NIGHT MOVES

JOURNEY BOUND

As my father brought in three bottles of bubbly a maid trailed behind with glasses. The maid popped the corks and filled all of our glasses. My dad raised his flute and grinned.

"I wish to doff the caps of my brilliant progeny upon acquirin' theiuh certification. To Rayvenna and Cuhvuhson!"

"To Rayvenna and Cuhvuhson!"

We clinked our glasses and sipped the popping libation.

"Thanks daddio fouh youh aid and boosterism." I raised my glass to him.

"It's been an honouh wettin' youh feet in the family biz, sweatheart."

"Thanks again pops, I've learned so much from you." Carver raised his glass toward dad's.

"Of course, son. Youh certification arrived just in time, I might add." Dad grinned before taking another gulp.

"In time fouh anothuh case?" Audrey queried as she glanced to me.

"Yes, I'm handin' ovuh my reigns of the Culpeppuh case to Rayven and Cuhvuh. So I'm able to take wife on a much deserved honeymoon."

"I sweauh if this is anothuh one of youh bait and switch trips... I'll divorce you fouh all youh ass is worth, Marven Bloomington!" Elvira had a feral look in her eyes.

"I sweauh to God, sugauh plumb. The tickets are in my sock draweuh." Once he ceased Elvira dashed away.

"Culpeppuh? As in Eira Culpeppuh, the billionairess, Mr. Bloomington?" Audrey eyes sparkled with vim.

"The one and only. It's Mauhven, hun, youh family now." Dad winked at Audrey.

"What's that?" Carver piped up with interest.

"AHHHH! WE'RE GOIN' TO HAWAII!!!" Elvira screeched as she clambered down the staircase.

"Well it was a nice family dinnuh, dad." I picked up the container of leftover lasagna.

"It was lovely, sir." Audrey waved before as she stood.

"Night, love you bean-pole."

"Night, love you too, pops. Cuhvuh. Step-monstuh."

I entered the kitchen to collect the cover for the container and to place it in the tote. I glanced behind me and saw Audrey had her hand open. I handed the purse over and together we departed.

"What's the cabbie still doin' here?" Audrey motioned towards the taxi.

"Three "Benjamins" convinced him to wait on us."

"Of course you did. Only you would waist mullah on a quick getaway." She shook her head and laughed.

We opened the doors as the cabbie started the vehicle.

"I'm eatin' my heart out ovuh this Culpeppuh case!"

"I'm sure, you do tread on the heels of heuh's, don't you?" I ribbed her.

"Well she's a innovative girl-boss with goal-worthy aspirations fouh New Jersy. How could I not fangirl ovuh such a human?"

"Squibblin' with you is hare-brained." I tweaked her nose.

"Can I be you and Cuhvuh's abettuh? Pretty please?" Audrey folded her hands and shook them.

"I don't know, babes... My dad couldn't know."

"I wouldn't inform him."

"You wouldn't, yet Cuhvuh might to spite me."

"He wouldn't."