Chapter 5

"You know this really is like a floating city," Livia observed as they just strolled along hand-in-hand feeling very full from a very nice dinner. "You would never even know you were at sea."
"True," Kendra commented, as she held Sebastian's hand after Livia had set him down.
"At least now I know I don't get seasick," Livia commented.
"If you had, we simply would've gone to the medical center to get you some medicine for sea sickness, but that's not going to be necessary," Dave said feeling the soft skin of her fingers, as he held her hand. He reveled in that feeling, still unsure if he was going to wake up one day and find out that Livia and his children were a wonderful dream. If his family was a dream, he hoped he never woke up at all.
"So, you've never been on any kind of boat before to know one way or the other?" Kendra inquired.
"Nope, not even after I aged out of the foster care system," Livia said quietly, since there were other people near where they were walking, and she didn't want to be overheard.
"You probably should've tested whether you got seasick before your mate bought tickets for a cruise, but I suppose it doesn't matter now, since it's obvious you don't," Kendra said.
"It wasn't something I thought to test before I signed us up for this cruise," Dave said with a shrug.
"You can't think of everything, Dave, nor should you be expected too," Livia told him quietly giving his hand a squeeze.
"I think it's time we gave Dunston his bath and put him to bed," Dave said. Dunston had fallen asleep against his father's shoulder, obviously tired.
Everybody headed back to their suite so they could give the two children quick baths and then, put them to bed. Sebastian didn't even protest when he was told he was going straight to bed as it was nearly 8 o'clock and by the time they got their baths finished it would be at least 8:30.
"All that fun at the waterpark really wore him out," Dave smiled down at his son.
"It just means that he'll go to bed without the usual battle," Livia commented, as they reached their suite of rooms.
"I could do with an easy night as I'm pretty tired myself," Kendra commented. "I'll probably go to bed shortly after I get the boys down for the night."
Dave unlocked the suite after he handed Dunston over to his mother and they all entered. "I'll get the boys night clothes and meet you in the bathroom," Livia told Kendra.
Livia handed Dunston off to his father again and then headed directly to the rooms that the boys were staying in
"Come on, Sebastian, bathtime," Kendra told the six-year-old gently leading towards one of the bathrooms.
Sebastian followed without one word of complaint, because even though his tiredness had caught up with him after his day in the waterpark, he still remembered his promise to his mother to be on his best behavior.
Livia started the water in the other bathroom and then collected Dunston from Dave.
"Here I'll help you," Dave offered. "You'll be done faster if we do it together and then we can cuddle in bed and get a good night's sleep."
Dunston protested when the water hit his small body but then relaxed.
Livia thoroughly cleaned her son, including his mouth that was covered in chocolate ice cream and remnants of chocolate and fudge sauce.
Dave for his part handed his mate, a wet washcloth so Livia could wash Dunston's body from head to toe. All in all, it didn't take more than 10 minutes.
"I remember, when Sebastian was this small," Dave said, as Livia lifted Dunston out of the tub.
"Which doesn't seem like all that long ago," Livia said, as she cuddled her son to her chest, kissing the top of his now clean hair.
"No, it really doesn't," Dave agreed, as he wrapped Livia and Dunston in his arms holding them close for a few precious seconds.
"We should go say good night to Sebastian before he's asleep," Livia said finally rather reluctant to leave Dave's warm and familiar embrace.
"We could read him a bedtime story if Kendra hasn't already done that," Dave said.
There were many nights that Livia was the one that read Sebastian a bedtime story or two and other nights when Dave did it. They switched off every other night and one night Dave read to Dunston while Livia read to Sebastian and vice versa. Only when they weren't home at bedtime, did Kendra read the bedtime stories to the two boys.
"I don't think we're going have to read bedtime stories to Dunston, as he's out," Livia said, as Dunston slept on her shoulder, his hair still wet from his bath.
"Dunston had a big day so it's no wonder he's out right after dinner," Dave said smiling softly down at his son.
The two were silent as Livia carried Dunston to his room, and Dave turned down the sheets before Livia put him to bed. Dave pulled up the sheets once his son was settled, not even waking as he was covered up.
"Sleep well, sweetie," Livia told her son softly placing a gentle hand on his head before turning and following Dave out of the room.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~

"Dunston was out like a light before we even got him into the bath," Livia told Kendra when she came back into the main part of the suite. "He woke up as soon as the warm water hit him, but was asleep again once we had him dressed in his pajamas, he didn't even stay awake long enough for either one of us to read him a bedtime story."
"He had so much fun today that he was just worn out," Kendra said smiling softly.
"So is Sebastian asleep or is he awake enough for us to read a bedtime story to?" asked Dave.
"He was still awake when I left and I promised one of you would be in to read him a story before he went to sleep," Kendra reported.
"I'll do it tonight," Dave told Livia, who nodded not arguing. "I shouldn't be more than 20 minutes to half an hour or so and then I'll join you in bed."
"You wouldn't think I'd be this tired as we're both used to staying up much later than this," Livia commented.
"You've been more active than normal and out in the sun a lot too, which has something to do with it. Think of it like jet lag that we always feel in few hours after a long trip by plane," Dave suggested. "You should adjust in a couple of days."
"But Kendra and I spent all day at the spa while you were the one out in the sun," Livia mildly protested, but then, let Dave go before he missed a chance to read Sebastian a bedtime story because he had fallen asleep.
"I guess I'm going to bed early, because as I told Dave, I'm pretty tired," Livia told Kendra. "This was only the second day of the cruise. I will look forward to putting in at port day after tomorrow."
"I'll see you in the morning," Kendra said. "I'll be going to bed shortly, but I need to wind down just a little more before I do."
"See you," Livia said before heading to what was the master bedroom, which was slightly bigger than the other rooms. The master was the one that she and Dave had taken over as there were two of them after all.
Livia changed into some new lingerie that she had bought for this cruise hoping Dave wasn't too tired to make love to her before they went to sleep, brushed her teeth and removed her makeup before climbing into bed.
When Dave came into the bedroom a few minutes later, Livia was unfortunately already sleeping having been unable to stay awake to wait for Dave's return.
Dave looked at her and sighed in regret, immediately, noticing the lingerie, he had never seen before, and knowing what Livia had had planned if tiredness hadn't made her fall asleep due to sheer exhaustion. He went to brush his own teeth and then got into bed beside his mate.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~

"Good morning sweetie," Dave told Livia cheerfully as soon as she had opened her eyes.
"Morning," Livia blinked sleepily. "I suppose I fell asleep before you got back from reading Sebastian, his bedtime stories. I really meant to stay awake."
"I know exactly what your plans were sweetie pie," Dave said leering at her playfully. "You're wearing lingerie I've never seen before, which means it's new and something, you probably bought just for this cruise."
"Miss Adina actually did the purchasing," Livia said blushing. "She saves me a lot of shopping something I appreciate, since we're busy enough. All I did was tell her I wanted some sexy lingerie for our upcoming cruise, and she took care of it for me."
"See, I had a good idea, when I hired Miss Adina that first time," Dave told her. "Something you objected to by the way, saying you could buy your own clothes."
"It was just a personal shopper was a strange concept for me back when you told me what you'd done and while it is still strange to have somebody do all my shopping for me, it's also something I've gotten used to," Livia explained.
"Let's not rehash old history," Dave said, even as he kissed his mate's, bare shoulder as the nightie showed a lot of skin.
"Don't start something you aren't going to finish Dave," Livia ordered breathlessly, as Dave paid attention to the skin of her neck by kissing it lightly repeatedly, using his mouth to suck a little on the sensitive skin.
"What makes you think I'm not going to finish whatever I start?" Dave asked her, as he continued to kiss along her neck and bare shoulder before moving downwards.
"Because our sons will be up soon, so we probably don't have time for a long-drawn-out session," Livia said.
"So, I can be fast," Dave said, and proceeded to prove it, and soon had Livia withering underneath him, as he had rolled over to where he was on top of her and continued his sensual assault. He had her lingerie off in seconds without ripping it and was soon kissing her all over her body starting at her neck, then moving to her breast and then, moved lower to where he was entering her in no time.
Livia for her part whimpered, as intense pleasure surged through her, as Dave made her body sing. Before she knew it, her climax was upon her ripping through her body like a tidal wave leaving her wet down in her privates and her release soaking the sheets of the bed along with some of Dave's seed.
"See, I told you I could be fast," Dave said, as he rolled off her radiating smugness and satisfaction.
"And you lived up to your lofty promise," Livia giggled feeling so sated and satisfied that it was surreal, but then, she always felt satisfied whenever Dave and her made love. "I'm so sated that I really don't want to move, even though I know I have to. I need to get out of this bed and get a quick shower before we go have breakfast with everyone else."
"If you hadn't fallen asleep last night, I would've satisfied both of us, but since you did, I didn't want to wake you, so I had to get my satisfaction this morning instead," said Dave.
"Yeah, I wish I hadn't fallen asleep before you came back from Sebastian's room, but I did," Livia said, "whether I meant to or not."
"You were tired from your day at the spa and then dinner," Dave said. "You also skipped lunch, which didn't help you not be tired and finally it just all caught up with you that's all."
"So do we have any plans today besides breakfast with Kendra and our sons?" Livia asked Dave. "I would be happy just laying by the pool until lunchtime."
"I thought I would see if I could get tickets to see Fiddler on the Roof for tonight. We can go to dinner first, and Kendra can look after the boys take them to the main dining room for food or try some kid friendly restaurant."
Dave got out of bed and Livia reluctantly followed him heading straight for the bathroom making sure to take a fresh set of clothes with her.
"I'll meet you in the main living area in 20 minutes?" Dave's statement was really a question.
"That sounds fine as I'm sure the boys will be up soon if they're not already," Livia said.
"I could join you in the shower, if you want?" Dave suggested with a smirk
"Normally, I wouldn't mind that. Conserving water and all, but we always take longer when we shower together and we don't have time for that this morning," Livia said with a smirk of her own.
"Unfortunately," Dave sighed in agreement. "I'll see you in a few minutes then."
Dave looked truly regretful at the missed opportunity, but knew Livia was also right, so he let his mate head to the bathroom in order to get her shower quickly
"What about you? You probably need a shower too," Livia asked. "I don't believe you had one last night because I don't smell the soap you use, and I would even though it would have been hours since you had one."
"Don't worry about me. I'll take mine tonight," Dave told her.
It was no more than half an hour later when both Dave and Livia into the downstairs part of their suite to find Kendra already awake.
"Good morning," Kendra greeted them. "The kids were still asleep when I checked on them a few minutes ago."
"Well, they should be up within the next 15 minutes or so," Dave said. "They had a big day yesterday so it's not surprising that they want to sleep in a little."
"It is only 8:00," Livia said looking at her very nice watch that Dave had gotten her several years ago as an anniversary gift.
"They've usually been up for at least half an hour by now, though if not more than that," Kendra said. "Both have always been early risers."
"They both take after me in that way," Dave said smiling proudly. "Neither one of them inherited Livia's hard to wake up nature, as she needs several cups of caffeine in order to be coherent."
"I know I'm lucky that Maude didn't stop me from drinking caffeine when I was pregnant with either of my boys," Livia said. "A lot of doctors tell you that caffeine is bad for you if you're pregnant at the time, but I am one of those people that isn't really functional until I've had several cups of coffee," Livia said.
"And what did you do as a kid, as you wouldn't've been able to drink coffee then, as I doubt that the adults would've allowed it, even if it was available," Kendra asked her employer.
"A cold shower helped," Livia shrugged, "but I prefer drinking caffeine to having a take a cold shower just to wake myself up."
"I don't blame you there, as I would hate to have to take a cold shower on a regular basis," Kendra shivered.
"Yeah, it wasn't very pleasant, but I couldn't drink coffee when I was a kid, so I had to have some way to wake myself up. Now I prefer my showers hot and just to drink coffee in order to wake myself up," Livia said. "Luckily, I'm a grown woman now, and I can drink coffee instead of taking those cold showers when I need to wake up."
"I'll go check on the boys and see if they've woken up yet," Dave said, "and if they haven't, we need to wake them as I'm sure everybody is hungry."
"It's really not like them to sleep so late, so they should be waking up any minute now," Kendra observed knowing her charges habits, since she had been hired when Sebastian was only a few months old.
Dave disappeared in order to check on them and reappeared only minutes later with Dunston in his arms, the little boy wiping his sleepy eyes.
Dave handed his son over to his mother and then he headed for Sebastian's room appearing only a few minutes later with a little boy who was dressed for the day and wide awake.
"It's time for breakfast," Dave said once the boys were up.
"Yay!" Sebastian cheered, as his stomach growled very loudly.
"Someone is hungry," Dave chuckled, as they all exited the suite and Dave led the way towards the breakfast buffet, which they had yet to try.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~

A week later

"Well, hello again," purred a voice that Dave instantly recognized.
"Mrs. Karsak," Dave said turning around. The annoyance in his tone was crystal clear though Melinda didn't seem to notice.
There had already been several confrontations between Dave and Melinda Karsak in the last week and Dave had managed to fend her off every time, but Melinda was going way beyond annoying now.
"I thought that we were calling each other by our first names," Melinda told Dave in a seductive voice.
"No, we are not, Mrs. Karsak," Dave told her bluntly. "I know what your game is, but I am married and have two fine sons. I am not in the mood for your games. You need to go try to have a fling or whatever your intention is with someone else, as I...am...not... interested or available," Dave punctuated each word to where it was clear he was going from annoyed to angry. To be fair he'd already been annoyed with her for not taking his obvious hints that he wasn't available. This was the reason he was being so blunt now hoping he would make Melinda understand that he was not playing her game and just wasn't just playing hard to get like she seemed to believe.
"I told you this when we met a few days ago at the waterpark and again when we ran into each other at the movie theater," Dave added.
He was getting annoyed enough by her that he felt his dragon shift restlessly inside him wanting to transform and burn Melinda to a crisp, but Dave clamped down on that part of himself, not allowing his dragon to take form an get rid of this annoying, exasperating woman.
"And where is your wife this time?" Melinda inquired in a voice that told Dave that she didn't really believe there was a wife at least not on board the ship.
"She's right over there," Dave pointed at a lounger where Livia was laying by the pool as that was what she had wanted to do after breakfast this morning. Dunston was lying beside her, and Livia was keeping an eye on him, even as she read a book, she had borrowed at the library onboard.
Dave began to move away from Melinda, and she grabbed his arm, as if to keep him beside her. Dave shook her off and glared at her fiercely enough that Melinda backed off a step.
"Don't...touch...me...again. That privilege belongs to my wife and no one else," Dave again accented each word, so that they sounded like separate sentences instead of part of the same one.
Livia looked up from her book and saw the confrontation immediately rising to her feet putting her book aside. She had been so absorbed in what she was reading that she hadn't been paying attention to the first part of the confrontation, but she did notice when Dave's voice went from annoyed to angry, and that broke her concentration on her book.
"Hey! Didn't anybody ever tell you not to touch what isn't yours?" Livia said from across the pool stalking around the pool towards Dave and Melinda.
His mate was beautiful Dave thought, as he watched her stalk around the edge of the pool in her bikini, which she certainly had the body for. She looked spectacular in her green bikini.
Livia looked pissed, Dave noted, though luckily not at him, because his mate was glaring at Melinda, so it was clear who she was furious at.
Melinda looked Livia up and down with contempt and wondered why David Rossi would prefer this woman over her. It was a mystery, as she felt she was more gorgeous with her blond hair, baby blue eyes and slim figure. She was model thin and relatively tall for woman. Oh, this wife was pretty enough she supposed in a girl next-door sort of way, but she was way more beautiful, so why wouldn't Dave just abandon his wife for her?
If Melinda was anything that was conceited about her own beauty and thought nobody else could possibly compare to her and that every man married or not should fall at her feet. That this David Rossi, so far, had not done so for her annoyed her, but she was determined to have him. Melinda had never really loved anyone deeply enough that she didn't cheat on them. Really, she didn't love anyone but herself.
"I can't help it if you can't keep a man, but you will stay away from mine or you will regret it," Livia told her quietly in a cold enough voice that Melinda imagined she could feel icicles form on the end of her nose, but Melinda didn't get the hint.
"And what can you possibly do to me?" Melinda challenged her and Dave went quiet already knowing how his mate would respond.
"Well, let's see..." Livia said, seeming to relish what she was about to say, which made Melinda rather apprehensive, though she tried not to show it. "I could turn this recording into guest services, as I have recorded the latter part of the confrontation and have them deal with you. At best you'll get a warning if it's your first offense, which I somehow doubt."
Livia held up her phone to prove that she was indeed recording the part of the confrontation she had been part off. "However, if that doesn't work, I'll just scratch your eyes out instead and then maybe you'll learn not to go after a married man when he tells you he's not interested. This is our first cruise, and we don't need you annoying Dave when he's already told you that he's married. Apparently though, marriage doesn't mean anything to you as you're still trying to get him into your clutches."
"There's no need to get violent, baby," Dave soothed her. "You know I never would've taken Mrs. Karsak up on her offer and I've told her so numerous times now."
"I know you have," Livia greed, kissing Dave's cheek demonstrating that she knew Dave was not at fault here.
"We can always take our family and leave the ship at the next port if Mrs. Karsak keeps being persistent," Dave suggested. "I know we were all looking forward to this vacation, but I didn't expect to be stalked either."
"I am not stalking you," Melinda protested, and Dave turned towards her glaring.
"It might not technically be stalking, but you won't take the hint and are determined to bed me, even though I've told you every time we've encountered each other that I am married and I'm not cheating on my wife. We've crossed paths several times now because we both have children so are at a lot of the same activities and instead of just ignoring me, you keep trying the same tactics."
"Normally, I'm not with you, though as you take our sons to the kid friendly areas of the ship while Kendra and I go shopping or do something else," Livia said.
"Well, I would hate to disappoint Sebastian and Dunston. I already owe Dunston an extra gift, because he couldn't use the waterslides because of his height," Dave said. "His brother isn't going get anything extra, because Sebastian got to have fun on the waterslides while Dunston was left out."
"I'll buy Dunston something I know he'll like," Livia agreed ignoring Melinda completely.
"Don't approach me again, Mrs. Karsak. I am fed up with you and your games if this continues, you will only get in trouble with the staff of the liner," Dave told Melinda his voice deadly serious with a hard edge.
"We might indeed have to leave the ship at the next port, which I believe is Italy and finish out this vacation in a foreign country and then go home by plane," said Livia. "Mrs. Karsak seems determined to ruin our first cruise for us," Livia said glaring at Melinda from where she was standing beside Dave.
"We'll discuss it once we get back to our suite," Dave said, as he put his arm around his mate and Livia, for her part cuddled in as the two gathered their things and left the pool area.
They left behind Melinda Karsak, who was glaring at their backs, but neither of them paid her the slightest bit of attention, which left her fuming.

~~~Dave and Livia~~~