Valentine's Dinner?

28. Deepest Bonding

After they had kissed Chloe goodnight, Lorne led Valerie to the curtained suite at the rear of the cabin, and as they joined in a hug, she chuckled, wiggling her belly against him. "You're up already?"

"Anticipation."

"Yeah. Thank God for liners."

He gave her a quick kiss, then pointed to the privy door. You first."

A while later, as they lay gently moving in a connected cuddle, Valerie said, "This is a lot of space for only you and Chianti."

"Usually, we're five, six or seven on these trips, plus the crew. I bring pertinent members of my executive and a rewarded employee or two."

"So, this is a simple meeting, then? No need to bring them."

"I sent them on British Airways, thinking we'd be too crowded."

Valerie sighed a hum. "When?"

"On the twenty-one-forty. They'll arrive shortly past ten in the morning."

"No, I mean when did you arrange it?"

"Yesterday, after I saw the look in your eyes as we parted at the hotel."

"Oh, God! You do that so often."

"Do what?"

"Send my heart racing, flip my insides, plumb the depths of my soul."

"I like that."

"Hmmm, so do I." She shifted her hips and moaned a sigh. "And this. Speaking of depths, let's see if you can find that place again."

"It's called the posterior fornix. I looked it up."

"You didn't?"

"Did too." Lorne chuckled as he probed deeper.

"Yeah, should have guessed. I did as well. Also called the – hnnnnn. There! – hnnnnn. That's it – hnnnnnn. Oh yeah!"

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Valerie and Lorne were back at it the following morning when a quiet voice sounded through the curtains, "Seven o'clock, Sir."

"Thank you, Patrick. Have you awakened the young lady?"

"She's at the table, Sir. Doing school work, she tells me."

"We'll be about twenty minutes."

"Very well, Sir. I'll begin serving breakfast shortly thereafter."

After Patrick withdrew, Lorne gave a series of short thrusts. "Grip me. Do that ripple. I should finish so we can shower."

"You've a shower aboard?"

"Ummm. It's the other door. Do that again. Ummmm. Now tight."

Twenty minutes later, showered and in summer clothes, Valerie and Lorne kissed Chloe good morning as they joined her at the table. "You were up early, Sweetheart. Did you not sleep well?"

"Very well, thank you. But I set my phone alarm so I could do my school work early. This way, I can spend the whole day with you and Daddy."

God, this child. "That's thoughtful of you." Would have given a reprieve. "Have you finished?"

"All but one page of maths exercises. I've just started it."

"You can finish it this evening when we're back aboard."

Patrick waited until Valerie had finished speaking, then he held up a carafe and a teapot from the trolley. "Coffee or rooibos?" After he had poured, he set the basket of croissants, bagels and scones in the centre of the table. "We have fresh fruit and yoghurt if you wish. How would the ladies prefer their eggs?"

Partway through her omelette, Chloe looked up and caught Lorne's eyes. "I like flying in this manner. It's as if we're still at home. Not like on a regular plane with the little sleeping compartments and pull-up tables to eat on – on which to eat. Do you always fly like this?"

"I try to. I schedule my long trips to take place overnight, so the time passes quickly."

"That makes sense." Chloe paused, nodding slowly as she stared into his eyes. "Daddy?"

"Yes, Sweetheart?"

"Just testing." She gave him a broad grin. "I'm trying to get used to it. Do you really like me calling you daddy?"

"I love it. It makes us feel more like a family."

"Yeah, it does. So, when will you marry Mummy?"

"After she accepts my proposal."

Valerie's heart raced. Impetuous little imp.

Chloe glanced at her mother's expression, then turned back to Lorne. "When will you propose?"

Valerie looked daggers. "Chloe! Too many ques –"

"Now, it seems." Lorne interrupted Valerie, turned to face her and took her hand. "I had planned to ask you up on the mountain, but this timing seems more appropriate. Will you marry me?"