Bullets and Beauty

Chapter 6

        I enjoy the quick stroll over to the outdoor veranda. The weather is nice - hot, but made bearable by the pleasant breeze. Just before we reach the security check George turns to us and grins, holding up a camera. "Picture time kids. I promised each of your mothers that I would take plenty of pictures."

Both Annie and Jules roll their eyes. Annie sighs. "George" she groans, "why do we have to take pictures now? We have all week to do that."

I grin and drape an arm over her shoulders, leaning against her and saying sweetly; "Annie, we need the pictures. If I'm going to get dressed up and go to these boring fancy events that you are so tickled with, I am for darn sure going to get some proof. You see when he," I gesture to James, "accuses me of never getting dressed up, I need to have proof to show him how wrong he is."

Annie huffs, still not onboard with the spontaneous photoshoot. But one look at George assures her that pictures are mandatory. "Fine"

I grin. "Don't forget to smile Annie. Try to look like you're enjoying yourself." I squeeze her shoulder. "After all, you said this trip would be enjoyable."

Annie rolls her eyes, good naturedly swatting me away. "Don't use my own words against me. But I'll smile for the camera." She grins. "If only to have it forever captured in photos how fun this trip is."

I shake my head and step back. George lines us up for the picture, the taller boys in the back and the girls standing in the front. I am standing in front of James and Peter. I reach up, clasping each of their hands that rest on either of my shoulders. We all grin at the camera and George smiles before snapping a few pictures. He goes to put his phone away when Tommy protests. "Hey wait George, we have to do a silly picture."

George grins and I grimace. I hate taking goofy pictures. Annie says I'm boring like that and I'll gladly admit she's right on this matter. George takes his phone out again with a cheeky smile. The boys all grin at each other, and before Annie can give them a look, I find myself swept into the air. I yelp in surprise as James picks me up bridal style and grins as I give him an unamused look. The others all start cackling and I glance up to see George snapping a picture, grinning. I swat at Jack's shoulder. "Put me down crazy!"

James grins and does a quick spin around, making me shriek in surprise. He glances down at me. "Not yet. We need to get the picture first"

I tilt my head in confusion, but end up shaking it in understanding as the other boys each pick up a girl. Pete picks up Rosie, Liam takes Annie, and Tommy takes Jules. We all grin at the camera and George smiles gleefully as he take the pictures. The boys all give us a final twirl, before setting each of us down with a bow and a grin. We all start laughing and George comes up next to us. He is about to put the camera away, but I reach out a hand to stop him. "Hold on a hot minute. You getting dressed up is an even rarer occasion than when I do it." I grab the camera, setting it on a fountain ledge and setting the timer to ten seconds. I jog back over, standing next to George with a triumphant grin. "Smile for the camera!"

George laughs and we all grin at the camera one last time as it takes the group picture. When it's done, George quickly grabs the camera and hurriedly puts it away. "Alright kids, that's enough pictures for now. What do you say we get to our seats and start eating?"

We all agree wholeheartedly with that, walking over to the table that had been reserved for us. We each go through the security check, thankfully doing so without incident. As we make it to our table, I raise my eyebrows observing that we each had a gold name card assigning us to a seat. I sit down, finding myself next to George and Annie. James grins at me from across the table and goes cross eyed. I shake my head in a mix of exasperation and amusement. I glance at Annie, and am concerned by the expression on her face. She is looking suspiciously at the small shed that is just barely visible around the corner of the hotel. Her eyes are narrowed, like she's trying to figure something out. I nudge her shoulder slightly and ask in a low voice, "what is it?"