Captainme: I just started college too! Go us!

Those of you who have read the other version of this story will enjoy this chapter.

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I opened my eyes to my bright cabin the next morning. I shut them and moaned. Hangover.

"Good morning, luv."

I opened my eyes to see Jack sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Jack, what are you doing in here?"

Jack got up and walked to the table and turned his back to me. "I seem to recall a time 8 years ago when I had a hangover and my lovely wife brought me-" He turned around and had a tray with food on it in his hands. "-breakfast in bed."

I smiled as he walked back to me and set the tray on my lap. Jack poured me a cup of tea and put two cubes of sugar in it.

"Drink this first," Jack said as he picked up a glass filled with red liquid. I gulped down half and gagged on it.

"That's disgusting," I said while I held my nose. My senses returned as Jack handed me the tea cup. I sipped it as Jack uncovered a plate of toast with butter. I set the tea down and bit into one of the triangle pieces of toast. "Thank you, Jack," I said with my mouth full of toast.

"I can't believe you drank rum last night," Jack said with a grin.

I giggled at his face. "I take it I said something horribly embarrassing while I was incapacitated."

"Incapaci-what?"

I put more toast into my mouth. "Drunk."

He grinned. "Well, you did profess love to a certain someone onboard this ship."

My mouth flew open as I dropped my toast. "I slept with you?"

"No. We didn't do anything." I picked my toast up. "You just told me in so many words how you feel about me."

I almost dropped my toast again. "How many words?"

He grinned. "Three." He held up three fingers and counted them off as he spoke. "I…love…you."

I knocked the tray over in my haste to get off the bed. "Jack, stay away from me."

Jack tried to stop me. "Amanda, what's wrong? Why is it so wrong to say that you love me?"

I got on the other side of the table. "Because if I say it, you'll think I'm weak and take advantage of me again."

Jack caught me and took my shoulders in his hands. "I would never think that you're weak. Who else could win a fight with me?" I smiled. "And, just so you don't feel bad, I'll say it first." He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "I…" He kissed the other one. "…love…" He kissed my forehead. "…you…"

I put my hands on his hands, which were still on my shoulders. "You think it can be that easy, huh?"

He grinned. "Yes." He quickly leaned in and planted a long kiss on my lips. The world melted away during that kiss. Eight years of loneliness and longing were suddenly satisfied in my heart. I wrapped my hands around his neck, grabbing his hair in the process. His hands slid from my shoulders to my waist.

Knock knock…knock knock knock…knock knock knock knock knock knock knock!

"Mommy! Peter won't play with me!"

We broke apart. I sighed as Jack leaned his head against my neck.

"That's Kimmi."

Jack kissed my neck. "They can solve it themselves."

I pushed him away. "I want you to meet her, Jack." I took his hand. "Come on."

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The deck was bare except for Peter, Sarah and Kimmi. Peter sat in a corner studying a map, Sarah was sewing and Kimmi was spinning circles.

Jack looked uncertain. "I'm not really good around kids, love."

I laughed. "Nonsense, Jack." I squeezed his hand. "They're gonna love you."

Kimmi stopped spinning and ran up to me on shaky legs. "Hi Mummy!" She looked up at Jack who was half confused, half grinning at her.

"Nice sea legs, luv. You walk just like your old man."

Kimmi's grin grew as she looked up at Jack. She jumped and grabbed his waist.

"Daddy!"

Jack knelt in front of her. "How'd you figure that one out, luv?"

She looked up at me and smiled. "Mummy does a perfect impression of you." She imitated his sea legs walk just like I had done so many times. Then she held her hands out while she talked. "Hello, luv. Nice day for a stroll on the boat, eh?"

Jack laughed. "Well, strolling on the boat isn't exactly my cup of...rum. I prefer other activities onboard the ship."

I gave him a look. "Jack, I have some work to do below deck." I lifted the hatch and looked at Peter and Sarah. "You three be nice to your father."

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Jack turned to his 'crew' after the hatch closed. "Okay, what do you want to do today?"

Sarah closed her book. "We want to be with you."

Jack clasped his hands together. "Well, yes, I knew that part, but what do you usually do during the day? Um, school? Parties? Fights?"

"We don't go to school," Kimmi said.

"Why not? You sick?"

"No, school is for boys. They won't let us in school," Kimmi said, looking absolutely pitiful.

"But Mummy teaches us at home."

Jack turned to Sarah. "Does she now?" He looked back at Peter. "What about you? Do you go to school?"

"Sometimes."

"What do you mean, sometimes?"

Peter shrugged. "It's a waste of time."

"On the contrary, me boy. A good solid education is very important." Jack walked over to Peter. "I got one meself once. And look what I got?" He motioned towards the hatch. "I married your mother, a woman of fine education herself. If you get an education, the women will flock to you."

Peter looked at Jack like he was crazy, which was not far from true. "I'm ten years old."

Jack made his 'oh, I never though of that' face. "Ah, I see. Well, at least you'll have a head start."

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Hee hee. I love Jack! He's so funny!