Day Two: Rome

"You're where?" Tana, over the long distance line, sounds more than a little surprised.

"Rome."

"Italy?"

"No, Wisconsin," I say, without sarcasm.

"There's a Rome in Wisconsin?"

"Apparently." It's the first time I've been stranded in an airport at this time of night. I glance over at Seth who's on guard by the luggage. Arms crossed over his chest and scowling at anyone who approaches, Seth is very much in head of security mode– even if he's in pair of slacks and a T-shirt instead of his suit. "Our plane had mechanical difficulties and they rerouted us here."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes. We had a bit of a scare but it's nothing too serious. I've been trying to call Ephraim all evening." Ephraim made me promise to call when we got in. We may be twins, but he does so love to play at being the big brother. And I love him for it.

"His cell phone died this afternoon."

I knit my brows. "How do you know that?"

She giggles. "No reason."

"Tana, what have you two been up to?"

"Nothing much. Do you want to talk to him. He's right here."

"Oh is he now?"

"Hi." He sounds sheepish.

"Hello, brother dear."

"We went out. And then we came back here for a movie."

"I see."

His tone turns serious. "Are you okay?"

Tired as I am, it takes me a moment to realize he can't see me nod. "We're fine. Just a little worn out. I just wanted to let you know what was up so you wouldn't worry. We're stuck here for the night." I heave a sigh. We should be the Bahamas right now, sleeping soundly under silk sheets to the sound of ocean waves lapping at the shore. "They're supposed to put everyone up in a hotel but there's been some holdup."

"You should've taken the jet like I said."

"It's a moot point."

It's hard to believe that it was only this morning that I was eating pancakes and feeling so utterly relaxed. Well.. Technically I suppose it was yesterday morning now. I've never been much of a night owl and even when I was in college, staying up past midnight was the exception to the rule. I feel drained. "I should go," I tell Ephraim. "I'll call you tomorrow when we get there."

"All right. Take care."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hang up and go back to Seth who's still glowering at our fellow passengers as if they'd somehow engineered this debacle for the sole purpose of stealing our luggage. I squeeze his arm. "At least we can say we spent a night in Rome during our honeymoon."