Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Crispin
“Come on, Mom, we’ll be late for our flight. You have ten whole days to fuss over him.”
“Hush, Crispin. If I want to fuss over my new son, I’ll fuss over him when I want to.”
She’d become so ridiculously protective of Beck, and it was now impacting our ability to make it to McCarren in time for the first leg of our flight. Then we only had an hour to catch our connecting flight from Houston to Aruba.
“Honey,” Dad grabbed their luggage. My parents came up to Vegas a couple days before we had to leave and she hadn’t left Beck’s side for long. He, of course, ate up all the attention. “It’s time to go. We are all in first class so Beck will be right there the entire time.”
Beck was all smiles, just as happy as ever. Who wouldn’t be with all these people waiting on you every second of the day. She even had a tea party with him in his playroom. Dad and I took that chance to sit outside with a beer in hand. Guess I was getting a few breaks this trip myself.
Not that I needed any.
But it did help with the nerves.
We got checked in, paid a small fortune for overweight and over limit baggage and made it to our gate just as they called the first-class passengers to board. Stanley and Jobe were waiting, and after quick introductions, we boarded. But as soon as we took our seats, I saw the nerves hit Beck.
“Daddy.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Daddy’s here.” I wondered if, for his first flight, an adult beverage might help take the edge off. “Did you want to switch seats with Daddy?” He’d chosen the window seat so he could look out, but in hindsight, that might not have been the wisest choice.
“No, I-I’m okay.”
Jobe and Stanley were seated in front of us and Jobe popped his head over the top. “I think it’s time to get our Becky-boy a wee bit tipsy.”
As if the stewardess knew, she came around with champagne. “Gentlemen, are we celebrating?”
“We-we,” Beck stuttered. “We’re getting married. It’s my first time flying. What if I throw up?”
“Congratulations,” she smiled. “The pouch in front of you has a bag if you feel the urge but I’ll let you know we have one of the best pilots in our fleet flying this plane today.”
“See,” Jobe peeked back over. “You have nothing to worry about.”
Jobe and I watched in…horror? Might be, as Beck first downed his glass, then took mine and did the same. Considering the boy never touched alcohol, I really wasn’t sure what we were in for.
“Okay, okay,” he said to himself, “that’s better.”
“For better or worse,” smartass Jobe raised his glass to me. “Good luck, Crispin.” I nearly flipped him off, then remembered we had an audience.
The stewardess handed me another, and gestured toward Beck, who had his face glued to the window. “No, thank you, let’s see how those hit first.” She winked and continued around the first-class cabin handing out glasses.
Lordy, lordy, lordy, what fresh hell was I possibly in for?
In true Karlie fashion, she was the last one to board. I swear that girl will be late for her own funeral. “I’m here, let the fun begin,” she announced to the plane before she took her seat.
“Karlie,” Mom tsked. “I swear sometimes you’re an alien child who was raised in a barn.”
“Hey, I’m on the flight to some hot Aruba females. Christmas all wrapped inside a bikini clad bow. Don’t harsh my mellow, old woman.” That had every abled body in earshot laughing their asses off, including Beck who’d mentally rejoined us.
“How are you feeling, Bunny?”
“I’m okay, Daddy.”
“The death grip you have on my hand says otherwise. I promise you that it’ll all be alright. All of our family is here and are excited for this trip.”
“Sorry, Daddy,” he loosened his grip. “I’ll be good.”
“My love, you are always good, and it’s okay to be nervous. You have nothing to apologize for. But do you really think Daddy would ever put you in harm’s way?”
He paused, far too long for my liking. “No, you’re right. Is it weird that I feel all tingly inside.”
Jobe cackled. “That’s because you slammed down the champagne like a champ.”
That boy was not helping.
“Daddy, what about Christmas?”
“Bunny, we already celebrated with Mom and Dad. Remember, you and Mom turned the house into a giant Christmas store,” Beck giggled.
“We had fun and had cocoa, and I got lots of prezzies. I hope Goldie has fun with the twins and isn’t sad we’re not there to spend it with her.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Can we have a tree in our hotel room?”
“Not sure, let’s see what they say when we get there.” Of course, being the Daddy that I am, I’d already handled that and managed to sneak a few prezzies and a stocking into my luggage for my sweet Bunny.
Just then, the captain’s voice came over the speaker and Beck damn near came out of his seat.
He ended his announcement by alerting the plane that some of the passengers in first class were on their way to get married and asked that they give us a round of applause.
Stanley and I waved our hands in thanks and that message seemed to brighten my boy a bit.
“That’s us, Daddy.”
“Yes, my love, it is. Wasn’t that nice of him?”
“Yes, it was. Okay, I’m ready.”
Good to know, I think…
By the time we made it onto our connecting flight we only had enough time to grab fast food to take onto the plane with us.
I found an in-flight movie for Beck to watch and got him set up with headphones before getting myself situated.
This was the longest of our flights and I was glad he’d calmed down after the first one.
Mid-way through the movie though, he finally nodded off.
“Poor thing,” Mom whispered from across the aisle. “He was a nervous little bug.”
“Yes, looks like he’s gotten past that at least.”
It wasn’t long after that the rest of us napped. By the time we landed in Aruba, the sun had set, but as we stepped off the plane the stress of the day had disappeared. Vacation mode engaged.
After we gathered our luggage, the shuttle to the hotel was waiting curbside. The driver helped us load our bags, then we made the quick twenty-minute drive to the hotel. Beck’s head bobbed back and forth, trying to see as much as he could.
“Lots of plants, Daddy.”
“Yes, Aruba is a tropical paradise.”
It didn’t take long to get checked in and the wedding coordinator stood nearby to greet us. We’d completed the required paperwork to marry here ahead of time. I was thankful Jobe had the foresight to have us do that.
“Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to meet you.
I’m Isla, you’re wedding coordinator.” We each took a moment to introduce ourselves.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting your ceremony here Friday afternoon.
Tomorrow, if you have a few moments to spare, I’d like to give you a tour of the hotel and our amenities before you depart on your bus tour. ”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Jobe told her.
“Excellent. Shall we meet around ten a.m. here in the lobby?” Everyone nodded. “The bars are open late, as well as the main restaurant. Enjoy the rest of your evening and welcome to Aruba.”
“Well done, Jobe,” Mom thanked him. “This place is amazing.”
“Thank you, Carissa. The reviews were amazing and Isla has been a doll to work with. I don’t know about you guys, but I need food and a stiff drink. Meet in the restaurant in half an hour?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Daddy, they got us a Christmas tree. Look how pretty it is. Does that mean Santa knows we’re in Aruba? I hope he doesn’t get confused and go to our house.”
“Santa knows everything, Bunny. I’m sure he’ll get it right.”
Once he’d finished appraising the tree, he ran over to the curtains and threw them back. “Sand, Daddy!”
“Yes, my love and white sands if I’m not mistaken. I can’t wait to see it in the daylight.” I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind as we stared out into the night.
“Me too.”
As much as I wished to stand there longer, we had unpacking to do and dinner to eat. “Come on, let’s get unpacked and get some real food in our stomachs.”
I loved that this trip was all inclusive aside from the gift shops and tipping.
The group filed in right on time, and we were quickly seated in the restaurant. After a long day of travel and full bellies, we called it a night.
My boy barely made it through the shower without falling asleep.
It was a long travel day with a lot of airport walks for both of us, plus his stress level had been off the charts and that alone was exhausting.
You never realize how routine and calm your life has become until you throw flights and time zone changes into the mix.