Hyacinth sighs as she stands up on the plane. She didn't realize how stiff she'd gotten. She keeps looking behind her to make sure Richard is still behind her. They walk through the airport to the baggage claim. Hyacinth leans sleepily against Richard as they wait for his suitcase to arrive. Richard puts his arm around Hyacinth's shoulders. She relaxes into his touch slightly before Richard moves to grab his bag from the carousel.
Richard and Hyacinth sink into the car when they're ready to go. "Are you sure you should be driving, Richard? You didn't sleep well last night and you didn't sleep for very long on the plane."
"I'll be fine. I got more sleep on the plane and the trip's not that much further. I just want to get where we're going and get settled." Richard puts his glasses on and buckles his seatbelt.
"Alright, if you're sure. I wouldn't mind staying here tonight and going into Great Hope Springs tomorrow." Hyacinth says gently.
"No, we better get going. We have to be in Dr. Feld's office at 10 a.m. tomorrow." Richard starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot.
"Just make sure you're driving on the right side of the road. We're not in Britain anymore." Hyacinth reminds Richard gently.
Richard smiles at Hyacinth. He's much certain about how much Hyacinth loves him. "Yes Hyacinth." Richard says gently. For once in the car Hyacinth stays relatively quiet. She's not side seat driving and all that can be heard is the voice of the GPS. "That voice is really irritating." Richard grumbles.
"Mm," Hyacinth says quietly. "The accent is all wrong, isn't it? Perhaps we're not used to American accents."
"Normally I wouldn't mind, but it's grating on my nerves. I'd turn it off but I don't know where I'm going. I'll just have to live with it." Richard sighs. "At least we won't have to listen to that for very long."
"Do you mind if I try and get some sleep?" Hyacinth asks yawning.
"No, of course not, darling. You get some sleep I'll wake you when we get there." Richard says gently.
"Are you sure you can stay awake if I fall asleep?" Hyacinth asks gently.
"Of course I can stay awake. I'll put the radio on and the GPS will talk to me. You sleep." Richard glances over at Hyacinth and pats her hand.
Hyacinth puts her seat back and lies back tucking her hand under her head. She relaxes even though she doesn't usually when she's in the car with Richard. Richard glances over at his wife and smiles. After the plane trip he is much more optimistic about their relationship. He speeds down the highway towards Great Hope Springs. As they get closer to the town Richard can hear the sound of the ocean. The sound is so relaxing. The highway winds along the coast and Richard winds his window down so he can smell the salt air. Richard hears the GPS ping and the voice says, "Take the next exit." Richard sees the sign for the exit and veers the car over into the exit lane. He follows the signs for Great Hope Springs. He drives slowly through the small town looking for the small hotel they're planning to stay at. He pulls into the parking lot and turns the car off. He takes his seatbelt off and turns to his wife. He gently shakes her and waits for her to wake up.
"Are we there already?" Hyacinth asks as she sits up. She runs her hand across her eyes slowly.
"Yes, we're here. Let's check in and relax for the evening." Richard suggests to his wife. He loves the way she looks when she first wakes up. She looks less polished, but more like the woman he married. "Come on, let's go." Richard says as he climbs out of the car.
Hyacinth runs a comb through her hair before she gets out of the car. Richard already has the large suitcase out of the trunk by the time she gets out of the car. "Let me take something, Richard."
"You can take the carry-ons for me. Let's get inside." Richard picks up the suitcase and heads towards the front entrance. Hyacinth follows her husband into the hotel. "We have a reservation under the name Bucket."
"Yes sir, we do have your reservation. You're in room 411. Enjoy your stay." The receptionist says as she passes the key to Richard.