Chapter Twenty-Four
As their private jet lifted off the runway at JFK Airport, Missy felt a sudden thrill of exuberance.
They would land briefly in Los Angeles and then again in Auckland, New Zealand where they would clear customs and immigration.
Then, they’d fly to their final destination of Queenstown.
So much had happened recently and her heart was simply overwhelmed with feelings.
There of course was her love for Mike which was highest and strongest. They had made love again that morning upon waking up from a deep and satisfying sleep, despite the fact it had only been for a few hours.
Then there was the gratitude she was feeling towards her family, friends and all the others who had honored her, Mike, Tracy and John by coming to their dual wedding and celebrating afterwards at the reception and banquet at the Thayer Hotel.
Last but not least was the gratitude she was feeling towards those who had contributed to her honeymoon fund, especially Wes and Chris who were up in the cockpit flying this plane.
Sitting in the spacious and luxurious cabin with her and Mike were Char and Coop, two of her former roommates who had graduated along with her from West Point.
She knew they were not only excited to be along for this adventure but because they knew the time for them to become engaged to Wes or Chris respectively, whom they had fallen deeply in love with, would surely be happening during this trip.
Char asked Mike, “Tell me more about this hotel which you’ve chosen for us all to be staying at.
” Her eagerness to hear him talk about this was fun to see.
Coop was equally curious. Their flight would take them about twenty-two hours in total so the suspense now that they were finally on their way was affecting them both.
Mike laughed and said, “The Rosewood Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown is actually a tiny hotel and one of the most private and intimate hotels anywhere. While Missy and I will be in their deluxe suite, you guys will be staying in their four-bedroom villa. It will only be the four of you in there so two of those bedrooms will be empty, of course.”
Coop exclaimed, “That does sound so romantic!”
“Yeah, it’s right at the edge of Lake Wakatipu with fabulous views,” explained Mike. “We will all be looking out over the lake and Cecil's Peak through full-length windows.”
“How big is Cecil’s Peak?” asked Char. “We all know how Missy gets affected by mountains.”
Missy answered, “It’s in the Wakatipu Basin and almost sixty-five hundred feet high. I will definitely teleport to its peak at least once to soak up lots and lots of wonderful earth energy.” She sighed happily.
Mike added, “You guys also know how Missy gets affected by great food. The Lodge's Swiss chef is among the best in either hemisphere which was definitely a deciding factor for my choosing this place.”
“Chris told me a little about being in Queenstown,” said Coop. “Leisure activities abound, from simple nature walks to high-adrenaline helicopter tours after which we can relax in the hotel's private spa. We will be getting waited on hand and foot.”
They continued to talk about the days ahead for a little while longer. Then Char said, “We need to give you two lovebirds some alone time. C’mon Coop. Let’s give them some space.” She got up and walked back to one of the seats further back. Coop also hopped up and went back to sit with Char.
Missy turned to Mike and said, “Having alone time with you is always one of my favorite things.” She hopped out of her seat and came over so she could give him a kiss. He pulled her onto his lap and kept her there even after they finished that kiss.
“Holding you like this is one of my favorite things,” said Mike. “If it were only possible, I would never let you go.”
Missy giggled and after snuggling further up against him, she said, “I always feel safe and complete when you are holding me like this. Sadly, we cannot be selfish. We both must answer the calling we have received to do good for all those around us.”
Mike sighed and said, “While that is true, thank goodness we at least are allowed some moments like these.” He continued to hold her close and, since they had only slept for a few hours the night before, they both drifted off blissfully and soon were in a deep sleep once again.
When Wes came back into the cabin, letting Chris monitor things in the cockpit while the aircraft was on autopilot, he paused only briefly to smile down at Missy and Mike. Then he went back to join Char and Coop.
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Friday, June 24, 2022
It was early evening when they landed at the airport in Queenstown, New Zealand.
After grabbing two taxis, they were whisked over to the hotel where they checked in and promptly went up to enjoy their rooms. They had scheduled their comings and goings from that point on such that Missy and Mike would not be seeing the others until Sunday morning eight days later when it was time for them all to check out and fly back home.
Upon entering the room, Missy immediately rushed over to go out onto the balcony.
The sun would soon be setting and she stood there admiring the magnificent view of the lake and the mountain.
Mike meanwhile gave the porter who brought up their bags a generous tip and then he too came out and joined her.
After several breathtaking moments, Missy turned to him and said, “Thanks for choosing this place, Mike. It’s perfect.
Let me take a minute to place my wards all around so we don’t have any nasty surprises.
” She removed her wedding rings, West Point ring and earrings which she handed to Mike.
Then she took two steps back and vanished in a shimmer of light.
Mike gathered up her clothes which he brought into the bedroom. Then he called down to order some dinner from room service. While the food on their flight had been excellent, they had planned on having this meal up in their suite.
Missy returned before their meal arrived and she wrapped a big fluffy robe around herself before unpacking her things. Mike had already unpacked and was in the main room when their meal arrived. He quickly tipped the man who had delivered that and wheeled the cart over near the windows.
Soon, they were enjoying a splendid seafood variety which included green-lipped mussels, crayfish, oysters, king salmon, whitebait fritters and other delicacies.
They washed down this delicious fare with a wonderful white wine which Mike had also ordered.
Neither had much to say since they were both saying, “Mm mm mmm!” so often about how good everything tasted.
There was no dessert but none was needed as they were both much too full. Mike finally asked, “Did you see anything interesting while placing your wards everywhere?”
Missy smiled and said, “Not really. I tried not to pay any attention to the way one of the hotel staff members was servicing a young girl who had to be one of the maids. They were in his office and she was definitely enjoying that so I ignored them and quickly moved on.”
Mike shook his head and said, “I know how difficult it is to be you, Missy. Always knowing so much about everything and everyone, especially when you zip around in your spirit form.”
“So true, that!” laughed Missy. “My senses reveal so much to me about people, even when I’m in my human form.
Their scent, their energy … what they are feeling, what they are hiding.
” After a huge sigh, she added, “As you know, I have found it very necessary to constantly maintain my situational awareness. Even then, as in Beijing, I can be caught off guard.”
Mike nodded and said, “It’s my knowing you cannot always be safe, despite your incredible abilities, that makes me ache inside when we are apart.
Not only must I experience Missy withdrawal when you are more than five hundred miles away and unable to share your thoughts with me, but I also must feel that uncertainty about your safety. ”
“Mike, I worry about you as well. Things can happen and none of us has any guarantee about tomorrow. Thankfully, we have gotten this far in our lives and now we are married. That has been a dream of mine ever since five years ago when I first asked you whether you were willing to wait around while I went off to West Point.”
Mike chuckled and said, “You have surprised me so many times over the years, Missy. That announcement was one of them. I knew then, however, that I would do whatever was necessary, wait however long, endure whatever hardships, provided I could have you in my life. I have never regretted that and now, yes. We are married. Our dream has come true.”
They continued to reminisce while they watched it grow completely dark outside.
That somehow added to their feeling of togetherness.
Eventually, they went into the bedroom and leisurely made love, each showing their soulmate how much they meant to them.
This transcended the physical act to become a profound expression of emotional fusion, deep vulnerability and ultimate trust. This was not mere sex for them, only focused on the physical release.
It was an act of oneness, spiritual connection and heartfelt intimacy.
It created a sacred space where their two souls once again merged and became one.
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Saturday, June 25, 2022
Rather than going down to the hotel dining room for breakfast, Mike again ordered room service. They ate in the privacy of their wonderful suite while admiring the breathtaking view of the lake and the mountain outside.
Since this was the start of winter in New Zealand, the temperature during the night had dropped to zero.
The forecast for the days which they would be there was for it to be cold and crisp with the temperature only rising to about fifty degrees.
Of course, that was down where their hotel was located.
Mike told Missy that his plan for that day was for them to go skiing up at the Coronet Peak which was only twenty minutes away.
That mountain had gotten plenty of snow recently and at the summit it was fifty-four hundred feet high.
It was about four thousand feet at the base and they would be able to rent some excellent ski equipment there.
He had made sure before they left that she had packed some appropriate clothing for this.
Mike said, “You know, it was right after we had gone skiing on Mount Washington that you first revealed to me that you were a werecat. I think it only fitting that we take advantage of this opportunity to go skiing once again.”
“And, it’s up in a mountain where I can feel right at home. You sure know how to treat a werecat-woman, Mike! Let’s go!” Missy laughed as she went into their bedroom to get dressed for this adventure.
An hour and a half later, Missy was happily racing down the slope and had pulled ahead of Mike.
Although he was an expert skier, it was impossible for him to keep up with her.
He loved watching her graceful movements as she sped away.
She was wearing a bright green ski outfit with matching hat.
Her dark red hair was sticking out and just the sight of her made his heart race.
Yes, that was his wife up there, having a great time doing something physical. Oh, how he loved her!
When Missy arrived at the bottom she turned and waited for Mike. He wasn’t all that far behind her and when he reached her location he pulled her into his arms for a big hug and a kiss. Then, they made their way over to the lift area and soon were being carried up to the summit once again.
By the time they finally returned to their hotel that night, they were completely worn out but had truly enjoyed themselves to the maximum amount possible.