They woke in blissful sunlight in their cabin on the Ocean Princess as she gently glided through the waves. Seeing her in that lovely lingerie was too impossible to resist and she giggled as he rolled her onto her back, pulled aside the G-string and started off their day the way they both loved, with an intense, passionate fuck.

Glowing in her orgasm afterwards, Amanda collected his leaking sperm from her pussy lips and licked them as he watched her. "I'm guessing this ensemble is a hit?"

"You should just wear it all the time in the realm. Even in the trials."

Amanda licked her finger and laughed. "No, I don't need Oni trying to mount me. But maybe in the cabin...All the time. But...I don't think you'll be able to keep your cock out of me."

"Oh, you don't even have to think about it. I definitely won't be able to. Hell, it's almost impossible for me to keep my cock out of you as it is. If you could get pregnant...One a year...We'd be on 23 or so kids by now. " Amanda laughed at his words.

It was the second day of their cruise. Amanda and Jake had no idea it would also be their last full day on the ship. They showered together happily and decided for breakfast they would try Blu. Amanda looked at her hangers of clothes and said, "What color today, Jake?"

Jake laughed. "You remind me of Ian Malcolm sometimes. The character from 'Jurassic Park.' He always wore black because he said it was easy to get dressed in the morning because his only choices were black. You wear a rainbow of colors, but they're all the same type."

She smiled. "It's gonna sound hokey, or maybe just stupid, but...I kind of feel like I'm reliving my missed 20s. These are clothes I never would have dreamed of wearing before the realm, especially with my former scars. I feel...Really good about my body now and it feels so good to be comfortable and for the first time in 36 years...I'll admit it, even though I fucking love you and I'm happily married to you...I enjoy being checked out. I'm in my mid 30s and I feel sometimes that people think I'm in my 20s, right with you. And even if it's never going to matter between the two of us...We're eight years apart and I like dressing younger and looking younger than I am and being a good fit when we're in public together."

And when Jake started to speak Amanda said, "I know. I KNOW it makes no difference to you that I'm 36 and you're 28. And I know it never WILL matter, but...The new me, as stupid as it sounds, wants people to look at you, and then look at me and never once ask themselves, 'Why is that hot young guy married to an older chick?' Being able to show off my belly and the rest of me in my sexy casual clothes stupidly makes me feel good and if it makes me feel good then I'll spend the rest of my forever 30s savoring showing myself off for you. But it's a look, but don't touch, policy."

Jake started to speak again and Amanda let him. "I already know why you do it and let me be honest. I think it's fucking sexy as Hell being able to spend all day with you dressed so casually sexy. When you wander around barefoot it's even sexier, like you're relaxed and just ready to pop into hot sex mode at a moment's notice. And I'll be the first to admit, when we were at the hotel, and waiting for the taxi to bring us to the terminal, every male in that restaurant was checking you out, and I felt pretty cocky being married to the hottest woman in the room. I wasn't looking for you to explain it, and I'll spend forever being in a constant state of horniess watching you walk around dressed sexy for me. What I was going to tell you is that I think you should go with the black."

Amanda giggled and slipped on her cropped tank and went ahead with black cloth cut-offs and her black pair of sandals. Jake went with a black form-fitting tee to match and decided on jeans with his top sider shoes.

"Is there a hot, sexy bitch here who wants to make all the boys stare on her way down to Blu?"

Amanda looked around the bedroom playfully, "Why sir, I think I fit the bill. Would you like to stare at my ass the whole way?"

"Absolutely, my princess." They grabbed their keys and Jake noticed that Amanda put a little extra swing in their hips as they took the long way to Blu. Jake also noticed that she drew more than a few roving eyes, and Amanda noticed it too. Nope, she wasn't just some 36-year-old with a boytoy.. Jake felt that to a man, they were all envious of her long-haired man snagging himself his young, hot, and sexy piece of ass.

There was less pomp and circumstance at Blu, and they were allowed to seat themselves. They were trying to choose the best spot when Rogo's Bronx voice hollered, "Parks! Ovah here!"

They grinned and joined him. "I thought you ate in your cabin regularly?" Amanda said as she sat down.

"Oh yeah, Lunches, but breakfast you need ta move for. Thing is I'm probably going to switch 'em up daily and I wasn't sure until this mornin' where I was gonna eat, so I figyahed I'd just see ya at dinner later."

"We decided this morning too. We've only been to two places but the food has been excellent at both," Amanda told him. "What are your plans after breakfast?"

"Oh, the slot machines after this. They're lethal but I love to play them, but I stick to the quarters. And then I dunno. I think first of all I'm gonna go exploring, there's a lot of the ship I ain't seen yet."

Amanda opened her purse and said, "I played some poker there yesterday and I did quite well." She passed him five 100 dollar bills. "That should keep you spinning for awhile."

Rogo was speechless. "You two are really somethin. I appreciate it. I'm gonna guess you did REAL well. I wish you coulda met Linda, though boy could she turn your ears blue."

Amanda said softly, "I'm pretty fucking sure I know exactly what you fucking mean. Cursing is my second language, in fact, I was fucking cussing so much earlier that we had to wait in the cabin for an hour after we got up before Jake's ears went back to their normal color."

And Rogo's belly shook in laughter. He settled on the sunrise with eggs and bacon. Amanda went with blueberry pancakes and Jake went with the hearty man, eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and toast. They again shared some of the sanitized details of their lives while Rogo shared some tidbits about his foul-mouthed Linda and Amanda was pretty sure she and Linda would have gone bowling were she still with him.

Pleasantly stuffed again, they geared up to meet Rogo at dinner and he went off in the direction of the Fortunes Casino. Jake said, "I think you're getting the hang of this whole friends thing. He was like a kid at Christmas with that cash you gave him."

"If he was a mechanic, I bet they didn't have a lot of money saved up. I'm just glad he took it as a gift and didn't think it was charity."

"What should WE do today?" Jake looked at her expectantly. They were still on the open sea, so whatever they did needed to be shipboard.

Amanda looked at him. "I have a bikini I'm itching to let you show me off in at the pool, and then I think I'd like another massage, though I'm disappointed that this time I won't probably get to experience Dieter. Boy did he know how to press every single one of my buttons. Inside me, and outside." She grinned evilly.
Jake smiled, "Oh I have no doubts that after he was all through with you, you were weak in the knees and begging for more. But don't worry, I'm sure we can get you a private session in the cabin." He winked. She winked back and pulled him in for a kiss. If Amanda wanted to start with the pool, that was perfectly fine, and he was looking forward to seeing his bikini-clad wife.

And so they did. Amanda slipped into her bikini and they swam in the pool and Jake basically had to stay in the water the entire time for fear his erection would be seen in his swimming trunks. The pool was well-attended and Jake noticed some of the married male passengers and a number of the over-50 crowd all watched the deeply tanned, pink bikini-clad Amanda as she swam and paddled in the water without a care in the world.

And he also noticed Amanda, by chance, or by decision, remained completely oblivious. She moved her body sexily in the water and never broke eyes from him. Everything she did to make the other passengers check her out was a performance that she gave only for him. He could tell in her eyes that she forgot anyone else was there, and if he'd pulled her bottoms off and slid off his trunks, she'd have let him fuck her right in the pool and wouldn't have given anyone else present a second thought.

They played and swam in the water for at least a full hour. After they wore themselves out they went back to the cabin to change before they went to the spa again. However, when they got back to the cabin directly from leaving the pool, Jake discovered he'd left his room key in the poolside locker like an idiot and hurried back to retrieve it.

Alone, Amanda stood in the bedroom and looked at the Pandora player. She didn't realize until the party last night how much she'd missed real music. Kate's acoustic selections and their occasional sing-alongs were great in the realm, but it just didn't make up for the real thing. She looked at the available selections and popped on Heart's "Crazy on You" and when it was done, she popped on one of her secret favorites, even during her punk days, The Bangles "Walk Like an Egyptian."

She couldn't help herself as the music started, and she did walk like one, moving her arms and legs across the bedroom floor. as she moved with the melody. As the song was ending she noticed Jake was standing outside the doorway with a smile on his face and Amanda froze.

There was a long silence. Amanda said somberly, "You realize of course that now I'm going to have to kill you to keep my secret. I have hidden the fact that I indeed walk like an Egyptian for over 70 years, and the secret must not be revealed, even if it's known by the man I desperately love."

Jake nodded solemnly. "Princess, I understand that I have seen things that are a threat to the kingdom, and that I was not meant to see. No apologies are necessary. How long do I have?"

Amanda looked at him gravely. "I am not a cruel leader. I will give you time to get your affairs in order. I'm sure there are plenty of details you must take care of before your existence ceases. You will be executed tonight."

Jake shook his head. "I'm so sorry it had to end like this, but I understand. If the princess is willing to listen to me, may the condemned man make a last request for his execution method?"

Amanda looked at him with her eyes narrowed. "It is in my power as a princess to grant you a last request. I will also continue to refrain from the cruelty I could bestow on you. You may make your last request to me."

"I would prefer that if I am to be executed tonight that the method of my execution be that I am fucked to death. I understand you have the capability and prowess to execute me that way. If it is my last night in this mortal coil, that is how I wish to spend my last moments. I'm sure that your abilities will cease my heartbeat right after I fill you deeply with my seed one last time."

"You have accurately described exactly what will take place. Once I have taken your seed deeply inside of me for the final time, I will take your life. Your request is...Granted," Amanda told him.

Then he rushed her and tickled her until she begged for mercy and he finally relented. Amanda collected herself. Goddamn he knew exactly where to nail her when he did that. They slipped back into their casual clothes and went up to deck nine. Bonnie greeted them with a smile and said, "Unfortunately, there's too many customers around for Dieter to handle your massage today, Mrs. Park."

Amanda grinned and said, "I understand that Dieter's...Services...Are a rare gift and I am happy that I got to experience them even that single time. Thank you for introducing me to him..." She glanced at Jake. "...That was a massage I'll never forget." They exchanged a wink. Amanda said, "We're both getting one this time, and then it looks like there's plenty of other options here and we can decide after what else we want to do."

So Amanda and Jake had splendid hour-long massages before relaxing in the Persian steam room. She talked Jake into La Thérapie Hydralift Facials in the Aquaspa, and savored the soft and smooth way the skin on her face felt after the facials were completed. They were about to pay, and then Amanda noticed a sign in the neighboring salon. They were offering manis and pedis. She and the other realm girls had gotten good at doing their own nails, but she couldn't resist the chance for a professional.

"Jake, my nails are craving a professional touch. Can I get my nails done? Pleeeeeeease?" Jake pretended to be put upon but of course he quickly led his princess inside, and she even convinced him to get it done himself. "Trust me, you're going to love it. It beats using your own nail clippers every fucking time, honey."

After their nails had been cleansed, buffed, and clipped, Amanda went to select a polish and then Jake's manicurist asked him if he also wanted to pick something to put on. It was an innocent question, as some men liked to have a clear gloss put on their nails after a manicure and pedicure, but at that moment, it seemed like he was being asked if he wanted to get his nails painted in something vibrant. Amanda busted out laughing as Jake told her he was just fine.

Naturally, Amanda chose a polish in a shade of purple for Jake, and she relaxed in her seat as it was carefully applied to each nail of her fingers, and each nail on her toes. She walked awkwardly in the thin disposable sandals that kept her toes separated and spread her fingers as she made her way to the heat lamps. As she put her fingers and toes under the blowers and the heat to dry the polish she said, "These past two days have been among the best of my life, and I have you to thank for them. nothing will ever top our wedding but man...It's so close...And I feel sometimes that I say it so much that maybe it loses meaning but I absolutely fucking love you and the next week is going to be something I'll always cherish and remember. Thank you for making this old broad your fucking princess."

"Old broad? Shit, I've seen dozens of guys checking you out. You're hardly an old broad, you're my hot piece of ass and I just can't resist you, ever. And it will never get old hearing you say it because I know that every time you mean it. darling, I fucking love you more." They carefully kissed and after Amanda's polish was dried under the machine for about 20 minutes, she stood up. As she went to the register to pay, the manicurist warned her that she needed to be careful for at least another hour until the polish dried completely. Amanda nodded and slipped her and Jake's manicurists each $100 for a tip and their eyes were wide as they watched them leave.

It was after one, so they dined again at the Oceanview. This time, they both went with pasta, and settled on an old staple, spaghetti with meat sauce and Caesar salads. When the meals arrived, Amanda scoped out the room and felt it was safe, and she took her bread stick and licked it and put it in her mouth like a cock as Jake's eyes widened and his hard on pressed against the crotch of his shorts. Amanda then took a bite and gave him a wink. "Eat fast."

And Jake stuffed the spaghetti into his mouth in record time. According to the clock on the wall, Amanda's nails had virtually dried completely. She stood up and then she took him back to the cabin because of course she had to show her appreciation beyond her words, and so they went out onto their private terrace and got the hot tub ready.

Amanda slipped back into her bikini while Jake went naked. She laid in the hot, bubbling water and let Jake untie the top, and then her bottoms. She laid on the bottom and kept her head above water and then spread her legs for him. When he got between her thighs and buried himself in her, she lifted her body to meet his thrusts and fucked him with everything she had in her in return for everything he had done to make her feel like a princess for the past two days. The water splashed out from the sides of the hot tub from their vigorous fuck. She savored him and splashed more water out as she spasmed in orgasm and she wrapped her arms and legs around him as his cock twitched deeply inside of her from his own powerful orgasm and she savored the grunts of ecstasy he made next to her ear. Then she snuggled with him after in the hot water and if they were to face death in this moment she would go quietly with him, absolutely happy and contented.

As it was, she was only off on her and Jake facing death by maybe 20 hours, but alas, in that moment, there would be no time for them to feel any sort of contentment.

****************************************************************************************

"Captain? For you."

Captain Catalano turned from the bridge windows to take the call and discovered the voice at the other end of the line was the cruise ship's maintenance director. With modern cruise ships being away from port for days at a time, the Ocean Princess had more needs than most, and if something went wrong, there was no way they could just make a telephone call to schedule an appointment with the local contractor or plumber. The ship was equipped with a host of maintenance technicians who took over the necessary repairs such as electrical faults, repairing HVAC, solving plumbing problems, and monitoring known issues, so the engineering department could focus on keeping the ship moving. There usually weren't many, but the Ocean Princess had been on the high seas for over a decade, and no amount of premature maintenance could take care of every issue.

"We've got a problem, Captain," supervisor Neil Harrison told him. "Preston was doing routine maintenance and when he was in the starboard hold, he noticed a foul odor. When he checked it out, he found that one of the sewer holding tanks in that starboard aft bulkhead, number eight, is open to the air. We told the shipyard that the sewer holding tank was in need of maintenance, and they rushed it, as usual. Whoever was in charge of installing that damn vent pipe in the shipyard didn't install it properly. It's not fitted to the tank, nor is it properly sealed. There's a space of around four inches total that, if the tank were to fill to that point, would start letting everything that's in it leak out onto the floor. We can wait until we make the first port to do what we need to do, or Preston's willing to see if he can do something with it after he finishes the rounds at five or so."

Catalano cursed internally. "The shipyard maintenance crew always manages to bungle something. I also told them we had issues in that area, and they swore to me that it would be resolved. If we wait a few days will we have a bilge discharge?"

"Preston didn't look too closely but I don't think so. It's starting to fill up with waste, but it's nowhere near filled to the point that it's going to threaten to leak through the opening in the next two or three days, it may not leak for the entire rest of the cruise. At most, it's just going to stink in that after bulkhead. It's watertight, so it's not going to permeate the rest of the corridor."

Catalano said "If your assessment is that we can wait, we'll hold off on the repairs while we're in the open sea, and we'll get work done on it when we dock at our first port."

Harrison paused. "I think so. I'll let Preston know and as soon as we're stopped, I'll have him see what he can do."

Catalano thanked him and hung up the phone, and forgot all about it as he returned to the bridge observation windows to stare at the empty sea in front of him. It was a beautiful sight that still never got old.

****************************************************************************************
Unfortunately for Captain Catalano, the opening in the sewer storage tank wasn't the only thing that the shipyard maintenance crews had rushed.

Back-ups were something that were prepared for. After all, the ships sometimes encountered rough seas, and a ship being tossed back and forth could send collected sewage back up the pipes from being tossed around. To compensate, all the storage tanks were equipped with a non-return storage valve that prevented the contents of the tank from being sent back up the drainage pipes to cause a mess.

Except, in this tank, the non-return storage valve had components that needed to be replaced due to age. So the shipyard workers had stripped the valve of the old components in anticipation of those repairs. But when they'd made the move to complete them, they were in for a troublesome shock. The parts they needed were not on-hand. So they simply put the stripped valve back into place and decided they would finish the repairs at it's next shipyard maintenance after her current South American voyage. The non-return valve was basically just for show, and of anything sloshed around in there, the valve would not prevent it from moving back up though the main drainage pipes that it was connected to.

But that wasn't the only issue. The other issue was something external, that Preston couldn't ever have seen during any of his daily routine maintenance checks of the below-decks portion of the large ship.

The Ocean Princess entered service in 1995, and had been in operation on the high seas for 11 years. Due to the need to maintain a fast-paced schedule, the shell plating on the ship's outer hull had weakened over the years, and had been frequently overlooked during the shipyard maintenance in the rush to get the ship in and out for the busy cruising season. And then, through continued oversight, it remained unchecked even when there was plenty of time to do something about it when she was temporarily out of operation. It wasn't weak over the entire hull, but it was weak in multiple areas on the starboard and port sides, and one of those loose sections of hull plating was located outside of the aft bulkhead with its problematic sewer storage tank. These were all minor issues when the ocean behaved even somewhat normally, but soon, the ship was to face a very abnormal one. Soon, all of those factors would combine to make a unique situation that would allow seawater to flood decks all over the ship, and would doom her.

In retrospectives, the combined factors in the sinking of the Ocean Princess would be compared to the Titanic, the most famous shipwreck of them all. After all, she sank under a similar scenario of circumstances that had snowballed. The sea was completely calm, making the iceberg hard to see. When the iceberg was spotted, the ship was turned to port and the engines were reversed, which affected her ability to turn. If it had been spotted even a moment sooner, it wouldn't have been a problem, but the closeness prevented her from turning away in time and the hull was opened by the iceberg in more places than they could afford to keep the ship afloat, especially because the watertight bulkheads in the opened compartments were not built high enough, and the tops of the compartments were not closed.

Any one of those factors being different would have saved the Titanic, but they all worked against her. And any one of the problems on the Ocean Princess, had they been different, would have saved her as well. But unfortunately, like the Titanic, they all combined to create a scenario that left no hope at all of saving the ship.

After all, when it came to disasters, so many of them could be traced to one or two missed maintenance routines or faulty repairs, or operator error. Planes crashed due to lack of repair, or the use of one piece of faulty equipment. So many disasters, preventable...Soon, the Ocean Princess was destined to become yet another statistic. But even then, enough things would happen that would make her as unique as the Titanic. There would be blatant cowardice, and even though, unlike the Titanic, she had more than enough lifeboats on board to carry everyone to safety, the circumstances of her sinking would put the ship in a similar position, and eventually, the ship would not have enough useable lifeboats to rescue all of the survivors.

No one aboard knew any of this. As Amanda and Jake soaked comfortably in their hot tub far above the problematic bulkhead and sewage tank, they were blissfully unaware of what was waiting for them the next morning. It was 2:30 Nov. 14. In less than 24 hours, the couple would be saying their final I love yous to each other.