Chapter 41
JOLAR
Mitchell decided we didn’t have anything good enough to sit at the captain’s table with, so off to the onboard shop we went. Three outfits later, we were ready to go shower and change and get ready to go eat. Which was just as well, as Neal was fed up and hangry.
“Ah, here are our two grooms, and who is this cute little guy?” The captain asked suavely as he greeted us.
“I’m Neal and this is Daddy and that’s Papa,” he introduced us.
“Oh, isn’t he just a little sugar plum,” an older woman cooed at Neal.
A waiter stopped by to take our order. Thankfully they had food available that wasn’t too fussy.
“Neal, how about the chicken with mashed potatoes?” I suggested.
“Yeah! I likes mashed tatoes with gravy!”
The waiter nodded. “We can put some of the white sauce on his potatoes,” he assured me. I decided that would work. “He doesn’t like carrots, though, so if he could just have peas, that would be wonderful.”
He made a note. “And for yourself?”
I decided to play it safe and order the same thing.
“I’ll have the shrimp primavera,” Mitchell told him.
“Any starters?”
“How about a puu puu platter? We can share it. That way Neal won’t get too full before his dinner arrives,” Mitchell suggested.
The food was excellent once it arrived and conversation soon turned to our wedding.
“Well, due to complicated rules about licenses and what have you, we only do vow renewals. Which is fine, because once you were matched, your paperwork already made you legally married,” the Captain informed us.
“We’ll do the ceremony on deck, and afterwards there will be a toast at the start of the evening meal in your honor, with free champagne and sparkling juice for your party, and of course your meal will be comped for the event. ”
I nodded. The brochure had already told us all of that, but it was good to have further confirmation.
“Oh, you two must simply go dancing at the Coco Cabana Lounge afterwards,” the older woman from earlier said. “They have a live act every night.”
The captain looked at us expectantly.
“That does sound fun,” Mitchell said, looking wistful.
“There is a babysitting service available if you wish to go. Our background checked and trained childcare member of staff can sit with Neal in your rooms for a fee.”
“Let’s do that,” I agreed.
“You sure?” Mitch whispered. “The babysitter sounds expensive.”
I cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, right,” he mumbled. “They gave us a stupid amount of money for expenses.”
I patted his hand.
“At least we can wear our wedding clothes,” he said, smiling. “I can’t wait to see you in your dress uniform.
The rest of the meal passed by pleasantly. Neal was worn out, so I carried him in my arms.
“Look at him,” Mitch said, smiling fondly at our son as he brushed his hair back out of his eyes. “Out like a light. Let’s just slide his shoes off and tuck him in, unless you think he needs to pee first.”
“He went before he had dessert,” I reminded him.
“Then he should be fine.”
We reached our door, and Mitch fumbled with the keys.
“An actual key, can you believe it?” he chuckled as he unlocked the door.
I went in first, waiting by the closest bed for Mitch to come in.
He walked over, pulling the covers back, and I gently laid Neal down.
Mitch picked Stitch up from the chair and placed him next to Neal before pulling the covers over him.
“You know,” he whispered, “I was afraid I’d get sea sick, but I’m not,” he yawned. “I’m so tired, though, and I don’t know why. We hardly did anything.”
“You’re finally able to relax,” I replied, kissing his forehead as I began to shuck off my clothes.
“Yeah, I suppose.” He began unbuttoning his own shirt. I felt a pain of regret, knowing that we’d be sex free until we made landfall, as we had a suite at the inn there. Though Mitch was right. Perhaps the gentle rocking of the ship contributed, but I was ready to sleep as well.
Mitch went into the bathroom. “Gonna brush my teeth,” he mumbled as he went in.
I turned down the bed to wait for him, then closed the drapes to keep the moonlight out.
We’d made it, and no disasters had befallen us.
I smirked, thinking of the very different trips by ship we were taking compared to Takahashi.
Somehow, I doubted she was enjoying hers nearly as much and her lodgings were likely to not be to her taste, either.
I had the feeling they’d had to sound dampen her cell for the trip and wondered what her chosen repertoire was for her screechy voiced concert.
I shook my head. She wasn’t my problem anymore, and we were having a great time.
Best of all, tomorrow afternoon, Mitch and I got to pledge ourselves once more to one another with Neal at our side.
Nothing could be more perfect than that.