'Do you have everything?' Robert asks his daughter. 'I think so,' Sookie says and looks around her room. 'If you forgot anything, I'll send it to you,' Robert silently says. 'I'm going to miss you, papa,' Sookie says and looks at her father. 'I'm going to miss you too, kiddo,' Robert says and hugs his daughter. 'You are a good dad,' Sookie whispers. 'I'm sorry I wasn't when I needed to be.' 'You were.'
Young footsteps enter the room. 'Can we go visit her, dad?' Adrian asks. 'We can,' Robert smiles and wraps an arm around his son's shoulders. 'Can I hug you?' Adrian asks his sister. 'You can, little man,' Sookie says. They hug for a long time. 'You can write me letters. Don't call me without asking dad first.' 'Okay,' Adrian says and lets go of his sister.
The three of them walk downstairs. 'Don't forget to say goodbye to Alexei,' Robert says before opening the front door. 'I won't.' She stands still in the doorway. 'Can I come visit sometimes?' She asks shyly. 'You're welcome anytime you want,' Robert says and wipes away a tear. 'Dad, don't cry,' Sookie says and hugs her father again. 'Grouphug!' Adrian shouts and joins the hug. They laugh trough their tears.
'Bye.' Sookie starts walking to the little hotel. She's ready to go back, she has to go back. But a part of her wants to stay here, work at the hotel. She loved the work, she has found her passion. She steadies her backpack when entering the hotel. 'Sookie Athanasiou, you will be missed,' Alexei says. 'You still have me,' Maria says. 'Maria, Sookie did your and her job. If you weren't my niece, I would've fired you,' Alexei says coldly. Maria rolls her eyes and walks away.
'I made you a little bag with our specialities. Don't let the fast food get to you, my dear,' Alexei says and hands Sookie a little bag. 'Thank you,' Sookie says and puts the bag in her backpack. Alexei smiles. 'I really mean it, thank you. Thank you for everything,' Sookie says seriously. 'I know,' Alexei says. 'Erik is waiting at the beach.' Sookie smiles at the man and gives him a quick hug. 'Bye,' she says.
Sookie takes of her shoes one more time to walk on this beach. She puts her backpack next to her luggage and walks to the young man standing with his feet in the water. She takes his hand and leans her head against his shoulder. 'Where are you going next?' Sookie asks for a while. 'Home, I have to get some things in order,' Erik sighs. 'Home...' Sookie whispers. 'You inspired me, you know,' Erik says and kisses the top of her head. Sookie looks at the man she loves. 'We should go,' she says and walks away.
A few hours later Erik and Sookie arrive at the airport. 'I don't want you to go inside with me,' Sookie silently says. Erik looks at her with sad expression. 'I'm not the best at saying goodbye,' Sookie says and looks at him. Erik nods, holding back his tears. 'I... euh... I have something for you. But you have to promise that you'll accept it.' Erik shyly looks at his hands. 'I promise,' Sookie says and takes his hand.
Erik takes a paper out of his backpocket and gives it to Sookie. 'What's that?' Sookie asks and looks at the paper with numbers on it. 'It's the money I earned working in the hotel,' Erik says. Sookie looks at him surprised. 'No, I can't accept that,' Sookie says and gives the check back. 'Too late, you promised,' Erik says and lays the little paper in Sookie's hands again. 'Erik... Why?' 'Because the last months all you could think of was opening your own little hotel. That's going to make it possible,' Erik says.
Sookie starts crying and hugs the man. 'Thank you,' she says loud enough for Erik to hear. 'You don't have to thank me,' Erik says and kisses her cheek. They look at each other. They never talked about the future, how it would go when one of them went home. Will they visit each other? They don't know, we don't know, I don't know. 'So what are you going to do now?' Sookie asks, but holds the embrace. 'Travel home,' Erik sighs. For a moment she hoped he would come with her, but it's not all that simple.
They hug for a few more minutes. 'I should go, I'll miss my flight,' Sookie says and lets go of her boyfriend. Is he still her boyfriend? Are they not together anymore or are they? 'I'll help you take your luggage out of the back,' Erik says and gets out of the van. Startled by the abruptness, Sookie gets out of the van. She puts the check in her wallet and puts her backpack on her shoulders. Erik hands her her suitcase. 'Thanks.' They hug and kiss goodbye, with tears of course.
'Bye,' Sookie says and kisses Erik one last time before turning around. She enters the airport. Suddenly she's back here with her brother and the luggage she used to trip over all the time. She smiles and wipes away her tears. She then thinks about the Europe trip she and her friends made and smiles again. She sees the three of them walking out of the airport. She hears their voices. 'I can't believe my parents let me do this!' 'I'm so happy to be away from my brother for once!' 'I hope my dad didn't forget us.' Sookie smiles and takes her plane ticket out of her backpack.
'I'm going to miss you so much I don't know if I will ever be able to breathe again,' Erik lets out. Sookie turns around in surprised. 'I've never loved anyone like I love you. You make my world a better place. You bring joy to my life, well everyone's life. You loved me, like no one else ever did. You make me smile when I'm sad, you make me feel at ease when I'm nervous - wich I can be a lot -, you are beautiful and I don't just mean your looks. You ... You probably are the love of my live. And I cannot let this be the last time we see each other, I physically can't. So please, please, tell me where I can visit you.'
Sookie wraps her arms around him and kisses him. 'I love you too,' Sookie says and hugs him. Erik hugs her back tightly, he does not want to let her go. 'Rose Hills, fourty five minutes from New York by bus. If you're ever there, go to Valentine's Diner, someone will know where to find me,' Sookie says. 'Okay,' Erik smiles and wipes away Sookie's tears. 'I promise I will visit you,' Erik says and hugs her one more time. 'You definitly promise?' Sookie asks. 'I promise,' Erik says and kisses her one last time - for real now - before Sookie checks in and leaves.
Erik leaves the airport crying. He takes a seat in his van and starts to ugly cry. Once he can see clearly again, he drives back to the hotel. He walks inside. Alexei greets him. 'I am ready to check out,' Erik says, not looking the man in the eyes. 'Oh err... Okay,' Alexei says a bit dissapointed. Erik pays for his stay and runs to his room to pack his stuff. Alexei goes after him, worried. 'You can stay another night if you want, for free. You can't travel this upset,' Alexei says standing in the doorway. 'I don't want to stay here, everything reminds me of her,' Erik says and puts his clothes in one of his bags.
'She didn't die, Erik,' Alexei calmly says. Erik looks at the Greek man. 'You can stay here, ask her father her phone number from her home, even her adress if you want to. I'm surprised you haven't. You can stay and work here if you want.' Erik thinks for a moment - but not long enough. 'No, I don't want to stay here,' he says stubborn and continues to pack. 'I can't force. Please come say goodbye before you leave and be careful when you are wherever you will be,' Alexei says and walks away.
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