What Happens on the Cruise

31. Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

"How can I be so tired when I just spent hours sitting on a plane?" Austin asked, yawning.

"Ericha!" Adam called.

His wife turned their direction, her smile beaming as she caught sight of her husband.

Adam shoved his carry-on at Chris and ran to Ericha, sweeping her into his arms. "I've missed you so much," he confessed, kissing her, then dropping to his knees to kiss the slight bulge of her belly. "Hi, baby!" he called, then stood to kiss his wife again.

"They're adorable," Austin whispered to Tim, noticing how their fellow travelers smiled at the reunited couple, obviously charmed.

"They really are," Tim agreed.

Kelsey rounded a corner just then and spotted Rob. "Hi, sweetie!" she greeted him. They hugged and kissed.

Chris wheeled Adam's carry-on over to him and gave Ericha a hug. "How's my favorite sister-in-law and niece-to-be?" he asked.

"Good," she replied.

"Let's find our luggage and get out of here," Austin suggested.

They all made their way to the baggage claim. Tim turned to Ericha as they were walking. "Are you sure we're not imposing?"

She shook her head. "With the new house we've got the room, and it saves you from driving three hours back and forth every day while you're working on your arrangements."

"We appreciate it," Austin said. "And we'll try to stay out of your hair."

***

"I can't believe this," Austin fumed. "That's basically all the clothes I own in the world."

They'd sat watching bags drop onto the carousel, each of the travelers collecting theirs, but Austin's had never appeared. Tim had found an airline employee and inquired.

What followed had been an interminable amount of time as things were checked and double checked. Rob and Kelsey stayed for awhile till Austin convinced them to go home, leaving the Mankato contingent waiting for word. But Austin's luggage wasn't anywhere to be found.

Adam took Ericha's hand. She was obviously flagging, and they had a ninety minute drive ahead of them. "Okay, they've got your information. I don't think there's anything more to be done tonight, so let's grab some food and head home. I can take you out to the mall and you can pick up enough to get by for a few days. How does that sound?"

Austin sighed. "Yeah, okay. But I hope they find them."

"I'm sure they will," Tim said with more confidence than he had.

***

Austin shivered and pulled his jacket close as they stepped outside, heading for the van. Adam mentally added long sleeved shirts, jackets, and possibly a hat to his list of things they ought to get for Austin. One thing he'd learned over the years with Tim and then Austin was that Southern-born and -raised people didn't tolerate cold well and needed at least one more layer of clothing then their Northern neighbors to function.

They loaded up the van -- Adam, Ericha, Tim, Austin, and Chris -- and headed off with Adam at the wheel. He turned the heat on low to take the chill off. Tim wrapped an arm around his boyfriend and Austin snuggled as close as he could. Ericha glanced back at the two and smiled.

***

After dropping Chris and Ericha off, Adam drove Tim and Austin to the mall. On the long drive home they'd made plans, knowing that they'd be arriving at the mall only a half hour or so before closing. Austin had sent a group text with his sizes and preferred brands. Adam had been tasked with getting underwear, socks, and sweats and a plain vee neck tee for pajamas. Tim was on shirt and jacket detail. And Austin would be getting jeans, tennis shoes, and a hat if he wanted, since they were the things that needed tried on.