“No, darlin’, you just need to carry me over the threshold of our new home when we get to Australia,” she told him. “I don’t care where we live, how big the house is, or if we have a lot of money. I just want the man I married back in my life.”
“You’ve got him, darlin’, but I could carry you over the threshold in either of our staterooms. This is our last night onboard,” he said.
Ava slowly shook her head. “I think we should wait to begin that new step in our marriage until we get to our new home. How do you feel about starting a family in Australia?”
“I think it would be a perfect place to raise a couple of kids.” Vince grinned.
“A couple?” Her eyes twinkled. “I was thinking more like half a dozen.”
“I’m game if you are,” he said, “and I like the idea of a bunch of children so one won’t have to bear the load alone like I’ve had to do. So…” He sucked in a lungful of air and let it out in a whoosh. “You are really, for sure, going with me?”
“Yes, I am. I love you and I want this marriage to work.”
He stood up, rounded the table, and bent to give her a long, steamy kiss. “A kiss like that is what you can look forward to every morning before we leave for work, every evening when we get home, and every night before we go to sleep.”
“Then our marriage will be amazing,” she whispered.
Chapter 7
Minnie was first through the customs line that morning and headed over to the orange section to claim her luggage. Sookie was right behind her, and Dotty brought up the rear. Their baggage was all in the same spot, and it didn’t take them long to retrieve it.
“Hey, I was hoping I would see you this morning for one last hug and thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Ava called out from the red zone right beside them. She wrapped Sookie up in her arms first; then the other two made it a group hug.
“So, what happened last night?” Minnie asked.
“I was going to come to your room, but it was after midnight when we finished talking,” Ava said. “We’re going to move to Australia. Can you believe it? He’s going to start off learning the oil business from the ground up, and his office will be in our little house that’s on company property.”
“I guess we’ll be planning a cruise to Australia pretty soon,” Sookie said as she took a step back.
“I would just love that,” Ava said. “You don’t evenhave to call, but we’ll be in touch before that happens.”
Dotty swiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’m glad that things worked out for you, darlin’ girl. I see Vince coming over this way. Just one more question before he gets here. Did you spend the night in his room or yours?”
“Neither,” Ava answered. “We are waiting for that until we are in our house in Australia. A new start, somewhat like a brand-new marriage.”
“That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Sookie said with a sigh.
“And he’s promised to carry me over the threshold,” Ava whispered.
“We’ll give you time to get past your honeymoon before we show up on your doorstep,” Dotty said. “Now, go on and give Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome a good-morning kiss. We’ve got to get on the shuttle bus to take us to the airport. We’re flying to Seattle and boarding another ship for an Alaskan cruise.”
They all three grabbed their suitcases and headed out of the terminal, but Minnie turned around at the door in time to see Vince wrap Ava up in a hug and give her a long kiss.
“That was our best job yet,” she said.
“Yes, it was,” Henry said as he joined them. “Now, let’s go see if we can beat it on the cruise to Alaska. I’ll buy supper tonight to celebrate our victory. Is McDonald’s good with everyone?”
Minnie shot a dirty look his way. “I was thinking about that restaurant at the top of the Needle.”
“You got it!” Henry chuckled.
***
Ava was antsy that evening when she and Vince walked hand in hand into the fancy restaurant where Grandfather Bill had booked a reservation. Vince’s mother and father and grandfather were already there and seated when they arrived, and Delores looked up at Vince with a shocked look on her face.
“What’s going on here?” she asked.
Vince’s dad, William, glanced over at his father. “Dad?”
