OMG! It's been so long since I posted a chapter in Desiderata but Wonderwall had me so occupied so please forgive me! Anyway, a new chapter is up for you and it's a sad one but it's important before the complicated stuff starts :)

Nellie and George are back and yeah, I let you think about why is Matty upset ;)

Enjoy, vote, comment!

**

The airport air was dense and cold as Nellie, George and Matty walked from the check-in to the small waiting area. Masses of people walked in all possible directions, pulling their suitcases and pushing the trolleys carelessly. The constant murmur of voices echoed throughout the glass building while sobs and laughter mixed with hectic footsteps clashed against the tiled floor.

Nellie's stomach turned in both excitement and sadness as her eyes met with George's. She tried to smile at him, to see him smile back at her but her lips couldn't form it so she just let out a small sigh and hugged him.

She is going to miss London, miss this giant man with strong arms and his warm bed and warm embrace.

Nellie felt him press his lips against her forehead once again and she just snuggled closer to his chest. She inhaled the scent that was already locked inside of her as her eyes welled with tears. Just before they left his house, Nellie promised George that she won't cry but she couldn't fight the salty tears so they left the corners of her eye and seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt.

He brushed her hair down with his fingers and pulled her away from his body a bit. She closed her eyes and he lifted her chin so that he could look in her eyes.

"Anelliese," George said through a small and sad sigh, "I thought we made a deal earlier. No tears." He gave her his signature smile, placing his thumb on a delicate skin under her eye and wiping the single tear.

She tried to be strong, to hide her sadness and her urge to cry but on the inside, the real battle of emotions was going on. Returning to the States meant facing her reality once again after living in her own fairy-tale for the past few weeks. Having George on her side made her feel safe and cared for, but now, that she was leaving, the fairy dust was wearing off and she couldn't fight the feeling of uneasiness that threatened to eat her up.

Her most important battle, a battle for her freedom will start as soon as her foot steps on the Portland ground and she was aware that it won't be easy. Clive was not stupid, his connections and friends were everywhere, and Nellie was scared for her own good, dare she say for her own life. But, a desire to divorce the man that ruined her and wasted her young years was strong and she promised herself and George that she will find the strength to go through it.

"No giving up!" He had told her this morning.

And she promised him that she won't.

Nellie blinked few times and then lifted her arm, brushing her left eye with the fuzzy sleeve of her jumper.

"Here, no tears," she tried to joke but it just came out strained so she shook her head a bit. "You know," she tried again, looking down at their shoes and observing the difference between her tiny and George's large feet, "I like it when you call me Anelliese."

She then looked up again, biting her lip slightly and watched George's lips form in a wicked smile and she blushed immediately.

"I think I said quite a few times last night, love," he said while his hand slid down Nellie's hip and she jumped a bit in the place, making him laugh.

The memory of the last night flooded back to Nellie's head and the night they spent together and she felt her cheeks heat up furiously. It was so much more than their first time together when they thought that they won't see each other ever again and that they were just a short-lived flame to one another.

"Stop it," she mumbled, hitting his chest lightly but George's hand didn't move away from her hip. Nellie's eyes then travelled to behind George's back and settled on his best friend who had been stressfully typing something on his phone ever since they arrived to the airport. Nellie wasn't sure why Matty wanted to come with them but she didn't mind him. "Is he okay?" she asked, her brows furrowing at the curly-haired guy.

George looked back at Matty and then back at Nellie before nodding; his lips pressed in a thin line. "He's just trying to patch up something he fucked up."

"Ah," Nellie murmured, instinctively placing her head against his chest.

"I'll miss you," George added after few seconds of silence.

"I'll miss you too," she replied in an instant, hugging him tighter.

FLIGHT AX403K LONDON PORTLAND OREGON IS BOARDING NOW...

"Fuck," George muttered and Nellie felt him stiffen at the voice coming through the speakers. "Is it already time?"

Nellie just nodded and blinked away a single tear that slid down her rosy cheek. "I don't want to—"

Nellie couldn't answer because Matty interrupted her as he stepped closer. "Okay, lovebirds," he smiled warmly, putting his phone in the pocket of his brown shearling jacket. He looked at George briefly before speaking, "I just want to give her a goodbye hug if that's okay with you?"

George nodded, unwillingly removing his long arms from around Nellie and stepped away, giving his best friend enough space.

Nellie smiled at Matty and he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back affectionately. As much as Nellie thought that he seemed to hate her at the beginning, after their talk, Nellie understood his behaviour and realised that he wasn't a bad guy but just confused and with his own doubts.

"Hope next time we see each other you'll be a free woman," he said in her ear and Nellie stifled a giggle.

"Thanks for everything," Nellie whispered as they pulled away and he gave her a small smile.

Matty nodded and then stepped away from Nellie. "I will let you guys alone," he said, taking out his phone once again and frowning at it. "Safe flight, Nellie," he added, brushing her shoulder once again before turning around and leaving towards airport exit.

Nellie reached out for George and laced their fingers together before they both started to walk towards the checkpoint and Nellie let her head rest on his arm.

"I want you to text me the moment you step on the ground," George broke the silence between them, stopping just few steps away from the checkpoint. Nellie nodded and pulled out her passport and ticket from her carry-on bag.

"Promise," she smiled, her heart breaking at the sight of his sad yet worried face.

George just sighed and placed both of his large hands on the sides of her face, cradling her cheeks softly. "If anything happens, I want you to call me," he told her firmly, "and I am taking the next flight and coming, you understand?" Nellie just nodded, fighting back her tears. "Fuck, Nellie..." he trailed off before pressing his lips to hers.

Nellie reached up at her tiptoes, sneaking both of her arms around his neck, savouring their small moment before they part their ways. She felt him groan in her mouth as their tongues touched for a slight second before he pulled away slightly, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I don't want to go," she whispered, "but—"

"—I know," George cut in, pressing his lips once again to hers. The voice from the speakers called out once again and both, Nellie and George, groaned in unison.

"No tears," Nellie said with a meek smile and George nodded before stepping away from her and unlacing their fingers.

Not waiting for him to say 'goodbye', afraid that she might breakdown in front of him, Nellie turned around and quickly as possible walked down the small corridor. Unable to contain the urge, Nellie tuned around and her lips quivered at the sight of George, standing at the end of the hall, his hands in his jeans pockets as he watched her leave.

That day, Nellie broke the promise for the first time in her life because even if she wanted to be strong, she couldn't stop the tears that poured down her cheeks as soon as the plane took off in the cloudy heights and she stared through the window at the London growing smaller with every second.