“The adoption gives the lawyers something to build their new identities from. All we have is the police statement and, as of tonight, travel papers from the U. S. embassy so they can come home with us tomorrow,” Ben explained. Karen and Penny shrieked with excitement and hugged each other. Karen turned to hug Megan and Penny squeezed Daniel to her chest. The boy blushed as he tried to hide the enormous smile struggling to escape.
Daniel sat up straight and looked at the group. “OK, it’s my turn. Number three was Penny’s hug just now.” Laughter erupted and Penny kissed his temple as a reward. The blush continued. “Number two was the day Ben and I hung out at the pool.” Gabriella’s eyes teared up with joy as she beamed at her son. “Number one was playing in the water today but there really were so many awesome things about this holiday!”
Miriam looked down the table and smiled at her mother. “I loved shopping in Nice with the ladies. I had so much fun with the actors in Avignon.” She looked at Ben. “Playing in the water today was best of all!”
Ben smiled back at the young woman.
It was Gabriella’s turn and she beamed at her children. “I feel blessed for being able to share this incredible trip and all these wonderful memories with such wonderful people! Spending time with my cousins again. Seeing the joy on the faces of my children.” She turned to Ben. “Thank you Ben for making this trip so much more special!”
The group began applauding and Ben took the praise graciously. He finally held up his hands and they quieted down.
“When Gabriella first invited me to join her on her family vacation, on Miriam’s suggestion,” he nodded to the young woman and saw her smile broadly for his remembering, “I had no idea what to expect. The furthest I’d traveled was down to Austin, Texas and that was just for a few days. France was a much bigger leap for me. I never would have done it without your guidance.” This time he nodded to Gabriella and Catherine.
“The trip was… life changing in many ways, almost all of it for the better. I met some really special people, present company included. It’s been an adventure… but I’m ready to go home.” He lifted his glass of water.
“To HOME!” he called and they raised their glasses to cheer with him.
Ben relaxed back in the first class seat as best he could. He was still a little too big to fit comfortably but the rest of his group looked very happy indeed. Especially Karen and Penny.
The process for getting them through customs and onto the plane had been an ordeal and he was informed that what he’d done in France paled in comparison to the hoops he’d have to jump through when they landed. His lawyer had arranged to have someone on hand at the airport to help them through the process. He put that from his mind.
Gabriella still wore the little self-satisfied smile on her lips from catching Ben sadly patting the fish tank goodbye in the rental returns lot at the airport. Daniel even took an incriminating photo of him doing it.
She had shipped all of their purchases home once more from the hotel under her import company’s account so the luggage they came with contained the clothes they left with and a few items. Karen and Penny had their clothes with them as that’s all they had.
After they’d boarded Catherine had indicated that once they were underway she wanted to speak with him privately, say, in the first class washroom but they were on a daytime flight so he had to deny her request for the discrete liaison. She pouted and whispered in his ear that her ass missed him. This made Ben’s pants uncomfortably tight for a while.
Ben was really looking forward to being home so he could get back into his daily workout routine. Vacations wreaked havoc on his fitness regimen.
He also missed Tina and Trish and Rochelle. God, he wanted to give them all a hug!
Trying to distract himself he turned on the TV and put on his earphones. He switched to the news to catch up on world events. He watched the financial market news and made it through the sports when the anchor began talking about the mystery man who rescued the girls from the slave ring. There were a few bad photos taken by paparazzi but Ben saw how poor the photos were so be relaxed.
“In the world of art, we have an exclusive interview with a blind artist who sculpts based on touch. Sara Fenhall has more on this.” Suddenly he saw a familiar face.
“Gabriella! Turn on your TV! Your cousin Stephanie is being interviewed!” Ben called to her. Everyone in the group quickly found the channel and put their earbuds in. Smiles popped up on their faces as they watched the interview.
Ben returned his attention to the program.
“… remarkable talent for a woman who relies exclusively on her sense of touch when she sculpts,” the reporter said.
“I don’t really see it as a disability. Especially since this last piece. It expanded my perceptions and honed my skills as never before,” Stephanie replied.
“I understand this was your first collaboration with another local artist,” the reporter stated.
“Yes, Richard Garrison cast a Bronze sculpture from my clay original.”
“I believe it was Mr. Garrison who contacted us for this exclusive interview and unveiling of the new piece of work on the property of your family’s hotel. A fitting tribute to a hero who saved those young women from a life of slavery!”