image
image
image

Epilogue

image

Colin

Six Months Later

“You ready, sweetheart!? We gotta make our way to the airport!”

“Are you sure this is a smart idea?” Abby asked. “We really don’t have the best luck with airplanes.”

“We’ll fly there, enjoy the cabin, then road trip back. By the time we’re done with the cabin and the hotel trips the first time around, we’re not going to want to drive all the way back,” I said. “That way the drive back will be special and new.”

“Okay—just making sure you thought this all through.”

Abby came out with her suitcase rolling behind her. It still amazed me that she could pack herself all in one. Most of the women I knew would pack four suitcases for a two-week trip like this one. One for their shoes, one for their clothes, one for their toiletries, and one for whatever the hell else they needed in their lives.

“Okay. I think I’m ready,” Abby said.

“You got your purse?” I asked.

“Yep.”

“Your sunglasses?”

“Uh huh.”

“Your passport?”

“What do I need my passport for? Now you’re just being a dick.”

I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her in for a kiss just before the elevator doors opened. We made our way down to the car and threw our luggage in, then buzzed over to the airport. We had an early flight out to Colorado where we would stay in the cabin for a week. Then I had a rental car waiting for us so we could drive back, settling in at the hotels Abby’s parents had also gifted us for our honeymoon.

We checked our bags and got through security just fine. We made it with only twenty minutes to spare, and then it was time for us to board. I took the liberty of booking us first-class accommodations for the four-hour plane ride, but Abby was still rattling away in my ear.

“I still think we should’ve done a round-trip road trip, Colin.”

“Are you nervous about planes with me now?” I asked.

“With our history, hell yes I am!”

I chuckled and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Abby, everything’s fine. It’s not the middle of winter. We’re not crossing over a tumultuous part of the country. This plane ride is going to go off without a hitch.”

“Good morning, everyone. This is your captain speaking.”

Abby shot me a look and my stomach was already turning over on itself. Could this really happen a third time? It wasn’t even winter! It was the middle of August, for crying out loud! What kind of weather patterns could we be running into now!?

“I just wanted to let you know that takeoff will be a little delayed. The plane needs to refuel and some baggage from the last flight has gone missing. Everything should be rectified in about thirty minutes, and I will keep you all in the loop. Thank you for your patience.”

Abby sighed with relief as I relaxed in my chair. That was fine. A delay I could do. I looked over at Abby and saw her trying to stifle her laughter, and the smile on her face caused me to chuckle.

“Don’t you start,” I said.

“I can’t help it,” she said, with a squeak.

“Abby—tuck it in,” I said, chuckling.

“Holy hell, I thought that man was going to ground us for weather,” she said, laughing.

She doubled over at her waist, her forehead propped up on the seat in front of her. I joined her in her laughter, our faces red with exertion. I had to admit, the moment the captain’s voice came on that speaker I just knew something was going to be thrown in our way.

It was a fun little reminder of just what brought us together.

Our laughter died down as people continued boarding the plane. I felt Abby’s hand caressing my thigh, and I placed my hand on top of hers to stop her movements. This was not the time or the place to be craving my exponentially beautiful wife, and if she crept any higher on my leg we would have a problem.

“What? Don’t fancy a membership to the mile-high club?” she asked.

“That requires us to be in the air,” I said.

“Ah, so you already know about it.” She rolled over and began kissing my neck as I straightened up in my chair. My jaw was trembling but I was painfully aware of the people around us. Some were already looking over at us, casting us weird looks as Abby tried to get into my lap.

“Abby. Seriously. Come on.”

“What?” she asked innocently. “I’ve got a fun way to pass the time.”

“People are staring. This isn’t a good look,” I said.

“Oh, I’m not gonna hop your bones in the seat,” she said. “That’s what the bathrooms are for.”

“It isn’t worth it. If we get kicked off this flight, then we really will have to rent another car,” I said.

“Fine. How about a bet?”

“A bet?” I asked.

“Yes. A bet.”

“What is the wager?” I asked.

“I’m going to slip into that bathroom and relieve myself of a little issue I’m having. If you join me in the—mutual pleasure—then we’ll see who can receive their prize the fastest. If you win, no mile high club.”

“Are you really proposing we both masturbate in the airplane bathroom?” I asked.

“And if I win, we get to go for the mile high club—with no protection.”

I looked into her eyes and saw how serious she was. Creating a family of our own had been mentioned on a couple of occasions, but it mostly surrounded around the talk of what to do with the check my mother gave us for our wedding. Abby’s beautiful brown eyes sparkled, and all I could think about was how beautiful our little daughter would look with her eyes.

I felt my chest swell with pride as I grabbed Abby’s hand and unclicked my seatbelt.

“Come on,” I said.

“Where are we going, Colin?” she asked playfully.

I pulled Abby down the walkway as we made our way to the first-class bathroom. I looked both ways to make sure no one was watching us, then I shoved her into the room. I locked the bathroom door behind us and pulled myself out, watching as she spread her legs to give me a show.

I had no interest in winning this bet, and it appeared, she intended to win.

THE END