Page 59 of 12 Days

Nico’s grinning ear to ear when I look back down, and within a few seconds he’s laughing delightfully, and I start laughing at the sheer absurdity, the mystery and the fun of it. Sean, Ethan, and even Ford join in our nonsensical amusement, creating a beautiful harmony of laughs.

I still have no idea what the rest of the day will bring, but I’m already loving it even more than I was a few minutes earlier.

“Does it have anything to do with your finger?” I ask, not even realizing that I’m asking it, but feeling very pleased once the question is out there.

“It can have anything to do with anything you want.” Nico’s pretty quick with that one, too.

“Anything you desire.” Ford’s dulcet tones are music to my ears as I hear him taking a few steps closer to me.

“Anything.” Ethan’s adding his voice to the mix now, shedding his goofy demeanor at a moment’s notice.

It all starts to become overwhelming, almost a little cheesy?it would be, that is, if these men weren’t all such pros at conveying their true feelings and their utter conviction.

“First things first,” Sean insists, breaking this particular momentary spell, “We should take a step outside, just for some fresh air. And then we can?and will?start having whatever real fun, the kind that Alyssa wants to have.”

Those words spurn my growing sea of desire to evolve into a stormy ocean, turbulent with anticipation at what this day might bring.

As if there’s a silent agreement, we all start walking quickly towards the lobby, the guys seemingly almost as excited as I am.

We progressively pick up speed going into the lobby, jogging swiftly as we pass the security desk.

It’s pretty darn funny, and it gets even funnier when I notice the hordes of office staff walking in and out of the building to stop to stare, mouths agape in disbelief, at four of the most powerful men in the company?not to mention the industry?tear through the lobby like grade schoolers on their way to recess.

I’m still catching my breath outside when I see it, towering off to the side of the entrance.

I knew they were going to have a surprise waiting for me, but…

How did they get it out here and ready so fast?

Ethan, Ford, Sean, and Nico are all standing close behind me. I can feel them staring at it with pride.

“I’ve never seen one in person before,” I exclaim softly.

“Until now.” I hear Sean’s voice talking in a similarly, love, reverent tone behind me, and his hand very lightly touching the small of my back.

“Now that you’ve seen it,” Ethan stares stridently from behind me, “it’s time to get in and ride.”

The balloon, decked out in a classic striped rainbow pattern, towers dozens of feet multiple stories above the ground.

Not that I know much about hot air balloons, but this one looks fully inflated?if that’s what they call it?and ready to fly.

There’s no way I’m going to let it fly without me, and I doubt the handsome foursome are going to let that happen, either.

I spin around briefly to catch their overjoyed expressions before leading the way over to the basket of the balloon myself, listening to the foursome laugh and try to keep up behind me.

“I am so ready to for a flight on this this thing,” I declare just before climbing in.

“It’s called an aerostat,” explains Sean.

“It’s called a what?”

I turn while asking the question, and I see all four men are sporting amused expressions. They’ve never seen me quite like this before.

“An aerostat,” answers Sean, not helping much at first. “An aircraft that’s lighter than air. You know, a hot air ballon.”

The other three men instantly burst into laughter. I get caught up in the spirit and start cracking up at the absurdity myself.

“Yes, Sean,” responds Ford between deep, hearty laughs, “it’s called a hot air balloon. We’re all very proud of you.”

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