AJ opened his eyes and just for a moment he didn't know where he was…
And then he remembered.
At record breaking speed AJ leaped from his bed to the window. The sun was rising over the horizon and he could see passed green palm fronds to a beach of white sand and sparkling blue water beyond.
He pushed his nose to the glass. He desperately wanted to be out there… but he didn't want to get into trouble. Binks had been quite cross when she told him to go to bed for the fourth time last night. He'd made the plan to lay out his t-shirt and trunks ready for the sea in the morning. Bianca had caught him and that was his last warning.
AJ stared longingly at the beach…
If he was quiet he could go out just as far as the veranda, that wouldn't be so bad would it?
…
The cabin door opened with a creak that set AJ's teeth on edge, but the moment it did he felt the warm breeze on his face he couldn't resist stepping outside. His nose was filled with the scent of salt air, flowers and fruit. He took two steps to the edge of the veranda his eyes drawn to the blue of the water.
"Hey, Buddy. What are you doing up?"
AJ almost jumped out of his skin when he heard Bianca's quiet voice behind him.
Bianca was sitting by the window on a porch swing. She was still in her dressing gown.
"I just wanted to see." he said nervously. Was he in trouble?
Bianca smiled and patted the seat beside her.
"It is beautiful here." said Bianca.
AJ wandered over and sat beside her.
Bianca gave him a welcome grin and put her arm around his shoulder.
"So why are you up so early?" Bianca asked.
"I woke and remembered where we were and…"
"…You just wanted to see." finished Bianca.
AJ looked out at the water. It was a still clear blue lake bordered by a circle of distant rocks that held back the white tipped waves that crashed beyond them.
"Why is it so still?" he asked.
"It's a lagoon. The sea can't get to it, just like our boat couldn't get to it yesterday. But it's cooler than that." said Bianca. "That lagoon is formed from the crater of extinct volcano. This resort is built on the widest edge of a volcano."
"Is it going to blow up?"
Bianca laughed.
"I don't think so. That would be a Pine Valley disaster in the extreme if my mom chose a get married on an ancient volcano just as it was about to explode! We're safe here AJ. The lava that made this island has moved on to make new islands far away."
AJ leaned forward when he spotted a small hut all alone on the rocks on the far shore.
"Are we really the only people here on the island?"
"It's just us and the staff." confirmed Bianca.
"Then who lives there?" he asked pointing to the distant building.
"Ah that is the honeymoon cabin." said Bianca. "It is where my mom and Uncle Jack will be staying after the wedding for a few days while we have fun in the resort."
"Oh, it's where they get romantic." said AJ nodding in understanding.
"That's right."
"It's a cool island." concluded AJ.
"It has its moments." said Bianca. "So I didn't ask before, did you have fun yesterday?"
AJ's eyes sparkled.
"Oh it was… awesome! We sailed… It was the most beautiful yacht in the world! It was yare…" he said lovingly.
"Yare?"
"It means a boat that's quick and nimble. Uncle Jack taught me that."
"You're learning a lot from your sailing lessons with Uncle Jack then." said Bianca, grinning at his enthusiasm.
"The captain even let me hold tiller!" exclaimed AJ. "When I get my boat it's gonna be one just like that."
He had a huge beaming grin on his face.
"You're getting a boat?" asked Bianca.
AJ nodded his head enthusiastically.
"When I'm older I'm going to sail all round the world."
"Wow." said Bianca. "That sounds like an adventure."
"I know Gabby doesn't like boats. So when she visits I'm going to make sure that the water is flat and there no wind so the boat doesn't rock and she doesn't get sick."
"That's very thoughtful of you."
"Oh I want you to visit my boat too; and mom; and Miranda." said AJ, looking at Bianca eagerly. "You can stay if you want. We can sail around the world together."
Bianca pulled him closer to her side.
"You know your dad was a sailor for a while. When he came back from the sea, that's when he met your mom. It must in the genes."
"And you've been all round the world too. You went and lived in France."
"Yeah. I did."
"So I'm gonna be like you too."
"I guess you are."
AJ lent into her arms and rested his head on her chest as they turned to watch the distant water.
"I don't want to be like my dad. I want to be like you." AJ said softly. "I want to be brave like you."
Bianca stroked her fingers through his blonde hair.
"I think you are already very brave." said Bianca. "I heard about how your ninja kick saved the day when we were held hostage at the hospital. And know how you stood up to your dad when he was drunk. You stood up in court." Bianca playfully tickled his side. "You snuck out of the cabin when a specifically told you not to get up until at least eight o'clock…"
"Sorry…" squeaked AJ, wriggling from her playful prodding.
Bianca relented and her face grew serious once more.
"I think you are a very brave young man. So don't you worry about that Buddy, okay? If you want to sail around the world I have no doubt that one day you will do it!"
"And you'll come and visit me?"
"Just you try and stop me!"
…
The veranda door opened with a creak and AJ and Bianca turned to see Marissa in her dressing gown, carrying a bleary eyed Gabby in her arms.
"What are you two doing out here?" she asked. She'd come looking for Bianca and was surprised to see AJ there as well.
"We were talking about boats." said Bianca.
"Well Gabby was asking for you." said Marissa. Gabby was already wriggling in her grasp to try and reach her mommy.
Bianca held out her arms to take her youngest daughter.
"Good morning baby. Are you feeling better today?"
"Yeah!" exclaimed Gabby snuggling into a comfortable spot on her mommy's lap.
Marissa's attention was still on Bianca.
"How long have you been up?"
"Not long." said Bianca. "I just wanted to watch the sunrise."
The veranda door creaked again and a new sleepy soul appeared.
"Mommy?" moaned Miranda, rubbing her tired eyes as she stepped out into the sunshine.
"Morning." said Bianca. "Did you sleep okay?"
Miranda nodded. Half asleep, she leaned into Marissa's side for a morning cuddle.
"In that case," said Bianca, sitting up. "I think we need to get dressed and down to the beach. What would you say to a quick dip in the lagoon before breakfast?"
"Awesome!" exclaimed AJ.
"Okay." said Miranda, still not quite as awake as her birthday-twin.
"Well go and put your swim suits on then." said Bianca. She nudged AJ. "The ones you were laying out at eleven o'clock last night when you should have been asleep!"
AJ gave her a guilty grimace, before dashing off to change. Gabby wriggled from her mommy's lap and hurried after him. Miranda followed at a slightly slower rate.
Marissa stayed in the doorway, with her arms crossed as she stared at Bianca.
"So, did you get any sleep last night?"
"A little." said Bianca.
"And you're ready for the rest of today?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Marissa could tell from Bianca's expression it was only half a joke. She sighed in defeat; Bianca was clearly not in a mood to be forthcoming.
"I'll go and make sure the kids are alright then." she said turning back to the cabin.
"No wait… don't go!" Bianca cried.
Marissa turned back, Bianca's cheeks had suddenly turning a deep crimson.
"I need your help." she said.
"What's wrong?"
Bianca planted her feet on the ground to stand and as she did the swing seat swung back and her right foot slid out from under her.
"The reason I've been here most of the night is because I can't actually get out of this chair."
Marisa wasn't sure whether to laugh or be mad.
"You are an idiot." she sighed. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"Because it's embarrassing."
Marissa stepped closer.
"Come here…"
Marissa wrapped her arms under Bianca's shoulders as Bianca's arms looped around her neck.
"On three. One… two… three…"
Bianca was hauled to her feet.
"You are lucky your girlfriend works out." quipped Marissa once Bianca was standing.
"I know." said Bianca with a flirty grin. Her arms were still around Marissa's neck as Marissa's hands slipped to her hips.
Marissa rewarded her with a kiss.
"You know you still have to do your morning work-out."
"We can do that at the beach too."
Marissa gazed thoughtfully into Bianca's eyes.
"And you're sure you're up for that?"
"Hmm-hmm. Besides, I know for a fact that you packed your red bikini."
Marissa grinned and closed the gap for another kiss.
"Well that's alright then."
…