Marriage is Murder

Michael and Kate and Robert continued to play cards as Jack and Jess went to take a tour of the ship, and finally Michael and Robert tossed in their hands.

"You win again, Kate," Michael laughed.

"I told you," Robert laughed out loud. "She's beat us every hand."

"Thank you, Gentlemen,' she said, putting the cards back in the box. "Bring your money next time."

"No," Michael laughed.

Brian sat looking at the stars and eventually looked down at Khaat. She was asleep. He was glad she had just given in to her fatigue and willing to start to get some rest. In his own mind, he was wondering where the next threat was coming from.

"Now that I have sufficiently put you in your place, I am going to bed. Goodnight," Kate said, getting up and going to their cabin.

"Well," Robert said to Jim and Michael. "Shall we go down to the salon and see if Edward knows how to select his brandy for this boat? A nightcap before bed, perhaps?"

"I'm in," Michael said. "Jim?"

Robert went behind the bar and found a bottle of napoleon brandy. He poured everyone a glass and floated them to them. "To many more peaceful nights like this," he said. They took a sip of the brandy.

"Oh, that is excellent," Michael said, swirling the amber colored liquid and looking at the color of it in the light.

"It certainly is," Robert said. "I will try to buy several bottles of this. You know, I"m glad that Angus and his family could finally buy this ship. They've been saving for years. They have everything invested in this. I'd like to see us support this more."

"Well, I, for one, would not have a problem with several weekends cruising the Mediterranean," Michael said. "And as long as the Donohues don't mind pampering us for a few days, then it does seem very appropriate that we would support one of our own."

"Indeed," Robert agreed.

"I'm sure theyd enjoy it," Robert said. He saw everyone was winding down and wearing out. "It looks like you all ought to head to bed. You're all starting to relax, and you're getting tired."

"Yeah," Michael admitted. "I'm starting to feel it myself. I might head to bed." He finished his brandy. He excused himself and headed to bed. Robert put the glasses in the wetbar's sink.

"I think I'll head to bed myself," Robert said, stifling a yawn. "I think its safe for us to sleep in a bit in the morning. Edward has security guards on board, so take the night off and get some rest, Everyone. We'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." He excused himself and headed to bed.

Morning had come. Khaat and Brian had slept in. They'd enjoyed some time just being alone. She'd enjoyed just laying skin to skin with him in the silence of the morning, in the luxury suite. Theyd' eventually gotten around to coffee and then a shower for two in the oversized shower.

Brian was shaving. He'd chosen a pair of cutoffs. Khaat really liked the fit of this pair. She thought it made him look sexy. He'd chosen that and a tank top with gray and white stripes, with an embroidered anchor on the left shoulder. He was barefoot this morning.

She had a pair of rose colored denim short shorts. Her top was a halter top that tucked into the low slung shorts. The top was white with a large black and rose plaid pattern. She had swiped a clean black shoelace from one of Brian's drawers and had used it to tie back her hair, letting it fall down her back in a full ponytail with loose curls.

As much as she thought he was sexy, he hadn't thought about it. He was busy thinking how sexy he thought she was. And honestly, while she dressed to try to please him, she hadn't thought of herself as sexy either.

They went up on deck together to get refills on their coffee. Robert and Kate were sitting, drinking tea and reasing newspapers. Robert saw the look in Brian's and Khaat's eyes the moment they got up on deck, hand in hand. It made him smile. Now that was the way newlyweds were supposed to look. Completely enamored of the other.

"Good morning," they said. Brian heard the pitter patter of lots of little feet and the next they knew, there was a burst of excitement as all the kids came running out onto the deck, all delighted to be coing out to see their parents. Khaat and Brian and Kate and Robert found themselves flooded in their little ones. Robert looked at the blissful faces of his grandchildren, and it made him smile. All the difficult days they'd spent keeping the kids safe from before they were born had been worth it. It had been worth every second.

"I...I'm sorry!" a young nanny dashed out behnd the kids, flustered. "I...I don't know how it happened...I..."

"Its okay," Robert laughed. "They're safe and happy. Its fine. They just wanted to see their moms and dads. Ask the captain if we might have the children join us for breakfast this morning, please."

"Are you sure, Sir?" she asked, still feeling like she'd failed and risked her job.

"Absoulely," Robert said. "We've been away from them for too long. We'd like to have them with us."

"Yes, Sir,' She said, scampering off to find Angus.