looks as they walked together toward the exit. She knew the day had only just begun, but she was eager to find out what Matthew had planned in this charming place.