chapter 2

Mia and Noah’s flight was set to depart in the late evening. They’d packed nearly all the clothes and essentials.

“There’s still like half a suitcase spare.” Mia called to Noah who was in the kitchen sorting out snacks for the trip.

“Okay, that’s good!” he called back. “I’ve some extra stuff to pack.” He added all of Mia’s pre-gym shake powder to the kitchen-surface snack pile along with their favourite movie evening nibbles.

“Have you got the meal tokens?" Noah asked, as he brought his selection from the kitchen into the living room and began packing it.

“I think so, yes” Mia replied as she checked the paper slips. She continued “It says they have themed weeks. I wonder what ours will be?”

The booking site had advertised the restaurant as being one of very few eateries on a neighbouring island, just a boat ride away. Each of the few beach huts scattered around the periphery of the island came with a boat which could be used to explore around and visit the neighbouring island.

“Do you have your travel card, Mimi?” Noah said as he checked his rucksack.

“Mhmm” came Mia’s reply. “Do we really need all those snacks, lovely? I mean that’s quite a lot!”

“I’m hungry!” Noah responded, giving Mia his best puppy eyes.

“Me too, but hmm...” Mia took his rucksack, grabbed two cookies out of it for them and closed the zip. “I think we’re ready to go”, she half sang excitedly. She changed into some chinos and a loose fitting blue striped shirt, which she always wore when she went on long journeys.

—

They arrived at the airport with time to spare. The man at the check-in desk scanned their tickets and instructed them to go through security to the waiting lounge.

“I didn’t know we got the lounge too!” Mia said excitedly. “Huh — yeah there it is on the ticket, see?” Noah replied. “We’ve got what… 3 ish hours to relax before we board. So much for leaving sooo early!” he teased Mia.

“You stop it! You’re lucky you’ve got me being on top of things, if you had organised this, we’d still be packing.” Mia said, trying to be cross.

They were both hungry by now. Lucky for them security was a breeze and they were welcomed to a busy, but quiet lounge area where their suitcases were taken and an assistant took them to their own space.

“Here”, began the lounge assistant, “is your own booth and you’re more than welcome to grab a meal using our order displays over behind the bar that way or you can use our site.”

“Wow… um thanks” Noah said, taken aback by the unexpected luxuries. Mia thanked the lady and put Noah’s bag under the table.

“Mind if I hop off to the loo super quick, Noah?” Mia asked, looking around for the directions. “Sure lovely, I think I saw a sign for them that way — see you in a min” he replied pointing towards the way they came in.

The lounge was a gentle purple colour, with large glass panels looking out. The lights dazzled in the dimly lit expanse of runways. Noah relaxed back. There was an almost homely cooking smell coming from the restaurant bar.

Whilst Mia had headed off, Noah went to the lounge menu site and hungrily ordered a few large plates and refillable drinks. He figured that while it would be quite a bit to eat — maybe a bit much — they were quite hungry and it was free with their lounge pass anyway.

Mia returned a few minutes later. “All good?” Noah asked. Mia nodded and sat down. “Yup. On the way back I ordered us some food. Looks really nice. Might’ve gotten a bit much — but it’s the hols right?” Noah had to stifle a giggle. “Mia. I er… ordered a meal for us too.”

Mia looked a little worried “Is it too late to —” “Erm…” Noah hinted for Mia to look behind her.

“Four big Fantas and coffees?” a waiter smiled at them. “Oh sorry! Is this the wrong—” “No this is us.” Noah replied, a little taken aback by the size of one drink let alone four of them.

“It looks like your group has ordered meals already.” the waiter said looking at his tablet. “Yup. They’re almost ready. I can direct the rest of your group here if you’d like?” “I er… no we’ve erm… we’ve told them we’re here.” Mia replied nervously. “Right you are!” he replied, smiling, before leaving their booth.

Mia and Noah looked at each other in disbelief.

“Well we can’t cancel anything now. They think we’re a group!” Noah whispered finding it hard to contain his excitement. “Yeah… I mean this does look really nice and everything, but it’s quite a lot.” Mia whispered back.

Noah saw the waiter disappear completely. “We’ve still got another couple hours, it’s fine. And I’m so hungry.” he said between slurps.

Mia tried some of the drink she had ordered “Oh my god this is amazing! Here, try mine lovely!” she replied excitedly. “It’s okay, I’ve got one of them too” Noah giggled.

Both had almost forgotten about the meals on the way, having drunk both their coffees and most of their soft drinks, before the waiter and an accompanying waitress appeared with four very large trays, each loaded with food.

“As you’re a group, we thought we’d grab you a few shareables too!” The waiter gleamed, as they put the trays down. “They’re on the house too, of course! Is there anything else we could get you by any chance?” “We... we’re good” Mia stuttered, eyes wide open at the full booth table in front of her. Noah shifted a tray to fit the last of the plates on the table. “I can’t wait til the others see what we ordered for them!” he replied. Mia kicked him under the table. “You’re very welcome”, the waitress said, taking the two empty coffee mugs. She headed out of the booth with her colleague.

Noah laughed in disbelief at the array of food in front of him and Mia. There were two triple size pizzas, both with french fries he’d ordered, two deep fried veggie large double stack burgers, each with dumplings, thick potato chips, and cream-dunked sausages. The three shareable dishes included garlic bread chunks, a cheesy Nachos bowl and a plate of 6 medium calzones not to mention a few chocolate crepes and ice-cream for dessert. He felt his boxers tighten. It all seemed a blessing. “Tuck in then” he said with his mouth already half-full. Mia somehow didn’t need inviting. This food looked so good. When else would she get the chance to enjoy such a fancy meal?

A half hour of half eating, half chatting passed when Mia’s phone buzzed in her pocket, so she slipped her hand down to get it, but she couldn’t get her fingers in. She looked down and noticed her belly, unusually round under her shirt, pressing out over her waistband. “Hang on a sec.” Noah said whilst chewing. He pressed his hand into Mia’s pocket as she bent over the other way. A little bit of her now tighter shirt came loose from being tucked in and a little stretched belly sprung out towards Noah. He gulped as he handed Mia her phone. “Oh er… sorry… thank you” Mia said, a little embarrassed. She was not used to anything so tight as this. “Oh erm it’s fine..” a red faced Noah blurted, shifting to hide his stiff jeans.

The tannoy voice began and Mia picked up their flight number. “Looks like our gate opens soon. We’ve still got an hour though. I… I dunno how I’m gonna eat any more of this. So nice but—” “It’s fine...” Noah interrupted “...have a drink instead.” He gingerly moved his hand to her waist. He did this often but it felt different now, it was giving him butterflies. He let his fingers run towards her distended belly. It was so tight. He rubbed a little. Mia always liked having her tummy rubbed. Noah’s hands always felt amazing gracing her body. But right now she felt a bit humiliated and she was about to edge away a little before she realised it made her feel slightly less full. “Thank you babe” she whispered as she leaned against him. Her arm pressed against his usually slender waist and instead she felt his small but noticeable protruding belly under his jumper. “You too huh?” She giggled, feeling a little more relaxed. Noah’s face reddened and his trousers hardened too. At moments like these it was almost as if she knew.