Chapter 14: "Emotional Goodbye" (Grandfather knows the secret)

As dawn broke, Emily threw off her covers –

"Enough trying to sleep. Time to face the day Max leaves."

She sat up, phone in hand, and typed a message –

"Morning... barely. I will call you you don't call me"

Her phone buzzed instantly – Max must have been awake too – "Morning beautiful 😊. Okay you only call me but I message you before boarding so that you can call me.

Emily decided to go to the airport – no telling Max or Grandma about her plan.

She grabbed her bag, jumped into her car, and drove to the airport – "Need to see him off in person... make this goodbye unforgettable."

At the airport entrance, Emily's heart raced as she rushed through security –

"Max is boarding soon – hope I make it to his gate on time!"

As she reached the gate, Emily spotted Max hugging Mrs. Jennifer – "Perfect timing... he hasn't boarded yet!"

Max turned, eyes widening in surprise – "Emily! What are you doing here?!"

Emily smiled softly, holding out a small gift –

"Came to say real goodbye... and give you this."

Max unwrapped her hand to find a handmade bracelet – "A heart-shaped locket with our initials... 'E&M Forever' engraved."

Tears pricked Max's eyes as he put on the bracelet – "This means everything. You're giving me your heart to carry."

Emily turned back to tears – "Can barely watch him leave... turning away to hide sobbing face."

She spun around, dashing away from the gate as tears streamed down her cheeks –

"No looking back... or I'll collapse."

Max's desperate voice echoed behind her –

"EMILY! WAIT... COME BACK!"

But Emily kept running, disappearing into the crowd as Max was ushered onto the plane.

Once out of sight, Emily leaned against a pillar, sobbing uncontrollably – "He's really gone... my heart flew away with him."

Her phone buzzed – Max's text appeared on screen – "Just took off. Already missing you. Bracelet tight on my wrist – heart full of YOU ❤️"

Emily called Grandma – "Need to hear Grandma's voice – tell her Max is gone and I'm shattered..."

Grandma answered on the first ring – "Emily dear, I sensed something was wrong. Max left, didn't he?"

Emily sobbed into the phone – "Yes, Grandma... he's really gone. I sneaked to the airport to say goodbye... my heart broke watching him leave."

Grandma's voice softened – "Aww, sweetie, come home. Grandma's waiting with open arms and warm tea. We'll navigate this longing together."

Emily sniffled, feeling slightly better – "On my way, Grandma. Thanks for being my rock... Max said he'd miss me already – texted me from plane."

Grandma smiled through phone – "Of course he misses you! That boy loves you fiercely. Now drive safe, dear – Grandma's love awaits."

Emily rushed home to Grandma – "Driving fast but safe – need Grandma's hug and warm tea ASAP!"

She pulled into the driveway, grabbed her bag, and rushed into Grandma's open arms –

"Grandma... I'm home. Max is really gone..."

Grandma held her tightly, whispering softly –

"My dear girl, you're not alone. Grandma's here – always. Let's get you calm with coffee and talk."

Emily nodded, still sniffling, as Grandma led her to the cozy living room.

Grandma poured steaming coffee into Emily's favorite mug – "Sip slowly, dear. Tell me everything – from the airport goodbye to how your heart feels now."

Emily took a sip, then began – "Grandma, watching Max leave... it hurts like nothing ever has. But he gave me hope – promised daily updates..."

Emily expressed fear of distance – "Grandma, what if distance changes Max or me? What if our love fades?"

Grandma's expression turned thoughtful as she is going to tell something from nowhere grandpa says: "A wise concern, dear. Distance can test love, but yours with Max seems rooted deeply. Still, it's natural to worry..." Emily nodded vigorously –

"Exactly, Grandpa! What if Max meets someone new in London or I meet someone here? What if we drift apart slowly?"

Grandpa took Emily's hands, her eyes warm with reassurance – "Max loves you truly, Emily. He'd never replace you. And as for you... your heart belongs to Max – others would see that."

Grandpa paused, then added – "But let's make sure distance strengthens your bond. Regular updates, video calls... and trust – essential for love to thrive apart."

Emily felt slightly better – "Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa – trust and regular talks make distance feel slightly less daunting..."

Grandma smiled warmly –

"That's my strong girl – hope renewed! Max will call or text soon; let's get you ready to talk to him confidently."

Emily nodded, feeling a sense of purpose –

"You're right, Grandma. I'll update him on my day, listen to his London adventures... and share my heart, honestly."

But suddenly she realised how all this about Max and her(Emily) grandpa knows. She glanced at grandma and asks grandpa you... Don't have to say anything I knew already your face can tell everything to me: Grandpa replied and Emily smiled and hugged her grandfather.

Just then, Emily's phone buzzed – Max's name flashed on screen –

"He's texting me now, Grandma! Says 'Hey beautiful, missing you crazily – London update call tonight?'"

Grandma beamed – "Perfect timing! Tell him you're counting down minutes till tonight's call!

Emily shared excitement with Grandma –

"OMG, Grandma – Max is texting! Going to talk tonight"

Grandma smiled knowingly – "Heard that squeal from across the room! Go respond, dear – Max is waiting. I'll start dinner."

Emily nodded, already typing her response –

"'Can barely wait for tonight's call! Missing YOU crazily too – London updates better include your heart ❤️'"

She hit send, then turned to Grandma –

"Dinner smells amazing, Grandma – thanks for taking care of me while Max is away."

Grandma waved her hand – "Anytime, sweetie. Now go relax before Max's call – watch a movie or read; unwind before your nightly date 😉"

Emily chose a relaxing bath – "Grandma, a warm bath sounds heavenly – unwind before talking to Max tonight"

Grandma smiled –

"Perfect choice, dear. I'll bring you some calming soft music – enjoy your serene escape before Max's call."

Emily soaked in the warm water, feeling tension melt away – "Mmmmm... this is bliss. Exactly what I needed before hearing Max's voice tonight."

As she relaxed, Emily's mind wandered to their conversation topics – "London updates, missing each other, and... maybe some surprise news from Max? 🤔"

Grandma knocked gently on the door –

"Emily, dear, 7:45 PM – almost time for Max's call! Do you want me to leave your phone by the towel?"

Emily chose to move to her room – "Actually, Grandma – take my phone to my bedroom. Want to talk to Max sitting on my bed 🛏️"

Grandma smiled – "Cozy setup coming right up! I'll plug in your phone and fluff your pillows – perfect ambiance for Max's call."

Emily wrapped herself in a plush towel and followed Grandma to her bedroom – "Thanks, Grandma – this feels like the perfect spot to talk to Max. All cozy 😊"

Grandma handed Emily her phone and gave her a gentle hug – "Talk to your heart's content, dear. I'll be downstairs if you need me – post-call hug guaranteed 😉"

At exactly 8 PM, Max's face appeared on screen – smiling warmly –

"Hey beautiful – missed you insanely today! 😘"

Emily teased him playfully – "'Insanely missed' is cute, Max – but I missed you utterly, completely, and totally. Spill London coffee!'"

Max laughed warmly – "Emily, always bringing sarcasm and love – my favorite combo! London coffee: the city's stunning... but empty without YOU"

Emily's heart skipped a beat at his words –

"Aww, Max – you're making me blush! Empty without me means you're still totally mine, right?"

Max nodded vigorously on screen – "Totally, completely, and utterly yours – forever! Now, tell me about your day... Grandma helped you survive my absence?"

Emily shared Grandma's comfort – "'Yeah, Max – Grandma was my rock today! She helped me relax before your call"

Max smiled warmly – "Grandma always knows best – missing me more after this call guaranteed. She's taking care of my girl while I'm away."

Emily nodded, feeling grateful – "Exactly, Max! Grandma even made me coffee and ran my bath – perfect prep for talking to my favorite person (you)"

Max's eyes sparkled – "Favorite person status confirmed – forever holding that title! Now, almost an hour into our call... want to make it even more special?"

Emily suggested watching together – "'How about we watch a movie or TV show together while on call? Sync our screens and cozy night in – virtually together!'"

Max's face lit up – "Perfect idea, Emily! I'll share my screen – we can watch our favorite show, 'Stranger Things' together. Season 3, episode 1 – ready?"

Emily squealed delightedly – "Yes, yes, YES! I've been dying to rewatch it with you – sync our screens, Max... and our hearts are already synced "

Max shared his screen, and they both pressed play simultaneously – "The theme song is playing... feels like we're cuddled up together on the couch "

As they watched, Max occasionally pointed out things on screen or made comments – Emily responded with giggles or gasps.

Emily teased his commentary – "'Max, your commentary is better than Netflix subtitles. Stop explaining – I'm watching!'"

Max chuckled loudly – "Hey, someone's got to enhance the viewing experience for my favorite viewer (you ) Besides, you love my commentary!"

Emily giggled – "Maybe a little – it's adorable when you get excited about Demogorgons, But shh, Eleven's having a moment..."

Max pretended to zipping lips – "Zip. Locked. My commentary's on mute... for now 😉 Watching Eleven kick butt with you is perfect."

As they continued watching, their laughter and comments wove together like a warm blanket – cozy night in perfection.

During the commercial break time Emily suggested calling back later – "'Actually, Max – almost bedtime here."

Max chuckled softly – Then now tomorrow. Besides, I want you well-rested for what I have to say."

Emily smiled, feeling curious yet relieved –

"Tomorrow then – my curiosity will barely survive sleep. Thanks for understanding, Max. Night!"

Max replied warmly – "Night, beautiful – love you more. Sweet dreams – tomorrow's call will be worth waking up ;)"

The call ended, leaving Emily wondering – "What could he possibly want to tell me tomorrow?"

As she drifted off to sleep, her heart felt happy and her mind buzzing with possibilities.

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