Anniversary Cruise
By Mr. Freeze
Day One - Saturday
It was a warm winter day in Miami. The sun was shining. A light breeze whispered through the nearby palm trees creating a soothing rustle. The soothing rustle was being periodically drowned out, however, by the sounds of large forklifts carrying crates full of luggage, cab drivers laying on their horns and tour buses spilling their contents out onto the tarmac.
David Larson looked out the window of his cab at the large white ship that towered in front of the terminal. The ship was loaded with windows and balconies and lifeboats and all things nautical. Stenciled towards the top he made out the words "Carnival Triumph" in red. Dave got out of the cab and then the cabbie got out and started unloading his bags. Dave unconsciously went into his wallet and handed thirty dollars to the cab driver and another five dollars to the man loading his luggage into one of the giant crates that the forklifts were moving around.
"Go inside over there, sir," said the man taking his bags. He had a thick Latin accent. He pointed to a small door at the end of the terminal.
"Thank you," said Dave absently. He headed into the air-conditioned building only to start waiting in a myriad of lines to get on the ship. He wondered why he even came on the cruise. Every single person checking him in wondered why Lisa wasn't there to check in as well. It had all come down to the money he spent on the cruise. He couldn't let it all go to waste. He even tried talking some of his friends into going but none could get away from their own wives and girlfriends.
Dave walked up the gangplank and felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. This was going to be a very special vacation for Lisa and him. It was going to be their tenth wedding anniversary. Nine would be all they would ever have.
He looked up at the atrium as he entered the ship. Several people around him were standing and gawking at the beautifully lit atrium. It was a wonder they could fit something so ornate on a boat. Dave didn't care though. He merely headed to the elevators so he could go to his room. He waited an eternity before he could catch an elevator. Once he was on the elevator they stopped at every floor so Dave had to wait even longer. Dave's room was on the tenth level, the Panorama deck.
Dave quickly found his room, especially since it was the first room off the elevator. When he got in he dropped his bags on the floor and the collapsed on the bed. Thoughts of Lisa ran through his head. She was gone forever. She wasn't on this cruise that they had planned for years. She had a few too many drinks at an office party about nine months ago. It was the day after they had finally booked this cruise. As she was driving home she lost control of her car and ran into a telephone pole at fifty miles per hour. She was killed instantly. A wave of emotion swept over Dave. He sobbed uncontrollably over his lost wife until fatigue won out and he slipped into a sound sleep.
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"I can't wait to lie out and get some good tanning in," said Amber Quinn as she walked up the gangway to the Carnival Triumph. Her best friend Becca Hammond was right behind her looking up at the side of the ship in awe. Becca had been on many cruises but the sizes of the ships never ceased to amaze her.
"I'm sure most of the ship can't wait until you lie out to get some sun," Becca quipped. Amber and Becca were both models. The difference was that Amber was very thin and waiflike as most models tended to be. Becca on the other hand wasn't thin. She wasn't overly fat, but she definitely wasn't thin. Becca did plus-size modeling. She had once been as thin as Amber when she was doing teen modeling but her metabolism eventually caught up with her.
Amber and Becca had modeled together as teenagers and became instant friends. Their careers had taken different paths into adulthood but they still kept in touch and tried to get together as much as humanly possible.
The one thing about Amber that bothered Becca was how men always flocked to Amber when they were together. The men would basically ignore Becca and pretend that she wasn't there. Amber never even noticed. When it was just girl time together, Amber was the greatest person in the world for Becca to spend time with. When men were involved Becca was never happy.
"It's so beautiful," said Amber as she gazed up at the atrium in the center of the ship. There were lights lining every floor going up to a glass dome at the spa level of the ship. Brilliantly lit glass elevators moved up and down carrying the new arrivals to their rooms.
"I can't wait to get out and explore the ship," said Becca with a smile. "There is so much to do here."
"I plan on working on my tan," reiterated Amber. "I need some color for my next few shoots."
The two girls went to the elevators and waited patiently for an elevator going up. They took the elevator up to the spa deck and found their way to their suite at the front of the ship.
The girls entered their room and dropped their stuff on the bed. They would have to share a king sized bed but that wasn't a problem for either of them. Amber started disrobing immediately and once she was completely naked she started fishing for her swimming suit out of her carry on bag.
Becca hadn't "seen" Amber for quite a long time. She admired Amber's soft yet firm curves. Amber exuded grace. From her blonde hair that was worn up revealing her graceful neck, to the gentle curves of her body from her breasts down to her hips and her long graceful legs. The only tan lines she had were where her tiny thong was worn. Becca looked at Amber's breasts. She knew that Amber had them enhanced two years ago and she admired the fantastic job that had given Amber a decent C cup with absolutely no sag. Becca also noticed that Amber was still completely shaving her pubic hair. She knew that was almost a given when doing swimsuit modeling like Amber had been doing.
"You ok Becca?" asked Amber.
"Huh?"
"You were staring at me," said Amber with a friendly smile.
"I just forgot how beautiful you are," said Becca nervously.
"Thank you," said Amber. "You aren't so bad looking yourself."
"I'm fat, remember?"
"And still very pretty," said Amber.
Becca loved the fact that Amber never lorded her beauty over her. She always considered Becca an equal even if it was far from the truth.
Amber found her suit and put it on. The tiny red suit didn't cover that much. The guys walking through the Lido deck were in for a treat.
"You gonna come with me?" asked Amber.
"No, I think I want to check out the ship," said Becca.
"Shall we meet up at dinner then?"
"Sure," said Becca. "We are the 8:30 sitting in the London dining room. I will see you there."
Becca wanted to sun but she didn't want to compete with Amber while she did so. Becca instead decided to see the ship. She went around to the various lounges and bars and walked through the casino checking out the games that would open once the ship left Miami. When the "all ashore going ashore" announcements were made she went back to the room knowing that they would soon be doing their lifeboat drills.
After fifteen minutes they started announcing the lifeboat drills. Becca grabbed her life preserver from the room and headed down to her lifeboat station. She wondered if Amber would make it down. The life boat drill was miserable. She was forced to wear the uncomfortable life preserver while being stuffed in like a sardine in front of the lifeboat on the tiny deck. She suddenly felt a stab of pain in her foot and she looked for the offending foot that stepped on her.
"I'm sorry miss," said a thirty something gentleman standing next to her.
"I'm ok," said Becca, her anger snuffed out by the handsome man standing next to her. He wore a polo shirt and khaki shorts. His skin was a dark bronze from frequent tanning. His muscles bulged throughout his shirt. Overall he was clean shaven and well groomed. Then Becca noticed something else. There was a sadness in this man's face.
"You sure?" asked the man politely.
"Yeah," said Becca dreamily. She knew this man was out of her league but she was determined now to strike up a conversation with him.
"My name is Becca," she said offering her hand.
"David. David Larson," said the man. "You can call me Dave though. Everyone else does."
"Where are you from?" asked Becca as she made small talk.
"Wisconsin."
"Really? I grew up in Wisconsin. What part?"
"Waukesha."
"I grew up in Ashipun," said Becca with excitement in her voice
"That's nice," said the man nonchalantly.
"That's a nice tan for someone who lives in Wisconsin," said Becca.
"I tan at my health club," said Dave.
Then Becca noticed that he was wearing a wedding ring. Dammit, she thought. He's married.
"Your wife get tan like that too?" asked Becca trying to ease back out of the conversation.
"My wife?" said Dave automatically.
"Yeah, you're married right?"
"Oh, the ring," said Dave. Then his expression deepened. "She's been dead nine months now."
"Oh God," exclaimed Becca. "I'm so sorry."
"It's ok," said Dave with a sunken expression. "You couldn't have known. You married?"
"No," said Becca. "I'm here with a friend of mine. We haven't seen each other in over six months so we thought a cruise would be a good chance to reconnect."
"What do you do for a living?" asked Dave, coming out of his shell.
"I'm a model," said Becca, waiting for the negative reaction that many people gave her when she told them what she did.
Dave didn't give a negative reaction. Instead he turned and began to appraise her. He looked down and then his eyes moved up. When they hit her face his breath caught.
"Oh my God," whispered Dave.
"The lifeboat drill is now complete. You may now return to your cabins," said one of the crew members running the lifeboat drill.
"Is something wrong?" asked Becca.
Dave didn't answer. Instead he head out as quickly as he could. Becca could see him actually moving people out of his way to get further from her. What was it that he found so repulsive about her? She couldn't fathom what it was but she was deeply hurt. She ended up crying all the way back up to her cabin.
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Dave was spooked. The expression he saw in that woman's face when she looked into her eyes was exactly like Lisa.
He instantly remembered the same expression when they had first met twelve years ago at a mutual friend's wedding. It was that look that hooked him and made him fall in love with her. Now this woman gave him the same look. She had the same eyes, the same mouth. Granted she was a bit heavier than Lisa but she still looked a lot like Lisa.
For the second time that day Dave was in tears as he entered his room.
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Amber Quinn still hadn't lost her touch. While she was on the Lido deck she managed to snag herself a man. The muscular twenty year old just happened to end up at the same lifeboat station as well so they spent the entire lifeboat drill flirting with one another.
Amber had plans for him right after the lifeboat drill. As they headed off the lifeboat deck she struggled to remember the man's name. Was it Tom or Todd? Her thoughts were interrupted by a man who rudely pushed her out of the way. Tom or Todd tried to grab the man but he was quickly lost in the crowd.
"Why don't we go up to your cabin and see if we can get some privacy," said Amber seductively.
Tom or Todd nodded enthusiastically. He was on an early spring break with a bunch of his fraternity brothers. He figured he shouldn't have too much problem getting them out for a little action.
Unfortunately when he opened the door to his room he found his roommate Bill plowing into you young college coed.
"Can we try your room instead?" said Tom or Todd.
"Sure Tom," said Amber with a smile.
"Todd," said the boy.
"Yeah, Todd."
The two headed up to the Spa Deck and Amber opened the door to see if Becca was in the room. She found Becca lying in the middle of the bed crying. Her hormones took a back seat as she saw her friend in distress.
"What's wrong Becca?" asked Amber softly.
"Men!" screamed Becca.
Amber turned to Todd. "Um Tom, I think I will catch you later? Maybe on the Lido deck again?"
"That's Todd," said the boy, who was a little miffed at not getting any action with such a fine babe. "I guess I'll see ya."
Amber closed the door behind Todd and walked over to the bed. She sat down next too Becca's head and stroked her long fiery red hair gently.
"I've always admired your hair Becca. Guys love red heads and you're a natural. You're hair is so easy to care for. I spend two hours making my hair look nice. You take fifteen minutes tops. You're so lucky."
"Why do men not like me?" sobbed Becca.
Amber couldn't figure that out herself. Becca might have been a little heavy but she was extremely pretty. She was one of the top models in the plus sized market. Her fiery red hair and fiery Irish personality made her easy for photographers to work with. With all that Becca had going for her she had a difficult time with the men. Those that she did attract turned out to be complete assholes. She dated one guy for an entire year until Amber found out that he was beating her. Amber threatened to cut off his balls if she ever saw Becca again.
"What happened sweetie?" asked Amber.
"I met this really handsome man during the lifeboat drill. We were having a nice little conversation. Then I told him I was a model. He looked at me and then bolted. He was knocking people over to get away from me."
Even Amber with her limited brain power could put two and two together. She realized it was the same man that almost knocked her on her ass earlier.
Amber leaned over and kissed Becca on the forehead.
"I'm sorry sweetie," said Amber softly. She ran her hand softly over Becca's face for encouragement.
Becca stopped crying and sat up facing Amber.
"What would I do without a friend like you?" said Becca.
"You've been there for me a million times too you know," said Amber. It was a lie. Becca was the needy one. Amber would do anything for Becca though. She loved Becca more than anyone in the world. It wasn't a romantic type of love, just a deep friendship that transcended everything in her life.
Becca grabbed Amber around the waist and drew her in for a hug. Amber felt her blood pump harder. Her skin flushed from the contact. She couldn't let it happen again. She promised herself.
Amber pulled back but Becca took it as a different sign than escape. Becca placed her lips on Amber's and kissed her passionately. It didn't take long for Amber to relax into the kiss, to accept it, to be drawn into Becca's charm.
Amber completely melted into Becca when Becca slid her hands underneath the material to her bikini top and began fondling her breasts. No other person could make her feel as good as Becca did. Her resistance was gone. She had promised herself not to have sex with Becca again. She promised herself not to be drawn into her charms and succumb to the ecstasy she gave. It always left her wanting when it was time for them to part once again. It left her feeling empty inside, needing her best friend more than anything. The worst part of it was that Becca didn't love her the same way that she loved Becca. Amber could see giving up everything for Becca but Becca would never make that sacrifice. So once again she would take what she could get and feel the familiar emptiness once again in a week.
Amber worked off Becca's blouse, only breaking their kiss for a brief moment and grabbed at her breasts. Becca's breasts were 100% natural, unlike her own, yet they retained their firmness despite her size. She coveted Becca's breasts and when she had her own breastwork done she had hers modeled after Becca's.
After a few minutes of mutual groping and kissing the two girls separated and wordlessly undressed themselves completely. Becca as always was the aggressor and began the next round of furious groping and kissing. Amber preferred things slow and loving when they were together but often Becca would take charge. It was the only place Becca ever took charge and she allowed it because she loved Becca more than anything else in the world.
Becca kissed down to Amber's chest between her breasts and ran her tongue to one of the breasts and began circling it with her tongue. Amber let out a deep sigh and held Becca's head gently as she licked her nipple. It got the desired effect. Amber had effectively slowed down Becca without making her feel like she had lost control. Becca slowly worked her way over to Amber's other breast. Amber moaned softly as Becca suckled the other nipple.
Becca worked her tongue from Amber's breasts down her flat stomach and to just above her pubic mound.
"God I've missed this," gasped Becca. "It's been too long."
Amber nodded.
"You ok with this Brit?"
Amber hesitated and then nodded. To her saying no to Becca was like a crack addict saying no to his next dose. She was addicted to Becca.
"Thank you for being such a wonderful friend," said Becca.
Becca didn't see it but Amber mouthed "I love you" just as Becca's tongue dove into Amber's womanhood.
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Dave sat on his bed and stared at the television. Some fat guy in a double breasted suit was talking about how things worked on the ship. Dave didn't hear a word of it. He kept wrestling with whether he wanted to go out and see the ship or not. He was scared he would run into that Becca woman again. He was scared of seeing Lisa in her face.
It finally came down to what Lisa would have wanted. Lisa would have wanted him to enjoy the cruise and to have fun. He decided that he would start out by having a nice dinner. He was scheduled to eat at 8:30 in the London dining room. The night was casual so no changing of clothes was necessary.
Dave walked out of his room with a renewed sense of confidence. He walked to the elevators and found one ready to go down right away. He took the elevator down to three and found a throng of people waiting for the dining room to open for late seating. He grabbed a rum and coke at the bar just outside the dining room to pass the time as he waited.
Dave's heart skipped when he saw Becca along with a gorgeous looking blonde. They were having a rather animated discussion as they waited ahead of him for the dining room to open.
When the dining room opened it took awhile for the wait staff to seat all the guests at their appropriate tables. Dave couldn't keep his eyes off of Becca. She was too into her conversation that she never noticed his stares.
He saw Becca and her friend go off to the left when they entered the dining room. A few minutes later he reached the maitre de.
"Can I see your sail and sign card?" asked the maitre de.
Dave handed him the card and the maitre de walked him off to the left and towards Becca's table. His heart started racing when he stopped at their table.
"This is your table sir," said the maitre de handing Dave his card back.
"Well, well, well," said Becca as Dave sat down nervously. "We meet again."
"Is this the guy?" asked Becca's companion.
Becca nodded.
"You almost knocked me over during the boat drill," said the blonde.
"I apologize, Miss, for what happened. I was overcome with emotion at the time. I am sorry to you as well Becca. I was in no way mad at you for anything. Just something scared me is all."
"What was it?" said Becca, her expression softening.
"You will think this is silly," said Dave. His eyes were now boring into hers. He saw Lisa again and fought to keep his composure.
"Try me," said Becca.
"You remind me of someone," said Dave.
"Your late wife?"
Dave nodded.
Becca looked down, her eyes downcast. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault," said Dave. "I really shouldn't have gone on this cruise. Too many memories."
"Can I ask how she died?"
"Car accident. Her fault, she was drunk," said Dave soberly.
"Shit," said the blonde beneath her breath.
"We booked this cruise the day before she died. It was to be for our tenth anniversary."
"Kids?" asked Becca.
Dave shook his head. "She couldn't have children."
Becca put her hand on Dave's to comfort him. He immediately began to relax. It was the first female touch he had since the funeral.
"This is my friend Amber," said Becca pointing to the blonde.
"Hi Amber. I'm Dave."
The waiter came along and handed each person their menu.
"Is there a fourth tonight?" asked the waiter.
Dave opened his mouth to speak but Amber beat him to the punch. "Our fourth said she wouldn't be dining in the dining room this week."
Becca shot Amber a puzzled look. Dave just looked grateful. It was one less person he had to explain things too.
"My name is Andrew and I will be your server for the week," said the waiter. Andrew didn't look much like an Andrew. He looked like he was from India or Pakistan. Further inspection of his nametag showed that he was indeed from India.
Andrew departed and the assistant waiter, a tall, handsome dark haired man named Milen from Slovenia began pouring water in the glasses.
"Thank you Miss? Um?" stammered Dave.
"Amber."
"Thank you Amber. I really am getting sick of having to explain the lack of a partner on this cruise and we just set sail."
"Maybe Becca could help you out with that situation," said Amber.
Becca glared at Amber. Dave looked over at Becca and thought about spending an entire cruise with her. The resemblance to Lisa was just too uncanny. He thought she was gorgeous but was unsure if he could look into her eyes and not see Lisa every time.
There was an uncomfortable silence at the table and then Amber spoke up again.
"With due respect to your wife, but don't you think she would want you to enjoy your cruise?"
"Amber!" exclaimed Becca.
"Well, if I had a husband and I died I would want my husband to be able to move on with his life."
"You are totally out of line to say that," hissed Becca.
"It's ok Becca," said Dave. "Amber's right. Lisa would have wanted me to enjoy myself."
Becca's jaw dropped in surprise. Amber gave Dave a warm smile.
"I will probably need some companionship to make my cruise more enjoyable," said Dave. "Would you like to volunteer Becca?"
"Are you asking me out on a date?" said Becca. Her face was now glowing.
Dave nodded. "How about we go to one of the bars after dinner?"
"I'd like that," said Becca quietly.
Dave smiled at her and Becca's face brightened again.
The rest of dinner contained small talk about where each person was from. Dave went on and on about how cold it was in Wisconsin. Amber went on and on about how expensive it was to live in Los Angeles. Becca just outright complained about living in New York City. They all agreed that they were better off in the Caribbean.
After dessert Amber excused herself saying that she was going to go find the college boy from the Lido deck. Becca and Dave sat at the table for the next few minutes just staring into one another's eyes and not saying a word.
"Shall we get that drink?" asked Dave, breaking the silence.
Becca nodded dreamily.
Dave stood up and waited patiently for Becca to stand up. Once she stood he offered his arm to her and Becca wrapped her arm into his. The couple left the dining room and walked up the stairs to the Promenade deck. There were several bars and clubs and a casino on the deck. Dave chose a small, quiet bar towards the back of the ship where they could talk without a lot of extra noise.
Dave ordered himself a rum-and-coke and Becca ordered herself a diet soda. Dave offered to pay for both drinks but Becca insisted on paying instead with her room key.
"So, what kind of modeling do you do?" asked Dave, trying to break the ice.
"Mostly stuff for major department stores. I've done a lot of work for Sears and Kohl's. You can see me in a lot of their regular sales circulars."
"Sounds like a good career," said Dave.
"I am getting sick of being on this side of the camera though," said Becca. "I want to get into the photography end of things or start working as an agent. Being a plus sized model I am always put down by the other models. They look down on me because I don't throw up like they do on a regular basis or eat a few pieces of lettuce a day. I still watch what I eat and exercise every day. My metabolism will never allow me to be as thin as they are though."
"Is Amber a fellow model?"
"Yes. We met when we were both teen models. I was a lot thinner in those days. Amber is the only one who doesn't judge me. She always accepts me for who I am and always thinks I am prettier than her."
"It's too bad she lives so far away for you to stay in contact all the time," said Dave.
"I can only take her in small doses," said Becca with a smile. "She attracts men like flies and I always feel like a third wheel."
"You don't give yourself enough credit. You really are very pretty," said Dave.
"What do you see in me Dave? Are you only interested in me because you see some of you late wife in me?"
Dave didn't say anything. All he could do was look down at his drink and stir it nervously.
"Listen, I really like you Dave. You are a really handsome man and so far a very nice person but I don't want to be a replacement for someone else. I think I should probably head upstairs."
Becca got up and gave Dave a kiss on the forehead. Before Dave could summon the strength to say "wait!" Becca was already walking towards the elevators.
Dave sat at the bar and let what happened sink in. Maybe he wasn't ready to date again. Maybe she was right that he was basing his attraction to her on Lisa's image. She was a nice enough person though and easy to get along with. He just didn't want to spend the cruise alone and maybe that in itself wasn't fair to Becca.
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Becca was crying by the time the elevator reached the top floor. Why couldn't anyone like her for Becca? Why did everyone have to compare her to someone else or hold her to someone else's standard? For Amber it was easy. She picked out a guy, he drooled and next thing she knew they were having sex.
Becca opened the door to the room and was greeted by moaning and groaning. A sandy haired, muscular college boy was naked and on top of Amber grinding his pelvis into her. Becca screamed in frustration and slammed the door behind her. She then headed for the Lido deck buffet. She ended up falling asleep on a chair overlooking the back of the ship.
-- end part one --
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