The First night (Boarding )
Jack sat in the dull waiting lounge at the dock. Irina sat next to him silent for once. She had been talking non stop about the trip since she planned it. Now she sat her face stoic and her body tense. He reached out and touched her hand. She jumped.
"Irina, sweetheart. Is everything ok?"
"Yeah. Couldn't be better."
"Is this about Kendall joining us."
"No, of course not. Him and Ariana and Dixon and Chase and Marshall and Carrie and Mitchell are more than happy to come on our FAMILY vacation. You know what f*ck it. Marshall and Carrie I can understand their the girls friend. Dixon is like their godfather. But CHASE, KENDALL, AND ARIANA. WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU INVITE THEM!"
Syd, Nadia and the guys looked over at their parents.
"Everyone needs a vacation. You said it yourself."
"THEY HATE ME!"
"They don't hate you they just heavily dislike you."
Irina huffed and walked away to look out toward the water. Jack exchanged an eye roll with the girls and walked over to where Irina stood. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her cheek.
"I'm sorry. You're right. They hate you but I had no choice. This was the only way I could get Kendall to give me time off. Plus Chase is so infatuated with Dixon she won't even be aware of us."
Irina relaxed into his embrace and sighed.
"Katya's coming too." she finally said.
This time it was Jack who lost it.
"WHAT?! WHY DID YOU INVITE HER? YOU KNOWS SHE STILL HAS THE HOTS FOR ME. NOW I HAVE TO DODGE HER ON A F*CKING CRUISE. IT'S A BOAT IRINA. WHERE THE HELL AM I GONNA GO."
"JONATHAN DONAHUE BRISTOW. IF YOU EXPECT ME TO APOLIGIZE FOR INVITING MY SISTER WHO IS FAMILY BY THE WAY YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN. AND FOR YOU TO ASSUME MY SISTER IS GOING TO BE HANGING ALL OVER YOU WITH HER HUSBAND ON THE SAME CRUISE SHIP IS OBSURD."
"SHE . . Wait her husband?" Jack said his anger squelched.
"Yes Jack. Her husband. Katya got married a year ago."
"I didn't. . she. . .you. . ."
"My goodness Jack I didn't know the mention of my name could still make you at a loss for words." a voice said behind him.
He turned and looked into the eyes none other than Katya Derevko. Standing next to her was a huge blonde man sporting a look as mean as the Bristow scowl.
"Kat. You made it," Irina said hugging her sister "This must be Nikolai." she added addressing the tall blond bodybuilder.
"Yes. Nikolai this is my sister Irina and her husband Jack." Katya introduced.
"Hello. You can call me Nick." he said his Australian accent heavy.
Nick then hugged Irina and shook Jack's hand.
"Nick let me introduce you to the rest of the family." Katya said walking over to where Nadia and Sydney were seated.
Irina opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted my Carrie and Marshall shouting.
"MITCHELL! MITCHELL GET BACK HERE NOW!" She yelled.
Irina saw Mitchell running at full speed towards them. Just as Mitchell ran past her she spun and caught him around the midsection throwing him over her shoulder. He howled in laughter.
"Renny, Let me go. Let me go. There going to get me." He screamed.
"Sorry Mitch. You've been caught." She said her voice tinged with laughter.
By that time a disgruntled Carrie and a out of breath Marshall had reached them. She placed Mitchell on his feet and he hid behind her.
"Come on Mitchell what did I say would happen if you ran from us again." Carrie scolded.
"No, mommy don't!" Mitchell cried, "No please don't take away my advanced analytical calculus book. Dad and I were only on chapter 17."
"No calculus for you. This whole trip."
"Carrie come on. Isn't that a little harsh." Marshall said but was immediately silenced by Carrie's death stare.
Marshall and Mitchell sulked off and joined the others. Twenty minutes later the boat docked, was boarded and they were on their way.