Page 23 of Adventures In Honeymooning

Was I regretting that super early flight time? Yes. Maybe a little. Then again, no. A later flight would have us getting to Ireland in the middle of the night. It had been a struggle at first to figure out the right time, keeping in the time difference. We could go early, getting there early in the morning. Go late and then get there later in the day. Leave in the middle of the night…there were so many choices. No right or wrong—we just needed to find the right time for us.

However, I am regretting the fact that we had to go from Portland to Chicago. O'Hare is an international airport, obviously one that was needed since we were, ya know, going overseas. Traveling internationally.

Everyone knew it would be busy. But, I don’t think any of us had been prepared for the level of crazy that would accompany the experience there.

I think water torture would have been easier to deal with.

There were a “Karen” or three yelling about wait times or wanting seat upgrades they didn’t qualify for. The usual. One screamed until she was red as a tomato because she had to sit by others. The crazy woman thought she’d get a whole row of seats to herself.

I don’t get the audacity of some people. There was also “Kevin” arguing about wanting to board the plane before anyone else, though he had a coach seat. Brenna and I’d watched in fascination as that played out. And then there was a drunk man caught trying to hide under a lady’s dress. I really wish I was making that up…it was disturbing, yet funny, at the same time.

The sheer amount of people surrounding us as we waited—panic was my friend until we were in the line to board. We’d gotten first class for the final leg of this trip, so there was an extra level of comfort. I wasn’t sure who appreciated that more—me or my husband.

My husband. The butterflies start in my stomach every time I call Noah that or look at the ring adorning my finger. I still can’t believe we are here. Married and going on a once in a lifetime vacation. Not only that, but I get to do this with my best friend at my side.

Brenna and I are getting to live out a dream and scratch off one of our many bucket list items.

I try to relax by peeking up at the man I love more than Starbies. Okay, seriously, I love him more than anything. He is my rock.

“You’re going to get frown lines.” He runs a finger over my brow.

“I hate flying. Feels like my guts…” I close my eyes trying…not toss my cookies. Faint. Get hysterical. That is all I need. I can see an air marshal being called because I got weird and Brenna had to slap me back to reality.

Good lord. I can see that actually happening.

Noah chuckles as if he’s heard my inner thoughts. Maybe the look on my face says it all. “Hey, look at me.” When I do, his free hand comes up to cup my jaw, his thumb caressing my cheek. “In a few hours you can relax and sleep in a real bed. Once we get to Cork, we’ll check into the little inn and unwind. Our next adventure starts in two days. Ten days of sightseeing, traveling the countryside, and experiencing new things together.”

“And keeping those two over there from getting arrested for doing something stupid or indecent. They’re probably planning to defile monuments and hillsides.” I make a face.

Noah’s booming laughter has me hiding my face. It is a good thing we are in first class. There aren’t that many people to disturb. Though it is almost dinner time, not the middle of the night, so I guess it’s all right that the jerk is laughing at me.

“I’m sure they have their own plans, as for me,” he leans in, pressing his lips to mine. “I may have my own.”

“Noah!” The laugh bubbles up out of me before I can stop it. “I’m not dropping my pants in weird places.”

The mischievous grin on his face says he will see that I do. I know that look. That look has gotten me naked in the back of his Jeep more than once. I lean in, touching his nose with mine.

“I love you, Mara, more than there are words for.”

“I love you, too. But I’m still not—”

His mouth claims mine in a heated kiss. My toes curl as he leans into me more. The only reason he doesn’t go further is the snickers and low catcalling from the other side of the aisle.

“Don’t make a baby on the plane, man.”

I grumble “assholes” as I pull back from his lips.

The two hyenas across from us are asking for a kick in the pants. I’ll get them back one way or another. And no, I’m not really mad. Just taking advantage of the revenge that’s possible. It’s the little things in life that make me happy.

“Ignore them, baby.” His warm hand cups my cheek for a moment. I grin at him. He chuckles. Noah always seems to know what I am thinking before I do.

I watch him as he sits back in his seat. I don’t miss the fact that he has to adjust himself. My face flames with heat, but the fact that I do that to him... It is good to have that power over him.

I finally get the nerve to look out the window of the plane. The sky is full of soft and in some cases translucent clouds. As the sun sets, my anxiety starts to lessen. I can’t see the ocean, so I can’t worry about it. In theory that is. I pull my blanket from my bag and tuck it around me.

“Okay, Marry Poppins, how did you get that in your bag?”

Chuckling, I look down at my rather large shoulder bag. “Well, that’s easy, it’s a lightweight blanket which means it folds up well. And I have a roomy bag.”

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