Chapter 13: Post-War Events
Part 1: Disaster in Heatherfield
15 July, 2019
Location: Heatherfield, CA
Irma and Robert were walking along the road towards the beach to have fun.
Will and Matt were jet-skiing in the area near the Heatherfield Bridge.
Cornelia and Caleb were relaxing at home, and Hay Lin, Eric, Taranee, Nigel, and Elyon were at the Heatherfield Mall.
Robert and Irma were walking on the overpass that went over the interstate when it began to shake briefly.
"What was that?" Irma asked.
"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about it." Robert replied.
Suddenly, all hell broke loose as the shaking resumed and got more violent!
"RUN!" Robert yelled as he and Irma rushed to get off the overpass. Suddenly, they heard a loud cracking sound from below. They looked around, and realized that it was coming from the overpass. Before they could react, part of the overpass collapsed, nearly taking Irma with it! Thankfully, Irma managed to grab the edge before she fell.
"ROBERT, HEELP!!!!" Irma shouted.
"IRMA!" Robert shouted as he rushed to his fiancé's aid. He managed to pull her up despite the shaking and they saw that the Heatherfield Bridge was about to collapse. Robert could see a jet ski trying to get through before the bridge gave way.
As Robert and Irma watched, the bridge's main span broke in half as the support cables snapped. The support towers tipped inwards as the span fell into the harbor. Robert and Irma breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the jet ski made it through.
Seconds later, the shaking stopped, and Robert and Irma walked towards the area where the jet ski was. When they got there, they were surprised to find Will and Matt on the jet ski.
Five minutes ago, Taranee, Nigel, Hay Lin, Eric and Elyon were walking along the second floor of the Heatherfield mall.
"I wonder how Robert and Irma are doing." Hay Lin said as they walked.
"They're probably making mushy-talk on the beach." Elyon joked. The group barely contained a laugh as they walked.
"I can't believe they're actually gonna get married!" Taranee said.
"I know, I was wondering when it would happen!" Hay Lin replied. Suddenly, the ground began to shake for a few seconds.
"That can't be good!" Elyon said.
"No, that's never a good sign." Taranee replied. Just then, the shaking started again and got more violent! The girls and their spouses began to run for cover while dodging falling debris.
Suddenly, part of the walkway collapsed right under Hay Lin!
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Hay Lin screamed as she slid down the tilted section of the walkway that collapsed.
"HAY LIN!!!!" Taranee, Nigel, Eric and Elyon screamed as they ran towards the area where Hay Lin fell.
They looked over the edge and saw that Hay Lin was unconscious. As they ran to help Hay Lin, the staircase they used collapsed just as they got to the ground floor. They rushed to Hay Lin and checked her vital signs.
Taranee picked her up and carried her as they ran outside the mall. By the time they got outside, the shaking stopped. The group got to Taranee's van and drove to Hay Lin's house.
Ten minutes after they got there, Hay Lin regained consciousness.
"What…what happened?" she asked weakly.
"We had an earthquake, a really bad one." Taranee replied. Just then, Taranee's cell phone began to ring. Taranee checked her caller I.D. and saw that it was Cornelia.
"Hello?" Taranee answered.
"Taranee, are you all right?" Cornelia asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine! What about you?" Taranee replied.
"We're OK, our house is still standing. Where's Elyon?" Cornelia asked.
"She's OK, she's with us at Hay Lin's place. Hay Lin got hurt in the mall, but she's all right now." Taranee said.
"OK, we're on our way there now." Cornelia said.
"OK, see you in a few minutes." Taranee said as they hung up. Five minutes later, Cornelia and Caleb arrived at Hay Lin's house.
"We should check on the others." Cornelia said as she dialed Irma's cell number on her phone.
"Good idea." Taranee agreed as she dialed Will's number. Cornelia managed to get through to Irma, but Taranee had no response. "Dammit! I can't get through!" Taranee said as she put her phone in her pocket. "Don't worry; I'm sure she's OK." Nigel said.
At that moment, Taranee started crying on Nigel's shoulder. "I hope so; she's like a sister to me." Taranee sobbed as Nigel comforted her. Little did Taranee know that Will was alive and well.
Meanwhile, Robert, Irma, Will and Matt were walking around the city. Parts of the city looked like a war zone, with car alarms blaring, sirens wailing and chaos throughout the area.
"Bad time for my phone to be dead." Will said as they walked away from the beach. Suddenly, Irma's cell phone rang. Irma checked her caller I.D. and answered when she found out that it was Cornelia.
"Hey Corny, what's up?" Irma asked.
"We're fine, how are things with you?" Cornelia asked.
"We're fine, Robert got me out of a tight spot on the overpass, he's my hero." Irma replied.
"Great, Taranee and the others are here with us." Cornelia said.
"Great, how are they doing?" Irma asked.
"They're fine, but…" Cornelia began to say.
"But what?" Irma asked. "…but Hay Lin got hurt in the mall and got knocked out." Cornelia replied.
"Oh, how is she?" Irma asked. "She's OK, hey, is Will there?" Cornelia asked.
"Yeah, she and Matt are here with us." Irma replied.
"Great, see you later!" Cornelia said.
"Yeah, you too!" Irma said as she hung up, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Robert asked Irma in a comforting voice.
"It's Hay Lin; she got hurt in the earthquake." Irma replied. "Let's go, I'm sure they're worried about us." Robert said as they walked to Hay Lin's house. They got there ten minutes later. When they got inside, Taranee fell crying into Will's arms.
"Oh, Will! I was so worried, I thought that you might have been killed!" she sobbed as Will gently stroked her back.
"It's OK, I'm here now, and everything's going to be alright." Will said softly as she comforted Taranee. Taranee looked at her and smiled as Will wiped away her tears. They then went into the living room where Hay Lin was resting.
"How bad is it?" Hay Lin asked as Irma sat down beside her.
"The interstate is blocked by the collapsed overpass that Robert and I were walking on, and the Heatherfield Bridge collapsed as well. I think we should watch the news and see how bad it really is." Irma said as she turned on the television to watch the news report.
According to the report, the earthquake in Heatherfield was registered as a 7.6 on the Richter scale. At least one-tenth of the city was in ruins. All of their houses were completely intact after the earthquake, and all of the aftershocks that followed.
Part 2: Hostage Situation
12 January, 2020
Robert was getting his house ready for Irma to move in. He knew that in two months, he and Irma would be happily married. Irma was getting ready to meet Robert at the Heatherfield Mall to discuss their honeymoon plans when suddenly, a white van pulled up to her house.
She heard glass breaking and rushed to her basement to get her weapons, but her arm was grabbed by one of the men from the van.
"GET OFF OF M—" Irma yelled as she was bound, gagged and thrown into the van, which sped off into the night. One hour later, Robert was worried when Irma didn't show up at the mall. He figured that something must be wrong, so he decided to check her house.
Sure enough, his worst fears were realized when he saw the broken glass on the floor at Irma's house. He went to Will's house, where all of the other girls and their spouses were having a party.
"Guys, we have a serious problem!" Robert said when he went through the front door.
"What's going on? Is it about Irma?!" Cornelia asked.
"I'm afraid so; she's been abducted!!!" Robert grimly replied.
"WHAT?! Who would have done such a thing?!" Elyon asked.
"I don't know, but I'll have Intel look into it and later on we can see if we can plan a rescue mission."
At that moment, Cornelia burst into tears in Caleb's arms.
"Why would anyone do this, and why Irma? She hasn't done anything to deserve this!" Cornelia whimpered as she cried.
"I don't know, but I have the feeling that we're gonna find out." Robert replied as he and the others left to go to Irma's house to investigate her disappearance.
"Wow, there was definitely a struggle here." Will said as they looked around.
"Yeah, whoever did this must have been in a hurry." Taranee replied. Just then, Robert's cell phone went off and started ringing. Robert answered it; it was Intel. "What do we have?" Robert asked when he answered.
"We have the location of the kidnappers' hideout." the intelligence officer said.
"Great, where is it?" Robert asked.
"It's on the same island that Oh Gum-chol had his stronghold on." The officer said.
"Great, thanks for the info." Robert said as he hung up.
"Who was it? What did they say?" Hay Lin asked.
"It was Intel, they found the kidnappers' hideout." Robert replied.
"Great, where are those bastards holding Irma?" Cornelia asked.
"It's on the same island that Oh Gum-chol built his stronghold on." Robert replied.
"Great, now we can plan our rescue mission." Elyon said.
The group then left to go to the Intel lab at the Heatherfield Naval Base to plan the mission to rescue Irma. According to the information from Intel, the Air Force is sending an MQ-4B Global Hawk reconnaissance UAV to obtain photographs of the facility, while at the same time they are also trying to obtain schematic information about the complex.
The plan was simple:
Robert and the others will be taken close by the USS Cape St. George, from which an MH-60S helicopter will take them onto the island and drop them at a secluded location, where they will infiltrate the base.
Once inside, Intel will send them the schematics of the complex to help them locate Irma. They will then find that location and free Irma before getting out of the base by any means necessary. Once outside, they will escape the island via a gunboat that is docked at the eastern end of the island.
Once out to sea, they will rendezvous with the ship, which will launch a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missiles before taking Robert and the others back to Heatherfield.
"Great, now that we know what we're doing, let's see what firepower we'll be using." Will said after the briefing.
They went to the armory to select their gear while the helicopter was being prepped for takeoff.
They all selected the same set of gear: an M16A2 assault rifle with an M203 40mm grenade launcher slung under the barrel, a Glock-17 9mm semi-auto pistol, six standard fragmentation grenades, four flash grenades, and ten quarter-pound blocks of C-4 plastic explosives and ten detonators.
They also carried ten extra thirty-round magazines for the M16, 7 extra 40mm fragmentation high explosive grenade rounds for the M203 and five extra seventeen-round magazines for the Glock.
Robert and Cornelia chose to carry a .50-caliber sniper rifle with one five-round magazine. All of the guns have silencers, and the M16's have HUD-style holographic sights. The sniper rifles have high-zoom scopes with illuminated crosshairs and max magnification of 20X.
The team's helmets are fitted with the Battle-Comm battlefield information system, which has a transparent display over the eyes that displays information sent by Intel in text or graphic form. Will, Elyon and Hay Lin carried medical equipment so they can provide first aid for any wounds the team may sustain.
"Let's lock and load!" Taranee said as they got into the helicopter. The helicopter took off and headed for the USS Cape St. George. Over the next two hours, the cruiser made its way towards the island. The MH-60S prepped for takeoff as they got close to the island.
Robert and the others boarded the helicopter as the rotors revved up. As the helicopter got airborne, the team checked their gear. Robert and Caleb shut the doors as the helicopter flew towards the island at top speed.
After twenty minutes, they got close to the island. Hang in there Irma; we're coming for you! Robert thought as the helicopter approached the beach. The helicopter landed near a thick forest.
"Alright, let's move!" Robert commanded as the team leapt out of the helicopter. The group moved cautiously through the forest as the chopper took off and left the area.
They saw the entrance to the complex and noticed that there was only one guard. Cornelia took him out with her sniper rifle and the team moved on. Robert activated a special device that sent a false image to the base's security cameras.
Robert took the guard's cardkey and used it to open the door. Intel then sent them the schematic of the complex, showing that the prison compound where Irma was being held was two stories underground, and that the only way to get there was a large elevator that was at the end of the corridor where the group got inside. Any people inside would show up as heat signatures.
"OK, let's go!" Cornelia said as they went towards the elevator. Robert saw that the elevator's control panel has a card reader like the one at the door and used the keycard that he kept.
The buttons lit up as a computerized voice said, Elevator controls activated. The team got on the elevator and rode it to the prison two stories below.
Robert had his gun raised and ready when the elevator door opened. He saw four guards and took them down with eight shots from his M16. He checked the schematic data on his Battle-Com, which indicated that Irma was in the third cell forward to the left, which was labeled "Cell 3A".
He used the keycard on the reader next to the door, but instead of opening the door, a panel slid up to reveal a handprint scanner as a computerized voice said: Handprint identification required.
"SHIT!" Robert said. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind the door: "Robert, is that you?" Robert realized that Irma heard him.
"Irma! Irma, can you hear me?" Robert asked.
"Yeah, I can hear you just fine." Irma said.
"Don't worry, dear, we're gonna get you out of this shithole." Robert said.
"We? You mean the others are here too?" Irma asked.
"Yeah, they volunteered to help." Robert replied. Robert then went to where the guards lay dead and dragged one up to the scanner.
"Hang in there, sweetheart, this will only take a few seconds." Robert said as he put the guard's hand up to the scanner, which beeped as it read the handprint: Handprint identification confirmed. Access granted.
A split-second later, the door to Irma's cell opened. Irma ran out of the cell and into Robert's arms.
"Oh Robert, I knew you'd come for me." Irma said as grateful tears welled up in her eyes. "Of course I would, now let's blow this dump." Robert said as they went to a small room near the elevator.
Inside the room were four more guards and a large red button behind a bulletproof glass shield at the other side. Robert and Cornelia each fired four shots from their M16's and the rest of the group moved in.
Robert found a keycard reader slot on the wall next to the shield and used the keycard. Access granted.
The shield then went up as the group moved towards the button. Robert read the label underneath: "Self-Destruct Activation; Warning, once pressed, sequence cannot be aborted!"
Robert looked at the button, then at his friends.
"Let's do this!" Robert said as he pressed the button and the group began to sprint to the elevator. Before getting there, Irma grabbed an AK-47 from one of the dead guards. As they got in the elevator, a computerized voice spoke:
The self-destruct system has been activated, repeat, the self-destruct system has been activated. This sequence cannot be aborted; this facility will detonate in seven minutes. All personnel evacuate immediately.
Just then, a loud alarm began to sound all over the complex. At this time, the elevator reached the ground floor.
Robert and the others took a right when they reached a fork in the corridor. They took the silencers off of their guns and kept running until they reached a door, which was labeled, "Loading Bay" Robert unlocked it using the keycard and the group went inside.
The loading bay was huge, and at the other end was a large shutter, which was the way out.
"OK, let's go!" Robert said. Suddenly, shots rang out from the other end!
"SHIT! RETURN FIRE!" Robert yelled as he started shooting at the guards. The others started shooting, and it was officially a firefight. Suddenly, a short scream was heard from the group. Hay Lin turned around and saw that Eric was hit in the right shoulder!
"ERIC!!!" she yelled as she tried to get him out of the fight to treat his wound. The others kept shooting while slowly making their way to the shutter doors. During the shoot-out, the intercom regularly counted down the time remaining until detonation.
Three minutes later, the group was near the exit when, suddenly; "AGGGHHHH!!!!" Taranee yelled. Will and Nigel looked to see Taranee bleeding from her left leg.
"TARANEE!" the two called out as they ran to Taranee's aid. Just then, the intercom came on with a grim message: This facility will detonate in ten seconds…nine…eight…seven…six…The group ran outside, with Will and Nigel carrying Taranee. Robert made sure that everyone else got out. "Robert…" Irma started to say.
"I'll be behind you, go!" Robert said as Irma got outside. Robert ran out just as the countdown continued: …Four…three…two…one…zero…detonation sequence activated.
"EVERYBODY HIT THE DECK!!!" Robert yelled. The group ducked down and, just two seconds later, a loud roar echoed throughout the island as the complex exploded in three huge blasts. Ten seconds later, the group looked up and saw that the facility was now a raging inferno.
Irma looked at Robert, who looked at her. "Are you all right, Irma?" Robert said in a soft voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine; and it's all thanks to you!" Irma replied as she gave Robert a "Thank You" kiss. The kiss lasted for ten seconds before they broke off. "Let's go home." Robert said as the group walked to the docks where the gunboat was parked.
When they got on, Robert found that the key was in the ignition. He started the engine as the others settled down. Irma sat next to Robert as they got underway. Robert then made the call to the USS Cape St. George:
"This is Tsunami Savior group leader to Golden Hawk, we need a medevac! We have multiple wounded on board." The cruiser's captain then responded, "Roger, medevac is spooling up now."
Five minutes later, the Seahawk helicopter met up with the gunboat and picked up Taranee and Eric. Will, Nigel and Hay Lin went with while the rest stayed on the gunboat. Ten minutes later, they had the cruiser in sight.
The Cape St. George was underway, but had slowed down to fifteen knots to make the rendezvous easier. Robert pulled the gunboat alongside the cruiser while a rope ladder was extended to them.
Robert planted his C4 explosives on the boat on the bow and stern, and set them with two of his detonators. He set the timer for thirty seconds and adjusted the steering wheel so that when the boat was released, it would veer away from the cruiser.
Robert armed the bombs, gunned the engine to full power and got on the ladder as the ropes holding the boat were severed. Twenty seconds later, the boat was a safe distance from the cruiser when the explosives detonated, destroying the gunboat.
Just then, Robert heard an announcement coming from the ship's P.A.:
"All hands clear the deck for missile launch!" Robert got inside, where the others were waiting. The room that the group was in had two screens: one showed the image of the island that was being taken by the Global Hawk UAV, while the second was blank; that one would show the imagery from the first missile.
Just then, the first of ten Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the rear deck launcher. The nine other missiles launched one by one just after the first.
The missiles carried fuel-air explosive warheads weighing seven-hundred pounds each. Five minutes later, as the group watched, the ten missiles hit their designated impact points and detonated with impressive power.
"Wow, no one could possibly survive that, even if they survived the complex's destruction!" Cornelia said as they watched. Once it was over, the entire island was turned into a huge, raging firestorm.
Two days later, Robert and the others returned to Heatherfield and turned in the gear that they used when they rescued Irma. Taranee and Eric recovered completely from the wounds that they sustained.
Robert and Irma later finished finalizing their wedding plans. They later learned that the group that abducted Irma apparently was a terrorist group that wanted to use her capture as a way to project power and gain influence. They were planning to have killed her two hours after Robert and the others got to her and freed her. Robert and Irma planned to have their wedding on the flight deck of the Gerald R. Ford, and they planned to take a honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean (with Cornelia) on board the "Voyager of the Seas".
Part 3: Wedding Day
14 March, 2020
USS Gerald R. Ford flight deck (Heatherfield Harbor)
Everything was carefully planned for Robert and Irma's wedding. The altar was set up on the bow of the carrier, on the large number "78" between the bow catapults. Five rows of chairs were set up, with an aisle in between.
A large, white arch was set up over the altar and decorated with numerous flowers, while a blue carpet was placed along the aisle. A dance area was set up behind the last row of chairs, and the reception would take place in the officers' mess hall, which was decorated appropriately.
The guest list included Robert and Irma's families. Cornelia and Elyon volunteered to be the bridesmaids, while Caleb was the best man, and Irma's younger brother, Chris was the ring-bearer, while Robert's younger sisters, Jennifer and Alyssa, helped with the decorations. Will and Taranee made sure that everything was in working order.
At noon, the guests began to arrive and settle in. At 12:30PM, when the music began to play, Robert, who was wearing a black tuxedo with a navy-blue tie and a blue carnation, black slacks, and a white undershirt, walked down the aisle first, accompanied by his mother, Michelle. After he got to the altar, Irma, accompanied by her father, came up.
Irma looked beautiful! She was wearing a white silk dress with a white, see-through veil, white dress shoes, and a pearl bracelet. She was also wearing the pendant that Robert gave her during the trip to Oregon. She was carrying a bouquet of white roses and blue tulips wrapped in a light-blue plastic wrapping.
After Irma and her father got to the altar, she and Robert held hands as the chaplain spoke:
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony. If any of you have a reason why these two should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
There was complete silence, signifying that everyone had no problem with Robert and Irma being happy together. After a minute, the chaplain turned to Robert and asked:
"Do you, Robert Castellanos, take Irma Lair to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in heath, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?"
Robert smiled and said: "I do." The chaplain then turned to Irma and ask: "Do you, Irma Lair, take Robert Castellanos to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in heath, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?"
Irma smiled and blushed as she said: "I do." The chaplain then said: "May the ring-bearer please present the rings."
At that moment, Chris came up to the altar carrying the small pillow that held Robert and Irma's wedding rings. Robert and Irma then slipped each other's rings on each other's fingers. At that moment, the chaplain said,
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Lair. You may kiss the bride." At that moment, everyone cheered as Robert and Irma kissed.
The instant that they kissed, the Blue Angels flew over the carrier in formation, splitting off over the altar. After that, the carrier's P.A. system began to play romantic music and everyone got on the dance area for some slow-dancing, followed by the reception in the officers' mess hall.
As everyone left, Irma tossed her bouquet at the crowd behind her. Will ended up catching the bouquet, and she looked at it before looking at Matt with a smile. Irma and Robert waved goodbye as they got into a jet-black stretch limousine, which had a banner on the back of the trunk that read: "Just married!" The limo pulled away as the crowd continued waving.
Part 4: Honeymoon Cruise(Robert's POV)
Day 1(Departure)
16 March, 2020
Irma, Cornelia and I were at the terminal at Heatherfield International Airport to catch a flight to Houston, Texas for our cruise. We were talking about the battles we fought as Navy pilots when the announcement came:
"Continental Airlines flight 1536 to Houston, Texas is now boarding for all passengers at Gate C3, repeat, Continental Airlines flight 1536 to Houston, Texas is now boarding for all passengers at Gate C3."
We wasted no time getting to the gate to board the 737-800. We sat in first-class, near the front of the plane. After ten minutes, we took off. After six-and-a-half hours, we landed in Houston. We made our way to the cruise ship terminal in Galveston after leaving the airport.
The ship that we were going to be boarding was the "Voyager of the Seas."
The ship was huge, even from a distance. "Wow, that ship is huge!" Cornelia exclaimed as we got close.
"Yep, it's one of the largest in the world, and we're getting on board!" I said. We boarded the ship and got an E2 Balcony stateroom on the ship's port side, on Deck 7, #7620. After settling in, we took a guided tour of the ship.
At approximately 4:00PM, the ship set sail for the Caribbean. We relaxed for the rest of the day.
Day 3
We decided to take a swim in one of the ship's swimming pools. Cornelia was wearing a light green bikini with dark green flowers, while Irma wore her blue two-piece suit. I couldn't help but stare as we made our way to the pool on Deck 11.
The pool was located on the top deck, near the middle of the ship. We dove in at the same time, but I surfaced first. When Irma came up, I couldn't help but stare as her beautiful brown hair glistened in the sunlight.
Cornelia came up and this time, it was Irma that was staring, but at her. "Wow, your hair looks beautiful, Corny." Irma said.
"Aww, you're sweet! I can say the same about you, Irma!" Cornelia said as she blushed. I submerged and swam around for a few minutes. Suddenly, I felt someone grabbing my leg. I nearly choked as I surfaced and when I looked, I saw Irma right next to me with a silly grin on her face.
I tried to contain a laugh, but when Irma started laughing, I couldn't hold it and I laughed. We climbed out and walked to the edge at the deep end. Irma jumped in and swam to the other side.
"Cannonball!" I yelled as I curled up into a ball and jumped in. I surfaced and looked to see Irma and Cornelia at the other end. I swam over using the breaststroke, and found myself next to the girls within a few minutes.
After three hours of swimming fun, we got out and went back to our stateroom. That evening, we had dinner at the Portofino restaurant before heading to the observation deck to watch the sunset.
Irma sat between me and Cornelia as the sun began to set. The sunset made the sky glow with a brilliant red-orange light that was reflected off of the surface of the ocean. "Wow! It's…so…beautiful." Cornelia said as she put her arm around Irma's shoulder.
"Yeah, it is beautiful." I said as I put my arm around Irma's other shoulder. That night, we slept hard, but tomorrow would prove to be exciting.
Day 5
We decided to go to the Cleopatra's Needle lounge to relax. As it so happened, it was karaoke night, (I kne that the girls would jump at the chance to sing). Irma and Cornelia decided to do a duet with one another.
"This one's for you, dear!" Irma said to me on the microphone. The girls smiled as they took the stage and began singing. Wow, they sound great together! I thought as I watched the girls sing their hearts out.
I was in a trance by the time they got halfway through the song. I can see them as a group in the future! I thought as they got to the last lines of the song. Everyone began applauding loudly when the song ended.
"YEAH, THAT'S THE IRMA I MARRIED!" I shouted over the noise of the applause. After we left the lounge, the ship had docked at an island in the Caribbean Sea. We disembarked and walked around in our swimwear.
There was a small marina with jet-skis parked along the beach. "Wanna take a ride?" I asked Irma.
"Yeah, sounds like fun!" Irma replied as we rented a couple of jet-skis. Cornelia rode one while Irma and I rode on another.
"Hang on, Irma dearest!" I said as I started up the jet-ski's engine. Irma wrapped her arms around me smiled.
"Here we go!" I said as we started to accelerate. Cornelia got going seconds before we did, and we pulled alongside her.
Cornelia waved at Irma, who made a funny face before we pulled away. We stayed out riding the jet-skis for at least a half-hour before we went back. We then spent the rest of the day relaxing, (and getting a tan), on the beach. That night, we went back to the ship, which set out to head back to Miami.
Day 6
We decided to head to the Vault disco for some fun. Five songs later, the Macarena song began to play. "Wow, even nowadays, this song is still popular!" Irma said as we began doing the dance. After the song, a romantic song began to play.
Irma and I slow-danced for a majority of the song, then Cornelia danced with Irma while I had a soda at the disco's bar.
After we left the disco, we decided to spend some time at the ship's mall(the Royal Promanade). It was as tall as any mall I've been to on land, stretching over Decks 6, 7 and 8. After a few hours, we decided to relax and sunbath on Deck 11.
We first went back to our stateroom to get our swimwear and suntan lotion. I slipped on my jet-black trunks and applied suntan lotion on myself while waiting for the girls. Irma then came out in her blue bikini. "Hey honey, could you put some on my back?" Irma asked.
"Sure thing, dear, I'd love to." I replied as I started putting lotion on Irma's back. "Whoo, that tickles!" Irma quipped as I spread the lotion all over her back. Cornelia then came out in her green bikini. Irma then proceeded to put suntan lotion on her.
After we were ready, we went up to the top deck and found a reclining bench big enough for all three of us. We relaxed for about twenty minutes before we headed back inside. We had dinner at another one of the restaurants before heading back down to the observation deck.
We sat in that same bench to watch the sunset. "Wow, it's beautiful." Irma said as she put an arm around my shoulder.
"Yeah, it is" I replied as put my arm around her shoulder.
"This is so romantic, for all three of us!" Cornelia said as she put her arm around Irma's other shoulder.
"I know, I've always wanted to have a moment like this!" Irma said as she put her other arm around Cornelia's shoulder.
"Yeah, me too!" I replied. "Same here, and to think, tomorrow, we'll be on our flight back home." Cornelia added.
"Oh, I love you guys!" Irma said as she tightened her grip around us.
"We love you too, Irma!" Cornelia and I said as we both kissed Irma on the cheeks. At that moment, we headed back inside and relaxed for a few minutes before climbing into bed.
Day 7(Arrival)
We woke up at around 6:45AM today and went up to the top deck. We could barely see the Florida shoreline on the horizon. "There it is, The Florida coastline!" Cornelia said.
"Yeah, and to think, by this afternoon, we'll be on a plane headed for Heatherfield. We went inside to explore the ship one last time. We spent some time in the ship's mall before spending a half-hour at the Shipshape fitness center on Deck 11 to work out.
After that, we went back to our stateroom to relax. "Shall we watch a movie before we get to shore?" Cornelia asked. "Sure, sounds good!" Irma replied. "Yeah, and since this is your special day, you get to choose." I added.
Irma put in a action movie. Two hours later, after the movie ended and as we relaxed, the ship docked at the cruise ship terminal in Houston. As we disembarked, Cornelia wrapped Irma and me in a tight hug.
"Thanks for bringing me along." She said as we hugged her back.
"No problem, you deserved it." Irma said.
"Yeah, we couldn't leave you out of the fun even if we tried!" I joked as we left for the airport. We caught another Continental Airlines flight to get to Heatherfield. Once we arrived, we invited Will and the others over to our house so we could tell them about the fun we had over the last week. We had no idea that the next decade would be so intense, it would make this war look gentle.