Melia-Irrevocable Journey (Sequel to Irrevocable Quest)

075:

075:

True to his word, Steve did keep Hannah the next day. He had her all over the place, in the water, up on the deck, he and Megan changed her, kept her in sunscreen, and floaties. He nonchalantly kept her fed and diapered without saying hardly anything to anybody about it, thereby leaving Melia free to quietly sit on deck, with Abby and nurse and watch the proceedings. She didn't feel like participating, but she did manage to stay out of the sun and enjoy the outdoors.

She helped with meals, stayed away from Ryan, and cued in to couple's private time. She was quiet, keeping to herself today. She was grateful to Steve and Megan for taking care of Hannah, it was such a relief to only have one baby in her arms and not be chasing after the eleven month old toddler. She felt relaxed. In the late afternoon, Hannah had gone down for a nap and Steve and Megan had joined her, so the rest of the group did likewise.

Melia was on the sun deck on top in the shade, her lap top on her lap as she hummed quietly, enjoying the shade and the heat. The sound of the lapping of water against the side of the houseboat. She'd gone on a lot of houseboat trips as a child, her parents owned a houseboat. She assumed they would all own them someday. This was a tradition. She was writing in her journal about that, getting some of her feelings out as she hadn't for many months when a dark figure came up the ladder, skipping the last rungs and hauling himself athletically over the top. His dark sun glassed eyes turned toward her, and she thought he'd see her and leave. This particular man had made it clear she wasn't his favorite person.

She didn't move. Maybe if he saw her and she didn't acknowledge him he'd just go away.

But he did see her. He took off the glasses and came out of the hot sun to join her in the shade. In fact Kell moved the padded ice chest over to sit directly and uncomfortably in front of her, practically touching her legs. She pulled away instantly, aware of his dislike for her, and wondering if she would be defending herself once again. Her heart started it's frantic rhythm, and she geared herself up for a fight.

Kell sucked in his lips, pulling them under and making them disappear in his goatee and stache. He nodded to himself as if coming to a conclusion in a conversation she couldn't hear, and she just knew he was about to lecture her. She didn't know him well, but knew enough to know that he was very strongly opinionated and that he had felt antipathy for her since before they'd ever even met.

He rubbed his chin loftily, glancing at the baby seat with its precious sleeping cargo, nodded again and then leaned forward into her space. Melia stared at him in ever increasing wariness.

"Melia." He said her name and it was not a voice she'd ever heard from him. It was soft and apologetic and gentle. She shivered uncontrollably. Now what? What was the game this time?

But he didn't repeat it. He sat there rubbing his chin, leaning forward, and she felt puzzled. Was this an act? A prelude to the lecture?

"I owe you... an... apology." His voice was husky, his eyes when they rose to meet hers were sincere.

"Excuse me?" she didn't know what else to say. This wasn't what she'd expected.

"I said I owe you an apology. Are you going to make me say it again for good measure?" This time a little rough. She let out her breath, pursing her own lips thoughtfully.

"No." She answered. "But I don't..."

He held up a hand. "It's not your fault." He said contritely. "It has been brought to my attention that I have wronged you and I am here to offer you my heartfelt apology. When I'm wrong, I confess I'm wrong and I will make it up to you."