Alan
Alan
Just as I hung up, Nat got out of the shower.
"I told Don" I said with a smile as she sat down, in her pajamas on the sleek couch. Charlie had really outdone himself in getting the tickets for us. We were in a large suite with a bathroom, separate bedroom, and spacious living room, that was attached to a large balcony.
"What did he say?" she asked. Nat seemed a bit nervous. I wonder why? The boys had seemed to have accepted our relationship.
"He was happy for me. I couldn't get a hold of Charlie though"
"I'm sure you'll reach him soon enough."
"I'm gonna get something quick from the buffet, and come back. Do you want anything?" I didn't want to leave her alone like this for a long time by going to the regular dinner.
"Maybe some chamomile tea" she winced.
"Queasy?" I asked.
"I overdid it at that bakery yesterday" she sighed.
"I brought pepto" I offered and sat next to her.
"I already took it when I showered." she smiled. "I figured you'd bring it. Anyway, you don't have to miss dinner on my account, babe." We were on the assigned seating plan, as I wanted a chance to get to know new people.
"It's okay..." I assured her. "I'll be right back."
I had a quick meal, and snuck out some soup for Nat, along with a spoon. I'd have to return it and the bowl tomorrow. I could have gotten something from room service, but it was much too expensive. I also got Nat her tea.
"Thanks babe!" she said when I came into the living room with her things.
"It'll do you good."
"I'll have the tea for now ,though"
"You haven't eaten since this morning" I reminded her and pointed out "Don't you wanna be well for tomorrow's stop?"
"I'll have a little bit." she relented.
So far, Marriage the second time around was great! Despite some issues and bumps in the road, life with Nat had been going well and in that helicopter ride, things had crystallized for me: Margaret's death, Nat's getting shot, and time had shown me that life is too short and fleeting. The ceremony, was wonderfully executed, thanks to the staff and captain.
The phone interrupted my thoughts.
"Must be my parents" Nat said. "I left them a message." Soon, she told them the news. By her tense, yet happy demeanor, I sensed that there had been some mixed responses. After a while, she hung up.
"How did they take it?"
"They're happy for me..." she said. "Though I could tell that my mother had wanted to do some big shindig. As if the one she had for my sister hadn't been big enough!"
"oh..." I remembered how Margaret's mother had wanted to go all out, and it took a lot of arguing to convince her out of it. "Are you gonna call anyone else?"
"I already called my brother and sister" she sipped some more tea and soup. "Everyone else can find out when I get back."
"Your partners are gonna be very surprised!" I teased, then asked"What do you wanna do tomorrow?"
"I think we should forgo the tour"
"Why?"
"The last tour rushed us, I want time to take it all in, set my own agenda." she said.
"Like at the second stop,where we got lost?" I asked dryly.
"We saw some wonderful sites that we wouldn't have gotten to see otherwise!" she argued, putting the soup aside.
"Like that museum that smelled like feet or the overpriced trinkets store? We missed some important stuff!" I liked using tours at least the first time I went to places, rather than just roaming around willy nilly
"I explored London without a tour ,and it went great!" she countered. "What about the beautiful park huh? "
"How about a shorter tour?" I offered.
"Okay...maybe a half day one?"
"Sure..."
When she finished her tea, Nat and I played Gin Rummy on the Balcony. After a while, I decided to call Charlie again. Unfortunately, I couldn't reach him.
TBC
