Chapter 30: No more running
Xavier drove Cassidy and Claire to the airport in silence, the hum of the engine filling the quiet space between them. Tension hung in the air, not because of anything said, but because of everything that hadn’t been.
At the departure gate, Cassidy checked their boarding passes while Claire stood beside her suitcase. Moments earlier, she had tucked her stuffed bunny inside, but at the last minute, she unzipped the bag and pulled it out, unable to part with her favorite toy. Now, she clutched it tightly against her chest.
When it was finally time to say goodbye, Claire ran into Xavier’s arms.
"Uncle Xavi," she mumbled into his shoulder, "can’t you come with us?"
Before Xavier could respond, Cassidy spoke quickly, too quickly.
"Claire, no. Uncle Xavi has work. He’s very busy and can’t come to America with us."
Her tone was sharper than she intended, clipped by exhaustion and nerves. Claire flinched, then pulled away slightly, her lower lip jutting out in a familiar pout of disappointment.
Xavier knelt down so he was eye-level with her, his voice soft and steady.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said gently. "If you miss me, you can borrow Mommy’s phone and call me anytime. We can even do video calls. I’ll answer whenever I’m not too busy. Promise."
Claire’s eyes lit up just a little.
"Pinky promise?"