Home again

"Bernie seems a little unsure of herself," Veevee continued. "Her mother tries, but...I think Joyce's success gets in the way. She needs someone closer to her age, and not her boyfriend."

Hank sighed. "You could say the same for Lil," he said. He helped Veevee into the cab. "Well, Lord knows you and I had some wandering around till we found each other."

"And since," Veevee said.

Hank laughed. "And since. Mostly together." He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "You know we could drop you off. You could surprise your regular 'lunch date' by not missing a week."

Veevee giggled. "I'm sure he'd be charmed," she said. She whispered back, "to find me in his lunchbox." She cleared her throat. "But I have nothing to wear. Home!"

Veevee no longer worked as an "executive assistant", but she regularly dressed up and visited her old boss for a lunchtime sex date.

"I guess Jim and Sally are still in transit," Hank said.

"Yes, they took the afternoon flight so they could all go together, with Kathryn and Bryan. Sounds like they're going to continue the cruise at Jim and Sally's house," Veevee said.

"The good parts," Hank said. "Minus Amber, I'm afraid. Hmm. Do you think Sandy and Sally and Peter are gonna be okay?" There had been some tension over Peter's breaking a rule with his girlfriend Sandy during the cruise.

"Yes," Veevee said. "They're going to work it out personally. Opening doors, not closing them."

Hank grinned. "I hope Peter is properly grateful," he said.

Veevee grinned back and whispered, "The little motherfucker."

"Not that there's anything wrong with that," Hank said.

"Hmmmm," Veevee said, and laughed.

They sat quietly for the rest of the cab ride home. Hank paid the driver. Because of the accident, their luggage would be following them home later.

"I wish the cruise hadn't ended so soon," Hank said.

"Ha," Veevee said. "What else could you have packed in? Let's see, you had sex with how many women how many times, you and Jim got all manly together, you met a charming young college couple and helped them get in the swing of things, and you helped Amber start enjoying men. What else?"

"More rest," Hank said. "And more time just with you."

They embraced, and it turned into a long kiss in their driveway.

"So, time to surprise the kids?" Hank said.

Veevee grinned. "Since whatever they're doing is too important for them to answer the phone. Let's find out what it is."

The cars seemed to be all there -- Gary's little car and the custom-airbrushed Super Surf Van that Gary was babysitting. Presumably Hank and Veevee's other cars were in the garage.

Hank and Veevee quietly entered their house, a few days earlier than expected.