954 We Are
The sky was already dark when the group arrived at the private airstrip, the light evening breeze ruffling their hair and tugging at their loose clothing.
Tom led the way to his jet, his arms wrapped around Lucy and chuckling at something Sonia was saying behind him.
Sonia, walking beside Bryan, glanced at the jet and then at Tom, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "What, no red carpet?" she joked, nudging Bryan, who grinned down at her.
"Maybe next time," Tom shot back, laughing. He gestured for them all to board. "Come on, let's get this trip started."
As they stepped into the jet, the cabin revealed itself in all its splendor. Fancy leather seats, soft beige carpeting, and gleaming wood panels gave it a feel of understated luxury.
A small bar was stocked with an array of drinks, and a table was set with a selection of pastries, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee.
"This is incredible," Lucas said, looking around with admiration. He slipped his arm around Amy's waist, pulling her close. "Lu, I guess this is the lifestyle you're used to now. Henceforth, I will address you as Madam Lucy," he joked and they all laughed.
"Make yourselves comfortable. We'll be in the air soon." Tom urged them, his smile broadening as he motioned towards the seats.
Amy, who had been quietly observing, took a seat next to Lucas. He offered her a reassuring smile, his eyes warm. "Ready for takeoff? How are you feeling? Excited?" he asked, his voice low, just for her.
Amy nodded, a soft smile touching her lips. "Excited and maybe a little nervous. I've never been on a private jet before," she admitted, glancing around with wide eyes. "This is all so new."
Lucas reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Guess what? Me too. I guess we are meant to be, seeing as we have a lot in common," he said with a grin and she giggled.
"You'll be just fine, trust me. This trip will be perfect," Lucas promised.
As everyone settled in, the jet's engines roared to life, ready for takeoff.
Tom, who had taken the seat beside Lucy, leaned over to murmur in her ear. "Remember our last time together in here?" he asked, kissing her ear, and she giggled as she pulled away from him, covering her ear.
"How can I forget?" She asked with a grin.
"What do you think Lucas and Amy will say if we tell them we made love on that seat?" Tom whispered, and Lucy leaned against him, her eyes shining as she giggled.
17:17
A couple of feet from them, Sonia sat beside Bryan who held her close with his arm around her, "The moment we get to the hotel you're going straight to bed. You'll need to rest enough if you'll be busy partying tomorrow night," he said and she rolled her eyes playfully.
"You've said that so many time already. Relax," she said, and Bryan nodded.
"I'm relaxed. If I wasn't we wouldn't be on this plane in the first place," he assured her and she grinned.
"You're not going to keep being this way with me after Ryso comes, are you?" Sonia asked and Bryan raised a brow.
"Why?"
"Cause I just might kill you. It's only cute right now because I'm pregnant," she said, and Bryan chuckled.
"I'll keep that in mind. For now, I'll keep keeping you safe, cause you often give me the impression that you forget you're pregnant," he said and Sonia laughed as she leaned against him.
The jet began to taxi down the runway, picking up speed, and within moments, they were airborne, the ground falling away beneath them. The cabin was filled with a sense of exhilaration, the thrill of taking off on a new adventure.
Once they were at cruising altitude, Tom stood, stretching. "Alright, who's up for some fun?" he called, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
He moved to the bar, pouring a round of mimosas and passing them out to the guys and handing the ladies some juice.
"Don't worry, you'd have both met as sisters-in-law even if not as best friends. Our relationship has nothing to do with your friendship after all," Bryan reminded them, and they both nodded and smiled at him.
"What about you, Bryan? What would you choose?" Sonia asked and Bryan sighed.
"I'd like a glimpse of the future so I can see profitable ventures to invest in," Bryan said and Tom snickered.
"Copycat," Tom said making the others laugh.
"How? You said past, I said future. You said crypto, I said profitable venture," Bryan said and everyone laughed.
"What? You want someone to ask why you didn't choose a Sonia-centered response so you can profess your love? Alright. Go on and tell us," Tom said and Bryan laughed.
"Amy, can you see the way your boss behaves? So disgraceful," Bryan said with a shake of his head.
"I'm your boss too last I checked," Tom said, and they all laughed.
"What about you, Amy?" Lucy asked curiously, "What would you do? The past or the future?" Lucy asked, and everyone looked at Amy.
Amy smiled and shook her head, "Neither. I'm content with the present. I don't think I want to alter anything in my past. It is all what led me here. And I don't want to see my future either. I believe the uncertainty of what of the future holds is part of what makes life fun," Amy said thoughtfully.
"It is a game of would you rather, it didn't say we could not choose any," Sonia pointed out.
"You didn't ask," Amy pointed out.
"Now you know you can choose not to choose. I'm asking next," Lucas said quickly before Sonia could say anything else.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere grew increasingly relaxed. Laughter filled the cabin as the game continued, each person contributing their own anecdotes.
Lucas and Amy, seated together, exchanged playful banter, their chemistry evident in the way they leaned into each other, their laughter ringing out.
"I can't believe you actually did that!" Amy exclaimed, laughing as Lucas recounted a particularly embarrassing story from his college days. "You're braver than I thought."
Lucas grinned, shrugging. "Or just dumber," he admitted, his eyes twinkling. "But it all worked out in the end."
Lucy, who had been listening, shook her head, smiling. "You two are perfect for each other," she said, her tone teasing. "I don't think I've ever seen Amy laugh so much."
Amy blushed, glancing at Lucas before glancing back at Lucy. "Well, Lucas has a way of bringing out the best in me," she admitted, her smile softening.
"They both seem like they've been dating for eons," Sonia said and Lucas laughed.
"I didn't expect things to move so quickly, but...I'm glad they have," Lucas said and Amy smiled.
"Me too."
Bryan nodded, understanding. "Sometimes, when it's right, it's right," he said simply. "And from what I can see, you two are definitely right for each other."
Lucas smiled, "Yeah," he agreed, his voice filled with quiet happiness. "We are."
The hours flew by as they had fun, and as they neared their destination, the pilot alerted them that the jet would begin its descent.
As they prepared to land, Lucas smiled at Amy, "This is your final chance to change your mind about going with me to my place. The moment you get to my house, I'm never letting you go," he warned and she rolled her eyes playfully..
"Let's just go already."