Annalise marveled at how easily Malcolm slept through most of the nine hour flight to Dublin. Maybe she was too excited to sleep or maybe the noises from snoring passengers and the gentle hiss from the air vents were too foreign. Their home was blissfully quiet now that they were empty nesters.
Malcolm never snored. Her friends who complained about their “buzzsaw” husbands didn’t believe her, but it was true. In thirty-five years of marriage, she’d never heard him snore.
She’d also never met anyone so content with their life. Malcolm never tossed and turned at night. He never lost sleep over money or a problem he couldn’t solve. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow unless he was feeling romantic. After all these years, Malcolm wasn’t as romantic as she imagined a husband would be, but he was a stand-up guy, a devoted husband, father, and loving son.
They couldn’t afford a real honeymoon when they got married, but two nights at a Best Western were an improvement over the back seat of his Camaro, so Annalise didn’t complain. Malcolm promised to take her to Ireland, where he was born, for a proper honeymoon one day. One day was here or at least it would be once they landed.
Annalise shut her eyes and tried to sleep, so she wouldn’t be exhausted on her first day in Dublin. Malcolm had their itinerary planned to the minute including some free time for relaxation. Sleeping off jet lag wasn’t on the schedule. No matter how tired she was, Annalise knew she’d have to pretend to be rested and ready to go. Disappointing Malcolm after they’d scrimped and saved was not an option. Despite paying college tuition plus room and board for three kids, he still managed to make deposits into their “Ireland account” even if it was only $25 some months.
They lived modestly by agreement. The combination of her paycheck from the catering company and his salary as a forensic accountant allowed them to live virtually debt-free. Malcolm also invested well for their retirement years. They spent family vacations at the beach or in the mountains. Both locations were nearby and affordable. One year Malcom’s firm sent their senior accountants to Disney World for a conference. Families were included. It was the family’s most extravagant excursion. Though most of the trip was paid for, a Disney vacation felt almost decadent. Except for weekend getaways, this trip to Ireland would be the first vacation they’d taken without the kids.
Annalise leaned her head against Macolm’s shoulder breathing in the familiar mixture of his shaving cream and soap. The gentle rise and fall of his measured breathing relaxed her and at last she slept.
She woke up in a darkened room in a strange bed.
Why don’t I remember getting off the plane? This must be the Inn Malcolm booked, but how did I get here?
Annalise rubbed her eyes. Something was different. Her face felt smooth without the tiny crow’s feet and other fine lines she’d accepted with the passage of time. She peaked beneath the covers. Her naked breasts were firm and perky.
Hesitantly, she reached across the bed and felt for Malcolm. She touched the back of his head. His curly mane was full and thick. His shoulders and back were like finely chiseled marble. He turned to face her and planted a kiss on her neck.
“Why Mrs. O’Hara would you be looking to ravage your husband again? I think I can accommodate you now.”
Annalise pulled back the covers to look at him. He smiled. The man she’d married thirty-five years ago was moving toward her. The weight of his body soon rested against her hips. Instinctively, she buried her fingers in the thick espresso curls cascading down his neck. She caressed his chiseled jawline and kissed his full lips no longer caring if she were dreaming or had gone mad.
Their Best Western honeymoon was happening again only this time around they were in Ireland where they’d always wanted to be.
****
Annalise opened her eyes, and she was back aboard Aer Lingus. It must have been a dream. Instead of being relieved, part of her desperately wanted it to be real. The seat belt sign was on, and they were about to land. She looked over at Malcolm. They both looked away quickly and smiled as if they shared a guilty secret. Why was Malcolm acting strangely? She was the one who had a sex dream on an airplane full of strangers.
Oh God, what if I talked in my sleep or cried out? What if everyone knows about my dream?
Annalise scanned the faces of the other passengers. No one was looking at her strangely or giggling. Maybe Malcolm was the only one who heard anything.
After going through customs and picking up their rental car, they headed for the Inn. She and Malcolm avoided eye contact. Annalise gazed out the car window at the mix of modern and traditional architecture and the rolling green hills in the distance. Dublin was beautiful. She couldn’t imagine anyone ever leaving to move to New York, yet Malcolm’s parents had packed up the family and done just that.
She was about to ask him how much he remembered about the city, but he squeezed her hand, and spoke first.
“I had quite the dream during our flight. I’ve never had a dream like that on an airplane. I’m a little embarrassed about it.” Annalise looked at him sharply. What was he talking about? Did they share the same dream? That was impossible. It had to be. In all their years together nothing like that had ever happened. “I wasn’t talking in my sleep, was I? Annalise, tell me I wasn’t making ‘sex noises’ on the plane.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Annalise practically spit out the words. “You heard me talking in my sleep, and now you’re having a little fun at my expense. Stop pretending my ‘sex dream’ was yours. I’m embarrassed enough as it is.” Annalise covered her mouth with her hand amazed she’d spoken the words out loud. The look she saw on Malcolm’s face conveyed his confusion.
“Wait, you’re telling me you had a ‘sex dream,’ too? I hope it was about us because mine was.”
Annalise pinched her wrist to reassure herself that she was awake and no longer dreaming. She reached for Malcolm’s hand and gave him a quick pinch.
“Ouch! What the heck was that for?”
“Sorry! I pinched myself first. I wanted to make sure neither of us was still dreaming.”
“I’m driving a car for Christ sakes. If I’m asleep, we’re in a lot of trouble!”
Annalise laughed. “Sorry, but this has me freaked out. I’ll tell you my dream. Then you can tell me if you dreamed the same thing.” After Malcolm agreed, she continued. “I woke up in a strange bed with you only were we both 22 again. It was just like our first honeymoon only we were here in Ireland. We were in a double bed with a white crocheted bedspread.”
“And sky blue linens,” he interjected. “You’ve hardly changed, but my God were we ever really that young and horny?” Annalise’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
“So, we did have the same dream. That’s mildly disturbing, but kind of sexy when you think about it,” she admitted.
“Oh, I’m definitely thinking about it. It’s not a dream I ever want to forget. I think this smile might be permanent.” Annalise looked away in embarrassment. “I’m glad I can still make my girl blush.”
***
They pulled into the parking lot of the Doherty Inn. It was a charming two story white stucco structure. A sign said it was established in 1789. A variety of wildflowers, mosses, and topiaries separated by low stone walls framed the exterior.
Malcolm removed their luggage from the boot of the car, and they checked in. The innkeeper escorted them upstairs to their room at the end of the long hallway. Annalise stifled a gasp when he pushed the door open to reveal a full sized bed with a white crocheted bedspread and blue linens.
“Enjoy your stay. We serve high tea starting at 6 pm. Evening tea is at 8. I’ll leave you to get settled. If you need anything, I’m just downstairs.” He closed the door on his way out.
Annalise caught her reflection in the mirror. She blinked and moved closer. She unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall to the floor as she stepped out of her skirt. She turned to look at Malcolm, who was staring at her in disbelief. She led him to the mirror and watched as his hand went to his normally close cropped hair now replaced by the thick curls of his youth. She reached for the top button of his shirt and deftly began undressing him.
“How is this possible?” Annalise traced her hands over his chest moving down his abdomen. She pinched him playfully.
“Ouch!”
“Sorry, just checking, Now that I know we’re not dreaming I don’t want to waste a minute trying to explain what’s happening.”
***
Malcolm kissed his bride.
“It’s Irish magic. Some things defy explanation.”