Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Stephanie Meyers does. However, I do own this plot and storyline. I also own my own original characters.
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Chapter 19: Sunny Days
EPOV
The nature camp last weekend was a huge success and Bella is still giddy about it, as are most of us. She points out that she wants to have one again, making it a permanent part of the summer camp schedule.
Last night, Billy mentioned he found a few boats he thought might interest her. After showing her the pictures and details, she looks through them and finds two that are possibilities. They contact the owners who email her more detailed pictures and descriptions about the boats or mini yachts. The most important thing to her regarding the boat she decides to purchase is Cassie's comfort. If she doesn't think it'll be comfortable for Cassie to sleep and move around in, then she dismisses it immediately.
Another thing they decide is for Bella and me to get a boating license and for Billy to take a refresher course. That's why the three of us will be flying to Florida in a few days, to look at boats and take a weekend course on boating.
We'll be leaving tomorrow evening to go to Bella's apartment in Houston, then flying to Tampa Tuesday morning. It's actually cheaper to fly from Houston, and Bella doesn't want to leave her truck at the airport. This way we can take a cab to the airport and Bella's truck will be safe in the parking garage at her apartment. Our tickets are one-way in hopes we'll be bringing a boat back. Bella and Billy are both pouring over research, making sure they know where every marina is along the Gulf Coast.
I'm knocked out of my reflecting by a beach ball, which hits me in the head. Cassie's giggle gives her away, so I swim over to where she's sitting on the shallow pool ledge playing with her water toys.
"Baby girl," I growl as I reach her, pulling her off the steps and into my arms. "Do you wanna swim?"
"Yeah," she whispers, smiling brightly.
I lay her, stomach down, on one of the small wave boards Rose bought for her and Heidi, pulling her through the water as she laughs. Before I know it, Bella's diving into the pool, splashing us both. We swim and play until Sarah calls that lunch is ready.
Monday evening we say goodbye to everyone, Billy leaving Jake in charge. Cassie cries for Bella and me, but once we explain what we're going to do, she calms down. Sarah's going to stay in Bella's room so Cassie has someone close by at night. The two and half-hour drive to Houston is filled with excitement over the trip and Bella reading the class information to us while I drive.
When we arrive at the apartment, it's late and we're tired, so bed is the only thing on the agenda. The apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is extremely nice yet simple. Bella explains to me that she bought it because of the elevator and security; she wants a safe place for her and Cassie to stay while they're in the city.
Billy heads to the guest room as Bella leads me to her room. We change and climb in bed; she reaches over to set the alarm so we can get to the airport on time. I pull her into my arms, kissing her sweetly before both of us doze off.
The alarm goes off excessively early, and I'm too comfortable to move. Bella reaches over to turn the menacing sound off before rolling over and kissing me good morning.
"I'll wake you up when I get out of the shower," she whispers, untangling herself from the sheets and me.
I hear her giggle as I reach for her pillow and doze back off. I'm awakened by her hairdryer turning on so I decide to get up and make coffee while she finishes up.
After taking my shower and getting dressed, we're ready to go downstairs and meet the cab. Checking in for our flight is quick due to the early hour. We grab a pastry and another coffee from the Starbucks close to our gate and wait for boarding to begin.
Another thing I love about Bella, she has a lot of money but never flaunts it or makes you feel inferior. However, she likes to be comfortable, so when I realize we're sitting in First Class, I keep my mouth shut because I know it's her way of making sure we're all comfortable.
The flight is only a few hours, and before I know it, we're landing in Tampa. We make our way to baggage claim; Billy and I get our luggage while Bella goes to the rental car counter. Our hotel is in Clearwater, close to where we'll be taking the boating class. However, one of the boats we'll be looking at in located in Tampa.
Billy drives us to the hotel and we check-in, deciding to eat lunch at the little café on the beach. We're sharing a one-bedroom suite, so Billy says he'll take the fold out couch while Bella and I take the bedroom.
We make our way to the café, which is more or less a beach bar. Billy and I order the crab legs, while Bella gets blackened tilapia over rice with veggies. The beer is ice cold, and Bella raves about her delicious margarita.
"So, in the morning, we'll go see the boat in Tampa," Billy begins, giving Bella a pointed look. "If you don't feel like it's the one, we wait. We will find 'the one', sweetheart."
"I know," Bella sighs.
"Then Thursday, Lee's meeting us at the marina to see the other boat," Billy continues. "That's the one you like with the full-size fridge, but again, if you don't think everything is perfect, don't buy it. You have time to think about it. I even had Jessica print me a list of boat dealers in the area, just in case."
"All right," Bella surmises, absently stirring her drink. "No spontaneous decisions."
I have a feeling we'll find the perfect boat; at least, I hope we do. Bella doesn't need any more stress, and I'm going to do everything I can to keep this trip stress-free for her.
"Hey," Bella calls, looking up from the drink and dessert menu that's on the table. "They have jet ski rentals here at the hotel. It says you'll more than likely see dolphins."
"Let's do it," Billy boasts, sounding more like Emmett than a man my father's age. "We have all afternoon to waste; let's have some fun."
After I pay for our meal, much to the disapproval of Bella, we head back into the hotel to inquire about the jet ski rentals. The woman behind the reception desk explains that it isn't part of the hotel, but a separate building along the path leading to the beach. We go to our room and change; I put on board shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops. Bella looks extremely sexy in her little scuba logo shorts and tank; I know she's wearing a bikini underneath because I can see the outline through her tank.
She locks our valuables in the room safe, only taking our ids and a credit card. Slipping them into a waterproof pouch attached to a lanyard around her neck and tucking it inside her tank.
"Oh, shit," she blurts out when we're getting onto the elevator to head downstairs. "I forgot sunblock."
"Let's go back to the room then," Billy declares. "You have to have it and so does Edward."
"No," Bella objects. "I mean I didn't bring any with me, and we're gonna need it for class. I need to keep some on probably the whole time we're here."
"I'm sure they have some in the little store downstairs," I suggest, wrapping my arm around her. "Let's get some and towels too because we didn't bring those either. I think we left the beach bag at your apartment."
We ended up purchasing sunblock, sunglasses, towels, and a new beach bag from the small store. If we need anything else, we can go shopping tomorrow when we go to Tampa to look at the boat. If she does purchase a boat, we'll need to go shopping anyway. There's a lot, a whole list actually, of stuff we'll need to travel back to Texas via the Gulf.
Billy's talking to the guy at the rental hut; yes, it's an actual hut in the sand. He's pointing out where the water is smooth which will be the best spot to see the dolphins. Since we all know how to operate the WaveRunners, we don't have to watch the training video.
Once Bella hands over our driver licenses, her credit card, and we sign the waivers, she locks her bag in one of the rental lockers. After buckling our life jackets and getting the keys, the guy leads us to the beach where WaveRunners are lined up.
After pushing the WaveRunners into the water, we follow Billy out past the sand bar, and then it is full speed. After about twenty minutes of playing around, I spot my first dolphin. I kill the engine and just float, seeing if it'll come closer to me. I'm just about to give up when I see two more. They swim right up to the WaveRunner, so close I can reach out and touch them. I'm in complete awe at how friendly they are. Bella and Billy circle around me before cutting their engines and the dolphins start swimming between us. Jumping out of the water and splashing us.
"This is fucking awesome," I confess, a huge smile on my face.
"Sarah and I went swimming with them when we came here on vacation," Billy recalls. "But it was at Discovery Cove and they weren't wild like this."
"Cassie would love this," Bella mutters. "I hope we see some on our trip. I bet if we had a ball right now they'd play with it."
We spend a few hours out on the water, playing around and watching the dolphins. Once back at the hotel, we take showers and get ready for dinner. Billy wants to take us to this beachside bar and grill he and Sarah found when they were here. According to him, it's the best seafood around.
Luckily, the place isn't crowded, and we don't have to wait long for a table. We order the family meal, which is a little of everything. They just bring platters of food and set them in the middle of the table for you to share. Being a chef, you tend to eat at a variety of places and a variety of food. I have to agree with Billy though; the food is cooked to perfection.
Crab cakes, grilled scallops, stuffed shrimp, and blackened mahi-mahi with all the sides. It's a feast of epic proportions. I'm so glad Bella isn't one of those salad and water girls, scared to eat a steak. I love watching her taste everything and enjoy it.
"Damn, Edward," she raves. "We need to make these scallops at home. Everyone would love them, especially Cassie."
The band is just starting to set-up as we finish eating, so we move to the tiki bar on the beach to listen to them and have another drink. After a few songs and a tipsy Bella, we head back to the hotel and call to check in with the ranch once we're in our room..
We wake up around eight Wednesday morning so we can eat breakfast and drive the hour to Tampa Harbour Marina. We're meeting the guy at the marina around ten, and then Bella wants to go shopping. She's a little sunburned from yesterday, so water sports are out of the question for today until we buy some stronger, waterproof sunscreen.
While we're waiting for her to finish getting ready, Billy explains that it's her medicines that make her sensitive to the sun. I could kick myself for not remembering the beach bag, which I'm sure has the sunblock in it.
We pull into a small diner on our way to Tampa, which isn't crowded at all. I guess most people are at work already.
"You have your list of the things you're looking for?" Billy questions after we place our order.
"Yeah," Bella confirms, pulling the list out of her bag and handing it to him. "The ones with stars are must haves."
We discuss her list as we eat, Billy clarifying why she does or doesn't want certain things. He assures her that we'll find the boat she wants, even if we have to have it built.
"Why don't we skip shoppin' today and see if Lee is willing to meet us after lookin' at this boat in Tampa?" Billy suggests. "I don't think it's gonna be a winner, and if ya don't like Lee's boat, we can go to the dealers Jessica found in Clearwater tomorrow."
"That's a good idea," I comment, looking at Bella. "Shopping can wait until we know what we'll need. Let's find your perfect boat first, pretty girl."
"All right," she concedes, smiling at us. "Will ya call Lee after we look at the first boat?" she directs toward Billy.
"Sure, sweetheart," he assures, giving her a soft smile. "Let's get outta here so we're not late."
The drive to Tampa Harbour Marina is quiet as we take in the scenery. About an hour later, we pull into the harbor parking and get out of the rental SUV. It's hot already, that steamy feeling where your clothes stick to you.
"Slip eighteen," Billy mutters, walking toward the docks. The salt air is heavy, and I'm instantly sweating.
As we approach slip eighteen, I notice a man, who looks like a beach bum, meandering around a grey and white boat. It looks nice, but I can already tell from the frown on my girl's face that she doesn't like it.
"You the Blacks?" the guy asks, slurring his words. At Billy's nod he continues, "I'm Shane. Come aboard and look around."
I step onto the swim platform and take Bella's hand to help her. As soon as we walk into the living area and helm station, Bella is shaking her head. The floor is carpeted, which is one of her no-nos. Mold and mildew is a fear she has, and with Cassie's health, she takes no chances.
The leather on the captain's seat is torn and the galley is a mess. We go below deck and I notice there's no stair rail to help you navigate; another must have on Bella's list. Once below, I have to hold my breath, and I notice Billy grimace; it stinks like Emmett's dirty socks, only ten times worse.
Bella turns to us after looking over her shoulder to make sure we're alone before whispering heatedly, "How fucking much is he trying to sell this boat for? There's no way in hell anyone in their right mind would by this nasty ass thing."
"Let's go, sweetheart," Billy quips, leading us back up the stairs. "He had to have used pictures from the manufacturer," he mumbles as we walk out.
Once we're on the dock, Billy speaks with Shane, telling him it doesn't meet our specifications as Bella and I thank him for his time and wish him a good day.
Once back in the SUV, Billy pulls out his phone and calls Lee. He agrees to meet with us today after lunch, so we head back to Clearwater.
"I think I'm gonna keep the WaveRunner from Sam at the ranch for everyone to use on the lake and buy a new one for whatever boat we find," Bella states outta the blue.
"All right," Billy agrees, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "Any reason why?"
"'Cause they enjoy it, and I have a feelin' it'll be too heavy for a boat," she speculates, looking down at my iPad in her hands. "It took Jake, Sam, and Emmett to get it in the lake."
She continues to research, or whatever she's doing on the iPad, the rest of the way to Clearwater. Instead of going straight to the hotel, Billy pulls into a drugstore. Bella smiles softly as we get out of the SUV. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and lead her into the store. After Bella purchases some good sunscreen and lip balm, we head back to the hotel. We're going to eat lunch at the café before we head over to the marina to meet Lee.
As we turn off the causeway heading to the marina, Bella squeaks, "I wanna go to the aquarium after we see the boat."
"Is that where the dolphin with the prosthetic tail from that movie lives?" I ask. I saw the movie when it came on cable one night and there was nothing else to watch. It's an amazing story.
"Yeah, her name is Winter," Bella agrees, looking out the window. "Cassie has the movie; it's one of her favorites."
We arrive at the marina and meet Lee, an older, very nice gentleman. He studies Bella as she looks around the boat, not in a creepy way, more like a concerned grandfather. He's relocating to Colorado and can't take the boat with him, so selling it is his only option.
The boat is really nice, very well maintained. It's only a year old and Lee had it custom designed. Teak and leather throughout, clean lines, and very roomy; it looks brand new although Lee assures us it has been on several trips.
"Ms. Bella," Lee calls from where he is sitting at the dining table. "Come sit and talk with me."
Bella takes the seat across from him, resting her arms on the table. I lean back against the galley counter while Billy takes a seat in the captain's chair, turning to look at them.
"I can tell this isn't the boat for you," he starts explaining, smiling softly at her. "Tell me what you're looking for in a boat? What do you want it to do for you?"
He sits and listens to her explain about Cassie and everything she wants or doesn't want, the must have safety features. She even pulls out her list, showing it to him. He reads over it before looking up at her and smiling.
"You're a good mother," he states with so much passion. "There's a yacht dealer here in Clearwater; Howard is the sales manager. I'll write the information down for you. Go see him tomorrow; if anyone can find the perfect boat for you, it's him."
"Thank you so much, Lee," Bella exclaims, smiling. "I really can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us."
"Not a problem," he assures her. "You all want to take a ride? I'm free for the rest of the day."
Billy's face lights up, Bella giggling at his enthusiasm, "Sure, that'll be great."
For the next few hours, we cruise up to Saint Joseph Sound and back, Billy at the helm most of the trip. We don't make it to the aquarium, but Bella decides she'd like to bring Cassie another time.
Thursday morning, we're up and having room service by eight. Bella wants to get as much done today as possible since we'll be in our boating classes for the next two days.
As we pull into the parking lot of MarineMax, Bella starts laughing from the backseat. Billy and I both turn to look at her, wondering what's so funny.
Once she's back under control she explains, "This is the same place our classes are gonna be."
"Well then, let's see if Howard can help us find the perfect boat for you to learn how to drive," Billy states, climbing out of the SUV.
The three of us walk into the huge building and there are boats everywhere. All different brands and styles, from your typical bass fishing boat to a cigar racing boat. It looks overwhelming to me, so I can only imagine how Bella's feeling.
I take her hand, intertwining our fingers. "Let's find Howard, pretty girl."
She nods in agreement as we walk up some steps to the reception desk. The woman behind the desk smiles as we approach and asks, "Can I help you?"
"We'd like to see Howard," Bella requests, smiling at the young woman.
"Let me page him for you," the woman announces, picking up the phone and calling Howard to reception.
I turn when I hear Billy laugh behind us. He's walking with an older gentleman and they head our way. "Bella, Edward," Billy calls to us, "this is Howard. Apparently, Lee called him last night."
"It's nice to meet you, Howard," Bella greets, shaking the man's hand, and I follow, doing the same.
"It's nice to meet you, too," he returns with a smile. "Let's see if I can help you find what you're looking for. Follow me."
We follow Howard past the receptionist to an office in back. The three of us take a seat in front of the desk while Howard grabs some brochures from a shelf along the back wall before taking a seat.
"Lee said you have a list?" he asks, looking at Bella, who nods. She tends to be a little nervous around people she doesn't know. "May I see it?"
She hands over her trusty list and then wrings her now empty hands in her lap. I reach over and take one of her hands, rubbing my thumb along the top to calm her.
Howard raises his head from her list, smiling warmly. "Some of these things aren't standard on any boat but can be added; keep that in mind when I show you what we have, all right?"
"Yes, sir," Bella agrees, smiling widely. "I can keep an open mind."
"Well, let me show you a few brochures, then we'll go to the showroom," Howard directs as we crowd around the desk.
He points out different things from the three brochures, one of which Bella dismisses almost immediately saying it's "too much boat." The other two she really likes, but I can tell one is standing out more than the other. He hands Bella her list and both brochures as he stands to lead us to the showroom.
"Let's look at this one first," he comments, walking up the stairs to a platform on the back of the first boat.
It's a Belize Sedan Motor Yacht and very nice. So is the smile on Bella's face. Her excitement is contagious, and I hear Billy snort behind me; yeah her happiness is our happiness.
We look around the entire boat, Bella marking her list as she goes, making a few notes along the margin. When we've walked the entire boat a few times, she walks out and onto the platform, Billy and I following.
"All right, Ms. Bella," Howard begins. "The Azimut Sport Motor Yachts are outside in slips. I have three in stock, so if one doesn't have everything, another one might. Just take your time and look at all three."
"That I can do," she affirms, grabbing my hand as we follow him to a side door leading outside.
He leads us down the pier where he points out three very beautiful boats, although they're the same shape, the colors and finishes are slightly different. We follow him onto the first one and the ease of boarding is as simple as stepping off the dock onto the swim platform. Bella walks around with her pen and list, checking things off and making notes. Once we've been through everything on this boat, we go to the next and then the last one. Instead of going back into the office, Bella sits down in the salon, laying her list on the table.
We all follow her with me sitting next to her. She just looks around her with a keen eye before giving us her attention. "I like this one and the one inside the best," she admits with a deep sigh.
"Can I offer my honest opinion?" Howard pleads, glancing between the three of us.
"Please do," Bella agrees, taking my hand under the table.
"I would go with this boat," Howard confesses, crossing his arms on the table. "I've seen less come in for repairs, it has three Volvo gas engines, and the whole swim platform is hydraulic, which means it'll be easier to load a jet ski. There are many other specifications that'll be better for your family versus the Belize."
He goes on to list the differences in the two boats as Bella takes more notes. Her list looks more like a report by the time he finishes explaining his suggestion.
"And the options I want?" Bella questions.
"I can have a tender ordered and here by Tuesday, along with the boat fitted with all the extras you want and ready to go by Wednesday. I'd suggest purchasing a Sea-Doo Spark for the jet ski. There's a dealer not far from here in Bradenton that we work with. If you purchase it today, have them contact me, and I'll get it over here and fitted on the boat."
"Would you mind givin' us a few minutes?" Billy interrupts, glancing at Bella. "We'll meet you in your office shortly."
"Take your time," Howard offers getting up to leave. "This is a big decision and I want you to be completely satisfied and comfortable with it. You're more than welcome to look around the boats again if you want."
Once Howard is gone, Billy takes his place. We discuss everything and reassure Bella this is her decision and we just want her happy. After we talk it out, she gets up to walk around the boat again. It's a 2014 Azimut 55 Sports Edition with all the options. The boat is breathtaking with metallic silver and white exterior and wood with white leather interior.
Bella comes back up from the lower deck and announces, "I want this boat or motor yacht; whatever it's called. Let's go do the paperwork so Jess can wire the funds today."
I guess she's made up her mind, and the fact she wanted my thoughts before coming to that decision makes me love her even more. We head back to the showroom and into Howard's office.
Before he can even speak a word, Bella blurts out, "I want the 55S. How long will it take to do the paperwork so I can have my assistant wire the funds?"
"Have a seat and we will get it done now. Let's build your tender first so we can get it shipped here and the rest of the paperwork should take maybe an hour or so. The accessories you can pick out and pay for separately, and I'll have them either installed, if needed, or just put on board so they'll be waiting for you."
Billy and I help build the tender online while she reviews the paperwork. As soon as that's taken care of, Howard prints everything out and Bella calls Jessica, giving her the wiring instructions and amount. She's paying less for this brand new boat than the slimy jackass in Tampa is trying to get for his stinky boat.
"Now, go to the store here and pick out your accessories; if you don't find everything here, there is a boating supply store right down the road from the Action Motorsports dealer in Bradenton. I wrote on the back of the card what you need," Howard directs, handing Bella a business card. "Call me if you have any questions. I'll see you in the morning for your class."
After we express our appreciation, we make our way to the other side of the showroom, where there's a small store. Bella picks out a few things from her accessories list, even calling Sarah to help her decide on colors. I look at the stuff needed to equip the galley, but there aren't many choices. Billy suggests we go eat lunch before heading to the Sea-Doo dealer and then we'll go checkout the other store. He finds a small beach grill on the way to Bradenton, and we stuff ourselves on crab cakes.
We're standing in the middle of Action Motorsports arguing over colors for the jet ski. "Bella, give the boy a break; you have never bought anything pink, so drop the facadé and get the gray," Billy laughs, shaking his head at our banter.
"Have you decided on the color and extras you might want?" the salesman asks cautiously.
"Yeah," Bella sighs dramatically. "We'll take the grey three-person and the extras, except no graphics package." Bella has been so much more playful since the stress of finding the perfect boat isn't weighing on her shoulders any longer.
"You're gonna pay for teasing me, pretty girl," I whisper in her ear as we follow the guy back to do the paperwork.
After taking care of that, and calling to let Howard know it will be ready for pickup tomorrow morning, we head to the marine supply store.
"Oh … um … wow," Bella stutters out as we make our way inside. "This is overwhelming."
It does seem overwhelming with merchandise everywhere: hanging on the walls, shelves, and even clothing racks. It's like a Wal-Mart for boaters.
"Why don't we take a section of the boat at a time?" I question. "Start with the galley and so on?"
"Yeah," she agrees, grabbing a buggy and pulling out her trusty list and pen. "OK, I'm ready."
We go through the store a section at a time, picking out the things we'll need now, deciding to check out a home goods store when we get home. Billy isn't much help on deciding because he keeps wandering off and returns only to put something in the basket, marking it off Bella's list before taking off again. Surprisingly, we don't get much from here, only the items that we're not going to find anywhere else, like sea-safe soaps and detergent, low voltage appliances, nautical charts, maps, and safety equipment.
Deciding dinner is going to be at the hotel, we head back to Clearwater. It's been a long day, so cuddling on the couch and watching a movie is the only thing left on the agenda as far as I'm concerned.
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