Journey To Love Pt 12

To take one's lover to the heights of passion is like a hot air balloon ride. The journey of our lovers and siblings goes to new heights. Which incidentally also takes one to the depths of love.

.........

Jack

.........

Ten minutes before my alarm went off I woke up. My body clock does that. Carefully I got out of bed and turned off my alarm. I could see a faint outline of my naked sister in the blue light of phone chargers and appliances that insist one should see them all the time. I stretched and contemplated what to do. I didn't really need a shower.

Swim, yes perfect. I crept out the back door and shimmied into the cold water. Invigorating to say the least. I swam a few very short laps. The pool was about eight metres so I did some tumble turns. Then I floated.

Wow best move ever. It was a moonless morning. The sky was filled with the universe. Billions of stars no one could count. As I always did, I found the Southern Cross and calculated south. Floating beneath the Milky Way on a night like this was awesome. I watched a Satellite pass over.

The water became warm. The air was chilled. It's like that. It's the nice thing about swimming at night. My thoughts turned to today. Big in many ways. But most importantly and perhaps significantly was my proposing. Loosing my virginity might appear significant to the young man I was. But marriage is an ongoing commitment. I didn't want to throw the moment away on a quick root. But then today I would likely have both gifts. Gifts from my precious sister. A yes and a yes.

I thought about it mathematically. Two positives, did they make a negative? In this case love can't be derived into a formula. But then in C++ it did. One adds to the other allowing growth. So maybe it does, but I was looking for exponential growth. The sort that takes up the fight against entropy.

Shit I've not though of school learning all year. Why spoil the day with science and maths? I decided to get out and check the time. But then today did rely on our understanding of Science. Hot air rises. Up up and away. Without it there would be no romantic proposal. At least the one I planned.

I dried and padded to my phone. Opps it was twenty five past. I was now cold. Talking of entropy I needed warming and Sophie needed waking. Cheekily I slipped into bed and wrapped myself on her warm body.

"Jack, fuck you're cold." Sophie tried to push me away.

"Wake up darling we have to be gone in thirty minutes."

"What there are not better ways to wake me?"

"I can think of a few but they would take more than thirty minutes."

My slightly pissed off sister jumped on me and started tickling me.

"This had better be worth it. What the fuck could you have planned that requires us to get up at this god forsaken hour. And Jack, how did you get so cold?"

"Swimming under the starlight."

"I want to roll over and go back to sleep."

"Well we are getting picked up in twenty five minutes so I think you had better get dressed."

I flipped her on her back and kissed her. My shrivelled soft dick barely made contact with her groin as I ground into her.

"Listen you need to get dressed in your warmest stuff. I suggest layers so you can strip a bit later in the morning. Plus we need to put on our runners."

I jumped off her and started dressing. I had some chinos that were warmer than my jeans. I put undies on underneath. I doubt I've worn undies at all this three weeks.

Mumbling, Sophie went to the bathroom and splashed her face.

"Jack,"she yelled, "if this doesn't mean I get fucked by the end of the day you are dead meat."

I quietly packed the engagement ring in my day pack along with some snacks for us, plus some fresh fruit from the fruit bowl.

"Ten minutes and a guy will be knocking on our door darling."

Sophie dashed in and started dressing.

"You're serious aren't you?"

"Deadly. Jack don't rise this early even to milk cows."

It was the fastest I'd seen my sister dress. Mind you I had mainly seen her undress. My shoes on, I took pity and gave her a big hug and kiss.

"That's a deposit on the day, I think the loving can only go up from here." I giggled. "Mmm must give more hints."

"Don't laugh Jack. Promises promises."

"You think I'm full of hot air?"

I checked my phone, opps forgot to do that. I was dead meat if I had a text.

Well I did have a text, shit. I opened it but it said 'see you in five.'

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Make sure you have your phone."

"Do we need swimmers?"

"No, not even when we get back here."

We grabbed a few last things.

"What about drinks?" Sophie asked.

"Good idea."

I grabbed some bottled water from the fridge and added it to my day pack.

"We need to travel light or we may not..."

"May not what?"

"Halfway through that sentence I sort of decided I couldn't finish it and not give stuff away, Sophie."

Next we heard a car horn.

"That's our ride."

"I'm glad we are not taking Daisy. It's too dark."

We bundled outside in the dark. Two posh four wheel drives greeted us in the driveway.

"Is this a kidnap Jack?"

"Sort of, but only if you consider yourself a kid."

For that I got an elbow in the ribs. Both cars had trailers attached. We were met by the lead vehicles driver.

"Hi Jack, Sophie. Welcome to Flights of Fantasy. I'm Jim."

"Great to meet you at last Jim. All good for the morning."

"It couldn't be more perfect. Hop in and we will get underway."

"By the way, Sophie has no idea what we are doing."

"You did that well."

My sister clung to me as we moved to share the back seat.

"No fair Jack. It had better be good Jim? Whatever it is. What's in the trailers?"

"That's our means of transport. Let's just say that Jack is not a Basket case."

"I'm not going in an ultra light, just saying that now."

"I think I had better let her know, Jim. Remember the clue for Canowindra Sophie?"

"Look to the sky's, so we are flying."

"Sort of darling. Try up up and away."

I got blank looks.

"Then around the world in....."

"Your kidding, what! A balloon ride."

"We are going to need all the hot air we can muster darling."

"We are going Hot Air Ballooning?"

Suddenly I got a huge hug and cuddle.

"How romantic. Wow."

"Followed by a Champaign Breakfast."

"We have about a forty minute drive to our launch site, so we should be lifting off just before sunrise." Jim added.

My sister was almost beside herself with joy.

"This has been on my bucket list in like forever. I forgive you Jack for the early morning wake up. Please forgive me for doubting you."

"I've been busting to say something. I was afraid you would look up Canowindra and discover my intent."

Jim chuckled loudly.

"What's funny so Jim? "

"It's just the way you say Canowindra."

"What say that again?"

"Canowindra. It's pronounced 'Can- own as in town- dra.' Can-own-dra'"

"What no wonder Grandpa chuckled. My Grandpa that is, the one who sent us on this wild goose chase."

"I love your Grandpa for it too Sophie. Great move to see if I'm really committed to his wonderful Granddaughter. Canowindra, that explains that drover's reaction as well."

"But Ted and Melinda said nothing when we pronounced it that way?"

"Don't worry," Jim added. "It's a running joke in the district. People who are local love pulling the wool over newbies eyes. It's the great local joke. Rather like Drop bears are on a National scale."

"Or in the case of Albany and Albury then." I added, "that's funny."

"I know where Albury is but where is Albany?" Sophie asked.

"In Western Australia darling."

I watched the light dawn on my sisters face. You mean it's Albany not All-bany. I always said it like Albury."

"Exactly." We all had a good chuckle.

"Can I ask where you came across Ted and Melinda?"

"In Cumnock. We stayed there two nights ago."

"I thought it might be. Our two kids are great friends of theirs. You'll meet them soon. They are in the other car with their mother. They are part of the launch crew."

Sophie dug me in the ribs and whispered in my ear.

"You don't suppose?"

"So Jack, Jillian and Gerry are taking over the business one day. They are about your age. Jillian has her Ballooning licence already and Gerry is putting in a few more hours before he can gets his. If you decide to fly again later in the week, they'll be your pilots."

"So how easy is it to learn to be a pilot?" I asked.

"Almost as hard as being an aircraft pilot. It's a very regulated and safe industry these days. When my wife, Rachel and I started, it was in the early days. But a few unfortunate accidents showed the need for good training.

"So the big Balloning festival, that must be a awesome sight."

"Yep. Flying with and among all those balloons is incredible.We were part of the early pioneering group that put Canowindra on the world ballooning map."

"So have you flown in interesting places?"

"All around the world in fact. Normally we rent Balloons when we travel outside of Australia. Here we often go as a family."

"I guess that's expensive."

"Definitely, this business keeps our local flying financed. But we have been fortunate to have inherited enough to do our world travel off the interest. Also we rent balloons to qualified Pilots. But often we swap balloons when visiting our international friends."

"Like vacation swaps."

"Exactly."

We swung into a local sports ground.

"Okay you two, we need you to help, it's mainly unfolding the Balloon and holding ropes while we inflate. Gerry will give you gloves. You need them to protect from rope burn. In case we get an unexpected gust. If you ever feel like you can't hold on. Just let go. Better the balloon gets a bit away from us than we have an injury. It's why we only fly on still days.

"Jillian will run you through some occupational health and safety stuff. There is a toilet block over there, I suggest using it before we are ready to leave. I do suggest doing number twos if you can. That can be awkward once off the ground."

"Gee the things one doesn't think of when going Ballooning."

"Will we feel seasick?" Sophie asked.

"It happens sometimes but very rarely. It's a very gentle ride. But if it happens, then it's like a boat. Spew with the wind."

Jillian ran us through some safety instructions and showed us how to fit our harnesses. We would be tethered to the basket. Just in case a basket tips. Unlikely but possible. Most things were simply sensible.

Then it was all hands on deck unfolding the balloon and assisting in the inflation. We got allocated ropes and I could still take photos of the balloon beginning to rise in the dawn light. Jim told us our basket was a mid-size. The size of the outfit depended on passengers. The more weight the bigger the balloon and heavier the gas tanks, everything scaled.

Jillian saw our day packs safety stored in the basket and weights were secured to hold us still until we took off. It was an amazing sight seeing the scale and size of the balloon close up. Nothing like I imagined watching TV images or movies. Soon it was a toilet run and then harnessing up. There was little time to think. It was all action. Finally we boarded as the last of the balloon was filled as it floated above us.

"It's noisy Jack." Sophie shouted.

"Not what you expect."

"It will be until we get up. Remember we are right underneath the burner." Jim told us.

We started rising on our tether and suddenly we were floating. Tethers and weights released, we rose gently but quickly in the initial phase to ensure we cleared tree height, then it was a gentle rise with the heat cutting in and out.

.....

Sophie

.....

I watched the land slip away beneath us. It was that fairytale miniature world that appeared below us. Jack made himself busy helping pull in the tether ropes and securing using them.

"I'm impressed Jack, where did you learn rope skills."

"I did a bit of scouting. Mainly Absailing as a venturer."

Wow something I didn't know, I thought. Jack might have had a disrupted childhood being farmed out all over the place, but it gave him some skills. Job done, Jim told us to relax and enjoy the ride.

Soon we were in each others arms. Snuggling in the colder air which got colder as we rose. Eventually we were at what was a cruising height and we drifted slowly over the landscape. Jack turned me around and kissed me. It was a long and passionate kiss.

I wondered if one could join the mile high club on a balloon? But then the harnesses would make that nigh impossible. As would the company of a pilot. But when would Jack actually propose? We spent a lot of time excitedly pointing out land features and trying to guess names.

Jim pointed out the support vehicles scurrying ahead of us. They were white matchbox cars. I guess they knew where we would probably end up. Jim was steering the ballon as well.

Jack left my side and I saw him hand his phone to Jim. It wasn't a surprise as I knew it was happening today, but it was clear that this was the moment. It didn't make me any less giddy with excitement.

Jack bent down to retrieve something from his bag then enfolded me in another kiss. I looked at him in loving expectation. My handsome Jack, my big brave Brother Jack. My spunky Brother with whom I have shared all my sexual experiences with. I watched him as he tried to go down on one knee, but then pull up again. Puzzling how to do this, he moved me around into a corner. I think more for the camera angle which Jim had running. Finally he put one knee up against the basket edge. He took my hand and opened a small box.

"Sophie my darling. Will you marry me?"

"Yes Jack yes!"

I immediately moved into him and kissed him passionately.

He took my hand and I was shaking with excitement. Carefully he took the ring out and suddenly dropped the box.

"Shit the ring."

My heart stopped.

"Only kidding." He carefully placed the ring on my finger.

"Jack my loveable br..bastard." Shit I nearly brother. "I love you so much. Even if you are a dag."

We kissed again and Jim offered congratulations. Then we snuggled, Jack pressed into my back as I gazed at the ring on my finger, and showed it off to the camera.

Whoosh, the gas's fired and we rose again.

"Sorry to break the moment with the firing, I tried to hold off as long as I could." Jim apologised.

The next hour was spent in a shared flight of fantasy. It truly was a fantasy land up here. Jack was my Peter Pan and I was his Tinker Bell. Floating in a wonderful Neverland. Neverland where one never really gets married, or grows up. I sighed to myself. But nonetheless this was real, not a fairytale. Would we have a fairytale ending? Happily ever after. In this moment I believed we would.

We kissed and made out at intervals between gazing in wonder. Jack was making the best of the phone as well. Taking video and zooming in on some things. But mainly he was here for me. Much of the time the phone remained in his pocket. I don't think I got mine out once.

"Our photo Jack, for Grandpa. Jim can you take some stills for us?"

"Certainly."

We smiled beaming at the camera. With curvature of the earth providing an amazing backdrop.

"Should we send it now. Check if we have reception Jack."

"We should,"Jim said, "not much gets in the way of a signal up here."

We selected a safe photo to send. I noticed we were slowly descending.

"All good things must come to an end you two love birds. We will be landing very soon."

Just then the phone rang.

"I looked at Jack." He nodded.

"Hi Grandpa. It was a video call once again. Jack moved it so Grandpa got the view."

"Can't talk now we are about to land."

I heard him say congratulations, but what did he mean? Congratulations for having a ride on a Balloon or had he guessed? The whoosh of the gas happened and Jack wisely said a hurried goodbye and hung up.

Then it was all hands on deck. Jim instructed us to take a rope each and be ready to cast it overboard. We saw the support cars below and Jim masterfully steered our decent toward the three people on the ground preparing for our landing.

"Okay now."

The ropes unfurled downward and Jim let out some air from some vents in the top and magically we touched down with a gentle bump.

"Stay put. We need your weight as ballast."

The balloon deflated gently and the team directed its fall away from the basket. There was no wind so it was an easy process.

"Be careful of the burner it will be hot. Just make sure nothing drapes over it." Jim instructed as we begin to pack. We kissed again. It was funny being back on land.

"Okay you can get out now.

Rachel helped me over, and as she did she saw my ring. She hugged me instinctually.

"Congratulations. We were thinking this would happen today. One of the best things about running this business."

Jack couldn't help himself and set about helping the guys with settling down the bladder.

"Leave them to it Jack, breakfast is ready."

Jack bounded over and cuddled me as we walked over to a carefully laden and decorated table. White linen service with silver platters and champagne on ice.

Jack held my chair out and saw me seated. Then seated himself, he took my hand, my ring hand, and gently kissed it. He opened the champagne and filled our flutes.

"Rachel could you take a photo?"

He handed her his phone and then got lost in my eyes. I don't think he once looked at the photographer. We toasted our future. Referred to each other as our fiancé and revelled in the romance.

"Jack this is so beautiful, sitting here with my handsome fiancé. Taken to the sky and back. Wow what a way to propose."

"You had no idea?"

"Not a clue. Although I was hoping it wouldn't be parachute jumping. This my darling, was the way to fly."

"So important question. Do you want to do it again this week? Grandpa said we were to spend on experiences. We can afford it."

"After that ride, yes please. I'm even happy to do another early morning wake up. I could even go another breakfast like this." I was definitely very hungry.

We had been served a hot chicken and salad breakfast with fresh bagels, pastries. Fresh juices and barista coffee.

"This champagne is going to my head Sophie, lucky I'm not driving."

"This Breakfast is almost brunch and may end up lunch. I hope I'm not too sugar doped for our afternoon special."

"Me too big boy. But these chocolate brioche are to die for."

We could finish in our good time, but eventually it was time to move. The balloon had been stowed. Rachel and Gerry were hanging around in the background. Once we stood up they looked keen to talk with us.

"Dad said you might be interested in flying with us again this week?" Gerry asked.

"Definitely and it's a yes. We both want to do it again." I said as I leant into Jack making love sick eyes with him. Because I was,at that moment, very love sick.

I looked at them together for the first time.

"Are you twins?" Jillian looked at Gerry, I could see her loving gaze.

"Jillian's older by twenty minutes. And she lets me know it."

"But it's clear you get on very well considering you're brother and sister."

"I wouldn't swap her for the world, but we have our moments."

"Changing subjects, how do you know Ted and Melinda?" Jillian asked.

"Quite by accident. We needed a place to stay between Dubbo and here so it was a spur of the moment call to do that at Cumnock."

I could see Melinda's face drop a bit. I was on alert to it, as I knew Ted and Melinda's mission to support siblings in love. Could this be another couple?

"Hang on why did you need to stay on your way from Dubbo, it's very close." Gerry enquired.

"Oh, you don't know about our car." I answered.

"Maybe when we go out next you can stop off at our digs for lunch and a swim. We can show you the car and give you a ride. But we may leave that as a surprise. Reward for being fantastic pilots." Jack said