Big Planies and Vegas

Danny watched Stella pack Jordan's backpack with toys and games, dolls and her stuffed bear. She furiously wiped tears away as she caught Danny's eyes.

"It's going to be alright, Bonasera." He grinned from ear to ear, using her maiden name in hopes she might yell at him, or chase him or anything to ease the tension.

Instead she slid down the wall to the floor and crossed her arms over her stomach. "I might never see New York again." She whispered through the tears.

Danny crawled to her, placing his hands on her knees. "That's why we're coming with you."

"I know… I so appreciate it."

He smiled and hugged her tight. "Linds and I was take care of everything down there. We'll make sure everything works together right for you and Don and with Jordan. I promise."

She nodded as she returned her focus to her daughter's toys.

"United Flight 176 now boarding at Gate 29. United Flight 176 now boarding at Gate 29." The overhead announcer blared through the airport. It was busy as any airport in Manhattan would be as the group of five made their way through the ticket counter and onto the commercial plane.

As soon as Stella's feet hit the aisle in the airplane, she nearly collapsed into Don's arms. He supported nearly her entire body weight as they followed Danny and Lindsay to their seats.

Don and Stella sat in the two-seaters near the window above the wing. Danny and Lindsay were directly across the aisle in the middle row with Jordan overly excited jumping between them both.

Throughout the taxi and lift-off, Stella gripped her armrests. She had flown more than once, but this time might be her last. The fear was climbing as fast plane was gaining altitude.

After they had leveled off and the "Fasten Seat Belt" had blinked off, Don re-arranged seating, so he could talk to Danny and Lindsay about what he and Stella would need throughout their stay in Nevada. They had decided to go with Don's first call because it seemed to be ultimately the best all around.

While he spoke with them, Jordan curled up on her mother's lap to sleep long and hard. She had been thrilled to watch the 'big plainies' landing and taking off at the airport and now that she was high above the 'tweety tweet tweets' she was utterly exhausted.

Stella had relaxed more, making her daughter feel that much more comfortable as she drooled onto her mother's stomach.

Don happened to glance over at them as Danny talked, and he found himself grinning proudly. Stella's eyes met his and she smiled wearily.

"Rest now." He mouthed. And she nodded her answer.

As the passengers disembarked, Jordan leaped happily back to life. She looked around with her face pressed against the double paned porthole style window. "Mamma…. Outside into the outside we're going?" Before Stella could respond, Jordan's face lit up with excitement. "Men!" She screamed happily.

Lindsay collapsed back into her chair laughing. "It sounded… so wrong."

Jordan smiled at Lindsay. "Lizzy… look at the mens! They've got things!" Her reverie was disturbed when Don scooped her into his arms and passed her to Danny.

"Let's go get our stuff from 'the mens' and get to the hotel."

"Okay!" She nodded and kissed Danny on the cheek.

By the time they passed through baggage claim, rented a car, and arrived at the hotel all three girls were out cold, leaving the men to decide whom to wake and who not to even attempt to disturb.

Stella stared through the hotel window. Las Vegas was hot, humid and sticky. It had to be 125 degrees in the shade and the air conditioner at the hotel wasn't working. Danny and Don had decided to locate a Wal-Mart where they might be able to purchase half a dozen fans and some bags of ice, leaving the girls to unpack and talk.

Lindsay appeared to be in a chatty mood as she claimed drawers for each of them and set out Jordan's toys and books in accessible places.

Stella sat on the bed and softly rubbed her sleeping baby's back. "Lindsay…" She interrupted the farm girl's musings and ramblings.

Lindsay turned to look at Stella and saw the strong, but frightened look. She stepped closer to the bed and embraced the older woman. "What is it, Stella?"

"Promise me… if something happens you and Danny will always look out for Don and Jordan."

"Me and Danny…" Lindsay stuttered as she repeated what Stella had just said.

"Yeah… oh, it's not a secret. When Jordan was born and you two were watching her… I know there was a tension with you. You wanted to hit that freaking hard, girl."

"Wow, Stella." Lindsay was pale as she digested what her friend was revealing. Had she been that obvious?

Stella laughed and hugged Lindsay again. "I'm sure Don will want to explore Vegas just me him and Jordan before I get too sick… so you two will have the whole room to yourselves. And, the curtains are thick."

Lindsay allowed herself a small chuckle. "Yeah… I guess I do like him."

Stella shook her head. "Well, I just want you to promise me you'll look out for them."

"You'll be fine." Lindsay all but whispered.

"Please…" Stella's eyes were swollen as she attempted to fight yet more tears. "Two percent chance I live… I may be in Vegas, but I don't feel much like gambling. Not when my baby and my husband are the stakes. Just promise."

"If." Lindsay whispered. "Yes, if. If anything happens, you have my word that we all will check on them. And we'll all pitch in and help him with Jordan."

Stella pulled Lindsay against her and flopped back down. She was so much like a little sister. It brought Stella back to her childhood and the girls in the orphanage. They were always so scared and she was that one person they trusted. They would curl up next to her in the coldest winters and the hottest summers, willing to face anything knowing she was there. Now it was reversed. Lindsay, so much a sister to her, but she was the one who was looking out for Stella. The way she shifted on the bed to put her arms around Stella proved it. It was protective. She had another girl, possibly the only girl she could count a true friend, looking out for her. It comforted her well.