Blaine Jackson stood silently in the airport's waiting area, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd for a familiar face. The bustling terminal seemed to hum with stories of arrivals and departures, but his heart carried a weight of unspoken hopes.
*Maybe she won't come after all,* he thought with a bitter smile, glancing at the boarding time on the screen. With a sigh, he sank into one of the nearby seats, resigned to the growing likelihood of leaving alone.
Just as the melancholy began to settle in, a familiar voice reached his ears. "Hurry up and help me find him! If I don't see him before he leaves, I'll regret it forever."
Blaine's lips curved upward slightly. He didn't need to turn to confirm it was Claire Grace. Her flustered yet determined tone was unmistakable.
"I'm trying, but it's hard to spot someone in a crowd like this," a male voice responded. Lucas Zeller sounded equal parts exasperated and amused.
"This is your fault! Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Claire's voice carried a hint of accusation, but it lacked real venom.
"Excuse me?" Lucas shot back defensively. "You're the one who hit snooze a dozen times. If I hadn't said Blaine was about to leave, you'd still be in bed."
"Fine, fine. I'll call him. His phone should still be on, right?" Claire's urgency was evident.
Blaine chuckled softly, resting his forehead in his palm. Just as her phone rang out into the busy terminal, his own ringtone cut through the noise.
Claire's delighted gasp followed almost immediately. "Blaine! So, you were here all along!"
He turned his head lazily to see Claire and Lucas weaving through the crowd toward him. "You two didn't spend the entire car ride arguing about how to find me, did you?" Blaine teased, his voice carrying its usual calm, unhurried cadence.
Claire's eyes shimmered with emotion as she plopped down beside him. "I'm so glad we made it. I'd have been heartbroken if I missed you."
Blaine smirked, tilting his head at her growing baby bump. "Come on, Claire. I'm not moving to Japan permanently, and it's not like you'll be pregnant for years. Once the twins are born, you and Lucas can come visit me. It's not the end of the world."
Lucas, ever the protective husband, slipped smoothly into the seat between them, subtly widening the distance. "Where's Lauren? I thought she'd want to see you off too," he interjected, steering the conversation.
"She's too far along to travel comfortably, so I didn't ask her to come," Blaine replied.
"Makes sense," Lucas said, standing abruptly. "I'll go check on something. You two catch up."
"Lucas," Claire called softly, stopping him in his tracks. "Are you okay?"
He forced a faint smile. "I'm fine, Claire. Just heading to the restroom. Talk to Blaine. You won't be following him to Japan, so I can manage."
Claire frowned as she watched him walk away. Despite his words, she couldn't shake the feeling he'd been masking a hint of jealousy.
"Claire," Blaine's voice broke through her thoughts. His gaze followed Lucas's retreating figure. "You've finally found your happiness, haven't you?"
She nodded firmly, her eyes misting over. "Yes, I have. But what about you?" Her voice softened as she turned to him. "Blaine, I hope you find your happiness too. My brother, Sophie, Lauren, Roy—they all have someone they love. But you… you're still alone."
Blaine's expression didn't falter as he raised a brow. "Who says I'm alone?" he countered with a small smile. "Just because I don't have someone doesn't mean I'm unhappy. I have my career, my dreams. And while my mom might be forcing me to handle our branch in Japan, I'll adapt, like I always do."
"Still, wouldn't it be better to have someone by your side? Someone to take care of you?" Claire's voice was filled with genuine concern.
Blaine reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Claire, don't worry so much about me. I've spent most of my life alone. Maybe some people are just better suited to solitude. Besides, I still believe in fate."
Before she could respond, the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal. Blaine stood, his movements deliberate and calm.
"Blaine," Claire called, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. "I'll miss you."
Her words struck a chord in him, and for a moment, Blaine's carefully crafted composure wavered. But then he smiled, his charm lighting up the space between them. "I'll miss you too, Claire. And your little ones. I promise to come back once they're born. I'll even bring their godmother with me."
"Really?" she asked, her tears giving way to a hopeful smile.
"Really," he assured her with a nod. "But I have to go now, or I'll miss my flight."
Claire's throat tightened as she whispered, "Take care."
Lucas appeared beside her, his steady hands resting on her shoulders. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing openly. "I'll miss him so much," she confessed.
Lucas raised a brow but let out a deep sigh. "If you want to, go give him a hug."
Claire looked up, startled. "What?"
"Go ahead," he said gently. "If it means that much to you. And remind him I'll continue supporting his work through Zeller Enterprises, even in Japan. He'll always have our backing."
Overwhelmed, Claire nodded and turned toward Blaine's retreating figure. She ran to him, her steps echoing her determination to say goodbye properly.