Accident Prone

Max and Liz moved toward the front of the plane, and they were almost at the door when the group of four entered: Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike.

The four young men were cheerful and loud and lingering concerns about McKenzie disappeared from Liz's mind.

Max introduced Hunter's training buddies to Liz and the four men didn't make a big deal that Max has a girlfriend (aka Liz), which Liz appreciated.

Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike waved at everyone present in greeting and when they confirmed that Hunter and Mia are still not here, they took nearest seats.

Max ushered Liz for them to sit in the first row.

"Like this, others can't see us and won't bother us.", Max explained when he sat next to Liz.

Liz wondered, why is he thinking about privacy during a plane flight when this is obviously a group activity? And even his parents are present! Also, she found one fault with his plan: "Can't they just walk here to see us?"

"We will pretend that we are sleeping.", Max said with a straight face and that made Liz burst into a fit of giggles which dissipated the last traces of her uneasiness.

Liz reminded herself that she is here with Max and he will take care of her, and not allow anyone to bother her in the slightest. Other than Max's family and Mia, she didn't meet other guests before and Liz wondered, why is she assuming that they will bother her? Is it because she is going on a trip for the first time with her boyfriend? Is she secretly hoping to be just Max and her and no one else?

"What are you thinking?" Max noticed that Liz is looking at him intently.

"I wondered how different this would be if it's just the two of us."

Max smiled and inched closer. "Different? I see no one other than you, no matter how many people are in the vicinity."

Liz felt butterflies in her stomach when his breath tickled her lips just before his palm landed on her back and he pulled her closer for a kiss.

Max knows that this is torture: feeling the softness of her lips, her taste seeping into his mouth while her scent entrances him… and not going further. Yet he can't help himself from craving to experience it again.

…

Few minutes ago…

Hunter and Mia made their way toward the plane. Hunter already got a message from Rina that everyone else arrived, so they knew that they are last.

Mia is trembling from anxiousness. Hunter's parents, his friends, everyone will be there, and she is just dropping by like: hi, I'm Hunter's girlfriend and I will spend the weekend with you! What if they don't like her? What if she does not like them?

"It's OK.", Hunter said while pulling Mia closer to him, like he can read her thoughts. "I will not leave your side."

Mia is not surprised that he accurately guessed her thoughts. Hunter does that often.

Hunter said that if she is not comfortable with going, the two of them will just stay in Seattle because no party will be fun without her, but… how can she allow that?

She forced a smile and responded with a nod. "I will be OK. Don't worry."

Hunter and Mia entered the plane and Mia was happy to see familiar faces of Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike. Maybe it will not be such an awkward trip after all.

Mia and Hunter headed to the back of the plane, to greet the next group of people.

Hunter introduced Mia to McKenzie, Oliver and Lewis and after a short chat they moved toward Hunter's parents and Rina.

Rina enthusiastically greeted Mia and Mia exchanged polite greetings with Nathan and Madeline. Mia felt uncomfortable meeting his parents without any presents, but she told herself that she will make up for it when she visits them in their home.

"Are Max and Liz here?", Mia asked.

"Yup, yup…", Rina said with a big smile while walking to the front seats.

Rina's eyes widened and a big grin bloomed on her face at the sight of Liz and Max kissing. She whipped her phone out of her pocket and…

'CLICK!'

Rina cursed internally that she forgot to turn off the damned clicking sound. Just like she feared, in a split second, Max was holding onto her phone.

"What are you doing? Don't you have no shame? How old are you?", Max grumbled while fiddling with Rina's phone.

"There you are…", Mia said in relief at the sight of a familiar face (aka Liz) while peeking over the seat. She raised her eyebrows questionably when she noticed that Liz is half-hiding behind Max. Just one glance was enough for Mia to understand that Liz is embarrassed. She wondered, what did Liz and Max do, and Rina interrupted so that Liz is hiding like this? Did they kiss? Liz told her that she and Max are kissing, but Mia still needs to see it. Ah, this will be a fun weekend!

"Party pooper…", Rina mumbled when she got her phone back and confirmed that Max deleted the photo.

"OK. Now that everyone is here, we can head out!", Nathan announced and gestured to Sabrina to take her seat.

Nathan took the microphone and announced to everyone: "We are leaving in few minutes. We will arrive at the resort in the evening, in time for dinner. You are welcome to join us for breakfast and lunch on Saturday if you wish and the rest of the day you can pick any of the activities available, but please keep your evening open: on Saturday, at 7 PM we will have a private luau party which will include entertainment, dinner and a birthday cake. We are heading back on Sunday afternoon; be ready to leave the resort by 5 PM. Thank you for coming to celebrate Hunter's birthday with us."

Hunter and Mia sat behind Max and Liz everyone was ready for the departure.

When the plane was at the cruising altitude, Hunter got cards out and Liz and Max rotated their seats to face back.

Sabrina wanted in. "My date is not here so I will join you…", she announced while squeezing her butt next to Max in his seat.

Max didn't object. He lifted armrests between him and Liz and pulled their seats together, transforming them into a sofa wide enough for three people. Max scooted closer to Liz and there was space for Sabrina as well.

Five of them played Old Maid. They laughed and teased each other, and it was very lively.

Madeline and Nathan observed their kids interact.

"I like Elizabeth and Mia. They are good girls.", Madeline told Nathan.

"What makes you think so?"

"Our three kids never spent their time in flight together. Rina would be with Jack, and Hunter with his friends, while Max would sleep through the flight.", Madeline reminded him.

Madeline inched closer and asked in a low voice: "Do you think that next year we will have grandkids in the flight also?"

Nathan snorted in response.

Madeline pinched him. "You don't think it's possible? Rina and Jack are engaged for more than six years, they could get married any day. And Max and Liz are great together."

"What about Hunter?", Nathan reminded Madeline that she missed commenting on their youngest child.

"Hmm…", Madeline hummed while thinking how to answer. "Mia looks like a sweet girl, but I just met her. It's easy for me to imagine Max settling down because we talked about it many times and I've seen Liz before. Also, you know that with Max's lifestyle both of us prayed that he would find someone who will make him stop partying and wasting his life. I see that Elizabeth has a positive influence on Max." Madeline sighed and continued: "Hunter was always my baby and honestly, it will take me some time to adjust to the fact that he has a girlfriend he is serious about. What are your thoughts?"

"They are getting along well.", Nathan voiced his observation and added caution: "But we don't know background of any of them."

"True. But what kind of a background would make us disapprove of the partners out kids select? As long as there is love and respect and their intentions are pure, I will support them.", Madeline declared.

Both Madeline and Nathan share an understanding that they will not interfere in the love life of their kids, unless they see red flags of a person being a bad influence or a gold digger who is in it for the money and status.

Few rows behind, Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike reclined their seats and are sleeping. They all plan after dinner to go for a night swim, so they want to recharge their energy during flight. There is a lot to do and they already discussed with Hunter multiple activities such as hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and cliff jumping. Ah! It will be an amazing weekend!

At the back of the jet, Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie are playing scrabble. Usually Hunter would join them during flights, but now he is with Mia, playing cards in front. Oliver and Lewis kept reminding McKenzie to focus on their game because she is often glancing toward the Anderson siblings.

"Yesh, Zi… you should give up on him.", Oliver advised McKenzie.

"What?", McKenzie snapped.

Lewis snorted. "Max didn't consider you earlier. If you had any chances so far, they are gone with appearance of this girlfriend."

Oliver nodded in agreement. "Didn't you see that Mr. and Mrs. Anderson greeted her warmly? And look at her now, interacting happily with Hunter and Rina while Max is not letting her out of his sight. If you ask me, she is already part of that family."

McKenzie didn't respond. She balled her delicate hands into tight fists and her nails cut into her palms. Give up? What are they talking about? It's just that she never took making a move on Max seriously because Max never dated anyone seriously. How can she give up just because one girlfriend showed up? Hmph!

McKenzie watched them talk and laugh and feed each other (when the food arrived) and with every passing minute, the worm of jealousy inside her grew and gnawed on her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

About halfway into their six hours long flight, Max and Liz rotated their seats and faced forward after Max said that they should get some rest. Hunter went to check on Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie, leaving Rina and Mia to chat.

No matter how nervous Mia was initially, she must admit that she is getting along very well with Sabrina.

Max and Liz reclined their seats partially.

Liz enjoyed the they are holding hands with their fingers interlaced.

Max gazed into Liz's eyes and caressed her cheek. "Sorry..."

"For?"

"For Rina interrupting us earlier.", he leaned closer and pecked her lips. "I promise to kiss you thoroughly when we reach our room."

Liz felt butterflies in her stomach going wild again. Oh, God! Only with few words he can make her all flustered. A small smile creeped on her face because soon they will land and go to their room and he will fulfil his promise.

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