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Josh leaned on the railing of the ship and took in the ocean air. He glanced to his right and saw Karen, her eyes closed sucking in air through her nostrils, her hair was being blown back by the wind. He smiled, she was so beautiful like this, he mentally cursed himself for leaving the camera back in the stateroom.
“This is fantastic.” She said softly. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her into him. Just then Carlie and Ashley came running up to them, Alex and Dee arm in arm following close behind.
“There’s a craft room, Mommy!” Carlie said and threw her arms around her mom. Karen hugged her daughter and then let her go.
“Is that where you’re going to be because we’re going to eat dinner in about an hour or two and I need to be able to find you." Carlie glanced at Ashley who nodded.
“Yep, that’s where we’re going to be.”
“Let’s walk them there and then we’ll have drinks.” Dee said as the girls skipped off towards the elevators. Josh slid his arm around Karen’s shoulders as they walked and slipped her hand inside Josh’s and laced her fingers through his.
“This New Year’s cruise was a fantastic idea.” She said. Josh nodded.
“It’s going to be a blast.” He said. They took the elevator down to the 5th level and found a whole hall full of rooms for kids 13 and under. Karen was amazed … a line dancing room, a music room, food and drinks, crafts … Ashley and Carlie opened the door to the craft room and chatter from the inside filtered into the hallway. When they were safely tucked inside the four adults made their way back to the main deck where they found a table and waited to order drinks. Once they had them they toasted the new year and valued relatives then drank.
“Where are the older two?” Dee asked sucking the olive out of her martini and chewing it.
“They are watching a concert.” Karen replied. There were three auditoriums on the ship, two of them holding concerts all night featuring popular rock stars and groups including Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas. She was fairly certain she wouldn’t see them until they crawled back to the suite and flopped into bed. Dee nodded. She pulled the schedule out of her purse and spread it out onto the table.
“Okay, let’s see … what time is it now?” She said, checked her watch and went back to the schedule. Karen leaned over to look with her. “Okay let’s see … it’s 8:15 …” She ran her finger down the page and found the listings for the Main stage. “Wow!” She said. “The new INXS is playing now.” Karen raised her eyebrows.
“That’s cool. And check it out, Nickelback is next. Who’s playing at midnight?”
“The Goo Goo Dolls.” Karen made a face and stuck out her tongue. Josh pulled the schedule out from under Dee’s hands and peered at it.
“Fabulous!” He said, excited. “My Chemical Romance is playing on the other stage. I want to see them!” Karen looked at Dee who shrugged then they both giggled. “Okay, whatever.” He said and leaned back in his chair.
“I’ll go watch them with you.” Alex offered. Josh tipped his glass to Alex who did the same. The guys finished their drinks and then excused themselves. When they disappeared the girls sighed, finished their drinks and ordered more. They drank and chatted until they were once again joined by their men who informed them it was time to round up the kids for dinner.
Most of them sat in the main dining room and perused menus. Kelly and Ryan were missing but Karen expected that. Josh closed the menu and set it down on the table.
“I’m going to have a huge steak.” He announced and laced his fingers together in front of him.
“Me too.” Karen said and set down her menu as well. Ashley and Carlie decided on mostaccioli and then Alex and Dee decided on the steak and lobster combination. They chatted as they ate, making plans to visit Disney World in the near future. Ashley and Carlie giggled excitedly as the adults made plans to go here and there. Then Josh sighed.
“I’ve got a tour coming up.” He said as he ate the last bit of his meal and then pushed the plate to the side.
“Oh you’re not going anywhere for a while.” Alex said and then stifled a laugh. Josh pointed at Alex.
“That’s not nice.” Alex laughed and drained his glass of the last of his beer.
“Oh, pffft.” He waved him away. “You love touring and you know it.” Josh laughed.
“Yeah, but I love Warner Brothers Studio too!” He said. Karen muffled a laugh. He could be such a child sometimes.
“Well …” Dee said, wiping Ashley’s face with a cloth napkin. “You might have a day or so in between to sneak off.” She offered. Josh nodded.
“Sure.” He sighed, dejected. Karen clasped his hand in hers and squeezed.
“We’ll figure out something.” He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. The soft of his lips and the heat of his breath gave her chills. She looked forward to later, in the room when they were safely away from relatives and children and she could take advantage of those delicious lips and the tongue inside. She felt herself flush at the thought of it and emitted a little sigh. Josh noticed and sucked one of her fingers into his mouth. Karen closed her eyes at the tantalizing feeling. Josh continued to suck on her digit until he heard Alex clear his throat then he backed up and gave Karen’s hand back to her. She fumbled with the napkin in her lap uncomfortably until Dee got up with the girls.
“They want to try line dancing.” She said and then shrugged.
“I want to!” Josh said getting up from the table and pulling Karen up. The six of them headed down to the dancing floors. They danced and laughed until 11:30 when they made their way to the main concert hall and joined the Goo Goo Dolls concert which was well under way. Waitresses breezed past them with trays held up in the air filled with flutes of champagne. Josh stopped one and snagged two glasses for himself and Karen. They clinked glasses together then drank.
Two minutes before midnight the waitresses were making their way around the room ensuring that everyone had a glass of champagne to toast the new year. Josh, Karen, Dee, and Alex made sure the girls were close at hand when the countdown began. At the final stroke of midnight, there on a cruise ship in the Pacific Ocean Josh was holding in his arms someone he’d found he loved dearly and truly couldn’t live without. He pulled her close and gazed into her emerald eyes.
“I love you, Karen. Happy New Year.” She smiled and leaned up for a kiss.
“Happy New Year to you, Josh, I love you too!” He pressed his mouth against hers engulfing it and kissing fiercely.
Karen made one last check on the kids before closing the door to the suite and making her way back to the bed where Josh lie waiting. He pulled the covers aside so she could crawl in next to him and once she had he tossed the covers back over her and pulled her into his arms.
“Finally.” He said, pulling a stray hair from her lashes and leaning down, kissed her forehead. She sighed and slid her arms around his neck.
“I know.” She whispered.
“Now we can ring in the New Year the right way!” He said softly and then slowly, teasingly leaned down and pressed his mouth onto hers. She pulled him closer and sucked at him hungrily. He slid his tongue into her mouth and found hers as his hands made their way down her side and under her silk nightie. She moaned lightly as he slid his hand up her thigh and onto her belly. He rubbed it momentarily before sliding up and underneath her breasts. He took one into his hand and rubbed his thumb along her taught nipple. She raised up her knee and pressed it against him. He took the cue and ran his hand back down to the fur mound that signaled he’d reached what he was looking for. His fingers slid down through the hair and found her wet and slightly open. “Mmmm …” He moaned and tickled her opening with the tips of his fingers. She groaned into him as he slid one inside and pushed it as far as it would go. He began to move it inside and out as her hips raised to him, giving him more access to further her pleasure. He pressed his hardness against her and rubbed lightly, the liquid he oozed providing a much needed slick surface for him. She pulled back from his head and groaned.
“Oh God, baby, do it, now!” He wasted no time and mounted her, she opened herself for him and he slid inside quickly. He made love to her, going slowly even though his body said fast and when he was done he held her in his arms, his fingers tangled in her hair as he lay staring at the ceiling and contemplated the coming year.
