Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 100 - Sea Legs

Oh my giddy aunt! Chapter 100! Who knew when I started this story way back in January that it would make it to 100 chapters, over 23k reads, and 2000 votes? That's pretty cool! Thank you, my lovelies. Without all your support I would have quit after chapter 2! You guys ROCK!
XOX -PC
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"Are you sure you'll be okay?" October asked for the third time.
Amber smiled as she tucked the blanket tighter around Isabella's tiny body. "We are going to be just fine. You go and enjoy the day with your husband. Rainy and I are going to plan out this year's garden and make our seed order. Isabella can help choose pole beans varieties."
"Why don't you start planning for our wedding?" Matt interrupted. He came up behind Amber and kissed the top of her head. Amber turned her body towards him. Matt noticed the bundle of blankets in her arms and took two steps back. "We should get going, Toby. Bam is waiting in the skiff." October caught the dark and meaningful look that passed between the two of them before she tried to lighten the mood.
"Matt, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"
"Haha!" Matt cracked a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You know you love it." Matt turned his back to Amber and started walking towards the beach. October hurried to catch up to him. The rest of the walk to the skiff passed in awkward silence. October felt like she should say something but didn't know what to say and didn't want to stick her nose in Matt and Amber's business. Matt didn't seem to notice. He was lost in thought.
Matt remained quiet as he climbed in to the skiff. Bam helped October in and ferried them out to The Integrity where Bear and Gabe were making the last of the preparations to leave.
October watched in awe as the brothers scattered each to a different area of the boat and took up their duties without so much as a word to another. They all knew exactly what needed to be done and how to do it. They worked like a well-oiled machine. There was no shouting or arguing like there used to be when Billy was captain. This is what Bam had worked so hard at last summer. She couldn't help but be proud of her husband.
In no time, they were headed to Excursion Inlet to pick up their payload and then to Berners Bay for delivery. The trip should take no more than a day barring any bad weather or mechanical failures.
The air was fresh but still a little too chilly for October to stay on deck. She opted to stay inside where she could stay warm and make sure she was not in the way. This was, after all, a working vessel. Inside she was also able to watch Bam at the helm. He watched the waters ahead with a solemn concentration. His jaw tensed in determination. She loved to watch his hands on the wheel as the muscles moved and flexed under his tanned skin. She could hear the soft tap of his deer-antler wedding ring hitting the wood of the wheel every time he made a slight change in course.
She could hear the muffled sounds of Bear and Gabe conversing at the bow. Matt remained on the deck on the side opposite his brothers, leaning over the railing in silent thought for most of the trip.
Bam tore his gaze away from the horizon to glance at his pretty wife. Her usually-pink complexion had taken a green tinge and she ran her hand absently over her stomach. He chuckled slightly. "Still getting your sea-legs?"
October grimaced and nodded. "I haven't spent much time on a boat before."
"It takes some time to get used to. I still get a little queasy sometimes if the waters are rough. Just make sure if you're going to be sick, do it over the side of the boat so there's no mess to-"
October didn't hear the rest as she bolted up from the table and burst through the door.
After she had emptied the contents of her breakfast over the rail, Matt appeared out of nowhere to hand her a paper towel and a bottle of water. "Thank you Matt, you're a prince."
"Ma used to keep ginger tea in the cupboard. I'll see if I can find it for you." Matt stepped away from her and opened the door to the cabin. October took a swig of water, swished it around her mouth and spit it over the side. She turned her back to the railing and slid down to sit on the sea-sprayed deck. Matt returned momentarily, triumphantly holding up a battered box of tea bags. "Found it!" She heard Bam's laughter follow him out and abruptly stop when the door slammed shut behind him. "Is he still laughing at me?" She asked hoarsely. Matt nodded. "Bastard." She blurted and took another sip from her water bottle. Matt genuinely laughed at her outburst. He sat down beside her and tucked his legs underneath him.
October leaned her head back and closed her eyes, taking in several deep breaths of salty air. "That sounds nice." She murmured.
Matt frowned. "The sound of the boat motor?"
October popped one eye open and focused on his face. "No, your laugh. It's been rather sparse lately. Your brother is concerned about you."
Matt scoffed. "I'd better check on, ah, Bear and- and Gabe." He blurted out.
October closed her eye again. "Sure, Matt. Thanks for the tea." When she opened her eyes again he was gone.

~*~

Still an hour from Excursion Inlet, October wobbled her way back into the cabin and resumed her post sitting at the table watching her husband.
"Feeling better?" He asked, not bothering to hide the mirth in his voice.
"Actually, yes. I might be getting my sea legs after all." She replied.
"Have you ever driven a boat?" He asked, eyes steady out the front window.
"No." She shook her head. "I told you I haven't spent much time on a boat before."
"Come here." He held his arm out for her while still keeping his other hand on the wheel. She stood up and walked toward him. He pulled her against him so that her back pressed against his chest and she stood between him and the wheel. "You put one hand here." He lifted her hand and wrapped it around the smooth wood. "And one hand here." He put her other hand around a spoke and covered it with his. "Now, you see that peninsula with the bunch of evergreens at the tip?" He held his finger up to point at the horizon. October nodded. "Keep the centre of the stern on those trees." October nodded. She watched the front of the boat wobble a bit but after a while she got the hang of it and managed to keep it pretty steadily on course. Just as she was starting to gain a little confidence behind the wheel she felt Bam lift her ponytail off the back of her neck and press his lips behind her ear. "Hey, I'm driving here." She chastised, trying - and failing to sound stern. "Sailor, I'll have you thrown in the brig."
Bam's lips continued their course down the side of her neck to her collarbone where he had to pull the fabric of her shirt aside to gain access to the skin on her shoulder. October hummed and closed her eyes, leaning against his lean body. "Do you want to know what else I've never done?" She whispered, then gasped as his teeth nibbled over to her other ear to give it the same treatment.
"What's that?" He asked distractedly.
"I've never made love on a boat." She could feel his lips stretch into a smile against the back of her neck.
At that moment, Gabe happened to walk in front of the window. Comically, he did a double take. When he realized that October was at the wheel, he jumped onto the window plastering his body on the glass. "Oh no!" He screamed. "October's at the helm. The boats going to crash! We're all gonna die!" Bear ran up to the other window and mashed his face against it. October giggled at the loud squeaking as he slid his cheek down the pane.
Bam removed his mouth from October, stood up straight and resumed control of the wheel. "Idiots." He mumbled under his breath as October continued to laugh at his brother's antics.