Honestly, his transition wasn't the best result, not to say a newfound, long lasting relationship with God was anything but a good thing, but to use it as a weapon of self-righteousness against others, whilst concealing a turbulent history of ruining lives that he had done little in the way of making amends for, reeked of contradictions and hypocrisy. Still, of all the possible outcomes, Edward could live with this, he was going to have to come to terms with his father spending more time at the church than that with his family, learn from the mistakes of his father and swear not to repeat them.
His mother worked her ass off to keep things together at the best and the worst. At times she had to take on both roles and at other times it was a struggle for her to simply get out of bed in the morning, exhaustion and lack of zest for life having taken their toll on her. It was any wonder why she stuck with him when he was so clearly wrapped up in his own little world, but she swore an oath that she vigorously stood by to her own detriment.
Edward used the opportunity to help his mother and younger siblings the very first chance he got, determined to see her struggles end. Dropping out of school was probably the hardest decision he had ever had to make and the years to follow were certainly not easy, but he established his own business and found his footing again. As it turns out, the business boomed and even sailed its way through the recession. As it turns out, there are some things that people will always need.
Able to buy his family a better and bigger home, he finally managed to get them all out of the rut they had only ever known.
He chanced upon Christine on a trip to France, visiting a popular patisserie. Trying and failing miserably to ask in French for pastries, she stepped in and helped him out, speaking the language with such fluidity that she made him feel foolish for even attempting. To thank her, he extended the offer of a coffee with the pastries they had only just purchased, an offer she declined, but only because she was with friends, she did however suggest they meet for lunch, which they did and it was at that moment Edward realised just how incredible this woman was, as though she hadn't already impressed him enough.
No sooner did he return to London, he ended his on and off relationship with a woman he had disillusioned himself into thinking would one day want a permanent relationship with him and averted his undivided attention to Christine.
There were many aspects that attracted him to her, her extensive knowledge of good Jazz, her passion for fine dining, her headstrong demeanour, she knew exactly what she wanted and she wasn't afraid to make it march her way - she didn't do chasing - in timely fashion, one way or another. Besides that, she was quite the talented cook; one might say that her fingers had been bestowed with the gift of dazzling artistry where food was involved.
It took him less than a year to propose to her and Christine being Christine needed time to think about it, coming back to him an entire week later with the answer his ears couldn't have been more privileged to hear.
So here they were twenty-something odd years later, a questionably satisfied married couple with a gay daughter. Edward wasn't entirely sure where their marriage had taken a wrong turn right into a narrow cobbled alleyway or where he had so thoroughly buggered things up with the upbringing of his daughter, but this is where he was now, in a sexless marriage - Edward had honestly lost count how long it had been - held together only by sheer stubbornness and convenience and father to a confused daughter.
His wife busied herself in her self-started upper-class catering service affairs, his daughter was barely ever home and his life had conveniently become more and more preoccupied with business trips.
Yes, their little family, once a glowing beacon for all to learn from, had fallen apart, those once superficial cracks having opened up into gaping unavoidable crevices, threatening to send them tumbling into an unknown abyss if they didn't do something about it sooner rather than later.
It was Christine who decided upon this trip, convinced him to take some time away from work and spend some time with his family, a chance for them to rekindle what they had somehow lost over the years, she claimed. He had to admit that it was a good idea, even if he wasn't so keen on the choice for a vacation. What was wrong with just heading off to the Canary Islands or something? Why a ship of all things?
If it wasn't apparent, Edward and boats didn't particularly have a great history. He was prone to seasickness and being out there on the vast ocean with no land to escape to, filled him with a sense of dread that compared only to that of the thought of ever getting onto a roller coaster. Naturally he felt nervous now and thinking about everything else was about the only thing keeping him calm enough to stay on the ship.
“This is… magical, don't you think?” Christine asked, stepping out onto the balcony alongside him.
“I wouldn't use the word magical, more like… hellish”, he remarked.
“Oh come off it, you could be a little more appreciative and optimistic, it really wouldn't hurt”.
“Believe me, I wish I
