Page 28 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

“I’ll handle that when we get back to Seattle, Princess.” Mommy had a way of calming me down when she rubbed my back. I leaned into her hand and let the good feels seep in.

“Thanks, Mommy.” Should I handle that myself? Probably, but my mother had a way of guilting me into giving her money, but Mommy wouldn’t stand for that. Best to let her cut it off so we can move on and into our new life as newlyweds.

Vale and I squealed and giggled throughout the airport terminal and all the way down to get our luggage. Mommy and Daddy Jack timed our flights perfectly, so they arrived around the same time. Sarah’s head bobbed around, watching everything. Who knew they even had slot machines in the airport? So crazy.

“Good lord, Vivienne. How much luggage did you bring?” Daddy Jack complained when Mommy kept pointing out our bags as they came around the carousel.

“Technically, I brought one bag. Darcy had all of hers from the cruise, then we did a bit of shopping in San Diego.” I giggled when Mommy winked at me. Daddy Jack called over an attendant with a cart to help us out. Hopefully the car service had enough room for all of it.

Vale grabbed my hand and squealed again when he eyeballed my engagement ring. “It’s so pretty, Darcy.”

“I know. I love it so much. And Mommy got the princess cut for her Princess.” I was one lucky girl.

“Where are your parents, Jack?” Mommy asked.

“They’re coming in the morning. Not fans of the whole Vegas scene, so they’re just flying in for Saturday and leaving early Sunday morning. They made a reservation at Spago for all of us for dinner after the wedding. Their treat.”

“Yum, sounds great to me. I figured Sunday would be a whirlwind of taking these two to the M&M store and the Adventure Dome at Circus-Circus.”

“Yes, I assumed the same. Along with the huge Build-A-Bear store on the strip.”

Vale and I squealed again and hugged our partners. Every head in the baggage claim area turned our way but we didn’t care. We were going to Build-A-Bear, and I knew which one I wanted already.

“I’ll be donating to the penny sluts at the hotel,” Sarah cheered far too joyfully for someone about to lose money.

“Don’t you mean slots, Mom?”

“Nope, they’re sluts. Just take your money and run.”

Vale was so offended, but the rest of us enjoyed her crazy sense of humor.

“Can I get a refund for the parent I was given?”

“Nope, and I’m gonna make sure everyone knows I’m your Momma.” Vale rolled his eyes, but I caught his brief grin before he turned away.

Vale and Sarah’s banter got me through many tough times. They loved each other like mad. Plus, it was all in good fun.

Somehow, the five of us and our huge pile of luggage managed to cram into the van. Vale and I were so busy trying to see every inch of the strip that when we got to the Bellagio it felt like we’d only been driving for a few minutes.

“Whoa,” Vale gasped as we pulled up to the valet. Vegas was an endless stream of bright lights. It was so pretty at night.

“Wait until you see the view from our room,” Mommy said. “We can see the strip in both directions.”

“Are we in separate rooms, Mommy?”

“No, my love. I got a two-room suite with a fold out couch for Sarah to sleep on so we’re all together.” Sarah was eyeballing the slot machines, ready to make her donations before we’d evenchecked in. At this point it wouldn’t surprise me to find her sound asleep in one of the chairs come morning.

“Yay!” Vale and I cheered. He wasn’t a little, but he was a super excited monkey. If Daddy Jack didn’t hold his hand he’d have bounced all over the casino and got lost. Can’t tell you how many times Sarah and I had to hunt for him at the mall. I never understood those child backpack leashes until the first time that happened. Sarah refused to get one, stating her boy wasn’t a pet. Oh how wrong she was about our silly monkey.

But it was so awesome we got to share our big day with each other and all these fun firsts. Two best friends marrying two best friends. Can it get any more perfect?

As soon as we stepped inside the massive suite Mommy rented, Vale and I bolted straight for the balcony.

“Whoa,” we said in unison. Mommy and Daddy Jack laughed.

“Great room, V,” Daddy Jack said, his eyes glued to the glowing strip around us. “It’s been years since I’ve been to Vegas. It’s changed so much.”

“Same. Several hotels that were here before have been demolished. What should we do first?”

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