Sailing The High Seas
After completing their lunch of bite sized Cuban Sliders, Caribbean Potato Soup, and fresh tropical fruits, Tony and Angela returned to the top deck, enjoying the warm afternoon sea breeze as they lounged in a hammock fit for two, their arms comfortably wrapped around each other, relishing in each other's company.
"Now this is what I call a perfect honeymoon," Tony leaned his lips to Angela's forehead, placing a soft kiss above her left brow.
"I think I can stay here forever," Angela returned, pulling Tony closer into her.
"I can't believe you put this all-together, honey and I never had a clue. This seriously never would have crossed my mind. You are absolutely amazing, and I swear I am the luckiest man in this entire world." He gazed lovingly into her eyes, intertwining their fingers as he brought their joined hands to his lips and placed a delicate kiss on her hand.
"I love you, Tony," she smiled warmly, "I still keep pinching myself, just to make sure I'm not going to wake up from this amazing dream." Her eyes began to swell.
"It's not a dream sweetheart, it's all real and it couldn't be more perfect, you couldn't be more perfect, and I couldn't be happier." He puckered his lips, leaning in for a tender, soft kiss.
A comfortable silence fell between them as they lay, listening to the lapping water slap the side of the boat. The sway of the boat and the warm breeze soon brought slumber upon them as both fell into a deep afternoon nap.
Two hours had passed before Angela began to stir, causing Tony to try and move his now stiff shoulder that had been wrapped around her.
Raising her head slightly, Angela adjusted so Tony could pull his arm from under her, "I guess we must have fallen asleep," she yawned.
"It would appear so," Tony rubbed his shoulder trying to get the feeling back in it."
"I'm sorry baby, is your shoulder ok," Angela inquired with concern.
"Ya, just a little stiff, you know how it like to act up when it's been stuck in once place too long. It'll be ok!" He winked.
"What time is it?" Angela asked, pooping her head over the edge of the hammock to look out towards the sea.
"Almost five-thirty," Tony sat up, careful not to tip the hammock over.
"Goodness, I guess we were tired or maybe still a little hungover," she giggled.
"I would say so," he chuckled in reply, "Not like we got much sleep last night anyway." He rubbed his hand cross his face trying to adjust his eyes to the bright sun.
"We need to get changed and ready for dinner if we intend to have a sunset dinner on deck. I think Sandra said dinner would be served at seven."
Just then, footsteps could be heard approaching them from behind, "Mr. and Mrs. Micelli," Sandra's voice cut through the sound of the sail lapping above them, "I'm sorry, Tony and Angela," she smiled warmly upon catching Tony's reprimanding eye, "I'm glad you all are awake! I didn't want to disturb you but was concerned with your request for a sunset dinner and I didn't want you to miss it."
"Thank you, Sandra," Angela rose from the hammock causing an abrupt sway that nearly sent Tony toppling over. "Oh, sorry honey," she called over her shoulder and she made her way towards Sandra.
"Oh ya, no problem, honey, just catch me as I take a dive overboard," he returned catching himself on one of the sail bars.
Shaking her head in amazement at Tony's over exaggeration, Angela turned her attention back to Sandra, "Yes, thank you Sandra, we sure don't want to miss it. We'll go and get ready now. You said seven, correct?"
"Yes ma'am, everything will be ready for service at seven. The sun begins to set out here about seven-thirty and is usually sets by about quarter to nine or so. Dinner will be served portside, stern."
A puzzled look crossed Angela's face.
With a chuckle, Sandra clarified, noting her confused look, "Sorry Angela, just a little boating lingo. We'll be in the back of the boat, left side of the sails so you have a clear view of the setting sun in the west."
With a wink, Angela nodded, "I got it now! Thank you again Sandra."
"You're very welcome, Angela, I'll be down in the galley, the kitchen," she giggled, "If you need anything until then.
Descending the steps to the lower deck, Sandra soon disappeared below deck leaving Tony and Angela to enjoy a few last minutes of warm breeze before they followed her lead towards their cabin to get ready for dinner.
Arriving at their cabin, they found everything in perfect order. Clothes neatly placed in the small closet, shoes lining the side wall and their personal items stowed safely in the private bathroom.
"Total full-service treatment huh?" Tony quipped, surprised to see everything already put away.
"I would say so, when they said full service, nothing to worry about except having a good time, I guess they really mean it." Angela stepped towards the closet to pull out her evening dress.
Stepping into the bathroom, Tony hollered, "Well honey, I would say we should take a shower together to save time, but both of us definitely won't fit in here."
"To save time huh?" Angela snickered stepping into the bathroom with Tony to take a look inside. "Good gracious, that could almost give a person claustrophobia. I can say with certainty, there will be no "time saving," she air quoted, showers this leg of the trip." She kissed Tony's cheek. "Can I go first so I can do my hair and makeup while you shower?"
"You certainly may but I have to say, no amount of makeup or hair doing will make you any more beautiful than you already are." He wrapped his arms around her waist, a twinkle in his eye.
"Are you flittering with me Mr. Micelli?" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Maybe?" He wiggled his brows.
"I think you are flittering with me!" She stated matter-a-factly.
"What if I am," he grinned, "What are you going to do about it?" He nuzzled his nose into the crock of her neck.
"Well, you just might have to wait and see what's for dessert." She grabbed his earlobe between her teeth.
"Oh, marone a mia," he exhaled, locking their lips in a searing kiss.
Having finally pulled themselves away from each other in order to get ready for the evening, Angela busied herself getting ready while Tony finished his shower. Although exquisitely decorated and cozy, their cabin lacked extra room to easily maneuver around without tripping over each other. The majority of the cabin was occupied with a double bed, small dresser with a mirror and single bedside table, leaving only enough room for one person at a time to squeeze by each other.
Beginning to feel slightly claustrophobic, Angela hollered to Tony that she would meet him on deck after he got ready with the clothes, she'd laid out for him.
Leaning against the safety net railing on the portside of the boat, watching the water flap against the sides, Angela felt Tony's presence before she saw him, turning to face him as he took the last step up onto the deck. Their eyes locked at he caught sight of her full figure, the sun shinning upon her face, her updo carelessly blowing in the wind and her exposed shoulders glowing from the reflection of her tan. He gasped.
"Angela, you look amazing!" He took the three steps towards her, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You look rather handsome yourself," she smiled.
She wore an off the shoulder, fitted, long-sleeved, navy, and white striped top, that attached at the waist to a calf-length, free flowing, white shirt, and a pair of red gladiator sandals while Tony wore a navy and white striped collar shirt with a matching navy blazer and white slacks.
"I'd say we are quite the dashing pair," he extended his arm to her, "May I accompany you to dinner?"
Slipping her arm into his, she smiled, "You certainly may."
As they looked up, about to step towards the walkway leading to the back of the boat, Sandra appeared with a camera in hand, "May I take your picture?" She inquired shyly. "I love to capture special moments of our guests and make them a memory book of their trip so they can enjoy it for years to come."
"Oh Sandra, that's so thoughtful and such a wonderful gift for your guest," Angela gushed, "Yes, you absolutely may, thank you so much. I'm ashamed to admit it but we haven't done a very good job our own selves in taking pictures during our honeymoon, especially not many together except some formal pictures taken at the resort during special outings and such."
"Well then, I'll be honored to document this part of your honeymoon for you," she raised the camera to her eye and commanded, "Smile!"
Tony and Angela flashed their signature smiles directly at the camera and after hearing the shutter click, they turned in unison, joining their lips for a tender kiss. The shutter clicked again, they smiled into each other's lips and once more they heard the click of the shutter.
"You two make an absolutely beautiful couple," Sandra crowed, "As if you were perfectly made for one another." Her lips drew into a smile as she witnessed the couple relishing in each other's presence. "Dinner is ready when you are," she excused herself, allowing the newlyweds a private moment to themselves.
"It may have taken me longer than any regular person to admit it, but she's absolutely right, you were perfectly made for me, and I intend on making sure to remind you of that for the rest of our lives." Tony drew his arms around Angela and brought her in for a passionate kiss.
Hand in hand, they carefully made their way towards the port side of the boat, stepping carefully to walk instep with the slight sway of the resting boat at sea.
"It's all so beautiful," Angela raved upon seeing the small table adorned with non-flaming candles, a single rose and animal shaped napkins.
"Thank you," Sandra replied.
"The boat is much calmer now then before," Tony stated more than questioned.
"Yes, it is Tony," Sandra explained. "Marcelo anchors at dinner so you can enjoy your meal without the bouncing and swaying of the boat as well as it helps keep the wind calmer when dining on deck. It also gives him an opportunity to rest some as he'll sail most of the night so we can be in position for tomorrow's sea activities."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Tony acknowledged. "And what, pray tell, is on the agenda for tomorrow?"
"What you chose to do." Sandra smiled. "We have the dinghy so you can go ashore and explore the surroundings, we have snorkels and rafts you can use to enjoy in the cove and if we get really lucky, there is an area along the southern coastline of the Little Cayman Island where pods of dolphins hang out and you can get into the water and swim with them."
At that, Tony's eyes lit up, "Swim with the dolphins!" He exclaimed.
"Yes, but not like in a private excursion where they come and give you kisses and hugs," Sandra kidded, "These are wild dolphins, so we don't recommend trying to force your way into their world. We just get in the water and let them feel us out and come to us if they so desire. We have had times where a dolphin or two has swam right up to us and we were able to touch it and then other times they came no where near us. Marcelo usually gets in the water with our guest, and I try and get some pictures from dinghy if possible. It's an amazing experience and he always tries to encourage our guest to try it."
At this point, Tony's eyes where glowing as if he'd just been told he'd won the lottery.
"Life jackets are mandatory however when getting in the water at the bay," Sandra continued thinking she would get some sort of other reaction from Tony but all he did was just grin.
"I think he's speechless," she turned to Angela with a wide grin.
"It's not often that happens but I think you just made our honeymoon perfect in his book." Angela chuckled. "Earth to Tony," she snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"Angela, did you hear that," he finally spoke, "Dolphins Angela, we can swim with the dolphins." A goofy smile stayed plastered on his face.
"Yes honey, but now it's time to eat and if you eat all your dinner like a good boy and behave tonight, then you can see the dolphins tomorrow, okay," she fully patronized him.
"Okay," he returned gleefully.
Sandra shook her head and giggled at their exchange, "Please make yourself comfortable and I'll be back in a moment with some champagne and your dinner."
"Thank you, Sandra," Angela replied, still amused at Tony's child-like excitement and lack of attention to anything other then his thoughts about the dolphins.
Finally snapping out of his daydream, he graciously pulled out Angela's chair so she could take a seat, "Baby, this is absolutely amazing," he assured taking his seat in front of her. "Thank you again for such an extraordinary surprise," he reached across the table for her hand, lacing their fingers together.
"Well thank you for an amazing first part of our honeymoon. If I recall correctly, it was extraordinary itself, especially last night." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Perhaps, we need a reenactment of it?" A suggestive tone in his voice, "But perhaps minus the shots of tequila," he kidded.
"I think I like the sound of that," Angela tilted her head, taking her bottom lip between her teeth.
Just as Tony was about to make a very explicit comment, Sandra appeared with two champagne glasses and a bottle of Dom Perignon.
"Dom Perignon? Angela, I think you've outdone yourself!"
"It's a special occasion!" She smiled.
Having pored two flutes of champagne, Sandra soon returned with a bowl of Caribbean Chips with Apricot Salsa and two plates of mixed greens salads to start their meal. Allowing them ample time to enjoy their appetizer and salads, she presented them with the main course; Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce over jasmine rice with sauteed peppers, as the sun began to slowly recede into the water below, illuminating the sky in a rich blend of burnt red, orange, and yellow.
Having finished their meal just as the sun made its final escape past the horizon, changing day into night, Tony reached for Angela's hand to guide her from her chair and into his arms. Standing at the rail, gazing out into the star filled night sky, the sea water gently lapping the side of the boat, Tony wrapped his arms around her waist, locking his fingers together over her stomach. She leaned back into his embrace as he rested his chin on her shoulder, nuzzling his cheek against the warmth of her neck, relishing in the feel of his wife in his arms.
"Tonight, was perfect Angela, thank you!"
Resting her hands over his, she brought his arms tighter around her, "Thank you baby for making my life perfect. I honestly can't put into words what my heart feels for you and the life we've built. You are the Ying to my Yang Tony, and I can't envision my life without you." She raised her shoulder, brining his face closer to hers.
"I love you sweetheart, you complete me." He turned and kissed her cheek. "I spent so many years in a daze of confusion and uncertainty and now I look back and think, what an idiot I was to have not known that you and I together would be perfect because like Sandra said, we were made for each other; Because despite our differences and backgrounds, our souls are one. I hope you know that you are the sun and moon at the center of my universe, and I promise to love you with all that I am, for all the days of our lives."
Angela's heart began to race and her eyes swell, "Tony, take me back to the cabin please!" She turned in his arms and crashed her lips upon his.
The bright Caribbean sun peaked through the tiny porthole window in their cozy cabin causing Angela to drape her arm over her eyes to shield them from the incoming rays,
"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," Tony's voice penetrated her ears.
Lifting her arm slightly above her head, the white sheet previously covering her chest now barely covering her naked breast, she grunted, "What are you doing up?" Her voice filled with sleep.
"I woke up a little bit ago and didn't want to disturb you so I went up on deck and thought I'd bring you some juice and coffee in bed before breakfast, but on second thought, seeing you now," his voice drenched with desire, "I think I might forget that idea and just join you back in bed and delight in a more delectable breakfast." He set the small tray with a single rose, coffee mug and juice glass on the dresser and plopped on the bed, nuzzling his nose into the crock of her neck.
With a giggle, Angela entangled her fingers into his head, "I figured you would have had your fill last night?"
"Never," he looked up at her, "Ever will I ever have my fill of you," he collided his lips upon hers.
Coming up for air, Angela gazed into his eyes, "I sure hope not."
"Let me show you how certain I am that I won't!' Tony lifted the sheet and descended himself down her body. As he reached his intended destination, Angela emitted a deep throated moan, fisting the sheets into your hands as the rush of pure pleasure flowed through her body.
Stepping out onto the deck after reading themselves for a day of sun and surf, the warm ocean breeze brushed against their cheeks as the Caribbean sun smiled upon them.
Eying the panoramic view surrounding them, the couple were in aw of the beautiful landscape that lay before them. A remote bay, nestled deep within the coastline with rich blue-green waters lapping the tropical shore, perfect for a private party for two.
"Good morning," Sandra and Marcelo greeted.
"Good morning," the honeymooners returned in unison.
"This is breathtaking," Angela walked towards the net railing to take a closer look at the crystal-clear water below. "You can see almost all the way down to the bottom! Look honey." She reached her hand out to Tony.
"Amazing!" Turning towards Marcelo, Tony questioned with child-like excitement, "Where do we see the dolphins?"
Having been filled into Tony's eagerness to enjoy the company of the dolphins, by Sandra, Marcelo chuckled in delight at Tony's enthusiasm, "Usually the best time of day is late afternoon to sunset. We'll keep an eye out for any pods that might come into the bay. But in the meantime, if you both would like, we can take the dinghy to shore, you can enjoy the beach, we have the snorkel gear you're welcome to use; I must say, there is some beautiful coral and wildlife in this bay that I know you'll love, and we have some floats you can lounge in the water with. Sandra and I will set up lunch on the beach around one-thirty and you're welcome to stay out there as long as you'd like."
"Oh, that sounds amazingly lovely Marcelo, thank you so much!" Angela gushed. "One request," Angela added.
"Anything for you, Angela," Marcelo replied.
"I would like for you two to join us for lunch and please come enjoy some beach time with us."
Looking between each other, uncertain how to respond, a blush crept across both of their cheeks. Noting their hesitation, Angela jumped back in with their reply, "Good, it's settled then. We'll have no further discussion on the matter." She smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Angela, that's not in the least bit necessary but we would be honored to enjoy lunch with you. As for beach time, Sandra is welcome too if she would like but I must stay with the boat for safety reasons." Marcelo humbly replied.
"Very well," Angela smiled, "Shall we go?" She turned and captured Tony's hand in hers as they followed Sandra and Marcelo to the dinghy at the back of the boat.
The five-minute ride to the shoreline was spent in aww of the surrounding vegetation and peaceful atmosphere. Pulling the small watercraft onto the beach, Marcelo helped the couple out, giving them a quick tour of their surroundings.
"Here is a cooler with some water and beverages. There are also a few snacks and fruits if you get the munchies before lunch." Sandra advised. "Also, your snorkel gear, towels and sunscreen are in this bag. We'll blow up the floats and be on our way."
"You mean you're not going to stay and serve us," Tony joked.
"Tony!" Angela slapped his arm.
"I'm kidding," he rubbed his arm, feigning injury. "Thank you, guys! Seriously, this really is wonderful. You sure do think of everything," he continued graciously.
"It's our pleasure!" Marcelo replied, turning back towards the dinghy. "Oh, I almost forgot," he slapped this palm to his forehead. "If you need anything, there are two flags in the bag, white and red. White is your ready to return or just need something, red is emergency. Just stick the pole in the sand and we'll be right back over."
"Wow, you really do think of everything," Tony noted, pulling the flags from the bag.
"We try," Sandra chuckled.
"Enjoy your day, we'll be back in a few hours with lunch." The couple slipped into the dinghy and returned to the waiting sailboat.
"This is incredible," Angela stepped into the warm water, "I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful. Absolutely breathtaking."
Stepping beside her, taking her hand in his, Tony looked out toward the fresh water, "I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day, well maybe one other way," he chuckled, turned into her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "What should we start with?"
"I want to check out this underwater world, how about a little snorkeling?" She kissed his lips softly.
"Sounds perfect!"
The next few hours were spent discovering an array of sea life, enjoying the splendor of the underwater world, relaxing on the sandy-white beach, and floating about the bay, hand in hand relishing in their time together. Before they knew it, the faint sound of the dinghy could be heard in the distance.
"That's the sound of lunch," Tony lifted his head off the float as he felt the soft waves of the approaching watercraft. "We better get back to shore before we flip off these things," he snickered.
They paddled the short distance back to the beach and were greeted moments later by Sandra and Marcelo with a large picnic basket and a small folding picnic table.
"Are you ready for lunch," Sandra questioned as she got out of the small boat.
"Starving," Tony exclaimed.
Handing his wife, the basket, Marcelo exited the watercraft, carefully pulling it on shore and removing the picnic table so he could set it up for them to sit on.
"My beautiful bride has prepared quite a feast for us," Marcelo bragged.
"Between your wife and my husband, I don't think we'll go hungry," Angela kidded.
"Do you cook Tony?" Sandra inquired.
"Do I cook?" Tony retorted, his voice dripping with confidence, "Angela, she asked if I could cook."
"Yes Tony, I heard her," Angela laughed. "Yes Sandra, Tony is an exceptional cook. I've probably gained twenty pounds since he came to live with us."
"Came to live with us?" Sandra questioned.
"Oh yes, my son and I, well, our son," Angela began to explain, as she gazed lovingly towards him. "Tony used to be my housekeeper." She waited a beat for any reaction. "Him and our daughter Samantha came to live with Jonathan and I about nine years ago."
"Housekeeper, really?" Marcelo was awestruck as he looked between his guests.
"Yes, housekeeper," Angela reaffirmed. "You see, Tony used to be a professional baseball player, then after his wife passed away and he got injured playing ball, he was willing to do whatever he needed to do to give his little girl a better life and ended up on my doorstep one beautiful September morning."
"That's incredible," Sandra delighted in Angela's story. "Please tell us the rest." She set the plated dishes on the table and gazed at Angela in anticipation.
Tony and Angela took turns telling their story to their intrigued hosts. Each adding a warm smile or quick kiss between parts they felt more deserving of added expression.
"What a beautiful love story," Sandra gushed.
"I don't know how you did it, Tony, eight years living with this beautiful woman and never told her how you felt?" Marcelo shook his head in amazement.
"Trust me, my friend, I've questioned my own sanity several time," Tony cackled.
The two couples continued to share some lighthearted conversation while enjoying their Cuban Panini lunch, complete with fresh fruit and Caribbean Bread Pudding for dessert. After finishing lunch, Sandra quickly cleaned up before Marcelo folded the picnic table up and placed it back in the dinghy, in preparation for their return to the boat. Just as they were about to sail, Angela hollered for them to wait as she needed to use the restroom. Taking the opportunity to return to the boat for a minute, Tony decided to go as well.
The intensity of the sun's bright rays was so strong that Tony and Angela squinted at the comparable darkness of the lower deck as they make their way to their cabin. Quickly taking care of business, they returned to the upper deck, ready to make the short trip back to the beach. As Tony stepped toward the railing, a slight movement in the otherwise still water caught his eye.
"Dolphins," he hollered damn near jumping overboard.
Angela, Sandra, and Marcelo raced towards him, focusing their gaze towards the stern of the boat.
"Where," Angela questioned, try to confirm Tony's sighting.
"There, towards the front," he pointed, "I saw one blow then went back under."
"It'll come back up," Marcelo assured, "Just need to wait. I told you late afternoon they would make an appearance."
"Can I go in?" Tony questioned with enthusiasm.
"Yes, get your life vests on and I'll lower the stairs. Just remember when you get in and they start to come around, just stay still and let them come to you. These are wild animals, and you are the intruder in their world." Marcelo warned with firmness.
Tony secured his life vest in a hurry, paying no attention to Angela or her well being and ran back over towards Marcelo. Just as Marcelo unlatched the stair hold, two dolphins appeared in front of them. Before Marcelo took notice, Tony was in the water, waddling with excitement towards the majestic creatures.
"Tony!" Marcelo shouted, "I said calm and still, not jump and run on water," he reprimanded with amusement.
While Angele properly descended the steps with Marcelo's assistance, Sandra collected her camera so she could document the experience for the honeymooners.
Angela slowly made her way towards her husband who had finally adhered to Marcelo's instructions and was waddling calmly in the water's wake.
"Thanks for waiting on me back there," Angela spat harsher then intended.
"I'm sorry baby but the dolphins, they were just right there, and I just needed to be in here with them." Tony's voice was filled with excitement.
"I know honey." Hearing the excitement in Tony's voice and glow in his eyes made her forget her moment of aggravation with her adorable husband.
Time seemed to stand still as the couple floated hand in hand with dolphins swimming all around them. A pod of about ten bottlenose dolphins emerged and submerged from the ocean's water, brushing up against their legs a few times, causing Angela to startle, jumping out of the sea as if putting on a private performance, and skimming brine, releasing their blow.
Tony was utterly mesmerized, completely in aww of being in the company of such magnificent creatures while Angela was overjoyed at witnessing Tony's child-like excitement at experiencing such a unique and beautiful moment. The human-animal connection was evident as Tony seamlessly become one with the world's most intelligent creatures. Angela was fascinated by the connection Tony appeared to have made with his new sea friends.
'Is there anyone or anything that doesn't fall in love with him,' she contemplated, watching as her husband splashed and played with the friendly pod.
As the bright afternoon sun began its descent towards the western horizon, Tony's sea friends began to slowly disburse away from the waddling boat and away from Tony's orbit. Swimming his way back toward his bride, who he had abandoned during his frolic with the dolphins, Tony's previously glowing smile had faded into a lost puppy dog look with drooping lips and sad eyes.
"They left me," he cried.
"I know baby,' she patronized him, "But we couldn't take them home with us anyway, so it was time for them to go home." She patted his cheek trying to console him.
Reclaiming his emotions, he turned back towards the water, "That was the most amazing experience of my life Angela. Did you see how they just swam around us and played like we were just a part of their group. Absolutely amazing!"
"It sure was honey, I'm just so amazed at the whole experience. I never really appreciated their beauty and elegance. You know, they say that dolphins are the most intelligent animals in the world, and they know how to pick their friends." She smiled warmly at her husband that was still in aww of what had occurred. "And they picked the best friend in you baby." She leaned in and kissed his lips prior to reaching of the rope to pull herself out of the water and up the steps back into the boat.
"Bye little friend," Tony waved one last time as he followed his wife back into the boat.
Marcelo and Sandra assisted the couple back up onto the deck, relishing in their shared excitement at this once in a lifetime experience. Sandra didn't tell them she captured the whole experience on film, opting instead to surprise them with the memory by adding the pictures to their souvenir book.
After showering, changing, and enjoying yet another exquisite dinner on deck as they watched the sun set over the horizon, the couple called it an early night, being exhausted from their adventurous day at sea and on land.