Ecstasy Island/The Kensington Family
"Alright now," said Nathan as he left the plane, "careful getting out, kids. Alex, you're first." As he held his hand out for his oldest, it almost felt like he was a turn of the century gentleman holding his hand out for a fair maiden. He shook the thought from his head, but the image stuck. His son just looked too much like a girl for it not to.
"God," said Alex as he weakly brushed away his father's hand, "I don't need your help, Dad. I'm not a baby."
"I know that, Alex. The plane is still bobbing a bit, though. I wouldn't want you to fall in the water." As his boy went past him, he turned his focus to his middle child. "Come on Marci, I'll help you down from the plane."
"Thanks, daddy," she said as she took his hand. "I'm glad we're finally here. Alex had his hands all over my kitty the whole way here. I'm exhausted."
"Marci," said Nathan in an exasperated tone, "what have I told you about making up stories about being molested? Isn't it bad enough that you got your gym teacher fired? You ruined his life. His wife left him, and he almost went to jail. We're lucky he didn't commit suicide."
"But Mr. Grotchkey did molest me, daddy," said Marci emphatically as Nathan helped her off the plane. "He put his willy in my kitty every day!"
"Then how is it that you were still a virgin when they examined you, sweetheart?"
"It must have grew back," she said indignantly.
Nathan shook his head, and moved on to his youngest. "Come on Amber," he said as he held his hands out. "Daddy will help you off the plane."
She scrunched back into her seat and shook her head.
"Come on sweety," said Nathan, "it's going to be a lot of fun?"
She shook her head again.
Nathan sighed deeply, then turned to Alex who had his nose in his phone.
"Alex," he said, "can you get Amber? I need to talk to the Maitre d."
"I'm pretty sure that guy isn't a waiter, Dad!" said Alex emphatically.
"Maitre d is short for Maître d'hôtel which means 'master of the house'. Though I suppose he's probably more of a concierge; as maitre d is usually used more for restaurants and concierge for hotels."
"This isn't a restaurant or hotel, Dad," said Alex as he took Amber from the plane. "It's a resort."
"So what are they called?" asked Nathan.
"Concierge is also appropriate for resort staff," said a handsome young man dressed in a white three-piece suit, despite the tropical climate, as he approached. "But, I am not the concierge. I am Mr. Yoarke, and I am the master of the island. I like to great my guests personally. Using a concierge for a first meeting just seems so gauche. This is my assistant, Taboo."
"Oh, I appreciate the personal touch," said Nathan. "So you own this island?"
"Yes," said Yoarke, "and the reverse. Welcome to Ecstasy Island! Why don't we leave the children with Taboo, and we can discuss your stay in my office?"
"Yes," said Nathan, "well..."
"Don't worry," said Yoarke, "Taboo is wonderful with children. He hasn't eaten one in years."
"Wha-"
"Right this way." Yoarke led him into an open-air office with whicker furniture, and took a seat. Nathan followed suit, sitting in the surprisingly comfortable chair.
"Now," said Yoarke, "tell me your fantasy?"
"What!" said Nathan, "my fantasy? What kind of resort is this?"
"I thought you knew," said Yoarke. "On this island, we make one's fantasy come true for each guest. Whether it is to be the President of the United States, to be young again, what-have-you; we make it true."
"Oh," said Nathan, relaxing a bit, "for a second there I thought I accidentally booked reservations at a sex resort."
"Well, you're talking oranges and mandarins there," said Yoarke. "So tell me what we can do for you."
"Well, you see," said Nathan, "my wife died about six months ago."
"We generally don't do resurrections," said Yoarke. "Magic only lasts on this island. If you want your wife to be back again, it would only be for the time of your vacation; then she would be dead again. That would be a horrible thing to put the children through."
"No," said Nathan, "nothing like that. It's just since she died, everything has kind of been falling apart with our family. Alex has become quiet and brooding, Marci is lying and acting up, and Amber barely lets me hug her any more. I just wanted for us to come together as a family."
"That," said Yoarke, "we can do. You'll find the atmosphere of the island is ideal for bringing people together. We'll set up activities and events that will allow you and your family to bond and reconnect. I have a feeling that you'll be making connections with your family that you never thought you would have ever been able to before."
"That sounds perfect," said Nathan. "I think this will do us no end of good."
"If you'll follow me," said Yoarke, "I'll take you to your cabins."