The pair arrived at the airport forty-five minutes early. Being the nearest weekend toward Christmas, the place was buzzing with the holiday rush. Most of them were heading back to their hometowns.
"Calling for the passengers of..."
"Mom, Grandma called! She told us to be careful!"
"Darling, our gate is over there."
The passengers' voices overlapped with the rolling suitcases, announcements and holiday songs. Despite being in a rush, a sense of joy enveloped them.
Even though the crowd was huge, Ruediger and Lariette didn't need to wait long to check in their luggage. After passing through security, they stepped inside the calmer atmosphere of the VIP lounge.
"Want some hot cocoa?" asked Ruediger as he guided Lariette to a cozy corner. Warm, orange lighting softened the sleek space.
"Just some plain water, or black tea," she smiled while sinking into the couch, "And no need for any pastries, honey."
