Paving Stones
The passengers ahead of the family deplaned, tugging their carry-ons from the overhead bins. Sean stood and pulled the luggage down for himself, Ian and Fiona. He passed Fiona her bag and hooked his bag over his shoulder. Ian put out a hand for his bag. Sean looked at the bandage wrapped around his brother's knuckles and held onto the luggage. Ian stared at him and then extended the other hand. They exchanged a long look before Sean passed the bag to him. The aisle cleared enough for the threesome to begin making their way toward the door, with Lin just three rows behind.
Emerging into the airport, they walked along together absorbing the feeling of being on home ground. It felt so different. This urban setting sprawling around them carried with it a completely different feeling. The smells and sights were definitively American. Gone was the bone deep feeling of aged, molded character. Here there was a younger tone, one that almost shouted of its many faceted cultural flavors. Odd that they had never really thought of melting pool of home as being so blatantly displayed.
Lin was conscious of a tinge of anxiety. Emma was very likely waiting for them. She had not called or tried in anyway to prepare her for the change in Ian. She knew that Emma was important to her son. She could only hope that Emma would be able to deal with the changes until Ian found himself again. She prayed that would be soon. Lin picked up her step, perhaps she might see her first. As she strode with purpose toward the exit to baggage claim, her pace suddenly slackened. There was nothing she could say. There was certainly nothing she could say in the short amount of time she might carve by rushing to be the first to see the girl. The boys passed her as she slowed. Fiona took up Lin's pace, reaching out to give her a squeeze on the arm. The spark of homecoming had fast changed to apprehension between the two of them.
The escalator delivered them onto the main floor with Ian and Sean on the step in front and Lin and Fiona just behind. Lin had seen Emma from the top. A slim young woman with deep auburn hair that ran down her back. She had just been able to pick out the smile that hovered on her face as she waited for Ian to reach the main level.
Emma ran to Ian as he stepped off the escalator, launching herself into his arms as he cleared through the path of travelers. Lin moved off to the side, standing with Sean and Fiona, hardly realizing that she was holding her breath. Ian was hugging Emma back, that much was good. Then he pulled away and put his hand to her cheek.
"Oh Ian, what did you do to your hand?" asked Emma.
Ian, looked at his hand, then he looked at Emma. His response was short, and had nothing whatsoever to do with her question. All he said was a deeply sighed, "Emma."
Lin let her breath go, tears flowing down her face freely. Sean and Fiona turned to her and hugged her.
"Let's go find the bags," Fiona smiled.
"And then some food, I'm starving," laughed Sean.
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