Page 27 of What Happens In Vegas
Celia tapped the screen,and the biggest, happiest, most loving expression crossed her face when she laid eyes on her beloved children. Bonni’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. If you’d asked her ten years ago where Celia would be at the end of the decade, it wouldn’t be here, but Bonni privately thought that Celia’s kids made her the best possible person.
‘Oh, my babies. How are you doing? I miss you guys.’ She blewkisses into the screen, and Bonni heard exaggerated kisses coming through the phone.
These kids really loved their mom.
‘Are you FaceTimeing?’ Bonni asked, craning her neck to see. She was Jilly’s godmother.
‘Yes,’ Celia answered, and turned her phone around so everyone could see. ‘Say hi to my babies!’
‘Hey, Colin! Hi, Jilly. Are you guys having fun?’ Bonni asked them, as she blew them akiss.
‘Hi, Auntie Bons!’ Jilly said, and Colin waved at her.
‘Wow, are you guys growing up! I have to come for a visit soon.’ She suddenly realized how much time had gone by. This was what happened when you dedicated your life to saving the world. The world moved on without you.
Ava grabbed Celia’s hand and turned the phone toward her.‘Hello, my two favorite little monsters. I’m so happy tosee your beautiful faces. Oh, but wow, you certainly don’t look like little people anymore. You’re getting all grown up.’ Ava gave them a pout and then a bright smile. Colin and Jilly laughed, clearly thrilled to be told they looked all grown up.
‘You certainly are looking like the handsome young man, Master Colin. And look at your hair, Miss Jilly, it’s getting so long.’ Fredi also blew thema kiss, and smiled. Bonni watched her and was a little surprised at the wistful expression Fredi momentarily let slip across her face. That made Bonni a bit sad. Fredi never gave any indication she was wanting kids, let alone to be married.
It made Bonni wonder if she herself was mother material. She’d never even thought about it before. To have another human being completely and utterly dependenton you . . . It was a rather frightening and exciting concept.
The kids giggled and jockeyed for position in the camera screen. They argued a little bit. ‘Hey, you two!’ Celia said. ‘Stop fighting. I can’t referee you from here. Where’s your dad?’ As soon as Celia said the word ‘dad’, Bonni saw her shoulders tense up.
‘He’s in his office,’ Jilly advised. The little girl was the oldest, at nearlyeight. She wore a battered soccer jersey and her blonde hair, the same color as her mother’s, was pulled back in a haphazard ponytail with strands flying out all over the place.
‘Imma go now, Mom, got a game to play.’ Colin had just turned six. While Jilly was happiest outdoors, Colin liked technology, whether it was his gaming system or a book on his iPad.
‘Wait, Colin, not yet. I want to talkto you a little longer.’
‘Aww, Mom!’ Colin crossed his arms and pouted, his joy atseeing his mother diminished by the lure of a video game going unplayed.
‘Quiet, Colin! Mom, we’re having fun. Daddy bought us some new movies for our sleepover and Grandma Kate came over to make us tuna and tater tots. Are you having fun?’ Jilly asked.
Kate was the dickwad’s mother, and she and Celia had nevergotten along. The thought of Kate having access to her kids without her there made Celia’s free hand clench into a fist, and she tilted her face down to avoid having her kids see her expression. Bonni nipped the phone out of Celia’s hand to give her friend some time to recover.
‘Of course your mom is having fun. We’re all having fun. In fact, we are just finishing up with our breakfast.’
‘Whatdid you have? Pancakes and bacon?’ Colin asked.
‘I had bacon and eggs, your mom had scrambled eggs, and do you know what?’
‘What?’ They asked in unison.
‘She was talking with her mouth full.’
‘Mom, you get mad at us for that!’ Colin yelled into the phone.
‘Say goodbye to my friends, kids,’ Celia said, loud enough for them to hear. ‘I want to talk to you for a little while by myself now.’She held the phone up for everyone to see. They all waved and gave a chorus of goodbyes as Celia turned it back to her as the kids sang out their goodbyes through the phone.
Celia stood and picked up her bag. ‘I’m just gonna go and talk to them for a little while over there.’ She pointed to the other side of the lobby, where some chairs were tucked away in a corner.
Bonni watched Celia walkaway, looking into her phone with that big and loving smile etched on her face. She reallywas an awesome mom, and she totally deserved these few days away. Bonni sensed she had feelings of guilt at leaving her kids behind, but Celia also needed to take care of herself. Once she’d said her goodbyes to her babies, Bonni was convinced Party Celia would be back with a vengeance.
