Every Woman's Dream... But You.

Thirteen

It is an insanely busy week and come Friday I am exhausted. Tomorrow morning we fly out and it's a private jet with how many seats we'd had to book, it was easier to book a whole flight. There are a handful of people travelling at other times but the majority of us are going tomorrow. We have extra luggage booked for everyone and a variety of kids chairs and entertainment.
I just need to make sure the girls have finished packing and set our passports aside. I've had my stuff packed for days.
'Are you ready for tomorrow?' Tom's message pops up on the screen, I've not seen or spoken to him all week and barely said hi whilst rushing past him all week, it's amazing how much organisation had fallen to me for this trip.
'Finally I think I am! Are you?'
He replies with a photo of his suitcases neatly by his front door.
'Very organised.' I snort, he's literally only had himself to organise.
'You've had a busy week, I think you've been a blur every time I've seen you.'
'Yes it's been crazy. Even my evenings have been filled with it, I'm glad we're finally going!'
'Are you relaxing tonight then?'
'I've just finished sorting our bags and sat down with a glass of wine.'
'Nice, same. I'm just watching a film.'
'Ooh what film?'
'Latest James Bond release.'
'What channel?' I grab the remote.
'107, it's only just starting.'
'Oooh good, I love a good James Bond.' I snuggle down with my phone and a drink and turn it on.
Tom texts me throughout the film, giving his opinions and I reply every time, it's actually nice to watch a film like this. He's not here to tempt me but we still get to be friends.
'Is this how all friends watch films? 😅'
'It is for us.' I reply.
'I was just joking darling.'
'Don't call me darling.'
'You don't like it? Sorry.'
'The opposite actually.'
'Oh. I'll keep that in mind... goodnight Lily.'
'Goodnight Tom.' I smile and go to bed before the big trip tomorrow.

"Aunty Lily! Today is here!" Aria and Esther some me up with screams of excitement.
"Yes but it's still really early girls." I glance at my watch, "let me sleep another hour."
"But we're too excited!" They giggle.
"Ok, ok! I'm up!" I sit up groggily. "Shoo! Let me get dressed." I chuckle and wave them out.
This is going to be a long day! I pull on a comfy oversized t shirt and tight 3/4 leggings, they're not work wear but I want to be comfortable on the long flight.
"Girls dress comfy, it's a long flight." I call to them, knowing they're excited to see Tom, especially Aria. She's barely got over her excitement of meeting Loki last time. I chuckle and smile amused by their excitement.
I'm glad I was so organised last night, there's not a lot to do this morning except dress and have breakfast.
"Girls, the car wont be here for 90 minutes, have some breakfast please." I ask and they immediately agree. A knock on the door and the door opening makes me jump.
Elsa and Bella have come round.
"We wanted to say bye before you left." They say.
"Ok sweeties, we're not leaving just yet, do you want to have some breakfast with us?" They grin and jump over to the table.
I love this, these girls are everything to me.

Goodbyes are tearful but we manage to get to the airport before most of the others. There's just over 200 people going today. That's family included so 80 actual staff with a further 60 people coming at various times in the next week. Ian, Nikki and Bodhi are already here and waving enthusiastically at us from one the first class lounge which we've exclusively hired.
The girls are excited to meet Bodhi, she's only 4 and they've not seen her before, they immediately take on a big sister role and the little girl is clearly loving it.
"Don't go too far." Nikki tells them as they go to the window to look at a plane taking off.
"How excited are your girls!" Ian chuckled.
"So excited they got me up an hour before I needed to." I smile at them.
"Hey!" Ryan calls as he, Blake and their girls come over to greet us.
"Hey Ryan, Blake." I hug them both. "Girls, Bodhi, Aria and Esther are watching a plane take off." I point to the window where they're stood and they all rush over, their littlest one Betty toddling along until Aria comes to hold her hand.
"Your girls are great with the little ones."
"Yeah, I guess they're used to it as big sisters too."
"So Elsa decided to stay home then, she must love her school!" Blake chuckles.
"Yeah she really does but she and Bella have become closer than ever. They're practically sisters so I was happy enough to let her stay and bring Aria instead."
"It makes life a bit easier with her being older I imagine."
"Yes there is that." I grin.
"No boys on the scene yet?"
"Not as far as they tell me. Although Esther tells me she's bisexual so I'll have to watch out for girls too." I laugh and glance lovingly at the girls. They really have saved me from the worst despair.
"Did you never want your own?" Blake asks.
"Brett and I didn't. We talked about it a lot but neither of us were bothered. When my sister died though, it was down to me or my brother to take the girls in and James had 4 girls of his own so I happily took them in. They weren't babies so I've not had to deal with toilet training or nappies or sleepless nights, although there understandably were a few nights of tears at first."
"You've had a lot thrown at you."
"No more than some others." I shrug, wanting to change the subject. That's when I see Tom walk in with Jennifer and Cooke, carrying their tiny daughter. I wave to them, beckoning them over.
"Hi everyone, sorry I'm not going to stay, I've got to feed and change her before we board." Jen looks frazzled.
"Do you want me to get you a drink?"
"Thank-you, something cold would be great." She shoots me a grateful look and I smile at her.
"Hey." Tom smiles as he stands next to me.
"Hey." I smile back, "sleep ok?"
"Eventually."
"Same, I was going though everything in my mind, trying to make sure I'd not forgotten anything. The girls then woke me early this morning so I've had about 3 hours sleep." I sigh.
"It's a long flight, you could sleep then." He's standing close but not quite touching. I can feel the heat radiating off him and it makes me uncomfortable with how much I want him.
"Maybe. Depends on the girls really." I glance over at them.
"Old enough surely to not need constant attention? And I can always keep an eye on them."
I glance up at him & visions of his lips on me come shooting back. I can feel myself blush and turn away. He sees it and grins.
"Darling, why are you blushing." He says teasingly and it sends my stomach into somersaults.
How am I meant to be friends with this man.
"I'm gonna check on the girls." I say, changing the subject and walking away.