Two days after the refreshing beach trip with Lena, Nalani found herself busy packing her belongings for the journey ahead. The weekend had flown by, filled with preparations and anticipation for their trip to Paris. Tuesday morning arrived with a crisp clarity, the sun shining brightly as Nalani moved her packed bags to the trunk of her car.

She was lost in thought, making sure she had everything she needed, when she noticed Lena approaching from across the street, where she lived. Beside her, Lena's mom, Mrs. Hartman, stood outside, waving cheerfully. Nalani smiled and walked over, waving back.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hartman," Nalani greeted warmly as she approached. "How are you?"

"I'm wonderful, dear," Mrs. Hartman replied, her eyes twinkling with genuine happiness. "It's so good to see you up and about, smiling again. It's been too long."

Nalani felt a warm rush of gratitude. "Thank you. It means a lot to hear that and I should thank your daughter for that too, for making my college life worthwhile. I'm really excited about this trip."

Mrs. Hartman nodded, her expression kind. "Lena's been talking about it nonstop. I'm glad you two are going together. I packed a lot of food for you both to enjoy during the flight. You two be careful out there, alright?"

"We will, thank you so much," Nalani said, feeling a surge of affection for Lena's mom. "We'll make sure to take good care of each other."

She returned to her car, where Lena was busy arranging her bags in the trunk. Zephyr was there too, helping to organize the space and stow away some snacks and food that he and Mrs. Cortez had bought for their trip. His face was etched with a worried look, his brow furrowed.

"Are you sure about this, Nalani?" Zephyr asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Paris is a big step."

Before Nalani could respond, Lena interjected with her usual confidence. "Of course she's sure! This trip is exactly what she needs. Don't worry so much, Zeph."

Zephyr sighed but smiled, knowing that Lena was right. "Alright, just... take care of yourselves, okay?"

At that moment, Mrs. Cortez and Uncle Henley emerged from the house, carrying warm blankets. Uncle Henley approached Nalani with a reassuring smile. "I've already prepared the place where you'll be staying and sorted out your flight tickets. Everything's taken care of. Also, make sure to check your card later, just in case you need anything extra."

Nalani felt a lump in her throat as she hugged her uncle tightly. "Thank you so much, Uncle Henley."

Mrs. Cortez's eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she hugged Nalani. "Take care of yourself, dear. And don't worry about your dad. I'll take good care of him."

"I know you will," Nalani whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you."

With final goodbyes and hugs exchanged, Nalani settled into the passenger seat of the car. Lena climbed into the back seat, her excitement palpable as she chatted animatedly about their plans. Zephyr, taking his place behind the wheel, glanced back at them, his eyes reflecting a mix of worry and pride.

"Ready?" he asked, looking directly at Nalani.

She nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Ready."

As they pulled out of the driveway, Nalani looked back one last time at her home. Her heart ached slightly, but it was tempered by the excitement and hope for the journey ahead. This trip was more than just a visit to Paris; it was a step toward rediscovering herself, her art, and her mother's legacy.

Lena's chatter filled the car as they drove, her infectious energy lifting everyone's spirits. "Can you believe it? We're actually going to Paris! Just think of all the art, the culture, the food! It's going to be amazing."

Nalani smiled, feeling her excitement grow. "I can't wait to see the exhibits and walk the streets my mother once walked. It's going to be a journey of a lifetime."

Zephyr glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his eyes softening. "I'm glad you're doing this, Nalani. And don't worry, I'll be there for anything you need, even from afar."

"Thanks, Zeph," Nalani said, appreciating his support. "It means a lot to have you and everyone else backing me up."

They drove in comfortable companionship, the journey to the airport filled with shared stories and laughter. Nalani felt a sense of peace and purpose she hadn't experienced in a long time. 

As they approached the airport, the reality of their adventure truly sank in. Nalani's heart raced with a mixture of nerves and excitement. They parked the car and unloaded their luggage, each step bringing them closer to their departure.

Standing at the entrance, Nalani took a deep breath, looking at Lena and Zephyr with gratitude.

"Here we go," she said, her voice steady with resolve.

"Here we go," Lena echoed, her eyes shining with excitement. "Paris, watch out, because here we come!"

Nalani and Lena settled into their business class seats on the plane, Lena by the window, her excitement palpable as she fidgeted and glanced outside. The gentle hum of the plane's engines added to the surreal atmosphere of their impending journey.

Nalani, on the other hand, was engrossed in her phone. Her screen was filled with a string of texts from her uncle and Zephyr, whom they had parted with not long ago. She scrolled through the messages, a small smile playing on her lips. "Zeph is such a worrywart," she thought, shaking her head slightly.

Suddenly, the flight announcer's voice crackled through the speakers, making Lena sit up even straighter. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are preparing for takeoff. Please fasten your seatbelts and ensure all carry-on items are stowed safely."

Lena turned to Nalani, her eyes wide with excitement. "Did you say goodbye to your dad before we left?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

Nalani paused, her thoughts drifting back to the early morning. 

Flashback

She had slipped quietly into her father's room, where he was already awake, sipping his coffee by the window. The room was bathed in the soft glow of dawn, casting a gentle light on her father's face.

"Dad," she had said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I'm going to Paris."As soon as she mentioned 'Paris', her father looked up, his eyes momentarily focusing on her with a flash of recognition. "Is Malina finally coming back from Paris?" he asked, his voice a mixture of longing and confusion.

He had addressed her as Mrs. Cortez, not recognizing her as his own daughter. Nalani felt a pang of sadness but masked it with a tender smile. She walked over and sat across from him, reaching out to squeeze his hands gently.

"Yes, Dad," she had replied softly, holding onto his hands tightly. "I'm going to where Mom was."Her father had nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer, and returned to gazing out the window. Nalani stayed with him for a while, silently absorbing the moment, before finally kissing his forehead and leaving the room.

End of Flashback

Back on the plane, Nalani shook off the memory and looked at Lena, her expression a mixture of determination and melancholy. "I did," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I told him I was going to where Mom was."

Lena reached over and squeezed Nalani's hand reassuringly. "He'll be okay. And so will you. This trip is going to be amazing. For both of us."

Nalani nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude for her friend's unwavering support. As the plane taxied down the runway, she took a deep breath, bracing herself for the journey ahead. This was more than just a trip to Paris; it was a step towards healing, discovery, and honoring her mother's legacy.

The plane lifted off, and Nalani glanced out the window at the rapidly shrinking landscape below. Beside her, Lena was practically vibrating with excitement, her face pressed against the glass.

"Paris, here we come," Lena whispered, her eyes shining with anticipation.Nalani smiled, feeling a sense of hope and possibility. "Paris, here we come," she echoed softly, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

With that, they walked into the airport, ready to embark on a journey that promised to be transformative in more ways than one. For Nalani, it was a chance to honor her mother's legacy, to find inspiration for her art, and to embrace the future with open arms.