Scream Me a Dream

Saturday May 29, 2010
7:00am

“How are you up this early?” Regan groaned as he shuffled into the kitchen and saw Soya cooking over the stove. “It’s seven in the morning; I thought with Ville here, you’d actually sleep in.”

“Hey, you called him by just his first name.” Soya teased as she dipped another piece of bread into the egg batter for the French toast. “Ville’s plane leaves at noon and I’m expecting a call from my little sister, so I can’t sleep in.”

“You mean you can’t sleep in general.” Regan teased back.

Soya rolled her eyes. “Keep it up and I’m not going to feed you.”

“Since I’m still tired and you’re up, can I go sneak into bed with Emmy?” Regan asked.

“Is Josef home?” Soya asked with a raised eyebrow. In reality, Emmy and Regan were seventeen, and Emmy had already admitted they were sexually active. Even with Josef putting his foot down on affection in the house, if Regan and Emmy wanted to have sex there was nothing that was going to stop them, and Soya had pointed that out when Josef made the rule.

Either way, Soya knew that the couple wouldn’t do anything when Soya was just downstairs and Ville was two rooms away. Even with the rules Josef had put down, Regan had too much respect for both of them to break that rule so blatantly.

“I didn’t hear him come in.” Regan shrugged.

“Then go ahead.” Soya said. “But if Josef comes home and catches you, I know nothing.”

“Deal.” Regan nodded as he ran upstairs towards his room. Soya gave a silent laugh as she placed the bread on the skillet, only to turn when she heard her phone start chirping and vibrating on the counter.

Reaching over, she grabbed it and answered, placing the phone between her ear and shoulder as she kept her eye on the food.

“Good morning Aida.”

“Good morning, pikku tanssija.”(My little dancer)

Soya felt herself freeze as she heard her father’s voice on the other end. “Uh…papa, what...is Aida ok?” Her mind rationalizing that the only reason her father would call her was if something was wrong with her little sister.

“Aida’s fine.” Jonah laughed, causing Soya to frown, she hadn’t heard her father’s laugh in years. “Hiding, but fine.”

Soya bit her lip as she processed her father’s words. “Papa, are you playing hide and seek with Aida?”

“I am…is is that surprising that I play with my daughter?”

Soya gave a small shrug. “Of course not.”

“What a little liar I’ve raised!” Jonah laughed again. “I know you’re surprised, as was Aida when I asked her if she wanted to spend some time with me. She’s a damn good hider.”

“She is.” Soya nodded slowly, wondering if her father’s pain medication not only made him fatigued but delusional as well. “You seem different from the last time I saw you papa.”

“Ah, pikku tanssija, all the traveling we do with you, it tires me quickly these days. I’m not as young as I use to be and coming home has done me some good.”

Soya continued to frown, her father was in his late fifties; he and her mother had married young and had been in their early twenties when they’d had her. She didn’t consider her father old by any means, though she had noticed he had definitely looked his age the last time she’d seen him.

Soya swallowed, before she asked her next question, still not quite sure about her father’s attitude and not wanting to rock the boat. “Was there something you needed from me Papa?”

“A few things I wanted to discuss with you, actually.”

“Oh, all right.” Soya said quietly.

“Your mother was talking about you taking a young boy into your home.”

“His name is Regan.” Soya said feeling herself get defensive, “And as I told Mama, Regan isn’t part of my career, it was my decision and my decision alone to become his guardian.”

“Soya, my love, calm down.” Jonah chuckled. “I was going to ask how he’s doing?”

Soya stared at the wall dumbfounded. “I’m sorry?”

“How is the young man doing? Are you adjusting well with raising him?”

Soya blinked. “Um…yes, everything is fine. He doesn’t need much raising, as he’s seventeen, but we’re all doing fine.”

“That’s good, I’m glad. You’re doing an amazing thing and I’d love to meet the young man.”

“Thank you and…um…I’m sure Regan would like to meet you as well.” She said quietly, turning the stove off and sitting at the counter, she had a feeling the conversation with her father was going to keep shocking her, she wanted to be sitting for the next blow.

“Now, when are you coming home?”

Soya was thankful she was sitting down when he had said that, she was sure her legs would have buckled from the shock. “Home? I thought you said-”

“An old man is allowed to change his mind Soya. You haven’t been home since Aida was born, and I think you would agree that the view from the plane and the nursery at the hospital hardly constitute as a visit.”

“I…”

“I want my family home for Christmas, Soya”

“What’s so different about this Christmas?” Soya muttered before she could censor herself.

“The fact that you have it free this year, the fact that I haven’t actually celebrated my eldest daughter’s birthday in the same continent in almost ten years. I want to see you Soya, and Aida misses you just as much as you miss her.”

“But-“

“And my sources tell me that your friends will be in town, in fact I believe they play a show on New Year’s.”

Soya shook her head in disbelief, not wanting to believe her father was actually referring to Ville, Linde and Mige. “My friends?”

“You know which ones Soya.” Jonah said, and she could actually hear the teasing in his tone. “Don’t play around, the friends you met at the music store when you were fifteen.”

“How do you-”

“Oh Soya, I can’t walk around Helsinki without hearing one of their songs. Your friend, Ville is it? He’s quite talented.”

“Amazingly talented.” Soya agreed.

“It might be nice for you to come down and see them, I’m sure they would love to see you as well.”

“I bet.” Soya murmured thinking of the Finnish rock star her father was talking about, and how he was currently sprawled on her bed.

“And I know you, ever since we told you that you couldn’t come back, you’ve been working on some sort of plan to convince us that coming home for your break would be best. So let me hear it; what was your plan?”

Soya stared at the counter in shock, “I had no plan.”

“Really?” Jonah asked, clearly amused. “Then why, when I went to go pick up Aida from her dance class, did Mr. Jolien tell me that you’d made an offer on the dance academy.”

“I-” Soya started only for her father to cut her off.

“I’m not upset Soya, I could never be upset about you furthering your career.”

“My career is dancing.” Soya automatically corrected.

Jonah scoffed.“You and I both know performing doesn’t hold your interest anymore. You enjoy it, yes, but it’s not what you want to do. When we travel with you, you are always calling to see how the studio is doing. You seem happier talking over the phone to a student than you ever did taking the stage.”

“I’m sorry Papa.” Soya whispered, feeling her throat constrict on her.

“Whatever for?”

“For disappointing you, I know how much you and mama want me to continue dancing after my contract ends.”

There was silence on the phone before her father sighed. “I’ve never told you how proud I am of you, have I?”

“Of course you have.” Soya lied; she really didn’t remember a moment in her life when her father or her mother had ever told her how proud they were for everything she’d accomplished. Only criticism on how she could be better.

“I haven’t,” He father said, matter of factly. “And I’m sorry for that Soya. I am incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished, not just in New York but when you were here as well. You’ve done amazing things and I’m only sorry I haven’t told you that before or that I’ve neglected to tell you how much I love you.”

Soya sniffed and wiped her cheeks where tears had fallen. “I love you too papa,”

“I don’t see why, I haven’t given you much to love.”

“Oh papa, that’s not true.”

“Yes, it is.” Jonah sighed, “I don’t know why you don’t hold resentment for me or your mother in your heart, but if you do and I just haven’t noticed it, keep in mind that I know that it’s going to take a lot more than a simple ‘I love you’ to rectify that. I’m trying to fix that with Aida.”

Soya gave a light smile. “I’m glad. She loves you.”

“Mmm, apparently not enough, I have yet to find the girl.” Jonah gave an aggravated sigh that had Soya giggling. “Now, when are you coming home?”

“I honestly don’t know papa, until you told me, I had no idea Mr. Jolien had even received my offer.” She bit her lip. “My tentative date was August; I have things to do here before I’m able to leave and Josef is working out his own schedule to go home.”

“Were you thinking of going with Josef?”

“I was.” Soya nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen his family.”

“You should bring him here, show your boyfriend what Finland has to offer.”

Soya winced, she always tended to forget that Josef was her boyfriend when it came to their parents, especially when their parents weren’t there to remind them. She had been so caught up in catching up with Ville and the upheaval of their own relationship, that she had forgotten that she was still in her fake relationship with Josef.

“I’ll talk to him about that.” Soya nodded slowly.

“Well let me know Soya and I’ll arrange everything.”

“Oh papa, you don’t have to do that, I can afford my own plane ticket.” Soya said quickly.

“And living arrangements Soya? Have you taken that into account, I doubt you’ll want to live with your mother and I for the four or so months you’re here.”

“I have a friend who’s able to look for apartments for me, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“I want to worry about it.” Jonah said adamantly. “You know I didn’t even know you and Josef had bought your house until this last month. Why wouldn’t you share that with us?”

Soya bit her lip. “I didn’t think it mattered.”

“Of course it does!”

Soya decided to be honest, if she rocked the boat, at least she was half way across the world. “I didn’t think you would care.” She admitted.

Jonah sighed. “I’m going to fix this Soya, I haven’t been the best father, but I’m going to fix it.”

“Nothing to fix.” Soya whispered.

“There’s a lot to fix.” Jonah admitted. “Call me when you figure out a date, I want to arrange this for you. Allow me to do this for you, please.”

Soya sighed and gave a short nod. “All right.”

“Wonderful! Now I’m off to find your sister.”

“Oh! Before I forget!” Soya said before her father hung up on her.

“Yes?”

“How’s your back?”

There was silence on the phone before her father answered. “My back?” he asked.

“Yes, the other week when Mama called she said you’d returned to the hospital for your chronic back problems, I didn’t realize the pain had gotten worse.”

“Ah, there’s is nothing to worry about, pikku tanssija, my back is perfectly fine.”

“That’s good to hear,” Soya bit her lip. “Tell Aida I love her.”

“I will.”

Soya couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her little sister hiding from their father, and her father looking all over the house for her. “And she likes to hide in the pantry.” Soya told him, knowing that if she didn’t, her father would never check the large pantry in the kitchen.

Jonah laughed. “Thank you, I’ll check there next. Goodbye Soya.”

“Goodbye Papa.” Soya said, before hanging up her phone. She set the phone on the counter with a frown and couldn’t quite believe the conversation that had just occurred. Did she really just have a productive conversation with her father?

When she was younger her father had always demanded, had never once asked, and she had always obliged. As she grew older, her father had become much less talkative, but still authoritative in the way he ran his marriage and even on how he handled Aida.

The man she had just talked to had been apologetic and forthcoming if not insecure about the questions he’d asked. She had never heard her father be insecure about anything. Rubbing her face tiredly she left the food on the counter and walked back upstairs.

Going into her room, she closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed next to Ville who was lying on his stomach, one arm under his head while the other was thrown over her side of the bed.

She reached over and ran her fingers through his hair, before she traced the outline of his spine, giving a small smile when she saw the shiver run down it. The slow up and down movement caused him to turn his head and slowly open his eyes focusing on her.

“Morning.” He muttered his voice a bit deeper and filled with sleep.

“Pinch me.” She said, causing Ville to frown at her.

“What?”

“Pinch me, I need to know the conversation I just had was real.”

Ville continued to frown at her, but reached over and gave her a pinch on the ribs, causing her to jump and give a small giggle.

“No.” she warned, as she saw his eyes light up with mischief.

“Oh yes.” He laughed, grabbing her around the waist before she had a chance to scramble out of bed. She was half way off the bed, when he dragged her back and pulled her under him so he was straddling her hips, his fingers positioned over her ribs. “Now this is familiar.”

“And you’re still heavy, get off!” Soya laughed as she tried to unbalance him by lifting her hips.

Ville smirked as he leaned over her, his arms on either side of her head. “I really wouldn’t advise you to do that Soya; I’m not responsible for my actions if you do.”

Soya stopped, but stared up at him, her teeth trapping her bottom lip causing Ville to groan. “What?”

“You really don’t know what you do to me, do you? What you’ve always done to me?”

Soya raised an eyebrow. “Always?”

Ville groaned and rested his forehead against hers. “I admit I didn’t always have the purest of thoughts of you when we first met, or you know, when we continued to be friends, or months after you left and I kept replaying the kiss.”

“While I’m positive my thoughts weren’t as vivid as I’m sure yours were, I had a few impure thoughts myself.” Soya said, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks.

Ville laughed. “Did you?” he felt a smirk form on his lips. “Want to share?”

“No!” Soya shouted, her eyes growing wide.

“You sure?” Ville smirked. “I’m very willing to share mine.”

“You can keep your thoughts to yourself.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ville asked.

Soya rolled her eyes. “What’s the point in dwelling in the past when I have you right here.”

Ville raised an eyebrow. That was very forward and suggestive for Soya. “Is that your way of telling me to shut up and kiss you?”

“Maybe.” She said slowly, thought the teasing lift of her mouth had him leaning down and capturing her in a kiss. He felt her fingers running up and down his back before resting on the small of his back, his own hands were about to make their way under her shirt to feel the satin smooth skin that he knew he would find, only for them to pull away violently when something banged on Soya’s door.

“Is breakfast ready?!” Regan shouted.

Soya groaned and covered her face with her hands. “I have never felt like cursing more than right this minute.”

“Want me to do it for you?” Ville asked.

Soya laughed, uncovering her face and pushing at his chest. “It’s fine, just what happens when you have a seventeen year old living with you.”

“Soya! Breakfast?! Is it ready?!” Regan asked again.

“Leave her alone!” Emmy yelled at her boyfriend, causing Ville and Soya to look towards the door in amusement.

“I’m hungry!”

“And her boyfriend is leaving in a few hours! Leave her alone!”

Ville raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Soya. “That’s the second time I’ve been called that.”

“Called what?” Soya asked.

“Your boyfriend.” Ville laughed. “Is that what this is?”

“I-” Soya frowned and shrugged. “I don’t know. I just…”

Ville leaned down and kissed her gently. “Something to talk about once everything settles down, because honestly, I don’t know either.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Soya sighed. “I better get downstairs before Regan actually comes into the room.”

Ville looked over at the clock and groaned. “I should get ready. Can I use your shower?”

“Of course.” She leaned up and kissed his chin, before rolling out from under him. “I’ll grab you a towel.”

Ville nodded and watched her leave the room, leaving her door open, allowing him to hear the conversation outside in the hall.

“Soya! Breakfast?” Regan shouted.

“Oh calm down!” Soya yelled back. “You’ll get your breakfast!”

“But I want it now!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it Soya!” Emmy yelled back.

Ville couldn’t help but grin as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair. He loved seeing this side of Soya, the woman that was comfortable in her own skin. The one that wasn’t afraid of people’s reactions when she stood up for herself. He was shaken out of his thoughts when he felt something hit the side of his head, frowning he turned to the door to see Soya laughing at him, before seeing the blue towel on the bed.

“Breakfast will be ready by the time you’re done.” Soya told him, before leaving to go downstairs, Ville nodded, getting out of bed and gathering clothes before heading towards the bathroom to shower.

Two hours later, breakfast was eaten, luggage was gathered and with the promise that Emmy and Regan would behave until Josef or Soya got home, Ville and Soya were headed towards the airport. Even though Ville had assured Soya that they didn’t need to get to the airport two hours before the plane left, they were still showing their tickets to security at ten thirty-five, getting odd looks when they saw Ville’s ticket to Finland, and Soya’s to New Jersey, yet noticed their joined hands and Soya’s lack of luggage.

Once past security, Soya went to get them coffee, while Ville settled down in one of the seats in the terminal making a call to Bam. He was just finishing the call when Soya settled down next to him, turning so her legs were resting over his, her feet settled on the seat on his other side.

“Thank you.” Ville said, hanging up the phone, accepting the coffee from Soya.

“Welcome. What did Bam say?”

“They’re on their way. I told him he didn’t have to, but he insisted.”

“It’s sweet.” Soya laughed.

“So, why did I have to pinch you this morning?” Ville asked, looking over at her as she sipped on her coffee.

Soya looked at him in disbelief. “You pinched me without hearing why?”

“You were pretty adamant that I do it. I was sort of afraid you’d pinch me if I didn’t.” He teased. “Now, why did I pinch you?”

Soya shrugged. “I talked to my father this morning.” She felt Ville stiffen and couldn’t help but rub his arm to get him to relax. “It was a good conversation, Ville.”

“Really?” Ville asked with a raised eyebrow.

Soya shrugged. “It was just…odd.” She admitted. “I saw him less than a month ago, and it was like talking to a completely different person.”

“How so?” Ville asked with a frown. He had unofficially met Jonah Toivonen twice in his life, and both times Jonah had been able to intimidate Ville just by glaring at him. Jonah was one man Ville was happy to have never officially met; he would rather deal with Elizabeth Toivonen a million times before having just one conversation with Soya’s father.

“He was playing hide and seek with Aida.” Soya looked up and saw the furrow between Ville’s eyes and shook her head, even someone who didn’t have exposure to her father knew it was odd behavior. “I knew it wasn’t normal.”

“Maybe…” Ville sighed not sure what to say. “I don’t know, what else did he say?”

Soya shook her head. “The entire conversation was a blur, he was laughing, and…he told me he was proud of me. He’s never said that before.”

“You’re still in shock over it aren’t you?”

“It was just so odd Ville. He seemed so happy when I was talking to him, like there was no better place to be than playing hide and seek with a seven year old and talking to his twenty-eight year old daughter.”

“Maybe he’s trying to change?” Ville questioned. “I know you haven’t had the greatest relationship with him and maybe he’s finally taken notice. Granted it’s twenty-eight years too late, but maybe he’s trying.”

Soya bit her lip and shrugged. “I feel like they’re keeping something from me.”

“They?”

“My mama too.”

“Why?” Ville asked, than changed the question. “What would they have to hide?”

“I don’t know.” Soya sighed and rested her chin on Ville’s arm, kissing his shoulder as she stared out the window watching the planes outside. “I just don’t want him to change into this caring man for Aida, only to change back into the man I know. If it was just me, I think I could handle it, but with Aida in the picture…I don’t want her heart to get broken this young.”

Ville decided to ignore her use of ‘think’ knowing that no matter what age Soya was, she would always crave her parents’ approval and acceptance; instead, he decided he would focus on another part of what she had said. “So you would want Aida’s heart broken later in her life?”

Soya glared at him. “No.”

“What type of sister would wish that on her little sister?” He teased.

Soya pushed him, causing him to laugh. “You’re so mean to me!”

Ville wrapped an arm around her back and brought her closer, kissing the top of her head. “Honestly Soya, I don’t know your father well enough to be able to give you any type of explanation on his change of behavior just….follow your heart on this one. What does your heart tell you?”

Soya bit her lip. “Honestly, my heart is just as torn as my head.”

“You’ll figure it out kulta, and I’m here when you want to talk.”

“Thank you.”

Ville nodded, resting his chin on the top of her head as they looked out the window to watch the planes take off.

“Yo!”

They both turned and saw Bam and Missy coming towards them. Soya slipped her legs off Ville, as he stood to greet his friend while she smiled at Missy, giving the woman a hug.

“You guys are here early.” Missy said as she took a seat next to Soya, while Bam sat across from them.

“Soya insisted.” Ville teased, causing Soya to roll her eyes.

“Did you guys eat?” Missy asked. “We were thinking we could get something here while we wait.”

Soya held up her coffee cup, while Ville answered. “Soya fed us this morning, but we’ll go with you.”

“No, it’s fine, we’ll be back.” Bam said. “You guys want anything though?”

Ville shook his empty coffee cup, while Soya was still sipping on hers. “One more of these.” He said holding up the cup.

“Right, we’ll be right back.” Bam said, taking Missy’s hand and leading them towards the Starbucks.

Soya sighed, causing Ville to look down at her. “What’s wrong?”

Soya shrugged. “I thought it was hard getting into the car thirteen years ago and leaving you.”

“Hard watching you get into that car.” Ville murmured.

“Much harder letting you go now.”

“Really?” Ville asked amused. “I would think it would be easier, with the knowledge that we’re going to see each other again, and the fact that I now have your phone number. You’re going to be so annoyed with the phone calls, that you’ll wish we’d never seen each other again.”

“I’d never wish that!” Soya said, her hand finding his and intertwining their fingers. “And I have yet to tire from Mige and Linde’s phone calls and e-mails, so I very much doubt I’ll tire from yours.”

“Then why is it harder now?”

“At least then, there was no tease of when we’d see each other again, it was such an unknown if we’d ever meet again. Now, we have at least an approximate date and it makes it worse.”

Ville frowned in confusion. “There’s a date? I didn’t know you’d set a date.”

“It’s not set in stone Ville, don’t get your hopes up, I don’t even know if it will end up working out.”

“If it doesn’t it just means I’ll have to come back.” Ville laughed, “Just keep in mind that I’ll be towing along my mother, father and brother because God knows they miss you.”

“As if I’m going to argue with that.” Soya said, just as Bam and Missy came back sitting across from them. Missy handed Ville his coffee, causing Ville to thank her.

“Argue with what?” Bam asked.

“Ville’s family coming here.” Soya answered.

“I thought you were going over there.” Bam said with a frown. “Isn’t that why you were going to buy the building over there?”

Soya shrugged, while the plan to go to Finland was becoming clearer and clearer, especially now that she had her father’s approval and apparent excitement over the idea, she still didn’t want to promise anything and get Ville’s hopes up if everything ended up falling apart. “Hannu has yet to get back to me, he warned me that I’d probably have to wait until after he’s back in Finland. And that’s not for another week or so.”

“Then there’s his surgery.” Bam said absently looking out the windows.

Soya frowned and sat up straighter. “What surgery?”

Bam looked back at her with wide eyes. “Huh?”

“You said he’s getting surgery, what surgery?”

“Oh, you know…” Bam ran a hand through his hair. “Look, you should ask him, obviously he didn’t tell you for a reason and I’m worrying you for no reason.”

Ville shook his head. “It’s going to be fine Soya, it’s not the first time any of them have been in the hospital.”

“Well I’m planning a trip to Finland mid-August, so if you need someone to travel with I’m down.” Bam told her, in an attempt to get her mind off HP.

Soya smiled. “That’s sweet, thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.”

The rest of the wait was spent talking; Bam and Missy telling Ville and Soya how their night went having met up with friends, visiting different bars New York had to offer. Before long, Ville’s flight was called and people were starting to board the flight, Ville being one of the last.

Soya watched as he hugged Bam and Missy saying his goodbyes, before Missy dragged Bam towards the window, giving her and Ville a semblance of privacy, though she could feel Bam and Missy watching them.

“Call the minute you land.” Soya said standing in front of him, chewing on the inside of her lip nervously.

“Of course.” Ville nodded, bringing her into a hug, his bag by his feet. He found it hard to let her go, and as if she knew his thoughts, her hands rubbed his back in comfort before she pulled away slowly.

“Go, they’re waiting.” Soya said motioning to the stewardess that was patiently waiting for Ville, who was now the only person in the terminal.

Ville leaned down and kissed her softly, knowing that if he deepened the kiss he would probably never leave. “Bye.” He whispered, feeling her whisper the words back, before he leaned down and grabbed his bag, handing his ticket to the stewardess, almost unwillingly.

He felt like everything was still up in the air with them, that even though they had agreed not to talk or settle anything about the status of their relationship. The fact that he still didn’t have a definite yes or a definite no on Soya’s going home bothered him more than he wanted to admit. He found he couldn’t leave without having an answer, he didn’t want to leave without one.

“Sir?” The stewardess questioned, attempted to hand him the boarding pass.

“I’ll be one minute.” Ville muttered, dropping his bag and going back over to Soya who was watching him curiously.

“Ville wh-”

She was cut off by Ville’s lips descending on her own, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. She quickly relaxed, her fingers cupping his cheeks.

“Promise me you’re going to come home.” Ville muttered against her lips, knowing Soya would never break a promise.

She pulled back with wide eyes. “Ville, I can’t.” she said quietly.

“Promise me, or I’m not getting on that plane.”

She shook her head. “You have-”

“Technically I don’t have to be home until the fourth, that’s four days of me trying to convince you to come home.”

“Ville-” Soya whispered, trying to break out of his grasp only for him to tighten his hold.

“Sir, the plane-” The stewardess started only for Ville to cut her off.

“I know, just one more minute.” Ville told her, looking over his shoulder, before turning back to Soya. “Lupaa minulle.”(Promise me) he whispered.

“En voi.” (I can’t) she whispered, Ville saw that she was near tears and couldn’t help but lean down and kiss her again.

“Olkaa hyvä.”(please) Ville insisted brushing his lips against her. “I can’t leave without knowing for sure I’m going to see you at home where you belong Soya, I can’t.” he felt her breathing hitch and knew she was close to crumbling. “Promise me.” He whispered one more time, kissing the side of her neck. “Please.”

Soya felt her head nod, before she even had a chance to think about what she was doing.

“I want to hear it Soya.” Ville whispered, pulling away from her neck to look at her. “I want to hear the words.”

Soya bit her lip. “Lupaan.”(I promise)

Ville nodded, satisfied with her answer, before kissing her softly one more time. “I’ll call.” He muttered, before pulling away from her, grabbing his bag and sending a shy grin to the stewardess who was looking very disgruntled with him for holding up the flight.

He made himself walk forward, knowing that taking one last look at Soya would cause him to stay much longer than he actually could.

Soya felt herself fall into the seat after Ville had let go of her, watching him disappear through the walkway. God, she couldn’t believe she’d promised him she would go home. She blinked, realizing she hadn’t considered Finland home until Ville had referred to it as such. It was fitting, she guessed, trying to keep her emotions in check, that Finland was only home if Ville and the rest of her friends were there.

“You okay?”

She looked up and saw Bam and Missy standing next to her; Missy’s kind smile and Bam’s worried gaze, making her feel marginally better.

“Definitely harder letting him go this time around.” Soya admitted running a hand through her hair. “Much harder.”