Part 7

“I’ll throw ya overboard when you’re sleeping!” Marc laughs, chasing me around the deck as the Captain blows the whistle of the luxury ship we had boarded moments ago.

“I’ll tell mom!!” I scream over my shoulder as I run the perimeter of the deck; for dear life.

“Ha! If I throw you overboard ya can’t!”

“Leave him alone Marc.” Eric calls, walking over to us; flanked by Alice and Jordan. “Mom said no running on the deck.”

I stick my tongue out of him in triumph, now unafraid as he takes a few long strides towards me. His smile however, causes me to take a step back holding my hands out in front of me. “Hey… Eric said…”

“No running on the deck… right.” He grabs me by my shirt and shoves me backwards, sending me ass-over-tea-kettle into the ship’s pool.

“Marc!” I scream as I resurface, searching for Eric to avenge me. Eric and Jordan have now joined Marc in his laughter, leaving me soaking in the pool as they saunter off to find my parents. Alice is the only one who comes to help me.

She walks over to the edge of the pool and reaches her 15-year-old arms out as far as they’ll go. I’m only 13, but I’m still pretty big; noticeably so, as she struggles to help me out. We walk back to our room together, and I can’t help but peek glances at her as we go.
She might be off-limits because I know how much Jordan likes her, but you’d have to be blind not to notice that she’s only wearing a black bikini. Well, a black bikini and the 30$ choker Jordan bought her for Christmas.
You had to call it the 30$ choker, not just ’the choker’; it pissed Jordan off when you mentioned how cheap it was. I could never figure out why he always got so angry about it; after all Alice loved it - wasn’t that what mattered the most?



Jordan had his arms wrapped around Alice as the Congo music blared out of the speakers around us. The boat’s entertainment left a lot to be desired; most of all for me. Eric’s girlfriend Tanya had come along for the trip too, and they were making-out in the corner while Marc had his arm flung around some girl he’d just met.
I was left with mom.
She grabs me and drags me onto the dance floor, forcing me to spin her as the music picks up the tempo. I look around at my brothers; they’re laughing at me from all corners of the room.
I let out a sigh as mom gives me a peek on the cheek; before finally allowing me to go sit back down.

I watch my family interact with each other; Eric and Tanya, Jordan and Alice, Marc and… well, whoever the flavour of the night is.
Someday, that’s gonna be me, I think as I watch Eric nuzzle his face into Tanya’s neck.




Gemma grabbed my arm and dragged me behind her as we climbed the ramp to the cruise ship. I followed obediently as she barked orders at her friends; who’s staying where and what we’re doing tonight.
I followed her into our room; the King Suite, watching as she checked the place out. Finally finished with her adventure she turned to me and clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, it’s so great Jerry!” She squealed as she threw her self on top of me, knocking me backwards onto the bed.


The live performance of the night was Congo music, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I remembered the only other cruise I had been on. Gemma wrapped her arms around my neck and I could feel the uncomfortable sting that resulted; as they rubbed up against my sun burn.
I held her close regardless and grinned down at her; this was always how I had imagined it. A fun trip, a beautiful girlfriend, and everything that went with it.
She looked amazing, even more-so than usual. Her tan stood out against the bright yellow, low-cut dress she was wearing; and her blond hair was piled up on top of her head, allowing me a full glimpse of her exposed neck and collarbone. I pulled her closer and brought one of my hands up to her neck; she giggled as I ran my fingers from her jaw down to her shoulder.

Something in the way she smiled up at me, made me feel like tonight would be a good night to give her, her gift. I squeezed her hand and tugged at her to follow me, which she did.
Once we were back on the walk-way I put my arm around her waist and lead her back to our room. She never asked where we were going, instead allowing me to enjoy the clam rocking of the shift as we walked under the stars.

“Gemma, I figure that tonight would be a good night to give you this.” I said slowly, as I opened the door for her.

“Oh! A present!” She squealed, jumping up and down as I walked over to my suitcase. I shifted through my clothing until I found what I was looking for. I took a deep breath and turned around, walking slowly back to where she stood waiting, impatiently.

“Gemma…” I said timidly, dropping down onto one knee.

“Oh my god…” She whimpered softly, throwing her hands over her mouth as I smiled up at her.

“Gemma,” I continued, gaining confidence from her reaction, “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you; all the ups and downs. Will you be my wife?”

“Yes! OH GOD YES!” She screamed, grabbing my arms and pulling me up to her. I opened up the little black box and showed her the ring. It was almost ungodly large, but I knew what she liked; and she seemed to like this.
She held out her left hand to me and giggled as I pushed it onto her ring finger.

I pressed my lips up to hers and smiled as she kissed me back; as my fiancé kissed me back. I grabbed her neck in my hands, pushing her into me more.
“Jared don’t!” She cried swatting my hands away, “you’ll ruin my hair for the pictures! Ugh, I gotta go show Shelby!” She gasped, turning and running out of the room towards the dinning hall; leaving me alone in the dark.

*** I did an update on Jared again because someone mentioned they wanted another one with him in it; obviously there will always be part of Jordan/Alice in each thing but... if anyone wants a post from Marc of Eric's POV... let me know and I'll see what I can do =) ***