Crossing Worlds

As Venli was leading the trio up back to the street, a question formed in Hannah’s head, “Wait, isn’t Daddy a wanted man? What about him? What about us?”

Venli didn’t pause as they ascended into the small store, “He is.” she said. Before Hannah could ask further, Venli continued, “They will arrest a perplexed man here in the next few hours who has no clue why his information got entered under Welby’s name. As for you two, they’ll be waiting for you at school, assuming you both want to finish it to get back home as well at the transfer station, just in case you somehow find your way there. The photos they have on file no longer match your own, and by the time they figure that out, all three of you will be in the middle of the ocean.”

Hannah nodded slowly as they reached street level, a drizzle of rain wetting the street, the reseeding sunlight casting long shadows along the road. A bright yellow taxi sat there, waiting for them, misted with rain. Venli stopped short of the shop’s entrance, “This is where I must leave you. Do you have any last questions?”

“How will we know where to go and what to do once we land?” Emily asked.

“It’s all here.” Holding the documents, Daddy said, “We’ll take a tram from the airport to the port.”

Venli smiled, nodding and shaking Daddy’s hand before offering the same to Hannah and Emily. Hannah shook the woman's hand, a bit numb. “It was good to meet you all. We will talk again, but this will be the last time we see each other in person. Take care.” Venli said, turning back towards the entrance to the basement. “Oh, and do your best to keep your heads low; we can only do so much.” she offered with a chuckle, disappearing back downstairs, the entrance closing up seamlessly behind her.

Daddy watched as the entrance closed, then turned to the girls with a raised eyebrow, “Well, you two ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” Emily said, starting towards the door, dragging her suitcase behind her, which seemed to glide more than roll across the floor.

Hannah nodded and followed the suit, the taxi’s trunk automatically opening along with the doors. Daddy helped stow the suitcases and secure the girls into the car seats in the back, pulling the straps tight before climbing into the front. “Man, catching a red eye with two Littles?” the driver asked as they pulled away, “Either they are very well-behaved, or you got some ni-ni juice for them.”

Daddy chuckled, trying to make light of the driver's comment, “They are very well-behaved; they sleep well on trains and planes.”

The driver grunted, sounding like the same man had dropped them off, although Hannah wasn’t sure. “Where are you headed anyway?”

“I’m taking the girls on a short holiday trip.” Daddy answered simply, “Someplace a bit warmer and with less rain.”

“In the middle of the week, no less! I can’t blame you; fall’s beginning to set in; catch the last bit of summer while you can.” The driver responded.

Hannah glanced out the window, tunning the driver out as Daddy entertained the man. The city outside the window blurred by in a flurry of towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and flashing billboards, many of which were for Little clothing or accessories. The gentle hum of the taxi’s engine and the rocking of the cab across the road created a calming atmosphere, reminding Hannah just how late it was as she yawned. 

The taxi weaved through the light traffic, moving from the dense heart of the city into the more open roads that led to the airport. Along the way, they passed bridges and tunnels, with signs guiding them towards “Departures” as oddly shaped planes soared overhead. The sprawling airport complex soon came into view, massive and modern, with its sleek, reflective glass and steel exterior gleaming under the setting sun.

As they approached the departure area, the taxi slowed, merging into the line of vehicles dropping off travelers. The airport was alive with motion, people bustling in and out of the automatic doors, pushing luggage carts, and hurrying to catch their flights. Large digital signs flashed overhead, displaying flight numbers, destinations, and gate information in bright, bold letters. Hannah found that she didn’t recognize a single destination or airline company. The taxi pulled to the curb near the wide, expansive terminal entrance, where a sea of travelers flowed in and out despite the late hour.

The departures area was a flurry of activity: families with Littles, couples, and solo travelers moving with purpose, their suitcases rolling behind them. Brightly lit signs point the way to check-in counters and security lines, while airport staff in crisp uniforms direct the constant flow of passengers. 

“Well, have a good flight. You two behave for your Daddy, and I’ll see you next time.” the cabby driver remarked as the vehicle stopped.

“Thanks. Have a safe drive back,” Daddy said, climbing from the car and setting both girls down on their feet. 

Daddy retrieved their suitcases, extending the handles and setting them before the girls, allowing them to take charge. Daddy shut the doors and trunk of the taxi, which pulled away, leaving them there. Hannah turned toward the airport, her heart thumping, looking up at the hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers who dwarfed her. She found her hand taking Emily’s, griping her tightly, Emily holding tight to her as they started towards the main entrance. 

The large glass facade reflected the busy scene outside, while beyond the doors, the interior was a marvel of sleek, modern design. Tall, vaulted ceilings stretched overhead, with beams of natural light pouring in from massive skylights. Overhead lights illuminated as the sun dipped beneath the horizon. The polished marble floor gleamed, reflecting the rush of feet as people hurried to catch their flights. 

Massive flight boards hung from the ceiling, constantly updating with the latest information, while rows of self-check-in kiosks lined the wall. There were towering sculptures and large digital screens advertising exotic destinations and luxurious travel experiences. However, for every screen that advertised a destination, just as many showed off the latest in Little technology—everything from the newest diaper to behavioral reprogramming. Hannah found herself taking a cautious step closer to Emily. The air smelled faintly of coffee and fuel, mixed with the fresh scent of polished floors and the occasional burst of air conditioning. 

As they made their way inside, Hannah couldn’t help but stare at the size of everything around them. Travelers moved in every direction, some pulling suitcases, others pushing strollers with Littles in tow. The airport felt like its own city, with countless shops, cafes, and bustling ticket counters filling the terminal. 

Daddy walked confidently with Hannah and Emily at his side, guiding them through the swirl of people towards the check-in counter. Daddy strolled up to an empty ticket counter, and the woman behind the station, in a sharp airline uniform, smiled as they stepped up. “Gosh, your girls are just adorable!” she gushed over Hannah and Emily as they pulled to a stop. “Checking in?” she asked Daddy.

Daddy chuckled, “Yes, and what do you say to the nice lady?” Daddy asked, handing her their tickets.

Hannah glanced at Emily, who shrugged, “Thank you?” 

The woman gushed even more, “Oh, how I can’t wait to have Littles of my own. You three are all checked in; I can take your bags for you.”

Daddy hoisted his bag, followed by Hannah and Emily’s, onto the scale beside the counter, the woman fixing tags to each and setting them on a belt behind her, “Alright, have a wonderful flight! Bye, cuties!” she waved to the girls.

Hannah blushed, retaking Emily’s hand as Daddy guided them towards the security screening area. Having flown many times back home, Hannah was expecting to strip her shoes off to go through the X-ray machines. However, as they approached, a security agent saw them, smiling, and pointed them down a different path. “You two can head on this way, you’re Daddy, right?” she asked Daddy.

Daddy nodded, ruffling Hannah’s hair, “That I am.”

She nodded and ushered the trio down this separate corridor. They passed through several scanner tunnels that enveloped the entire corridor and just as quickly were on the other side. Hannah had been so focused on their journey that she hadn’t even realized the need to go potty until it was nearly too late. They stopped momentarily as Daddy regained his bearings, locating their flight, and Hannah sighed in relief as her bladder emptied.

Daddy seemed to take note, chuckling and kissing her forehead, “Such a good girl.”

Hannah blushed, looking away, when a thought crossed her mind. “Hey, did they give you any changes for us?” she asked, blushing even more.

Daddy paused and shook his head, “Come to think of it, I bet there was a diaper bag in our luggage. Don’t worry though, public changing rooms have diapers for Littles.” 

Hannah nodded sheepishly as they began walking again. Hannah’s diaper had swollen considerably despite the minor accident, forcing her to toddle. She blushed madly, trying to keep up, “Want some help?” Daddy asked with a smile.

Hannah just nodded, holding out her arms. To her surprise, Daddy scooped her up, plopped her on his shoulders, and held her legs. Hannah yelped in surprise, leaning forward and gripping Daddy’s hair, feeling her diaper squish beneath and around his neck. Daddy chuckled, “Don’t pull too hard, sweetheart; I got you, I promise.”

Hannah’s heart was racing; she was so high up! The ground seemed so far away from her new vantage point. However, she relaxed her grip on Daddy’s hair as they continued towards their gate. To Hannah, it felt as if she were riding on the shoulders of a giant, which, she supposed, she was. Hannah found herself grinning, each lumbering step Daddy took causing her to bob up and down, and she briefly wondered what it would feel like if he started running.

They passed many more stores, restaurants, bathrooms, and bottle-fill stations. Daddy pulled them into a convenience store, getting a small tote bag, water bottles, diapers, and wipes. The checkout gal smiled warmly at the two girls as Daddy slung the bag over Emily’s back, looking comically oversized on her, but she managed. As they approached what Hannah presumed was their gate, Daddy turned them towards the bathrooms instead. “Alright, girls, it’s a long flight. Daddy will change you both; now is when you need to go potty.” 

Hannah blushed; with the constant rocking, she did have to go. There was no way she could do it while riding on Daddy’s shoulders, right? Hannah gave a soft push anyway, just in case, and quickly filled the seat of her diaper. Hannah’s face turned crimson as she felt her diaper swelling to accommodate her mess. She had forgotten entirely the liquid diet she had been on; her messes were far softer. 

Daddy squirmed, chuckling as he pulled Hannah off his shoulders, “My, someone is a very good girl!” he said, stepping into the men's room with Emily in tow. 

Hannah was utterly ashamed, mortified at having been able to go while riding him. She soon became even more humiliated as she saw exactly where they would be changed. As with any public restroom, these had baby changing stations and low plastic fold-out tables from the wall, accommodating multiple people simultaneously.

Hannah groaned as Daddy laid her on one, strapping her down, men strolling past. “Right here?” Hannah asked in a harsh whisper.

Daddy shushed her, “Either this or you’re stuck in it for the next few hours. Relax, baby, I’ll be quick.” 

True to his word, Daddy quickly pulled Hannah’s shorts down and off, pulling open her diaper and cleaning her before retrieving a fresh diaper from the pack she had bought. Hannah closed her eyes, groaning in embarrassment as people strolled by, seeing her having her poopy diaper changed.  Thankfully, Daddy was an expert, and before she knew it, Hannah was cleaned and changed, her shorts back in place as Daddy set her down.

Emily quickly took her spot as he began changing her. “It’s a long flight, hun. I can get you a baby diaper, but I think you should wear a Littles diaper,” Daddy said.

Hannah could tell Emily wasn’t happy about this, but she responded, “Okay…” sounding sad.

“Once we get there, we can go back, okay? Daddy is very proud of you, pumpkin.” Daddy praised, earning him a small giggle.

Daddy got Emily changed and went to pull her pants back into place, only to immediately realize that the jeans would never cover her new, thicker diaper. “Dang, sorry, sweetheart, I’ll see if we can find something for you to wear.”

As he lifted her from the table, Emily immediately began complaining, “Wait, please, Daddy, I can’t go out like this!”

“Emily, hun, I’m still your Daddy, and there is nothing for you to concern yourself with; you are a baby; that’s all everyone sees. Stop complaining; I will see if we can find you something to wear.” Daddy ordered.

Emily sulked, resting in Daddy’s arms as he carried her from the bathroom, dressed in just the shirt and thick diaper. Hannah felt terrible for her sister; she would be equally mortified if she hadn’t had any pants and not that her shorts offered her much reprieve. Anyone who saw Hannah would instantly know what she was wearing beneath them, but still, the very prospect of not having anything covering her diaper made Hannah’s eyes twitch. 

They crossed to the gate, a large seating area surrounding the check-in desk, the wall facing the planes of solid glass stretching as far as the eye could see. Hannah was able to get her first look at these planes up close. They still resembled planes back home but seemed far more modern, the engines looking far more powerful and fixed closer to the plane's body. 

The man behind the check-in counter scanned their tickets as Daddy handed them over, smiling at Emily, who was still hiding her face in Daddy’s chest. “She’s adorable.” the man remarked, returning the tickets.

“Thank you, she’s still timid,” Daddy replied, his hand patting Emily’s diapered bum as they passed onto the boarding ramp. 

The ramp sloped downward to meet the body of the plane, a flight attendant greeting them warmly and guiding Daddy down the rows of seats to their own for the flight. Daddy continued down the wide corridor of seats, Hannah close behind him, before he stopped at a particular row. He reached up to the ceiling and pressed a button Hannah couldn’t see, and the two far seats began moving.

Hannah watched with curiosity, the seats folding back and up, becoming make-shift car seats fit for a Little. Emily was lowered into the seat by the window, Daddy pulling the straps over her shoulders and clicking them between her legs before repeating the process with Hannah, fitting her into the middle seat. The seat was far more cushioned than any Hannah had had on a flight before, forming to fit her frame comfortably as Daddy took the aisle seat, a simple belt across his lap. 

Hannah settled in as the rest of the plane began filling out, leaving only a few seats vacant for their flight. A flight attendant came by, holding stacks of what looked like blankets, “For the Little ones.” she said, handing Daddy two.

“Thank you,” Daddy responded with a smile, unfolding them.

They were indeed blankets and even pacifiers, too. Daddy leaned over and tucked Emily, followed by Hannah, in the soft, fleece-lined blanket, which felt wonderful and comforting, as if Hannah were back in bed. “See, Emily? Daddy keeps his word; you need to trust him, understand?” 

“Yes, Daddy, thank you,” Emily responded, blushing, the blanket offering both girls a sense of privacy. 

Hannah yawned, Daddy handing her the pink pacifier with a simple cover over the nipple and handing a pale green one to Emily as the doors to the plane were sealed up. There wasn’t even a safety briefing as Hannah heard the engines begin to spool up. She glanced out their window, the last remnants of sunlight winking out of existence. From her point of view, Hannah could see the wings and engine assembly. As she watched, the engines began to rotate, and to her utter shock, she felt the entire craft lift off the ground straight up.

Hannah yelped in surprise, Daddy’s hand already on her leg; he gave her a comforting pat and squeezed, “It’s okay honey, it’s perfectly normal.” 

Hannah’s heart was racing; what kind of plane was this?! They rose into the air for several minutes before the engines slowly rotated, pushing the craft forward faster and faster. The aircraft was well insulated, and while Hannah could see the cityscape below disappearing rapidly, she barely felt or heard a thing apart from the gentle hum of the engines.

Hannah yawned again, relaxing back into her seat, the gentle rocking of the aircraft soothing her. “Why don’t you two get some sleep?” Daddy asked softly as the cabin lights dimmed, “It’s a long flight.”

Daddy gently took the pacifier from Hannah’s fingers, removing the guard and slipping it into her mouth. Hannah immediately began nursing it as he repeated the process with Emily. Lastly, Daddy tucked his girls in a bit more tightly. With the embrace of the seat and blanket and the gentle rocking of the plane, it was only a matter of minutes before Hannah fell into a restful slumber, soaring away from the city.

End of Chapter 34