Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews on Chapter 2. Hopefully this one will satisfy Ross and Rachel readers also.
Chapter 3: "FALL"ing Out of Line
White foamy waves splashed against the waterfront harbor as Entrepreneurs began their workday opening up their harbor shops for another day of business. One such shop owner stopped short. The unusual sight in the far distance had her mesmerized. A couple stood alone on the harbor sharing a morning kiss.
As Ross suddenly became aware of his impulsive move he backed off. "I don't know what got into me…I…I'm sorry, I'm not the type that makes those sort of aggressive moves." Ross feeling shameful with his behavior hung his head in embarrasement.
Rachel somewhat embarrassed herself, threw her hands over her mouth staring somewhat in disbelief at what just occurred. Ross' character reaction had changed dramatically. No rules were applied, just pure impulse. And what an impulse that had been…he was one terrific kisser. In all the time they had been together, Barry Rachel's ex-Fiancée, had never even attempted any sort of impulsive moves. He had always taken their relationship for granted…much like her Mother and Father's.
Ross still embarrassed by his actions stumbled around his face turning various shades of pink. Clearing his throat he inquired, "Well, what shall we do now?"
Rachel, fully aware that she needed to affirm her approval of his actions teasingly moved closer, gently placing her hand on his chest. "Ross…I wanted you to kiss me…I…I liked your impulsive moves. You just surprised me." Ross smiled.
"Thanks Rachel." They moved closer Ross wrapping his arms around her. They continued hugging each other for the next few minutes just taking in the moment. A sudden wind blew in from the sound and encircled them as if in approval. Shortly, Ross broke away. Taking her hand into his he lead her to the assigned bus stop. Their next chosen stop being; Pikes Market.
"Where's Ross? He told me to meet him for breakfast an hour ago" A somewhat impatient Monica inquired of Chandler.
Chandler a bit perturbed himself replied, "Beats Me…he informed me he was going down to grab some breakfast…so I told him to go ahead, I'd catch up with him a few minutes later, however; when I came down to the lobby he was nowhere to be found. Oh well, forget them, let's grab some breakfast ourselves."
Ross using his advantage of being at the Market the day before, offered up some specified details about the famous opened-air market. "This market is a Seattle institution slowly approaching the century mark. It's made somewhat of a rare mark in urban America since it is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Fish, fruit, produce and street food thrive here. Chain stores aren't allowed, though Starbucks got its start here." As Ross was describing the layout he was suddenly interrupted by a loud disturbance some 20 feet away. They turned and spotted Mongers from the fish market playfully tossing a fish to one another through the air while singing "catch me if you can". Next, one of the mongers wrapped the fish up and placed in on the counter for a customer pickup. After that entertainment ended, Ross guided Rachel as they made their way through the colorful market. Men passing often starred at Rachel and why not, she was beautiful to look at. Ross' chest swelled aware they knew she was "with" him. As the entered the mid-section, a bar appeared with framed pictures of Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks. Moving closer they discovered it was this bar that one of the scenes from the famous movie "Sleepless in Seattle" was filmed. Curious to the interior they opened the door and peeking inside. It appeared somewhat small and sleazy. Not an atmosphere you would characterize for such a movie.
Monica and Chandler pulled their luggage into the hotel hallway closing their doors behind them. Pulling their luggage down the hallway Chandler light heartedly remarked, "Ross is usually so dependable with his word. This morning he definitely fell out of line." Monica liked Chandler. His lighthearted humor mixed with the lack of seriousness was a complete opposite to her more serious dominating nature. For some reason it was a relief to meet someone whose character type was so opposite. When they would have a conversation she often caught herself listening instead of preaching.
"Wow is that needle really fourteen stories high?" Rachel's anticipation began on ground level as she gazed upward at the iconic structure that she had only remembered in books. Their adventure continued inside as the elevator propelled them up to the observation deck 520 degrees above the metropolis. As they stepped out onto the observation deck every 360 degrees demanded their attention. Snow capped Mt. Rainer was to the south with the Cascade Mountains to the east while the Olympics were to the west. Floatplanes were gently landing on Lake Union while cruise ships and freighters occupied Elliot Bay. "Perhaps that is our boat docked over in the sound?" Rachel commented while pointing to a ship.
Hmmm…could be. He quickly checked his watch for the time. "Rachel, we had better get moving, it is close to 1:30 pm."
Ross and Rachel entered the hotel lobby met by a disgruntled Monica and Chandler. Ross noticing that Chandler had brought his luggage to the lobby innocently asked, "Did you bring mine down also?"
"Hey, since when did I become your servant?" Chandler somewhat angrily replied. Ross had really stepped over the line this time with that remark.
"Sorry man, I will explain later", Ross replied while heading towards the elevator.
"Wow look at the size of that ship?" Monica replied. The Ms. Zuiderdam, an 82,000 gross tonnage ship demanded everyone's attention. The graceful sleekness of her navy blue hull topped by elegant dining and staterooms put her in the Vista-Class of the Holland America Line.
"Next Please", the Holland America Line Check-In Attendant informed the next awaiting passenger. Ross and Chandler, room partners, stepped up and presented the proper documentation. After they were approved and presented a magnetic room card, that also sufficed as a credit card, they walked down a plank and up a stairway entering the interior of the ship. Attendants dressed in colorful dark red uniforms lined with gold braiding stood in the atrium awaiting passengers. "Number please?" a Polynesian attendant inquired in somewhat broken English. Ross looking at his card replied, "Room 4084H."
"Follow me please."
"Wow, this is a nice cabin, I'm so glad we've been upgraded to a cabin with a view." Chandler then pushed the curtains open and stood back with shock, "Whoa...it appears as though our view has been slightly obstructed by a lifeboat. Well, one thing is sure, if this ship starts to sink, all we have to do is break the window glass and hop in that boat", Chandler quipped while placing his luggage on the complimentary leather mat located on his bed cover.
Ross, Chandler, Monica and Rachel had joined several of the 1800 passengers on the Lido Deck for the Bon Voyage festivities. They leaned on the ships railings observing the scenic view while sharing festive Bon Voyage drinks. At precisely 5:00 pm, the Captain of the Ms. Zuiderdam gave the order to his crew to start up the engines. Shortly, the graceful 82,000T ship steered out of the harbor, blasting its horn the whole distance. "Rachel and I are going to explore the ship", Monica informed them while placing her empty drink glass on an empty table.
Ross continued leaning over the deck railing. Chandler deserved an explanation on his absence this morning. He was debating on how much to tell him. "Chandler?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry I took off from the hotel without an explanation. Rachel and I met up in the lobby and she had never toured Seattle, so I decided to take her on the Grey Line tour we took the day before", Ross explained hopping Chandler would accept his answer without any more questions.
"That's ok. Actually, it gave me the opportunity to become more acquainted with Monica."
Ross relieved with Chandler's quick acceptance to his answer, did not read the signs that Monica and Chandler may be attracted to each other.
After the five-course dinner in the Vista Dining Room, all were deciding how to spend the rest of the evening. Monica pulled the ship's itinerary folder, reading over the list of the evening's activities. "There is an America Idol vote-off starting off tonight in the Northern Lights lounge." They all agreed with the idea. As they entered the lounge it was soon discovered they were not the only ones on the ship there. It was packed. "We will need to separate, Rachel you come with me", Monica always the domineering one, informed everyone. Searching the lounge, Ross and Chandler soon spotted two empty seats. Just as they sat down the lights began to dim in the lounge.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our first contestant", an attractive cruise director stepped to the front and grabbed the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our first contestant. Her name is Kathy and she is from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Kathy, a middle aged attractive woman made her way to the front of the audience and took the microphone from the cruise director. "I would like to sing my favorite song named Could it be Magic, words and music by Adrienne Anderson and Barry Manilow.
Spirit move me every time I'm near you
Whirling like a cyclone in my mind
My Sweet Lady, angel of my lifetime
Answer to all answers I can find
Baby, I love you, come, come, come into my arms
Let me know the wonder of all of you
Baby, I want you now, now, now, and hold on fast
Could this be the magic at last?
Lady, take me high upon a hillside
High up where the stallion meets the sun
I could love you, build my world around you
Never leave you till my life is done
Baby, I love you, come, come, come into my arms
Let me know the wonder of all of you
And baby, I want you now, now, oh, now, oh now and hold on fast
Could this be the magic at last? Could it be magic?
Come, c'mon, c'mon, come oh-oh come into my arms
Oh, let me know the wonder of all of you, all of you
Baby, I want you now, now, oh now, oh now and hold on fast
Oh, could this be the magic at last?
Could it be magic?
The words to the music hit home for Ross. He got so overly emotional he felt the need to leave the lounge. Monica, knowing her brother quite well could tell he was upset. She followed him out on the deck. He walked over to the railing, and stood silent for a minute. Monica questioning whether she should bother him decided if he wanted to tell her, he would. She walked up beside him. "Did you ever see such a beautiful sky? The stars look so much closer to the earth here than they do in New York City", Ross' voice was clear and precise. Perhaps nothing was bothering him.
"Are you ok Ross?"
When Monica stated those words he started to well up inside. Fully aware he could not hide his feelings from his sister he replied, "Can you believe it Monica, I think I am already in love?"
to be continued
Note: The Ms. Zuiderdam was commissioned and built by Holland America Line. The ship was put into service in the year 2002. Since this was the ship I cruised on a month ago, I thought perhaps I could slip that fact through.
On that same trip a middle aged woman in our group, entered the American Idol contest. We listened to her perform the first night at the Northern Nights lounge and knew at that time her chances of winning the contest was good. Her voice was strong and she followed the background music perfectly. We got our wish. The last night she competed with three others and ended up winning! The song lyrics I listed was not the one she chose to sing. Remember this is just a story and I needed to fictionalize it somewhat.