by Harmon, AJ
Matt had pulled his wife to him and nuzzled her neck. “I liked our last vacation,” he’d growled. “Bending you over the desk…with that view…of you and the Eiffel Tower? That was one to remember.”
Janie chuckled. “Yes, that was fun,” she agreed. “But we’re going to do this for your mom.”
Matt had grudgingly agreed and Janie had helped Maureen with the cruise bookings, making sure everyone had the cabin they wanted, and ensuring Maureen and Peter had the VIP suite. The cruise line was very accommodating and had made the reservation process simple and quite painless. Matt had insisted on paying for everyone and made sure that Janie had reserved them a suite too, with Patty next door so he could enjoy some time with his wife…alone!
With a toddler and a newborn at home, the days went by pretty quickly. In no time at all their trip was only a week away and Janie’s ‘to-do’ list was extensive.
“You know Angela would be more than happy to help you with your list,” Matt had said over dinner.
“She’s your secretary!” Janie replied. “I’m not going to ask her to buy diapers and more disposable breast milk bags!”
Patty interjected. “Give me the list and I’ll take care of it. You should still be taking it easy anyway.”
Janie’s mom had been with them for the past six weeks. Matt hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of her staying that long but it had turned out to be a blessing. She had stayed up with Christopher many nights so that Janie could sleep and the fact that his wife was well-rested despite the demands of their two young children was nothing short of a miracle.
“Thank you, Patty,” he smiled. “You have been a Godsend and I am very grateful that you’re here.”
“All I want is to be useful,” she said.
*****
Paul Lathem made his way through the airport in record time and he was sure it was because he was in uniform. He was let off the plane first and everyone stepped out of his way. Several people shook his hand and thanked him for his service to their country and he still choked up just a little when that happened. He didn’t join the Navy to receive praise or special treatment. He joined the Navy to serve his country and protect his people from foreign aggression and ensure his family’s freedom and safety. But a genuine offer of thanks was appreciated.
As he stepped out into the New York air he felt happy to be home. He had taken six weeks leave and during that time he wanted to decide if he was going to remain a Navy Seal. Ten years was a long time. He had loved every minute of it, but as he got older he was realizing how much he wanted a wife and a family. Some of his buddies were married, but Paul had watched them say goodbye to their wives and kids too many times and he’d decided he couldn’t put anyone through that. It was bad enough that his parents worried about him constantly. He wouldn’t let someone else worry too.
So Paul had six weeks to make a plan for his future. What he was going to do, he had no idea. But it sure felt good to be home.
“Paul!”
He turned to see his dad walking around his car and hurrying to his son.
“Dad!”
The two men embraced and Peter kissed his son on the cheek.
“So good to have you home, son.”
“Good to be back,” Paul smiled.
“Let’s get you home, shall we? Your mother is waiting.”
2.
The car service picked up Mark and Katy first. They had a lot less stuff than Matt and Janie. Katy slid into the limo and Mark stacked their suitcases for the driver to load.
“This should be an interesting trip,” grinned Mark as he slid in next to his fiancée. “I hope the ship can recover after we leave.”
Katy chuckled. “Well your mom is very happy that all her boys will be there…and her grandchildren!”
“Oh I think she’s more happy about Ella and Christopher than about us boys,” he agreed.
“Janie and I could probably stay home and she’d never know!”
Mark tilted his head and sighed. “Katy, she loves you very much.”
“I know. Sometimes she’s just a little much, but I’m getting used to it more and more every day.”
“How many times do you think she’ll ask us when we’re getting married?” Mark groaned.
“Well seeing as though we’ll be her captives in the middle of the ocean, probably several times a day!”
Mark laughed. “I’m sure you’re right.”
The car pulled up in front of Matt and Janie’s apartment building and the driver went inside.
“I should probably help. They’ll have a shit-load of stuff,” Mark grinned.
Mark jumped out of the car and went inside. Katy leaned back on the headrest and closed her eyes. She loved Maureen but she was just hard to take sometimes. She and Mark had been engaged for three years and she was happy with things the way they were. She had a great part time job working for an orthopedic surgeon; she traveled around the world with Mark whenever she got the chance; she spent time with Janie, and also with Janie’s adorable children; she volunteered a few hours a week at a shelter for battered women giving basic healthcare; and she was in the middle of making her very first quilt, something completely out of her comfort zone but she had gotten the urge one day and was going to complete her goal. Her life was full and happy and she didn’t need a piece of paper to make it any better. But, in the back of her mind, if she was honest with herself, she wanted to be married to Mark. She knew that they would be together for the rest of their lives and sometimes it seemed a little silly to dig her heels in and delay.
The doorman of the building propped open the large glass doors and the limo driver pushed out a massive pile of luggage.
“Holy shit!” Katy exclaimed. “Where in the hell is that going to go?”
Patty was the next to exit the building, a car seat in each hand. Katy opened the back door and helped her in and secured each seat in the back of the limo.
“You have no idea how much stuff Matt is bringing for these children!” Patty sighed.
Katy laughed as she stepped out of the car to help Janie, who had Christopher in one arm and two bags in the other. She happily handed over the baby and Katy strapped him into his car seat as Janie climbed in the car and sighed.
“I didn’t think we were going to get out of there without the dining room table. He’s crazy!”
“Speak of the devil,” Katy grinned.
Mark and Matt and Ella exited their apartment building, Ella skipping along holding her daddy’s hand and each man carrying more stuff. Ella ran to Katy and threw her arms around her neck and gave her big wet kisses on each cheek.
“I’m very happy to see you too,” Katy smiled. She strapped Ella into her car seat and watched as Mark and Matt, the doorman and the driver tried to push more stuff into the trunk. They finally gave up and started handing bags and the strollers in to the ladies. The three women laughed as they managed to get everything in, including Mark and Matt.
“And this is why we aren’t having any kids,” Mark laughed.
*****
Janie’s fear of flying with two young children was unnecessary. With Matt, Katy and Mark, Patty, Peter and Maureen, Andrew and Rory all sitting around them, Janie never had either of her children during the entire flight to Miami. Even the flight attendants held Christopher and played with Ella. The rest of the family, David, Paul, Ben and Tim, along with Janie’s boys Tyler and Adam, and Katy’s son Derek, had all left two days before, wanting to ‘play’ before the ship sailed.
It took four cars to transport the family and their luggage to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel just a mile or so from the cruise ship terminal. Maureen was practically giddy as she led Ella by the hand into the hotel. She stopped the bellman, the doorman and a few of the guests and introduced them to her granddaughter. Janie and Katy followed along behind amused at her obvious pride.
“Have you ever seen a more beautiful little girl in your entire life?” Maureen asked as she stepped to the counter to check in.
&
nbsp; Gail, the front desk clerk, leaned over the counter and smiled. “No ma’am. I have not.”
Janie rescued the poor girl and gave them their names and Gail started looking for the reservations for all of the guests.
“It looks like I have a suite for Mr. and Mrs. Lathem and a suite for Mr. and Mrs. Lathem?” Gail looked confused.
Maureen helped her out. “That would be me and my husband and then my son and my daughter-in-law, Janie.” Maureen patted Janie on the hand.
“Oh, I see,” Gail smiled. “And then I have a king room for Andrew Lathem and Rory Jeffers. And one for Patty Graves, and one for Mark Lathem and one for Katy Miles.”
Janie frowned and looked back at Katy. “That isn’t…”
“Yes,” said Maureen. “That’s correct.”
“No it’s not,” said Janie. “That’s one too many rooms.”
“No. Mark and Katy have their own separate rooms. They aren’t married…yet.”
Janie closed her eyes and bit her tongue. She handed over her American Express card and Gail took care of the bill. Then she started handing Maureen the cards to the rooms.
“I’ll take mine,” Janie interrupted. “And Ms. Graves and Ms. Miles.”
Gail smiled and handed her the three envelopes containing the key cards and Janie took her Amex and placed it back in her wallet. She took Ella’s hand and Maureen headed off to give Andrew and Mark their room keys.
“We aren’t going to need the room for Ms. Miles,” Janie handed back Katy’s key to Gail.
“Oh,” Gail replied. “Well unfortunately I can’t issue a refund as…”
“It’s fine,” Janie stopped her. “We just don’t need the extra room. Thank you.”
Janie turned and saw the men arriving with all the luggage.
“Let’s go find daddy, shall we?”
*****
“But they live together!” Matt frowned as Janie recited the conversation from the registration desk.
“I know. For three years. But your mom said that they weren’t married yet so they didn’t get to share a room.”
Matt shook his head. “Well if they’d just get married…”
“I didn’t tell Katy. We’re only here for tonight so it’s not worth making a stink about it.”
“You wouldn’t win with mom anyway.”
Janie finished changing Christopher’s diaper and handed him off to Matt. Ella was with Patty. They were already down at the pool. Matt had changed into a bathing suit and a t-shirt. He slid into his flip-flops and put the baby into the stroller.
“Ready?” Janie asked.
“You didn’t get changed?” Matt asked.
Janie chewed on the inside of her cheek and turned her head.
“What is it?” Matt walked to his wife and took her chin in his hand and turned her head to look at him.
“I didn’t like wearing bathing suits before,” she frowned.
“Before?”
“Before I had this extra fifteen pounds of post-pregnancy flab.” Janie looked down at her middle in total disgust.
“You are the most beautiful and desirable woman I have ever seen!” Matt murmured as he leaned in to kiss his wife. “Why do you not see that?”
Janie sighed. “Thank you, but…”
“No buts! Seriously. You’re sexy as hell. Go put on your suit and let’s go play in the pool!” Matt slapped Janie’s ass as she turned and headed for her suitcase.
*****
The Lathem clan had checked into the hotel in two groups on two different days. Checking out, however, was a different story. Chaos reigned in the lobby as every bellman was called to assist with the mountains of luggage and an extra car was needed to accommodate the passengers and car seats.
“We’re only going a mile,” muttered Tyler, Janie’s son, as they all tried to find a seat. “I could walk and be there faster!”
Matt threw his stepson a bag and asked him to keep it on his lap. Tyler shook his head and climbed in the van.
Finally, the hotel staff breathed a sigh of relief as the cars pulled away and headed for the cruise ship terminal.
“You’re sure everybody is here?” Janie worried.
Matt patted her knee and calmed her fears.
“Yes, everyone is here. And really, all I care about is that you’re here,” he grinned.
“And the kids!”
“Yes,” he smiled. “I know if you’re here the kids are here too. You wouldn’t leave them,” he grinned. “Now, we just need to get on the damn boat and then we can relax for two weeks and not worry about a thing!”
*****
“Thank heavens for porters!” Maureen exclaimed as the Lathem clan finally dispensed with most of the luggage after arriving at the cruise ship terminal.
The five vehicles were all unloaded and everyone but Matt casually strolled inside to the registration desks. Adam was pushing the stroller that held Ella. He was a very proud big brother. Janie had the diaper bag and was walking with her other son Tyler, who was pushing Christopher. And then there was Matt. He had refused to deposit several items with the porter as he was sure they would need them before all the luggage would be delivered to their suite. Over one shoulder was the bag full of diapers; two sizes, one for his daughter and one for his son. On the other shoulder swung a bag of Ella’s things that he was sure she couldn’t spend a moment without. There was her blanket and her bear and a doll that she sang to. There was also a jacket in case she got cold and a variety of her favorite snacks in the event they couldn’t find anything she liked to eat. Janie had assured him several times that there was so much going on Ella wouldn’t need her toys to comfort her and she certainly wouldn’t need a jacket in Miami when the forecast said sunny and eighty degrees. She had also told Matt that a piece of fruit and chocolate chip cookie was enough to keep her going most of the day so food wouldn’t be a problem, but Matt had insisted, “just in case.” Janie just smiled and let him do his thing. So in his right hand he carried the new pack ‘n play they had purchased specially for the trip for Christopher and in his left hand he lugged the travel crib for Ella.
Mark slapped him on the back. “You’re a great dad,” he smiled.
“And an excellent pack mule,” he replied.
“Oh no!” Janie interrupted. “This was your idea to haul it aboard. We could’ve left it with the other luggage.”
Matt just grinned and kept walking.
The Lathem family headed straight for the VIP desk. Maureen and Peter were first in line. They were congratulated on their anniversary and given their packet and they headed off to the priority boarding waiting area. Andrew and Rory were next to the desk and so it went, through all the clan. Matt and Janie, Mark and Katy were last in the line. Ella was showing Katy how she put on her lipstick, a tube of Chapstick in her tiny hand, and Mark and Matt were both on their phones checking emails.
“Mom!” came the yell from the agent’s desk.
Janie and Katy both looked up to see Derek standing at the front of the line, obviously agitated. Katy went to find out what was wrong.
“This is not gonna work,” he said.
“What isn’t?” Katy replied, looking at Derek and then to the young lady behind the desk.
“You and I are in the same cabin!” Derek was highly irritated.
“That’s not right,” Katy smiled. “I’m sure this is just a glitch somehow.” Katy patted Derek’s arm and turned her attention to the agent looking slightly uncomfortable. “I’m Katy Miles and I’m in the cabin with Mark Lathem.”
The cruise agent punched something into the computer and looked back at Katy. “I’m sorry ma’am, but I have you and Derek sharing a cabin and Mark Lathem and David Lathem in a cabin.”
Mark had come to stand behind Katy and had heard the agent’s response. He placed his hand on Katy’s back and kissed her on the cheek.
“You don’t really care what cabins we all sleep in, do you?” he smiled at the woman.
“Well, no, not
really,” she replied, smiling back at Mark.
“Good,” Mark nodded. “Let’s just get all checked in so we don’t hold up the line and then we can sort it all out once we’re on the ship.”
Derek huffed a bit but agreed and the cruise agent handed Derek his envelope and moved to Ben who was next in line.
“What the hell?” snarled Katy as she and Mark walked the few steps back to Matt and Janie.
“What’s up?” Matt asked.
“I’m been assigned to a cabin with Derek!”
“No, that’s not right!” Janie was stunned. “I helped make all the bookings.”
“Well, let’s just get on the ship and have lunch and then we can sort it all out later. No use getting all worked up now.” Mark smiled and pulled Katy close to his side.
*****
They only had to wait about twenty minutes and then it was time to board. Maureen wanted about a dozen pictures of the family as the photographer patiently accommodated her wish. Then it was finally onto the gangway and onto the ship.
Maureen was in awe as she and Peter, with the help of her sons, stepped into the grand lobby of the massive vessel. There was a lounge and a piano and dozens of crew members milling about welcoming the guests. Maureen looked up at the decks above, and turned back to her family.
“I know some of you are still not excited about this trip, but, thank you for coming anyway. It is incredible!”
“We haven’t left the dock yet, Mom,” Ben laughed.
“I know,” she smiled, “but I’m already having a marvelous time.”
A young lady dressed all in white, obviously a member of the crew, approached Maureen and offered her assistance.
“Oh, it’s fine,” Maureen replied. “My son, Paul, is in the Navy.” She headed to the elevators, her family trailing behind her, laughing hysterically at the Lathem matriarch.
3.
DAY 1 – EMBARKATION
Katy sat on the edge of the twin bed absolutely livid. Mark bit his lip trying not to smile. Janie chewed on the inside of her cheek and Matt rubbed his forehead. None of them wanted to speak first.
Mark finally spoke.