Airports are always places of meeting, and places of parting. You remembered a time when no one and nothing was waiting for you. After every business trip, you would spend the evening in a bar, forgetting your troubles in a glass of whiskey, and then return to your empty home, where only dust and silence greeted you. At such moments you envied, really envied your coworkers, who had loving girlfriends and wives, because they always had someone. Sigh, shrug, and say that military men are not the best partners, that was your plan of action. Always the same, the same nagging hole in your chest that you're ashamed to admit.

Until you yourself were suddenly no longer single. And now, overcoming the crowd and the commotion, your girlfriend runs to you to throw herself into your arms and hug you tightly. This is a feeling that is still hard to get used to. She whispers something in your ear. Warm, homely, yours. So close, so lovely.

She's happy. You don't lie, you don't break promises. You're not her father, you're always there to give her love, to give her attention. She missed you so much, wanted so much to feel your overwhelming, sweet presence again. A little girl no longer crying in someone else's arms. You, only you give safety.