After lunch, and a long involved argument over the best Disney villain, Bianca unveiled her next surprise. She had booked a private cruise along the Seine. They could see the sights of Paris from the comfort of a cruise boat.
AJ got very excited about the idea of a boat trip. He had certainly caught the boating bug from Uncle Jack.
…
When they arrived at the dock the boat looked luxurious enough, with an open air viewing deck at the front and a long, cosy, covered cabin in the rear, but it sat at the bottom of a very steep and narrow gangway.
"You did tell them about disabled access?" asked Marissa frowning at the gang plank with a single hand rail. She wouldn't trust the kids to balance along it alone… how was Bianca going to cross?
Bianca gave her a guilty grin that meant the answer was 'no'.
In the end the kids each climbed across to the boat in the company of an adult. Camilla went first with Ayesha in her arms. Gabby once more choose to stick to her MommaReese while Miranda took Maggie's hand and they went across together.
AJ looked from Reggie and his mom, as there was silent argument going on over who was going to stay with Bianca.
"You go," said Bianca giving Marissa a grin. "Reggie can help me."
"Okay." said Marissa, bending down to give her girlfriend a quick kiss before taking AJ's hand.
The captain and crew had concerned themselves with the problem of Bianca's wheelchair, which was too wide for the gangway.
The Captain who only spoke French, offered to carry her. He moved forward with another crewman fully prepared to pick up Bianca's between them, wheelchair and all.
She stopped them.
"I can walk." said Bianca, struggling to get up onto her feet; clutching Reggie for support as she did so. "There is a hand rail, I should be fine."
"You're sure?" said Reggie, slipping an arm around her waist to help steady her as she took a few steps forward, her left leg wobbling slightly.
"I'm sure." said Bianca.
One of the crewmen picked up Bianca's wheelchair, and holding it above his head, he trotted effortlessly down the gangway… making it look easy. That is until he missed his footing and he slipped sending Bianca's wheelchair tumbling into the river. Everyone watched in horror as Bianca's wheelchair disappearing without a trace to the bottom of the Seine.
"You're still sure?" Reggie asked as they stood at the very top of the gang plank.
Bianca sighed.
"No." she said nervously. If she did slip it was quite a drop to the water.
"I can carry you." said Reggie. "You trust me don't you?"
"…'Cause that wouldn't be at all embarrassing." finished Bianca with a snort. "No. If I go slowly and backwards I'll be fine."
"Well I'm here to catch you." said Reggie.
Feeling very self-conscious Bianca began to reverse carefully down the gang plank, one hand gripping the hand rail, the other holding tightly to Reggie's forearm.
…
When they got safely to the end of the gangway Bianca felt hands on her waist helping her take the last few steps down into the boat.
"Made it." said Bianca, turning to give Marissa a grin, only the hands around her waist belonged to Reese not Marissa. Over her ex-wife's shoulder she could see her girlfriend was watching with concern in her eyes but the Captain had her cornered, offering her an abject apology about the loss of the wheelchair in French while Maggie tried to act as translator.
"Thank you." said Bianca, stepping out of Reese's clutches.
"You're okay?" Reese asked, reaching out a concerned hand.
"I'm fine." said Bianca moving away to steady herself on the rail of the boat.
"They are going to leave someone behind to try and fish your chair out of the river." said Maggie as she and Marissa rejoined them again.
"I really don't mind." said Bianca, "I hated that thing anyway!"
"That's not the point." scolded Marissa lightly. She stepped past Reese and slipped her arm around Bianca's waist, helping her to a nearby couch at the back of the boat.
"Mom, can we go up front?" AJ asked.
The boat was starting up and after an eventful start the cruise was about to begin.
"Sure," said Marissa, turning to Reggie with a begging look, asking if he would mind taking the kids.
Reggie gave her a discrete nod before clapping his hands together.
"Right kids, let go!"
AJ hurried forward with little prompting. Gabby took hold of Reese's hand and dragged her off. Camilla followed with Ayesha still in her arms.
"Mommy." said Miranda, hanging back to stare at Bianca. She had found watching her mom struggling down the gangplank really frightening, especially after the splash made by the wheelchair disappearing beneath the water!
"Angel." said Bianca leaning forward to give her eldest daughter a hug. "I'm fine. I just need to sit here for a bit. But you shouldn't miss out on this exciting trip!"
Miranda bit her lip. She clearly wanted to stay with her mommy.
Maggie, seeing that Marissa and Bianca were in need of a moment, put her hand to the little girl's shoulder.
"Weren't you telling me you wanted to see my hospital? It's right by the river. We could probably see it soon."
Miranda looked up at Maggie but she held her ground. She wasn't moving from her mother's side.
Marissa came forward and crouched down beside Miranda and gave her a hug.
"That was a little scary, wasn't it, when mommy's wheelchair fell in the water?" said Marissa.
Miranda nodded.
"And now it's at the bottom of the river."
Miranda nodded again.
Marissa grinned and poked Miranda playfully in the stomach.
"Losing her wheelchair like that was insane... 'in Seine'… in the river Seine… Get it?"
The bad joke got a groan from everyone.
"So let's face it, your mommy isn't going anywhere until the boat stops." continued Marissa's, her poke turning into a tickle. "So stop worrying and go and have some fun!"
Miranda squirmed from Marissa's grasp but her frown had turned into a smile.
Marissa lent forward with wriggling fingers.
"Go have some fun or the trickle monster will strike again."
Miranda laughed at Marissa's silliness and took another step back, bumping into Maggie as she did so.
"Come on." said Maggie, adopting Marissa's playful tone. "The hospital is just around the next bend. We might miss it."
This time Miranda let herself be led away.
"And don't forget to tell AJ that joke." Marissa called after her. "I know he'll appreciate it!"
…
Marissa who was still kneeling on the floor turned her head to see her girlfriend grinning at her.
"That was cute." said Bianca with a laugh. "Have you been taking lessons from Uncle jack?"
Marissa got up and straightened out her skirt.
"Well, you know how I hate to see her worry."
Marissa took a seat beside Bianca.
Bianca reached out and stroked Marissa's cheek.
"You shouldn't worry either." she said. "It's not like I fell in or anything."
"But you are looking worn out." said Marissa.
Bianca nodded her head, hating her current frailty.
"It's been a long morning." she admitted.
"Well." said Marissa getting up from the couch. "Why don't you stretch out and have a rest. I can go up front and keep everyone occupied."
"You don't mind?" asked Bianca, a rest sounded heavenly.
Marissa bent down and kissed Bianca sweetly.
"I'd do anything for you."
She helped Bianca settle on the couch before leaning in for a longer kiss.
"Rest well." she said.
Bianca watched her depart with a smile on her lips, and then shook her head in amusement remembering the terrible joke. Her girlfriend just got more adorable every day!
…
Now she was alone Bianca lay back on the couch and closed her eyes. Her focus drifted to her other senses, the sound of the boat engine, splashes from the boats wake and the distant sound of her kid's excited voice, there was the smell of engine oil and river water in the air and the gently sway of the boat as it motored on. Bianca tried to focus all her attention on the movement of the boat, blocking out everything else, imagining it was rocking her to sleep…
…
Bianca wasn't sure how long she lay there dozing, but she became aware of a shadow blocking the glow of the sun on her eyelids.
Bianca opened one eye and was surprised to see Reese leaning over her, a lost expression on her face…
…