Chapter 11.
Harry looked at him, the love in her eyes plain for all to see and wound her arms around his waist.
"Puerto Rico! How fabulous!" she said, excitedly. "James, I can't believe what you've already done and we're only at the airport!"
"Hang on ta ya hat, princess." he said, kissing her lips. "We've only just begun!"
Just then a stewardess appeared, a slim redhead with green eyes, dressed in a pale blue uniform consisting of a double breasted jacket, four silver buttons at the front, silver braid adorning its lapels and collar, with a matching pale blue skirt and hat, which was tilted slightly at an angle on her head.
"Lady Harriet? Mr Dempsey?." she said, smiling and stretching out her arm. "My name is Jenny, how do you do."
"Hello, nice to meet you." replied Harry, smiling back and shaking the proffered hand.
"Hi there." said Dempsey, doing the same.
"Please follow me." she said and led them out through a glass door, the other side of which stood a white, stretched limo.
It was snowing again as Jenny opened the car door for them, holding an umbrella to shield them and, after her two charges had settled themselves in the plush, dark grey leather seats, she climbed in and shut the door after her, at which point the car glided away and set off across the wet airport tarmac.
"Have you flown this way before?" she enquired.
"Yes, once or twice." replied Harry, taking hold of Dempsey's hand. "But this is by far the most special."
As they rounded the corner of the main terminal building, a gleaming private jet came into view, its engines already being warmed up, Harry looking wide eyed at Dempsey, hardly able to contain herself. She'd flown in private jets before, but nothing this size, it was enormous!
The limo drew up beside the stairway leading up to the plane's doorway, at the top of which stood the co-pilot, smiling broadly and dressed in the same uniform as Jenny, except his jacket had six silver buttons down the front and his cap was adorned with embroidered silver braids at the peak, a badge, also in silver, prominent above it.
Jenny alighted first, then held the door open for Dempsey and Harry, handing them an umbrella each, and who then followed her up the steps, the co-pilot introducing himself as Rob Davies, whilst shaking hands with them as they reached him.
When they were shown into the jet's interior, Harry caught her breath.
Along one side, taking up most of the length of the plane, was a sumptuous looking cream leather sofa, opposite which were two equally sumptuous and matching individual armchairs, between them, a highly polished and gleaming mahogany table.
Just beyond those was another group of four chairs, more upright, yet looking equally comfortable, all surrounding a similar, larger mahogany table.
The soft, thick, expensive carpet at their feet was royal blue and stretched into every corner, not an inch spared.
At the end of the cabin, stood an onyx topped bar, an array of optics at head height with four circular seats in cream leather on chrome pedastals positioned at its front. The second stewardess was standing behind the bar and gave a friendly wave as Jenny escorted them over to her.
"Allo." she said, in good but broken English. "I'm Francoise and I shall be 'appy to mix any drink you like. Would you like me to do zat for you now?"
"Er, maybe when we're in the air." replied Harry, glancing at Dempsey who nodded his agreement.
"Bon." said Francoise, smiling broadly, her blue eyes contrasted against the tanned skin of her pretty face and the flowing black curls of her shoulder length hair.
At that point the captain emerged from the flight deck and walked over to them, introducing himself as Dan Salmon.
"Welcome aboard, Lady Harriet, Mr Dempsey." he greeted, shaking their hands. "We shall be cruising at 41,000 feet, flying at 600 miles per hour and our eta is three pm local time. It's just over a 4,000 mile trip and should take just short of fifteen hours."
"Puerto Rico is five hours back from us isn't it, Cap'n?" said Dempsey. "So it's midnight there right now, huh?"
"Correct Mr Dempsey." confirmed Dan. "I hope you enjoy the trip, the girls here are yours to command and I will dim the lights at any time you feel you wish to grab some sleep. Just ask. We should be cleared for take-off in about five minutes so perhaps you'd care to buckle up while we get airborne. Then the girls will present you with menu's for breakfast."
"Thank you Captain." said Harry, smiling at him. "Are you expecting any turbulence or bad weather?"
"No Lady Harriet." he replied. "Our information shows the weather to be clear and flying so high, we should be above any bad stuff, anyway, so no need to worry."
After he'd returned to the flight deck, Jenny showed them to the two leather armchairs and ensured they were safely belted in, Harry looking over at Dempsey and blowing him a kiss, before mouthing 'I love you'.
He grinned back at her, mouthing 'I love you too', then they both settled back as the jet began to taxi to the head of its runway, becoming momentarily stationary as the engines gathered revs until they were screaming.
Then, as the brakes were released and the power unleashed, the acceleration forced Harry and Dempsey back into their seats, the jet gathering speed as it hurtled along the runway.
Suddenly they were airborne, and seemed to glide into the sky, forever soaring higher through the icy rain battering the windows, the snow covered land, visible even though it was still in darkness, falling away fast below them as they stared out over the wintry scene.
Higher and higher they climbed until, having broken through the thick cloud, the jet finally levelled out, Harry gasping at the sight of an inky black sky lit up by a carpet of billions of bright, twinkling stars, the huge, glowing, but yellowy coloured moon seemingly scudding along with them as if in a race.
"Isn't that the most beautiful sight you've ever seen, James?" she whispered, as they both craned their necks to see as much of the spectacular view as possible.
"Sure is, honey." he replied, adding "Almost as beautiful as you first thing in the morning."
"Romantic fool." she chuckled and blew him another kiss.
As soon as the 'please fasten your safety belts' lights went out, Francoise materialised next to them.
"Can I get you summsing to drink?" she asked.
"I'd just like coffee right now, I think." replied Harry, unbuckling her belt. "Is it fresh coffee?"
"Oui madamoiselle." said Francoise, then turning to Dempsey, her eyelashes fluttering at him and not unnoticed by Harry. "And for you monsieur?"
"Yeah, thanks, same for me please." he said, undoing his belt too.
"She fancies you." said Harry, when Francoise had gone off to attend to their order.
"Yeah?" he said, totally oblivious to it. "Won't get 'er nowhere, medomwasselle."
"What? Medomwasselle!? " giggled Harry, then repeating the correct pronunciation. "Madamoiselle! I won't be one of those for much longer will I?"
"No? What will you be then?" he said, the French language never one of Dempsey's strong points.
"Madame!" replied Harry. "Shame isn't it. French is such a sexy language yet when a girl gets married 'Madame' makes her sound like an old frump!"
"You'll never be one of them, princess." replied Dempsey, smiling at her.
"What, a madame or an old frump?" asked Harry, smiling back at him.
"Either!" he replied, then leaning forward and whispering. "Hey honey."
"Yes?" she said leaning forward too.
"Fancy joining the mile high club later on?"
"Dempsey!" she whispered, urgently. "No! Someone might see us!"
"Once in a lifetime chance, tiger." he said, raising his eyebrows at her.
"Dempsey! You're incorrigible!" she whispered again, although she was feeling so relaxed and happy, the thought actually excited her, so much so she couldn't help squirming a little in her seat.
"I saw that!" he said, softly, chuckling at her.
"What!?" she said, looking around.
"You squirmed!"
"Dempsey! Shut up!" she hissed, putting her hand to her mouth to stifle a chuckle, then. "We'll see."
Just then Francoise returned with their coffees, together with a couple of menu's. Laying the cups and the menu's down she said.
"We 'ave three different breakfasts for you to choose from. English, American or Continental."
"Great thanks Francewarze." said Dempsey, Francoise smiling at him, momentarily touching his shoulder.
"You're welcome, monsieur." she said and slipped away.
"She would!" said Harry, watching as Francoise sashayed back down the plane.
"She would what?" replied Dempsey.
"She probably already has!" said Harry, sipping her coffee.
"What're ya talkin' bout!?"
"The mile high club!" said Harry. "I'll bet she's a member!"
"Yeah? You think?" he asked.
"Yes!. Anyway, do you think there might be a bedroom on this plane?" she asked, her eyes teasing his.
"I dunno, maybe." he said. "I'll go look."
"Well don't make it too obvious!" she hissed and watched as he meandered his way to the rear of the jet.
"Er, 'scuse me." he said to Jenny as he reached the aft kitchen area.
"Yes Mr Dempsey." she answered.
"Where's the washroom?"
"Oh it's just back there." she said, pointing behind her. "Just before you reach the bedroom."
"Bedroom?" he said, certain he was sounding a tad breathless.
"Yes, didn't you know?" said Jenny, smiling innocently. "It's there should you need to rest. It's a long flight, I'm sure you'll find it useful."
"Thanks." he said and made his way to the gents toilet. When he'd finished he couldn't resist seeking out the bedroom and finding a closed door, opened it slowly.
Inside was a beautiful room, complete with an enormous double bed, soft lighting throwing a cosy glow over its intimacy.
When he got back to Harry he was grinning.
"You look like the cat's that got the cream." she chuckled. "Find a bedroom did we?"
"Hell yeah!" he said, sitting down. "You're gonna love it!"
"Mmm, I think so!" she said, softly, the very thought of it now exciting her.
They ordered their breakfasts, Harry choosing Continental, Dempsey American then settled in to watch a film on the large screen TV, both falling asleep against each other before it was finished.
When they eventually woke up the cabin was in virtual darkness, just the occasional spotlight glowing and just enough to see by. Noting no sign of Jenny or Francoise and assuming they were on the flight deck, Dempsey took hold of Harry's hand.
"Wanna check that bed out back there, princess?" he whispered, grinning.
"Try and stop me!" replied Harry, standing and pulling him up beside her. "Come on, quick, before those girls show themselves."
Some time later and glowing from their lovemaking, they dressed and returned to their seats, the cabin still as dark as when they left it and still empty of the two stewardesses.
A few minutes later, Jenny appeared and approached them.
"Hello, I hope you slept well." she said, smiling at them both. "Can I get you something to drink? Champagne is on ice by the way."
"Oh yes, champagne would be just right." said Harry. "What brand is it."
"We have Krug, Moet or Bollinger." replied Jenny.
"Bottle of Krug, please." said Dempsey, Jenny nodding and scurrying away.
"A bottle Dempsey?" said Harry. "Is that a good idea when flying, to drink that much?"
"Yeah, princess." he replied. "Anyway, I've worked up a thirst!"
"I'm not surprised!" she chuckled. "You were insatiable back there!"
"Hey, you turn me on big time, princess!"
"Do you hear me complaining!?" she asked, smiling seductively at him. "Anyway, listen. Do you know what?"
"No, but you're gonna tell me."
"I think she knows what we just did back there."
"So? She's used to it, honey." he replied. "I'd guess that room's a pretty popular place."
"Bit embarrassing don't you think?"
"Nah! We're all grown ups!" he said, smiling at her.
"Yes, I'll bet Francoise knows it blindfold in there!"
Dempsey chuckled at her, forming his hand into a claw as he made a mewing sound.
"Oh James, this is just fantastic!" she said, deliberately ignoring him. "I can't remember feeling this happy, ever!"
"We ain't even scratched the surface, princess." he said, grinning at her, his excitement as palpaple as hers.
"I can't imagine what else you've got planned." she grinned back.
Jenny arrived then with their champagne, expertly pouring out two flutes and placing them on the table, depositing the bottle into a chromed bucket full of ice.
"Thanks." said Dempsey.
"You're welcome." replied Jenny and returned from whence she came.
"Cheers princess." he said, raising his glass to her. "Here's to a wonderful life."
"Cheers darling." she said, raising hers. "Babies too one day."
"Wow, yeah we ain't discussed that at all." he said, sipping his wine.
"No we haven't, but I assume you want children." she said, sipping hers.
"Yeah, 'course I do." he replied. "But not yet huh?"
"No not yet." she said. "I just want you for now. We'll start a family when we both want one, yes?"
"Copy that! Wonder how long we've gotta go?" he said, then checking his watch. "Hmm, another four hours."
"Have we been going for eleven hours already?" exclaimed Harry, taking another sip. "Talk about time flying when you're having fun."
"Huh very good." he remarked.
"Pardon?" she said.
"You said how time was flyin' when we're havin' fun. Flyin'?" he said. "We're flyin'?"
"Oh I see, yes well spotted Dempsey, not even I saw that deliberate mistake!"
"You feeling tired, honey?" he asked.
"Dempsey! You're bloody insatiable! Haven't you had enough for the time being!?" she whispered, trying to sound annoyed, the mischief in her eyes showing she was anything but.
"No I mean it. Are ya tired, really tired. I mean do ya wanna have some sleep!"
"Oh, you mean sleep, sleep." she said.
"Yeah, sleep, sleep." he repeated.
"Erm, no not really." she said. "What's the time in England then?"
"Comin' up to six in the evenin'." he replied, having worked out the time difference.
"If I go to bed at six in the evening it isn't to go to sleep, is it." she laughed.
"Ha! Sure isn't." he agreed.
They whiled away the final few hours sipping their champagne, eating a meal of creamy mushroom soup to start, followed by roasted chicken breasts with tomatoes and olives and a dessert of petite patisserie, with fresh coffee and liqueurs to finish.
Then they watched another film, it finishing just as Captain Salmon switched on the seat belt lights, announcing they were on the descent path and were due to land shortly at San Juan airport, Puerto Rico.
He added.
"Local time is two fifty-two pm, weather fine and dry, temperature eighty degrees, the wind light and humidity at a comfortable sixty-five per cent. I hope you have enjoyed your flight and may I take this opportunity on behalf of myself, my co-pilot and crew to wish you a wonderful stay in the Caribbean."
With that he landed the plane without a single jolt and taxi'd to a waiting limousine, already parked on the tarmac.
Personally thanking everyone, Harry and Dempsey stepped out into the glorious, warm air and hot, bright sunshine and descended the steps to a waiting Mercedes limo. It then sped them to the VIP lounge, the driver informing them he would collect their luggage and, after they'd cleared passport control would drive them off to their hotel.
"Which hotel are we staying in, James?" asked Harry as they approached the waiting car, having been waved through by the officials.
"Wait and see." replied Dempsey, taking her hand in his.
"You're loving every minute of this aren't you." she giggled, squeezing his hand.
"Damn right I am!" he replied, as their chauffeur opened the rear door for them, then once they were safely seated, whisked them off to the Ritz-Carlton, one of San Juan's spectacular five star hotels.
After they'd swept up to the opulent entrance, a liveried doorman opened their door and held out his hand for Harry to grasp as she alighted the car, Dempsey sliding out behind her. Taking his hand again in hers and squeezing it for the hundredth time, they walked into reception whereupon the manager himself was waiting to greet them.
"Welcome Lady Harriet, Mr James Dempsey." he gushed, his smile wide and warm. "I hope you had a good journey?"
"Great thanks." replied Dempsey, smiling back.
"Yes fabulous thank you." added Harry, grinning as he took her hand, bent his head and kissed it.
"How did he know who we were, we've only just got here!?" she whispered out of the side of her mouth, but Dempsey didn't answer.
"Please to follow me. Your suite is ready for you." said the manager.
"Suite!?" said Harry, looking at Dempsey, her eyes full of wonder and joy.
"Only the best for my girl." he replied, grinning at her for the umpteenth time that day.
If Harry had been speechless when she first saw the jet's interior, it was nothing compared to her reaction when the door opened into their suite of rooms. First stepping into a corridor, the room then suddenly opened up before them.
It was vast.
Two sets of three-man sofas facing each other with a low slung, glass coffee table in between them, were sitting in the rooms centre, a bottle of Crystal champagne nestling in its bucket on the table top with two flutes awaiting attention. A huge vase of fresh flowers sat next to a box of what was, clearly, an assortment of the finest Belgian chocolates.
The carpet was garnet red, deep pile and luxurious, the walls boasting paintings by both contemporary and modern artists, expensive lamps both free standing or sitting on yew sideboards were scattered around the room, a large screen television in its own cabinet sat over in a corner. a fully equipped bar in another and the piece de resistance, a panoramic sliding glass door, leading onto a huge balcony overlooking the golden, sandy beach and sparkling, turquoise sea beyond.
Off to their right was another corridor leading to two large double bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms and his and hers dressing rooms.
Harry just stood there, mesmerized, trying to take it all in, while Dempsey dealt with thanking the manager and tipping the staff who brought their luggage up to them.
He strolled up beside her and put his arm around her waist, she leaning into him and resting her head against his shoulder.
"James it's...it's, Oh, I just can't find the words." she said, unable to stop the tears from welling up in her eyes.
"Let's have some champagne on the balcony, huh?" he said, letting go of her and walking over to the glass table, poured out two flutes of wine and, picking up the box of chocolates too, joined her outside.
"This is more than I ever dreamed of." she whispered, taking her glass and kissing him. "Thank you darling, it's just wonderful."
"It ain't over yet, honey." he smiled, presenting the opened box to her. "Not by a long chalk!"
