The Take Off

At 9 am, the company's car pulled up in front of the airport. Lucretia, looking grumpy, didn't want to get out of the car. "Let's go, Sweetheart, you'll be okay," her dad assured her. Mr. Gilbert held Lucretia's hand and gently brought her out of the car.

They entered the airport, and Mr. Gilbert checked their documents and luggage while his wife and daughter waited in the waiting hall.

After checking in, Mr. Gilbert had their documents and luggage checked. He handed over their passports and boarding passes to the check-in counter staff, who scanned them and handed them back with a smile.

"Your flight, AFC Airlines 121, will be departing from Terminal 3, Gate 17," the staff announced. "Please proceed to the gate for boarding. Have a pleasant flight!"

Mr. Gilbert nodded, took the documents, and went back to his family in the waiting hall. He sat beside Lucretia who wasn't that cheerful about the whole movement thing.

Soon, the public address system announced their departure. "Ladies and gentlemen, AFC Airlines Flight 121 to Washington DC is now boarding at Gate 17. Please proceed to the gate with your boarding passes ready."

Mr. Gilbert stood up, followed by his wife and daughter. "Let's go, Sweetheart," he said to Lucretia. "Our flight is boarding."

As they moved into the plane, Mr. Gilbert searched for their seats, carefully scanning the row numbers.

"Here we are, Sweetheart," he said to Lucretia, pointing to their seats. "Let's get settled in."

They stowed their carry-on luggage in the overhead bins and sat down, Lucretia between her parents. Mr. Gilbert helped her fasten her seatbelt, then did the same for himself and his wife.

Just as they were getting comfortable, the announcer's voice came over the megaphone. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to AFC Airlines. My name is Captain James, and I'll be your pilot today. We'll be taking off shortly, so please make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened and your electronic devices are switched to flight mode."

Lucretia looked up at her parents, her eyes dull,  "We're really flying!" she whispered.

Her parents smiled and nodded. "Yes, sweetie, we are," her mother replied.

The announcer continued, "We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for choosing to fly with us today. We'll do our best to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. Thank you for your attention, and enjoy your flight!"

The plane began to taxi down the runway, picking up speed as it went. Lucretia felt a thrill of mixed feelings as the plane lifted off the ground and soared into the sky. She gazed out the window, watching as the earth below grew smaller and smaller.

As the plane leveled off, Mr. Gilbert asked Lucretia, "Isn't the view beautiful, sweetie?"

Lucretia replied dully, "Yes, dad..." Her gaze moved away from the window, and she brought out her phone, flipping through her gallery of pictures with her friends. She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'll miss you guys..."

Not long after, Lucretia's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep. Her parents watched her, concerned about their daughter's adjustment to their new life.

Angelica leaned over to Gilbert and whispered, "I know this is difficult for her to accept."

Gilbert nodded, "Yes, she's trying her best to."

Angelica's brow furrowed with worry, "I hope she's going to be fine."

Gilbert reassured her, "I'm sure she will, dear. She's a strong little girl."

The rest of the flight continued with Lucretia soundly asleep, her parents keeping a watchful eye on her. The plane hit some turbulence, but Lucretia didn't stir, exhausted from the emotional morning. Her parents exchanged glances, hoping that their daughter would soon adjust to their new life in America.

After exiting the airport, Mr. Gilbert took the luggage to the security checkpoint and had it checked. He placed their suitcases on the conveyor belt, and they passed through the scanner. The security officer examined the screens, then nodded and handed Mr. Gilbert a cleared luggage tag.

"Thank you, sir," Mr. Gilbert said, attaching the tag to their luggage.

With their things checked, they proceeded to the company's car waiting outside. "Mr. Gilbert, welcome to America. I'm here to drive you to your apartment," said the driver.

"Thank you," Mr. Gilbert replied, and they got into the car.

The driver drove off from the airport, and Lucretia sat in the back seat with her mum, looking through the window and admiring her new environment. "Hope you are loving it, dear," her mum asked.

"Yes, mum, look at that spring fall. It's so beautiful," Lucretia replied, pointing at the spring fall.

"Yes, dear, we will come and visit later," her mum answered.

Lucretia was so happy, giggling and smiling throughout the drive to the house. It was around 12 pm when the car pulled up in front of the apartment. "Here we are, sir," said the driver.

"Thank you," said Mr. Gilbert. They got down from the car, and the driver helped them pack their things into the house.

As they arrived at the apartment, Mr. Gilbert and the driver carried their luggage upstairs. The apartment was simple yet luxurious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were painted a soft cream color, and the floors were made of dark hardwood. The living room had a comfortable-looking couch and armchair, and a large flat-screen TV hung on the wall.

Lucretia, eager to explore, raced upstairs to check out the rooms. "Wow!" she exclaimed, running from one room to the next. "This is amazing!"

"Be careful, Lucretia!" her parents called after her. "Watch your step!"

"Okay, mum! Okay, dad!" she replied, her voice echoing down the hallway.

The apartment had three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Lucretia's room was painted a soft pink color, with white furniture and a comfortable-looking bed. Her parents' room was larger, with a king-sized bed and a sitting area.

Downstairs, the kitchen was modern and well-equipped, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. A small dining table sat in the corner, with a view of the living room.

Angelica smiled, pleased with their new home. "I think we're going to like it here," she said to Gilbert.

Gilbert nodded, setting down their luggage. "Definitely. Let's get settled in and then we can explore the neighborhood."

Lucretia came running back downstairs, her face excited. "Can I have the room with the pink walls, please? Pleeease?"

Angelica laughed. "Of course, sweetie. That's your room."

Lucretia grinned, relieved. "Thanks, mum!" She ran back upstairs to start unpacking her things.

"Be careful, sweetie," her mother called after her again. "Don't hurt yourself."

"I will, mum!" Lucretia replied, her voice fading as she disappeared into her room.