Of Greetings And Goodbyes

[Amélie Grey]

Amélie sat at the waiting area beside the baggage collection, nervously tapping her foot. It had just been announced that Flight 168 from New York to Seattle had arrived. That was the flight Madeline was taking; she had flown from Paris, stopped over at New York, and was flying from there to this airport.
The first people to get off the plane were filing into the room, waiting to collect their luggage.
Amélie stood up, craning her neck to try and see the familiar face.
Madeline Bonnét walked in through the doors of the Arrivals section, looking around the room.
"Maddie!" Amélie called.
Madeline turned towards her and her face brightened into a smile. "Amé!" She ran over and hugged Amélie hard. "Oh, I've missed you sooooo much!"
Amélie didn't say anything, she just hugged Madeline as hard as she could, feeling tears well up in her eyes. It was like their goodbye in vice versa; she'd hugged Madeline and Coralie as hard as she could, and she didn't want to let go.
"I hope you're not crying Ms. Grey," Madeline said, still hugging her.
"It's Dr. Grey now," Amélie sniffed, laughing. "Remember? That was the point of me moving away!"
Madeline pushed Amélie back from her and studied her. "You look... different," she said, scrutinizing her.
"Ignore the bags under my eyes, occupational hazard," Amélie laughed, wiping her eyes.
"No, you don't have any, you just look... peaceful, I guess," Madeline said. "Oh, ignore me. It's so great to see you again! Seven months is much too long."
"I know," Amélie said, sniffing.
"Stop crying," Madeline said, shaking her gently. "I'm here, right?"
"I'm not crying," Amélie laughed. "I'm just glad you're here. How are you?"
"I'm fine," Madeline said. "As is your mother. How are you?"
"I'm good," Amélie said. "Great, actually. Better than great."
Madeline looked at her. "I knew there was something up! What happened?"
"Oh, nothing," Amélie smiled tantalizingly. "Nothing."
"Amélie, tell me!" Madeline asked, intrigued.
"Your luggage is arriving," Amélie said.
Madeline dragged Amélie over to the luggage carousel. "Tell me."
"Nothing to tell," Amélie smiled. She loved teasing Madeline.
Madeline looked at her. "It's something to do with... Lucas."
"What? How did you guess that?"
"I'm a psychologist, Amé," Madeline said. "Oh, that's mine. Excuse me please!"
She grabbed a case from the carousel.
"Is that it?" Amélie asked.
"One more," Madeline said, waiting. "What is it?"
"He told me he loved me," Amélie said. "Wait, isn't that your bag?"
Madeline's jaw dropped. "Oh, my God, honestly?"
"Maddie, your case!" Amélie exclaimed.
Madeline cursed and dived through the people waiting for their cases to grab hers. Like Amélie, she was very small and petite, and was able to snake her way through the crowd.
She lugged her suitcase back. "God, this is heavy. Help me out here."
Amélie laughed and took a suitcase.
"When did he say that?" Madeline enquired.
"Valentine's Day, at the prom."
"Awwwww," Madeline said. "That's so sweet. I can't wait to meet him."
"Well, he's in the car outside..."
"What?!" Madeline exclaimed. "Amélie, I look like hell!"
Amélie cracked up laughing.
"Amé, I'm serious! I look awful! Right, you have to let me go to the bathroom and freshen up, change my clothes-"
"Maddie, I'm just kidding! Relax!" Amélie laughed.
Madeline whacked her on the arm. "That was mean."
"You know, Maddie, I'm glad you're here," Amélie smiled. "I'm really glad."