Before you go...2

Mr. Milo has been one of the few adults who treated Liberty with genuine respect and affection, even far better than her relatives who kept bouncing them around until she had enough of being treated like unwanted baggage. To her, Mr. Milo was the uncle she never had, his warmth and kindness resembled that of her parents and seeing how he went along with her sister's plan, showed that he saw her as more than a poor orphan. Even his embrace resembled that of her father's.

Stella suddenly cleared her throat, separating them, "Not fair, I almost got killed, and he gets a hug?? A long one at that?", she pouted and Liberty laughed at her sister, "I am sorry okay", she hugged her too.

Stella pulled back, "Anyway, this is part of the reason I got up early.", she took out a phone box from the shopping bag, "I got my first share of my allowance last night, and honestly, I can't send you out into the world with that thing you call a phone."

Liberty's face beamed with amazement, her sister had already done so much for her, she didn't expect anything more. "Oh, Stella, but your allowance-"

"Don't worry. This is my parting gift for you-", she forcefully placed the phone in her hand

"And this is mine-", the rich-looking middle-aged man handed her a flight ticket and a small gift bag, "and that is from my nephew.", he gave it to her.

Both sisters looked confused, "Nephew-?"

"Oh yeah, apparently he came to the supermarket and you made quite an impression on him, he said its his parting gift since it looks like his wishes of wanting to see you more won't be coming true."

"Oh! Liberty has an admirer", Stella teased, 

"It appears so", Milo smirked

Mischievously, Stella winked at Mr. Milo, "Tell the truth, is he handsome? Is he rich like y-"

After cracking her brain, Liberty's eyes widened at the realisation of who this person was, "Oh! That man with the unique eyes was your nephew??", she snapped her fingers, "James!"

Milo laughed at her confidence while getting the name wrong, pity he was forbidden from revealing his name. He could still hear the echoes of his nephew's threats, 'If you tell her my name- you can kiss goodbye those free promo goodies I always bring you' 

He shook his head and chuckled, "Yes, him. Please accept it...he wanted to give it to you himself but-."

She took the gift with a smile, "It's okay Mr. Milo, I am sure I will love it."

He then looked at the time on his wrist with a worrisome face, "The flight is leaving in 5 hours, but I think we should go now. It's almost rush hour and I see you are already packed and ready to go. Should we start taking the things to my car?"

Liberty loved receiving gifts and help as much as the next person, but she always had a limit on how much she could take from a person. She never liked feeling like she was taking advantage of people's kindness, especially when she was unable to repay it. Mr. Milo was such an example, in Liberty's eyes, he had already done a lot so it made sense that turn down his offer, although travelling to the airport by car would be more convenient, she gently took both his hands, "Oh Mr. Milo you have given me more that I could ask for, I don't think I can tak-"

Stella cut her off with luggage in her hand, "Where should I put the bags Mr Milo?", unlike Liberty, Stella was always open to more kindness and more gestures. If help is offered and she's in need, she takes it and right now, they need a car because travelling to the airport with two large luggage in public transport did not seem ideal. Naturally, Mr. Milo listened to Stella, and soon all the bags were safely packed and they were ready to drive off, until a car began hooting from behind, and they all got off to hear a familiar squeal approaching them in rage.

"You think you could leave without seeing my gracious smile. Honestly, I didn't want to be here because you intentionally kept my friend from me, so I am mad-"

Liberty reached to give her a hug, "My sister is lucky to have you as her friend. Please continue to look after her-"

"Not fair...now I can't be mad-", Jenny whined, "take care of yourself Liberty and make my friend proud okay? Don't tarnish the family brand-"

Liberty squinted her eyes in confusion, "Family brand?"

"Oh she didn't tell you, ", she smirked proudly, "Beauty with a brain!"

"Beauty with wh-", everyone laughed while Stella stood there silently embarrassed.

Jenny excitedly rushed to the car and brought out a gift, "My parents asked me to give you this. Everyone is proud of you Liberty, it's not easy doing what you are doing- so, they wanted you to have this to help with your studies"

"A Macbook???!", Stella yelled in shock.

The look on Stella's face told Liberty everything she needed to know about the value of the machine in her hand, "Oh no...I can't accept this...having Stella stay at your house it's already a gift for me. So pl-"

"They knew you would say that, so they told me to tell you nonsense, and if you really love your sister, you will accept the gift. "

"Oh I am so jealous, now I wish I was the one leaving. Look at all these gifts.", Stella whined making everyone smile at her.

Liberty was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she never realised how much people cared for her and her sister. Without questions, they all chirped in to help her plan this big journey for her.

She smiled with teary eyes, "Thank you, everyone, I am really grateful for the love you have shown and the trust you have given my sweet Stella. I know she's going to be in good hands"

"I hate to cut this short, but Liberty we have to go now, or you will miss the flight.", Milo said in hasty,

"Go with Mr.Milo and I will follow behind with Stella. We are seeing out, all of us.", Jenny said while dragging Stella to her car.

At the airport, both Liberty and Stella were in tears unable to break apart,

"Eat well and do your school work okay", Liberty said, and Stella nodded, 

"You too...make sure you show off those brains of yours", she tossed herself into her arms, "I love you, sis, I love you to infinity,"

Liberty sniffled back,"- and beyond. Sisters forever okay. Blood over everything." That was their family mantra, and at that moment, it felt like they were having a family group hug like they used to with their parents when they were young. It felt warm and assuring.

They all stayed at the airport until they saw her plane take off. With her tears trickling, Stella sadly waved as it disappeared in the clouds and Liberty waved down at the airport building with an image of her sister in mind.

 *****Four Years Later*****

Liberty was sitting at a front desk at Port Stork University Hospital. She was on duty at her part-time job as a receptionist at the hospital. The familiar voice of her little sister echoed from the phone that was in front of her, with the camera capturing half of her body, they had been talking and giggling for a while now,

"Stella, When am I meeting your boyfriend exactly? You kept saying you would bring him on one of your visits here and even when I was at home, you said the same. Do you know that as your only family member, I will be the one to walk you down the aisle? It's been three years now...and I haven't even seen a single picture. Is there something wrong with him?"

Stella chuckled nervously, "No, and about that...promise you won't get mad okay?"

Liberty panicked, "What is it?? You are not pregnant, are you? Because Stella, I swear-", 

"Nooo..it's nothing like. It's just that...uhm, I am getting married...?", she said in a barely audible tone.

"Whaaaat?!", Liberty exclaimed in shock.