What Happens on the Cruise

91. Butts

"You going to be okay?" Tim asked, offering Austin his arm as extra support as they made their way off the plane.

"I just need to get somewhere and get this foot off."

"You could have taken it off on the plane."

"I know. I didn't want to have to mess with digging out the shrinker and doing all that in front of strangers."

"You're probably going to pay for this tonight and tomorrow." Tim spoke gently rather than accusingly.

"Probably. Should we wait for the others?"

"Let's meet them in baggage claim. There are more benches there."

***

"Audin seepy?" Cerise asked, climbing up on the bench next to Austin.

Austin was about to tell her no, but considered she probably didn't really distinguish between tired and sleepy. "A little bit. Are you sleepy, babygirl?"

She shook her head, then gasped, her eyes going wide, looking beyond him.

"Watcha seeing?" he inquired, then turned to look the same direction. "Oh, the bear! He's a big old bear, isn't he?"

She stood up on the bench, putting Austin between herself and the bear. "He mean bear?"

"Nah, he can't hurt you. He's stuffed... Ummm... He's a toy. A big doll."

She peered around Austin at the mounted grizzly.

"Just remember you don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun one of your friends, and I think I'm it."

She gave him a puzzled look as he chuckled.

"Hey, pumpkin, can you and Austin watch these for us?" Leigh asked, setting a couple suitcases in front of their bench.

She nodded and proceeded to watch the suitcases like a hawk. At least for a couple of minutes. Austin fought back laughter.

"Can I sit with you?" Chris asked, wheeling his suitcase over.

"Sure."

Chris sat on the end of the bench, thoroughly engrossed in his phone. "Sorry, just checking to make sure this rental van is all set."

"It's all right," Austin answered. "Just means I might have a chance getting away from the bear after all."

Chris looked up, confused. "What bear?"

***

"They look like a gay couple with their daughter," Austin commented as they watched Adam and Leigh walking down the concourse in front of them, Cerise between her dad and caretaker, holding both their hands.

"They really do," Kelsey said beside them, chuckling. "I want to take a picture so bad."

"What's stopping you?" Tim asked.

"Mmm. I usually send all the pictures of Cerise to Ericha and I don't want her to feel like she's missing out."

"Fair point," Rob agreed.

***

"Oh, that feels so good!" Austin sighed and flopped back on the bed, blissfully free of both both boots and prosthetic.

"You sound like a woman taking her bra off," Kelsey teased.

"Oh, bras are the worst!" Austin agreed. "Or maybe heels."

"Should I ask?" Rob paused in sorting out the takeaway food.

"Musical theater major," Tim said. "I swear he's worn everything at least once."