Collecting his daughter (anyone)

Dal made his way through the airport to the arrivals lounge. He checked the arrivals board to find out what time the next flight from New Zealand was due to arrive. His sister Libby and his daughter Nadine were on the plane. Libby was bringing Nadine over to join him as they'd arranged after Libby had told him that his ex Rose had been killed in a car accident leaving him with sole custody of Nadine. It had a been a difficult few weeks as he had still cared about Rose even though they'd been split up for 6 months. He couldn't wait to see Nadine again as he'd missed her a lot but he of course wished it could be under better circumstances.

Maria had just gotten off the plane. She was here to do a photo shoot and a few appearances. She walked around the terminals to just stretch her legs. She glanced around and saw a familiar face. "Dal?" she called out to the familiar man.

"Dal, is that you? It's me, MAria." she greeted.

"Hi Maria and yes it's me," Dal said.
He glanced at the arrivals board again checking to see how far away the plane with Libby and Rose on it was.

she smiled as she approached him. "So what are you doing here? Is Raw traveling?" she asked curiously.

"Nope. I"m here," he took a deep breath as he knew he'd probably break down again,"to pick up my daughter who is flying over here with my sister from New Zealand. Her mother, my ex partner," he looked down tears threatening to fall, "was killed in a car accident leaving me with sole custody," he ended. As soon as he stopped speaking he started to sob again. Although it had been over 6 months since he and Rose had split up he had still cared for her. He never had understood why she hadn't wanted to come to the states with him.

Maria was totally shocked. "Oh my..Dal...I'm so sorry..." she said as she pulled him into a hug since he was crying. She simply hugged him, not asking for any details or even askign anything. She just wanted to be some kidn of support for him right then.

Dal appreciated her support but he knew he had to pull himself together as he didn't want Nadine to see him crying when she arrived. Although he suspected it would be an emotional reunion.
"So what are you doing here at the airport?" Dal finally asked.

"Oh...I'm here for an appearance and a photo shoot." she said smiling. "You gonna be okay?" she asked, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

"I hope so. The plane is due in very soon" Dal said.

She smiled. "You'll be okay...want me to stay here with you? My shoot and appearance isn't until tomorrow so I only have to go to the hotel and stuff."

"That would be nice," Dal said.

Maria smiled. "Great...well I'm starving so I'm gonna be right back, okay? I see a McDonald's and I'm gonna get some fries to go and I'll be back to share them with you." she said brightly as she scurried off to go get her food.

She returned within a few minutes and smiled. "Okay~ I got you some fries too if you like...and for your daughter...I got a small toy from the kids' meal package...it's a little pony...think she'll like it?" she asked as she held out the toy for Dal to give his daughter.

Dal took the toy, "Thanks. She'll love it," he said.
He smiled at Maria and took a handful of fries and thanked her again. It was time for the plane to land and he could see a plane approaching the runway.
"This should be their plane now," Dal said.

She smiled. "I'm glad." she said reassuringly as she started to eat her fries.

"what's her name?"

"Her name is Nadine. Her mother's name was Rose," Dal said.
He watched as the plane landed then taxied into the terminal. It wouldn't be long before Nadine and Libby made their way into the airport.

She nodded. "Nadine...okay...it's a pretty name." she said with a bright smile. She looked at him and noticed how nervous and anxious he seemed.

"Relax...it's a happy day, right? I'm sure Nadine would want to see her daddy smile." she said squeezing his shoulder reassuringly.

Dal was anxious because he wasn't sure how he was going to react when he saw Nadine. He tried to relax and a few minutes later Libby and Nadine came into the terminal. Nadine ran over to him.
"Daddy Daddy," she called out.
That bought a smile to his face as it bought back memories of her doing that the shows in Auckland when he made his entrance.
Dal scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tight. He had a big smile on his face. It was good to see her. It was good to see his sister too. Libby looked fantastic.
"Maria this is my daughter Nadine and that's my sister Libby. Libby this is my friend Maria," Dal introduced them.

Maria smiled as she witnessed their reunion. It was really very sweet and touching.

"Oh, hello there...it's really nice to meet you Nadine." she said sincerely. She loved children. She smiled at Libby as well. "It's nice to meet you as well Libby. I'm Maria." she greeted, extending her hand to shake Libby's.

"Hi Maria. So are you and Dal?" Libby asked.
Nadine giggled.

She blushed. "Oh...us? We....uh..." she said, getting redder and redder, almost matching the fiery red color of her own hair.

"We are just good friends," Dal said, trying to ease Maria's embarassment.

She nodded, smiling gratefully at Dal as her face started to return to normal color.

[[Oh I replied to the club topic...should I start a topic at the hotels?]]

"I'm hoping we might be more than friends though," Dal said.
[For hotels hmm I have a topic there that one where Dal gets the shock about Rose but I think it might have died so you could start a topic at the hotel]

She smiled a little to herself. "Me too..."

[[kk I'll start it~]]

"So where are you staying?" Dal asked Libby.
It turned out that she was going to be staying at the same hotel that Dal was staying at. She would only be staying overnight and then flying back to New Zealand the next day.
"When is your photo shoot again?" Dal asked Maria.