Maybe his relationship with his wife was not so much a hurdle to jump over as he might think, but there was still the case of his daughter and reeling that fish back in was going to be no easy task, the life she led now was more than he could comprehend and there was no conclusive way to try and earn her trust again without being that awkward father that no daughter wanted. Thinking about it, maybe the awkwardness was what was required to get back into her good books, a short term sacrifice for long term gains.
Running his thumb along the rim of the glass, he thought back to some of the happiest moments of his life, his marriage to Christine in the south of France, followed by the reception at a beautiful country mansion, it was everything she could have ever wanted and more, the birth of his daughter and the unforgettable memory of how fragile she was in his arms, blinking up at him, everything about her so small and vulnerable, soft and pudgy, she was the most incredible and precious little thing he had ever laid eyes upon and she melted his heart right then and there.
His one regret was not having spent more time with her during the latter part of her upbringing; she had spent such a great deal of time away from the two of them that she had formed her own personality without them playing a part in it, so much so that it was difficult to pave a way back into her life without kicking down the door and barging in. The last thing Edward wanted to do was turn his daughter against him, so he had to play this smart, this wasn’t about her life choices, he didn’t believe he had a say in that… at least not yet, but it was about them mending a broken relationship, not just father and daughter, but daughter and parents.
Just then, the sound of the ship’s horns interrupted his thoughts and soon afterwards, Christine returned with an amused smile on her face and drinks in hands. She placed another glass of Marley Brown in front of him and took a sip of her cocktail, a new cocktail.
“What’s got you smiling from ear to ear?”
“The barman, Adam, I think his name is. I was planning to get the same drink, but he suggested this one and the name alone was enough to make me go as red as a beet. I mean honestly, is it really necessary to give drinks such sexually suggestive names? How he could say that with such a straight face is beyond me”.
“What is it?”
“Really? Do you expect me to repeat that filth? I may have my moments, but that’s far too much even for me”. She sat down and took another sip, her face screwing up the same way one would after tasting something sour. “It is strong though. I can’t imagine I’ll be going to bed in a stable mindset tonight, so thank God I don’t have anything but relaxation to think about for tomorrow”.
“We have the ship’s first banquet with the captain tonight, so don’t get too plastered”.
“Look who’s being all responsible all of a sudden, where were you the past… several years?”
“Just saying. Is it good?”
“It’s brilliant; I think I’ve found my new favourite drink”.
“Yeah? Let’s see you ask for one at any bar now”.
Christine laughed.
“I’ll whisper it, or better yet, type it out on my phone and show the bartender”.
“Unconventional, but it gets my approval”.
“Hey, I hear there’s a retro club on board”, she began to jig and sway in her seat, “we can go… two step, get our groove on, shake that tail feather”.
Now Edward was laughing.
“We haven’t done any of that in years; I’d probably snap a hip”.
“Oh, come on, don’t be boring. You’re fine and it’ll be good for us. Let’s dance it off like we did back when we were dating, relive our youth”.
“Okay, you got me, but let’s make sure our daughter and her girlfriend aren’t there as well, I wouldn’t want us to humiliate them… with our extravagant dance moves, yo”.
Christine laughed even harder.
“Did you just say yo? Dear lord. Stop it, that doesn’t suit you in the slightest”.
“Don’t hate because I’m hip and down with the kids”.
“You are the furthest thing from down with the kids, honey”.
The couple laughed merrily, only enjoying themselves and further letting all reservations go as time went on and the drinking continued. The topics transitioned from their relationship and her mother, to their daughter and just about everything else, all whilst maintaining the light-hearted tone of tipsiness.
Eventually they left the bar to dine at a small American style diner, before retreating back to their cabin to nap.
Hours went by and before long, it was seven o’clock and the banquet had begun. Their table already reserved, with their own waiter for the full extent of the trip awaiting their arrival, they need only dress up formally and arrive.
CHAPTER 8 - RACHEL
7:23pm - 5 Days until outbreak
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“I don't know what to wear, I've only got like three really nice dresses to my name”, Rachel moaned, rummaging through her luggage.
Her girlfriend chuckled.
“What are you complaining about? That's still two more than I have”.
“What happened to our girliness? All I seem
