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He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 10
Two years later, the Oslo station had grown into the Northern Europe Emergency Center.When my posting ended, headquarters gave me two choices: stay on and oversee six airports, or go home as director of operations.I chose to go home.Not for anyone else. There were just bigger projects back home, and the life I wanted.My first winter back, I was invited to an aviation safety forum.Nathan was one of the guest speakers, there to talk about pilot mental health.In the two years since I'd last seen him, he'd gone back to flying, but he'd chosen to cut back on long-haul flights.Onstage, he didn't tell a story about a heroic captain who'd overcome the trauma of a crash.Instead, he spoke openly about being grounded, about trauma, about dependence."Real recovery isn't holding on to another person. It's learning to take responsibility for yourself."The room was quiet.He didn't mention my name, and he didn't use what happened between us to fish for sympathy.After his talk, we ran into
He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 9
The divorce mediation took place over video.I was in Oslo. Nathan was sitting in a law office back home.On the screen, he looked much thinner. He wasn't in his captain's uniform, just a black sweater.The lawyers went item by item through the property, the savings, and the debt we'd taken on to cover the accident damages.Nathan offered to give me most of the assets.I frowned and turned it down. "I'll only take what I'm owed."He said, "Just think of it as me making amends, okay?"I didn't answer. The lawyer moved on to the last item."Mr. Ford previously asked that Ms. Lane remain involved in the treatment he began during the marriage and receive updates. Should that provision stay?"Nathan shook his head right away. "Take it out."My name was on his medical authorizations and medication records, and I was listed as his emergency contact.Even after I left, his first instinct had been to make me responsible for him.Now, he was finally taking that responsibility back."My treatment
He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 8
Three months later, I flew home for the annual industry conference. I'd been invited to speak about how we'd handled the Nordic ice storm.After my talk, airline representatives lined up to exchange business cards with me.Henrik, the same regional head who'd sent me to the overflow table that night, came over too and apologized in front of everyone."Ms. Lane, we failed to check the guest list properly that night."I took the contract he held out, my reply cool."Partnerships depend on the plan, not the seating chart."Outside the venue, Lana had been waiting a long time.She wasn't in uniform, and she'd cut her hair short.When she saw me come out, she hurried to block my way. "Avery, can we talk?"I stopped, my expression flat. "Outside of work, you and I have nothing to talk about.""Nathan handed all the evidence over to the company. Now no airline will hire me."Her eyes were red. "All I did was fall for someone. Did you really have to destroy my career?"I held my anger in check
He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 7
After Nathan got back home, he asked to be taken off flight duty pending an evaluation.The PR department urged him to keep flying. He pushed the form back across the table."I'm not in any shape to be in a cockpit."It was the first time since the accident that he'd admitted he needed treatment without me having to remind him.While he was grounded, he started digging into how the promo video had been made.The PR department insisted he'd signed off on the content himself, right up until he pulled up the email records.Lana had answered from his work tablet."The storyline is fine. Edit it around the purser standing by the captain as he returns to flying."It was sent at two in the morning.That night, Nathan had just finished a long-haul flight and was asleep in the crew lounge. Lana had his tablet.In the meeting room, Nathan slid the records across the table to her, his voice cold."Why did you use my account to sign off on it?"Lana twisted the hem of her shirt. "PR was rushing us
He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 6
The Oslo station had just opened. The office was in the airport's old cargo building, and there were only four employees.The desks and chairs were borrowed, and the clock on the wall had been stuck for three years.In my first week on the job, a massive ice storm hit.More than 20 flights were canceled, nearly 3,000 passengers were stranded, and the hotels jacked up their prices overnight.The shuttle buses still hadn't arrived, and the airlines were busy blaming each other.I tied my hair back and slapped the list down on the desk."Take care of the elderly, children, and passengers who need medication first. I'll negotiate with the hotels. You coordinate with the rail operators and arrange ground transportation."One of my colleagues asked, worried, "What if the hotels in the city won't lower their rates?"I pulled on my coat. "Then let's show them what three airlines plan to spend over the next two years."We worked through the night to reshuffle transport and lodging.By noon the
He Promised Me the Northern Lights, Then Took Her Instead 5
When I left Tromsø, Nathan was still at the hospital.He didn't make it back to the glass-walled restaurant until noon.Last night's white roses had been moved to a corner. All that was left on the table was a ring box.The manager handed it to him. "Ms. Lane left in the middle of the night."Nathan frowned. "Did she go back to the hotel?""She saw the northern lights by herself, then headed straight to the airport."Nathan called me right away, but all he got was a recording saying the call couldn't be completed.He sent text after text."I didn't mean to stand you up. Lanie wouldn't stop crying.""Why aren't you wearing the ring?""Where are you?"None of them got an answer.Lana came in leaning on a cane and spoke gently."Captain Ford, don't be mad at Avery. She waited so long. Of course she's upset."Nathan noticed her ankle boots. "Didn't the doctor tell you to keep your ankle braced?"Her expression stiffened. "It was just a mild sprain. I'm fine now.""But last night, you said
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