A surprise

"So I've got a surprise for you" your mom said one evening when you were having dinner together. Even though both you and Rebecca had places of your own, you alone and your sister with her girlfriend Mona, you still had dinner with the four of you every Friday night.

"What's that, mom?" Dawn asked.

"Well, I wanted to splurge on my kids and I took a month off from work" your mother told you.

"Wow, mom" you said, "can they even be without you for that long?"

"They better be. I've got plenty of overtime to trade in" she answered.

"And you plan to do so?" Rebecca asked.

"Oh, yes. We're going to go on a vacation together" your mom said. "All expenses to be paid by me. You guys don't have to pay a dime."

"Why, mom?" Dawn said.

"Because I love you guys and I'm proud of all of you" she said with a smile. "All three of you have been doing me proud so I wanted to splurge on you."

"Thanks mom" you told her, "but you don't have to do that."

"I insist. Even though you're all adults now, you are still my babies and I can do whatever I want with my own money anyway" she told you.

"Okay, so where are we going?" you asked.

"Are you kidding me?" you said as you looked up at the screen. It had been two months since your mom told you about her gift to her entire family.

"Nope" your mom said. "We are going to France."

"Wow, mom" Dawn said, "that's insane!"

"No, it's love for my kids" your mom told her, answering the hug Dawn gave in kind.

"Well, I guess we're going to France, huh?" Rebecca said.

"I thought you meant somewhere nearby, not France" you said, looking down at the passport in your hand.

"Nope" your mom said with a big grin. "So come on, let's get ready to board."

Once you were on board you relaxed in your seat, stretching happily in the extra leg space you had. There was something to say for paying for a higher class.

"Thanks mom" you said as you looked across the aisle where she was sitting with Dawn, an empty seat between them. You were sitting with Rebecca, who was already asleep.

"You're more than welcome, sweetheart" she said, smiling at you. "Is Rebecca asleep?" she asked as she looked past you.

"Yeah, she is completely conked out. Must have been a busy shift" you replied, turning your head to look at her.

"Poor thing. Let's hope she can get some rest on this vacation" your mom said. She then looked at you. "What about you? Don't you want to get some sleep?"

"Maybe later. I'm going to get up and stretch my legs some more" you told her.

"Alright. Don't forget where we're parked" your mom teased.

"Yeah, yeah" you said, smiling. "I'll be sure not to get lost."

When you got to the toilet there turned out to be a line. Rather than find another one, you decided to wait. As you did, your eyes fell on those of a woman around your mom's age. Next to her was a younger woman that looked a lot like her. Mother and daughter, probably.

"Hey there" you said, smiling politely.

"Hey there yourself, handsome" the older woman said. "You here on your own?"

"Uh, with my family" you replied.

"Oh, really? So no girl?" she asked.

"Mom, come on, you're making him uncomfortable" the younger woman said.

"It's okay" you said with a smile. You figured the mom was tipsy, perhaps a nervous flyer. Just then you were jostled by a guy behind you, trying to get something from the luggage compartment above him. You were pushed into the row with the two women, almost falling into their laps. With the help of the older woman you stayed upright, though she used her hand to keep you on your feet by putting it on your groin.

"Oh, honey" the woman said, looking up at you with a grin.

"Are you okay?" her daughter asked.

"I'm fine, thanks" you said, looking over at her mother. "Sorry about that, ma'am."

"It's okay, trust me" she said, still grinning.

Just how okay it was you would learn later during the flight.