Page 60 of One Final Breath

I stare at it, not able to move, my adrenaline peaking and I shake my head, telling him, “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Sure, you can.”

“No!” My palms are sweaty, and I reach for the buckles on the restraint. “I can’t.”

However, as I go to unbuckle myself, Thane says to me, “‘Thank you for taking me on my first flight’—that’s what Braxley whispered to me.” My eyes get wide, and I look at him as he sits so confidently in the seat next to me. “Everything is going to be okay, Faye. The weather is clear, this plane is practically brand new, and you trust me, right?

“I do,” I tell him because it’s the truth.

“Then take a deep breath and let go of your fears.”

My hands are balled into fists, and I search for the strength to listen to him, for my son.

My eyes are shut tight as he begins the process. All I hear are switches and the motors coming to life as he starts the plane. Then he calls over the intercom, “Boys, you ready for takeoff?”

I hear them answer and look back to see they haven’t a worry in the world. So why am I so scared? They are chatting it up, strapped safely into their seats.

As Thane radios into the control tower, I want to hear what they are saying, so I reach for my headset, putting it over my ears right as they give him the clearance for takeoff.

“Ready?” he asks me pulling the plane down the runway.

I nod and close my eyes again, feeling Ben’s presence with us. He’s with us today—every day—and will guide us there safely.

Thane talks to the control tower again, then to me as he says, “Open your eyes, babe, enjoy this.”

I look at him, and he winks, then the plane charges down the runway, going from zero to what feels like top speed within seconds. My blood pressure is through the roof as we lift off. My hands are gripping my seat, and I close my eyes, scared to death.

My ears pop, but the take off is very smooth. Looking over at Thane, he’s got the controls in his talented hands and knowing how capable he is reassures me.

I look at the sights around us, my death grip finally loosening on my seat, and to my surprise, my stomach settles watching the ground get smaller and smaller, the higher we get. The noise of the boys in the background is like music to my ears, and I zone in on it. Reaching over, Thane rubs my cheek with the back of his knuckles, I lean into his touch and thank not only God but Ben for giving me this amazing man and a second chance at love.

---