Auntie's POV and her evening with Sylvie.
We are walking through the airport to baggage claim. I smile as I watch Anna & Mary in front of me. They truly are best friends, and have been since well before that horrible night. They walk through the airport half dancing to some song they are sharing. Each one has an earbud in so they are listening to the same thing.
I can see them as little girls. Each one had to have their own Disney Princess carry-on suitcase, and they had to be dressed in a Princess dress when both families took a trip to Disneyland.
I let out a sigh as the baggage carousel comes to life, and I stop reliving the past. I feel like I barely see the girls anymore. They are hours away during the school year. Mary seems to always be going somewhere for her charity, and Anna spends every moment she can with Larry. I really hope we enjoy this Girls Trip. We step outside and it looks like a beautiful day. The sun is shining, but the air is dry and it's hot. Welcome to Las Vegas.
We get to the hotel and they see the sign for the pool. We have a few hours before our spa appointment. They want to go tan at the pool. I smile and agree. We get changed, and head downstairs. The two of them are wearing sexy little bikinis that Joe does not like seeing them in. I remember teasing Joe. "Karen & I wore bikinis like that when we were in college."
"Yeah, and I remember Ben & I staring at both of you, and the things we did when you wore them." Said Joe. "I don't want my girls attracting that kind of attention."
He was sitting at the kitchen table. I leaned down and hugged him to me from behind. "Our little girls are young women now." I say softly.
"I know. I am pretty sure every gray hair I have is from worrying about them." He sighed. I just hugged him tighter and kissed his head.
We are getting out the of the elevator, and the girls are tag teaming me. They think I should buy a bikini. I am not in my 20s. I don't have a bikini body anymore. "Come on Mom. You would look Great!" Says Anna.
I am about to say no again when I decide why not. I will try to relax a little for our Girls Weekend. "Ok. Ok. I will get a new two piece." I say looking at the two of them. "Not a little thing like you two are wearing. I can't pull that off anymore."
"Really?" Says Anna surprised.
"Auntie, you could rock a teenie weenie bikini. You are in great shape." Says Mary.
"Oh no young lady. No teenie weenie bikini for me." And I head for the store. "Come on before I change my mind." I say.
After a few minutes I find a modest two piece. The bottoms are solid, the sides come up a bit on my hips, and I have to say it looks good. The top is a full top, which I need for support, but it can't hide my big boobs. Anna gives me a wolf whistle. "Mom, Dad will Love You in this." She says.
I laugh. "Yeah I think he would."
We go out to the pool deck and start tanning. After a while it starts getting hot, and we have our Spa appointment soon. So we start packing up. I turn and look when I hear Mary yell out, and wave. "Sylvie!"
I see the reporter that first interviewed Mary, Sylvie. We start walking out, and meet her half way. Mary gives her a hug. She is in an athletic bikini and cover up that has her network logo and the Olympic Rings on them. She gives Anna a polite hug saying hello, and gives me a big smile. "It is so nice to actually meet you Auntie." Sylvie says with a smile.
"Please." I laugh. "It's Beth, and it's so nice to meet you too. I can't thank you enough for being so kind to Mary."
Sylvie puts her arm around Mary's shoulders. "This young lady is amazing. I think you raised two wonderful young ladies." Sylvie says.
I flinch inside at that. I have been reliving too many old memories today. I can't help it, the thought goes through my head. "Yes Ben & Karen did." But I just say "Thank you!"
"I was hoping to join you ladies, and maybe get a little sun. Leaving so soon?" Sylvie asks.
"I promised the girls a spa day as part of our girls weekend." I say.
"Oh how nice." Sylvie says with a smile.
"I would say come join us, but I don't know if they can fit you in." I say.
"Are you going to the spa here in the hotel?" Asks Sylvie.
"We are." I say.
Sylvie pulls out her phone and makes a call. "Hi Connie, it's Sylvie in 2821. Yes I was wondering if I could join three of my friends for a spa day this afternoon. Sure I can hold." Sylvie smiles at us. "She is checking. Wonderful! Thank you so much Connie."
"The Network name on the reservation gets me a few perks." Says Sylvie.
"Wonderful." I say. Part of me is grateful for all Sylvie has done for Mary & the charity, but I would like to get to know her a little better too. She and Mary have struck up a friendship. If I had to guess it would say Sylvie is about ten years older than Mary & Anna. Which means she is about fifteen years younger than me. We arrange to meet at the spa since Sylvie's room is 12 levels above us.
We walk into the spa and Syvlie is there, so I walk up beside her and check us in. Sylvie smiles at the girl behind the counter. "Connie, add a Brazilian to everyone on me please." She says.
"A Brazilian?" I ask surprised.
"Have you never had one?" Sylvie asks.
Before I can say anything my shy, subtle daughter chimes in. "Yeah Mom. Have you ever had a Brazilian?" Asks Anna with a huge smile.
"Not in a long long time. Ok. Are you happy?" I ask Anna.
Anna answers right back. "No but I bet Dad will like it."
"Anna!" I gasp.
Sylvie takes me by the arm and turns us back towards the counter. "You do realize she is trying to get a rise out of you, right?" Says Sylvie quietly to me.
"Oh I know. She loves doing it. She gets it from her Father." I say.
Sylvie grabs two robes and walks us back to the changing area. They have a beautiful area setup outside the changing rooms, with two couches and small tables with fresh cut flowers on it.
We lay down on the massage tables and get covered with towels. I glance towards Sylvie as she is moving into position on the table. I can't help noticing she still has a firm body. She hasn't had kids, and she isn't old. She looks good. I put my head down and smile as my girl starts working my shoulders. Oh that feels good. My mind wanders back to about six months after Anna was born. I was having a hard time. I wasn't sleeping. Anna was a cranky baby and I was at my wits end.
Karen came over with Mary. She got them both down for a nap and was sitting behind me on my bed. She was rubbing my shoulders and it felt so good. She was telling me I needed to relax and take a nap. I remember complaining that I couldn't relax. There was too much to do, but her hands felt so good. She kissed my neck, laid me back, and covered me with a sheet. She picked up the baby monitor from my nightstand and told me even if I didn't sleep I was staying in bed for at least an hour.
She pulled the curtains and closed my bedroom door. I ended up sleeping for over two hours. When I got up, my house was clean, and the girls were playing on the floor. I remember standing there in shock. I looked at Karen and said. "You didn't have to."
She stood up and hugged me tight. "I am always here for you." She said and then sent me off to take a long hot shower. She spent the day with me, and had the guys bring home takeout. I swallow back some tears and sigh. I miss my friend.