Check Mate

Chapter 6

My 'honeymoon' was scheduled to last a week and a half, which I wish felt like an eternity. But unfortunately, it was like I blinked and I was already on my way back to the airport. The boys watched me like a hawk as we entered the airport, but truly I was fine. For the last few days, well only the day before, I did not drink any alcohol. You better be proud of me. I wouldn't have on my own, but Ira made it a point to make little comments about not having alcohol in my system especially when taking Xanax for the flight. 

My eyes hurt from all the rolling. 

I was happy I went on this trip and although I was initially annoyed at my friends for forcing themselves on my trip, they did make it a hundred times better. They definitely kept my mood upbeat and obviously protected me from gross guys. RIP Daniel. But, alas all good things must come to an end. It truly came to an end once the plane took off and my stomach dropped to the floor. I know for fact that I was breaking Ira's hand, but he made no complaint for his lack of circulation for the 5ish minutes that I white-knuckled it. Once the plane finished it's ascent and the Xanax kicked in, I let go of Ira's poor hand.

"You good?" Ira asked while subtly shaking the blood back into his hand.

"Never better," I mumbled while closing my eyes.

Ira took that as a sign to leave me be, but I did feel him slowly raise my head away from the seat to put a neck pillow on me, then gently put my head back down.

"Thank you," I murmured, it probably did not come out sounding like 'thank you', but more like a groan. I didn't hear his response, I was wonderfully comatose. 

This time I was sure I would not have a zombie-like emotional break and if I did, I gave the boys permission to restrain me in anyway they saw fit. We did not need a repeated Colin Firth episode. I woke up to hearing sweet, darling Max asking his dad calmly, "Is she dead?"

"No Max, Auntie Birdie is not dead, just sleeping," Ira replied and even though I could not see his face I know he had a shit-eating grin on.

A moment later I felt a light hand on my shoulder and slightly nudge me. "Wake up, we're back," Ira told me quietly.

I stretched out my legs and arms, groaning as I woke up from a deep death. In trying to do so I found that I was holding Ira's hand once more. I let go, he seemed to ignore the action silently. I rubbed the sand out of my eyes and yawned. Ira nudged me, I looked over and he was pushing mint gum at me.

"You have cabin breath," he said, making an exaggerated face of disgust. I blew in his face in retaliation before I popped the mint in my mouth. The gum helped my ears pop and wake me up more. 

"Any melt-downs?" I asked a moment later.

"No melt-down, but you were quite chatty in your sleep," he replied while cleaning up Max's sitting area.

I could feel heat on my cheeks. I knew I talked in my sleep, but it only really happened when I am stressed. Claudia and Ethan took pleasure in recording me and using it as blackmail growing up, or even anytime I visit their homes. I never said normal mumbles, it was always clearly spoken candid statements.

"Oh god, what did I say?"

Ira made a face, "You were calling out to Drew, you sounded really upset. I would've woken you, but I didn't think you would like that."

"I suppose that makes sense, right? I've gone through a trauma," I replied quietly, trying to make it sound joking, but I truly sounded pathetic.

"All I'm going to say is that if you want to back out of this Operation Silver Spoon and just move on with your life that's fine too, Birdie."