Greetings! A few years ago, under the pen name Odeon1776, I began writing an erotic science fiction series called Hoplites, Thralls & Prizes. After a few installments and along with tinkering with a couple of other stories on Literotica, I set aside my keyboard. I didn't know a lot in those days and re-reading those stories, I was aghast at the many misspelling and other grammatical errors that occurred.
Well, I feel it's time to continue this science fantasy series and in doing so, I have consolidated the previous chapters, did some much-needed editing and re-processing. Going forward, the series will be released under my new pen name -- Odeon177a -- I know it's not very original, but I think it'll work. I hope you enjoy the retelling of this story and the improvements I've made.
Best Regards!
The Crossing & The Arrival
It had been a REALLY long flight so far, but Erin O'Keefe didn't care. She was with the two most important people in her life -- her mom and Brad, the man she was marrying. They were aboard Allied Airlines flight 9225, halfway through an all-night flight from New York City to Los Angles, California. Once in LA, they would board a connecting flight onto Maui. Then, once in Hawaii they would be married, and live happily ever-after as the story goes. She smiled to herself for the millionth time that day and she still couldn't believe that within 48-hours, she would be Mrs. Brad Goldsmith.
Inhaling and then exhaling as she stifled a yawn, she thought to herself that she had always loved flying but could never sleep on airplanes -- not even in the plush flight class seat she was occupying. She glanced to her left and right, both her mom and Brad were sound asleep. 'How are they able to do that', she wondered. The lights were out in the cabin and except for a rowdy group of college band members in coach and the usual crying babies, it had been uneventful.
In the light of her overhead reading lamp, she glanced down at the paperback romance novel resting in her lap and again stifled a yawn. She took out the compact from her purse and checked her hair and make-up again. She brushed a lock of sandy blond hair, which she wore short from her green eyes. She puckered her lips and then checked her smile in the mirror. Not movie star lips, but she guessed they would have to do.
As a department store manager, she always attired herself professionally, in skirt and heels. Sadly, she thought, her figure didn't quite match her 5'11" height. Here mom described her as "sporty," but at 54, she didn't feel very sporty. She had a small bust. Secretly, only she knew one breast was smaller than the other and she wore a prosthetic to help even the keel. Being the daughter of a US Navy Captain, in high school other students teased her by dubbing her "Queen of the Flattops." Young people -- especially girls -- can be so cruel. The lower half of her figured similarly suffered. Although she looked nice in skit and heels, she didn't quite have the caboose she desired. She had long legs and worked out regularly to stay in shape, but they too weren't well-muscled and glamour model sexy. Still, she thought she looked nice now in the khaki capris and short-sleeved floral blouse she wore.
All of that didn't matter though because she had Brad and he was all hers! An older man nearing 60 (for some reason she had a thing about older men), Brad had thick salt and pepper black hair and well-chiseled features. He was kind to her and always acted the gentleman.
"Are you having trouble sleeping," asked a flight attendant quietly, intruding on her thoughts. Erin looked-up to see the pretty, First Class Attendant with the nametag Dana on her Jacket.
"I'm fine," said Erin quietly. "I'm just having some trouble falling asleep. Could I trouble you for a glass of white wine?" Thinking that would help her relax enough to sleep.
Dana smiled cheerfully and agreed to be right back with the drink and turning, walked forward to the galley to fulfill the request.
- - - -
Dana Erickson couldn't wait to get back on the ground in Los Angeles. It had been a long and crazy flight. All she wanted to do was get home, see her son and soak in the tub with two-fingers of Jack Daniels on ice. The life of a single mom! She worked hard to pay the bills and provide a life for her and Jase, her 18-year-old son. Although she had friends among the Allied Airlines family, none were close. Several men (mostly pilots) had made offers and seemed to show an interest in her, but she never sealed the deal. Fraternization wasn't specifically frowned upon; she just didn't think it was appropriate.
As she reached the First-Class Galley and opened the door to the wine and Liquor cabinet, she sighed to herself and thought, 'Looks like it'll just be me, Jack Daniels and my little battery-operated boyfriend, again tonight'. Which was usually the way she liked things.
The wide-body European aircraft wasn't cattle car full, but the needs of the passengers had kept her and the other attendants busy. If it wasn't the usual unhappy and cranky baby, it was the college students displaying many of the negative character traits of today's youth culture. At one point, her friend and co-worker, Beth Richards, the Main Cabin attendant had caught two of them trying to sneak into one of the lavatories to join the mile-high club. Crazy kids! To top things off, there had been a delay leaving La Guardia, which never improved the mood of the passengers. She knew she was supposed to easily be able to deal with confrontational passengers, but she didn't handle these types of situations very well. They made her feel uncomfortable and insecure.
When she returned with the glass of wine for the nice lady in 5-B, she saw that the man sitting next to her was awake and they were quietly chatting. She put on her best 'it's all about the customers' smile, sat the drink on the tray table that had been extended and said, "Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else." The passenger thanked her and the gentleman sitting next to her gave her a friendly wink, as she turned to leave.
Erin commented that the wine tasted wonderful. She wasn't an aficionado, but she enjoyed the odd glass of white, red or rose' from time-to-time. She had offered some to Brad, but he turned her down saying airline wine always tasted like dishwater. He said that when they got to Hawaii, he would buy them the best wine she ever tasted, on their honeymoon.
"I can't wait to get on the ground," said Brad. "I would love to be able to walk around and enjoy some fresh air."