A couple's backyard is decorated for a gender reveal party. There are pink and blue decorations everywhere and all the guests are wearing a button representing what gender they think the baby is going to be. The parents are greeting guests.
"So," one of the guests asks, "what do you think the baby is?"
"Girl," the mom replies.
"Boy," the dad replies at the same time.
"You're going to be very disappointed when that firework turns pink."
The dad smirks. "No I won't, because it's not going to be pink."
The mom rolls her eyes and smiles.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
It's finally time for the big reveal. Mom and dad are standing in front of their friends and family. Dad is holding a firework.
"Is everyone ready?"
Everyone cheers and dad lights the fuse, pointing it toward the sky. The firework lets off a little bit of smoke, but nothing happens. Dad puts his arm down to his side, still holding the firework. Everyone is disappointed because it didn't go off. Suddenly the firework goes off, hitting dad in the foot.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The guests are all gathered around dad when Bobby, Chimney, and Hen arrive and go to him.
"Hi, I'm Chimney and this is Hen. We're going to get you taken care of."
Dad's foot is pretty bad. Hen starts getting his vitals.
"What happened?" Bobby asks.
"The firework malfunctioned. We thought it was a dud, so he started to put it down. But then it went off and hit his foot."
"Did you see what color it was?" the dad asks through a grimaced smile. "I told you it was a boy."
"We were having a gender reveal party."
"Congratulations," Bobby offers.
"Your foot is definitely shattered," Chimney starts, "and you have some 2nd degree burns, but I think you'll be okay in a few months."
"I guess that means I won't be able to help with the nursery."
"Your hands still work," the mom quips back.
Everyone laughs as they start to load dad onto the stretcher.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The bed is covered with clothes as Jolene packs for vacation. Buck comes into the room carrying a suitcase.
"Is this one big enough?"
"Yes, it is. Thank you."
Buck puts the suitcase down on the bed. "I don't know how your other suitcase is too small. You're just wearing bathing suits and shorts the whole time. That doesn't take up that much space."
"I like to pack extra, just in case." She starts putting everything into the suitcase.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
Jo cocks her head. "You really want to go to Miami with a bunch of women?"
"No, but I want to go to the beach with you." Buck pulls out the puppy dog eyes.
"How about we plan a trip this summer, just you and me. Maybe somewhere tropical and private?" Jo suggests, giving Buck a quick kiss before getting back to packing.
"Who is picking you up tomorrow?" Buck asks, helping Jo pack.
"Maddie is picking me up here, then we're going to meet Karen and Audrey at Athena's, then Athena is driving us to the airport, since she has the biggest car."
"I'm sure Maddie is looking forward to getting away for a little bit. She hasn't been anywhere since the boys were born."
"She definitely needs it. We all do."
"It's much deserved, that's for sure."
Buck holds up one of Jo's bikinis. "I sure hope there's more to it than this."
Jo grabs the bikini from his hands and shoves it into her suitcase.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Athena, Karen, Maddie, Jolene, and Audrey walk through the airport to the check-in desk. The check in lady hands Athena all the boarding passes and takes all the suitcases. Athena distributes the passes to everyone.
"We got upgraded to first class?" Karen exclaims excitedly.
"I'm not in first class," Audrey says, looking at her ticket.
Maddie looks at her ticket. "I'm in the very back of the plane."
"I'm in the middle," Jo replies.
Athena turns around to the check in lady. "Excuse me, is there any way we can change seats so we can all sit together?"
"I'm sorry. Your flight is completely booked. There are no seats left."
"Okay. Thank you."
Athena turns back around and joins the ladies. "I guess we're stuck with our seats."
"That's okay," Audrey says. "It's only 5 hours."
They pick up their bags and head toward security.
"Do you think the bar is open?" Karen quips.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The trucks back into the bay and the 118 gets out.
"I can't believe that call," Buck gets out, shaking his head. "Your kid didn't get stuck in a tree. Your fat goat got stuck in a bush. Get some treats and coax it out."
Hen smiles. "But did you see the old lady's face when you rescued the goat? She was very grateful."
"I think she was enjoying the view more." Eddie winks at Buck, earning a playful shove.
Chimney's phone dings. He pulls it out and reads a text message with a smile.
"Someone is blushing," Hen taunts.
"It's Maddie. She says they're about to start boarding the plane."
"Does anyone else think it's weird that our partners are going on vacation together, without us?" Eddie asks.
They're all quiet for a moment.
"We should feel lucky that they all get along as well as we do," Bobby says. "Who else can say that they're best friends with their partner's co-worker's partners." He pauses for a moment, repeating his words in his head. "That made no sense, but you know what I mean."
They all laugh.
"I just hope they have a good time," Hen says. "Lord knows Karen needed to get away. Things were getting a little tense at home."
Chimney nods in agreement. "I could see the wheels starting to come off every time Maddie walked through the door. She's an amazing mom, but she definitely needed a break."
"Jo was sad that I couldn't come with them," Buck shrugs.
They all look at him, doubtful.
"Did she actually say that?" Eddie asks.
"No, but I know my wife."
"I think she might enjoy the vacation more than anyone else." Hen pats him on the back with a smile.
Everyone laughs and goes up the stairs. Buck looks confused and offended.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Passengers are squeezing onto the plane, trying to find their seats. Karen is already in her seat when a stewardess comes up to her with a tray of drinks.
"Would you like some champagne?"
"Please."
Karen takes a glass of champagne.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Jolene is sitting in her seat next to the window. She is in the row in front of the wings. A man carrying a little girl, about two, approaches her row and finds their seats.
"Hi."
The father tries putting the car seat in the seat while still holding the little girl.
"Let me help you," Jo offers. She gets up and buckles the car seat in.
"Thank you. This is my first time traveling without my wife. She is much better at all this than me." He takes his seat. "I promise she won't bother you during the flight. She's usually pretty good at flying."
Jo waves him off. "Don't worry about it at all." She smiles. "I'm Jolene."
"Anthony. And this is Zoe."
"Hi, Zoe," Jo says, waving to the toddler.
The little girl waves.
"My wife just got a new job in Miami, so we're gonna go see momma."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Athena makes it to her seat. She's in the middle seat and the man on the end is already on his laptop and cell phone working. The woman in the window seat is grading papers. Athena puts her bag in the overhead bin and squeezes into her seat.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Audrey and Maddie make their way to the very back of the plane. They are sitting in the same row, but an old lady is sitting in the middle seat between them. Audrey sits down in the window seat and Maddie takes the isle. The flight attendant comes over the speaker.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats as we prepare to depart from the gate."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I wrote this story a long time ago, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to publish it considering the events that happened in China last week. Ultimately I decided to go ahead and publish it, but I will warn you, it does contain scenes of a plane crash, though not super graphic. If this might make you uncomfortable, I won't be offended at all if you decide to skip it!
