Page 30 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

“Well, on behalf of the staff here we’d like to congratulate you and offer a complimentary gift in the form of a bottle of champagne for your table. Unfortunately, I need to ask for ID forthe two gigglers.” That just made Vale, and I laugh harder as we handed him our ID’s. Thankfully Mommy told me ahead of time to make sure I had it with me at all times while we were here. “Excellent. Jeremy will get you situated and congratulations, again. Enjoy your meals.”

“Jeremy would you be so kind as to take our photo?” Daddy Jack handed him his phone then held his glass up. “To friends, family, and finding forever.”

“Cheers!” We all clanked our glasses and took a sip, then Vale itched his nose.

“The bubbles tickle, Daddy.”

“Have you not had champagne before, silly monkey?”

“Nope, first time. Lots of firsts this weekend,” Vale took another sip and scrunched his nose up. “I can’t decide if its yummy or not.”

Sarah nearly shot hers out of her nose. “That’s the beauty of champagne, boy. It’s only for special occasions so no reason to decide.”

“Well put, Sarah. Never been a huge fan myself, but I won’t turn down a free glass,” Mommy winked at Vale.

“Mommy, did we get a photographer for tomorrow? I want lots of pictures.”

“Of course, my gorgeous princess. Mommy and Daddy Jack don’t want to miss a thing.” She kissed me and I got all butterfly-ey inside. Mommy made my tummy swoosh.

“Do you guys have your rings?” Mommy asked Daddy Jack, and he nodded.

“My dad gave me my grandfather’s ruby ring some time ago. I’d had it tucked away in a drawer hoping this day would come. We have an appointment in the morning with the jeweler at the hotel to see if Vale finds one he loves. Vivian, the set you two bought is stunning.”

“My Princess spotted those while we shopped in San Diego, but I picked out her engagement ring,” I wiggled my finger, showing it off. “Jack, I never imagined I’d be this happy or so ridiculously in love.”

“You and me both, V, or that I’d have a mother-in-law I adored.”

“You’re not getting my gamblin’ money, Jack,” Sarah teased, and Daddy Jack bellowed. But you could see in her eyes how moved she was. “All joking aside, I couldn’t have found a better man for my son. Or a better woman for my daughter, Vivienne.” Stupid tears hit us all.

After dinner, Sarah headed straight for the machines while the four of us wandered around on the strip. It was so crazy busy and packed with humans. The bright lights and the fact nothing seemed to close kept everyone out and about, some of which probably should be in their rooms sleeping off a gnarly hangover.

“Ohhh, look at the Eiffel Tower,” Vale pointed across the street.

“That’s the Paris hotel. One of their elevators is inside that replica,” Daddy Jack pointed out.

“Can we go inside and see?”

“Absolutely, but people drive crazy on the strip, so crosswalks and eyes open you two.”

“Yes, Daddy Jack.” Vale and I were getting pretty good at this twinsie talk.

“Look Daddy, that elevator disappears into the sky!” Vale pointed up to the ceiling inside the Paris, painted just like a cloudy sky. “That’s so cool.”

“Every casino has a different theme. New York, New York is decorated like the city itself, and it has a rollercoaster that goes through part of the downstairs.”

“Can we see it, Mommy?”

“It’s at the other end from us but we can add it to our Sunday funday.”

“Yay!”

“I heard a rumor there’s a Hershey store inside it too,” Daddy Vale teased his monkey, knowing that one was a chocoholic. I liked it too, but Vale tended to make himself sick if not monitored. “The M&M store is across the street from it, so Sunday is the perfect day to hit both. Maybe we can do that side during the day then hit Circus-Circus that night for them to play in the Adventure Dome.”

“Sounds like a plan, Jack,” Mommy told him. “There’s enough around here for tonight to see.”

We walked around the Paris Hotel and over to the Horseshoe then down into the Cromwell. I wanted to go to the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, but it was closed for the night. Mommy promised we could come back another time and do the stuff we missed. She and Daddy Jack had to go home on Monday and be back at work on Tuesday.

Bummer, but I got it. It was gonna be kind of scary sliding into my new life and not having a regular job. I think I was more afraid of Mommy confronting my mother, than the whole jobless thing. But I trusted Mommy and knew she’d do her best to make sure I didn’t get hurt anymore.

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