Author's Note: You knew it would happen -- we're going back to Vegas. But this is a trip unlike any other we've had before. What kind of trouble can John get into? Probably a lot! Please enjoy.
* * *
After that magical moment with my girls, another interminable wait began again. The difference this time was our optimism. Everything felt different. We were confident Kat would be pregnant. Rita, always the believer in positive thinking, encouraged us all to simply act as if Kat was carrying our baby. So we did. It was easier than the alternative, which I pushed out of my mind because the anxiety at the thought of going through months and months of trying again was a heavy load to bear.
My birthday was coming up, and, while I had always treated it as just another day, the girls decided they wanted to do something special for it. In the past, I preferred an intimate evening at home with them. This year, they said I could have that but that they were going to give me something special on top of it.
And so I found myself sitting on a sofa one Thursday afternoon. Kat and Rita were still in their work clothes. They stood with Jess in front of me, revealing the surprise they had teased me with for two weeks.
"So, John," Kat began, "this year, as you know, we've decided you need a major birthday present."
"But we didn't know what it should be," Rita chimed in. "Because what do you get the man who has everything?"
"And you do have everything," Jess said with emphasis.
"So we talked about it, and we agreed," Kat said.
"You love experiences," Rita said.
"And we know the experience you love the most," Jess said.
They spoke as if singing a round.
"You have been such an unwavering champion of all three of us," Kat said. "You support everything we do, and you make our lives better than any of us could have ever dreamed."
"Which led us to the conclusion that you deserve one special treat for your birthday," Rita said. "Something that we think you'll really love. And something that comes from all three of us."
"Wow," I finally interjected.
"Your bag is packed," Jess said, cutting me off. "And we are going to take you to the airport right now."
"Because you're going to Vegas, daddy," Kat said.
"And there are going to be zero questions asked," Rita said. "This is your weekend. For you. Anything. You. Want. You can tell us or not."
"But I can tell you we probably are going to want to hear about it!" Kat interrupted with a laugh.
"We can't leave you entirely to your own devices, though," Jess said. "That's why Katie is going with you."
"As a chaperone," Kat said with a twinkle in her eye.
"We love you, John," Rita said. "We love you more than you will ever know. And we think this is the perfect present for you."
"Now get your ass in the car," Jess said with a laugh.
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, our usual G-550 was climbing to its cruising altitude, and my head was still spinning. About how lucky I was. About Kat's looming pregnancy test. About how much trouble I could get in. I was in a fog, and I had barely taken in my surroundings since boarding.
"Penny for your thoughts," Katie said.
She was sitting across from me in a foursome of captain's chairs that spun around almost fully. Usually, I would have sat on the benches with the table, but I wasn't myself. Hearing Katie's voice snapped me back to the moment.
"Katie," I said, "I'm so sorry."
She flashed her toothy, white smile, her lips more pink than red, and I finally saw her. She wore a pale blue t-shirt dress, which plunged at her breasts and hugged her body from her chest. Her legs were crossed, pulling the light fabric up her thighs as she bounced an athletic calf over her knee. She wore smart white sneakers and had a familiar sparkle in her eyes.
"Don't give it a second thought," she said. "I'm just here to make sure you don't get into trouble."
When she said that, she took her aviator sunglasses off her head and hooked them over the dress between her breasts, tugging down harder than she needed to but just enough to reveal she wasn't wearing her bra.
With my wits back about me, I smiled at her.
"Do you really think that's possible?" I said.
She sensed my change in demeanor.
"I really hope not," she said, licking her lips subtly.
"I thought you were keeping me out of trouble," I said as we verbally jousted.
"That's why I'm not going to let you out of my sight," she said.
I got my bearings and realized I didn't even know what was packed in my suitcase. Vegas in early November was quite pleasant, with temperatures in the mid-70s, but it could get quite cold at night. Kat, Jess, and Rita had accounted for all of that in my luggage, which I examined once we leveled off at cruising altitude. Aside from the appropriate wardrobe, I noticed three manila envelopes. Each was labeled with one of my girlfriend's names with "Do not open until Vegas" printed and underlined beneath it. There was a large chunk of cocaine in one the interior pockets, along with a vial full of fine powder.
"For the flight," I said to myself with a smile. "They thought of everything."
When I saw how thoughtful the girls had been about planning this, I decided I would be doing them a disservice if I didn't embrace it. That was a self-serving conclusion, which only made it better for me. I palmed the vial of coke and returned to my seat across from Katie. Before I could speak to her and get things back on track, Christy, our flight attendant came over with a bottle of Champagne.
"Right as rain, Mr. Cameron?" Christy asked.
"Perfect, Christy, thank you," I said. "I didn't realize I was traveling today, so I was a little bit off my game."
"You are always on your game, sir," she said.
Her usual white, button-down shirt seemed tighter than usual, a noticeable gap between the buttons at her breasts. Her skirt was as tight as ever.
"And you look especially lovely today, Christy," I said.
"I traded in my boobs for new ones," she said with a laugh. "Do you like them? They're two sizes larger."
"They seem superb," I said, "although I can't help but notice your shirts are the same size."
"I don't see a need to upgrade my shirts," she said with a smile.
"Neither do I," I said.
"Anything else at the moment, sir?" Christy asked.
"I think we're good, thank you, though," I said, and she retreated to the galley.
Katie's eyes bored into me, but one of her bare feet began to rub against my leg.
"She couldn't be more obvious about throwing herself at you," she said.
"We have a little bit of history," I said with a laugh. "It's a long story."