All Friends On Board (The Suite Life On Deck)⚓

16. Mom and Dad on Deck

I arrived in the lobby carrying a gift bag for Uncle Marion. Inside it were handkerchiefs that had various patterns and each of them had his initials embroidered, making them extra special, which I found on Etsy with Caleb's help as his mother often ordered things on the site.

My uncle was on the phone and had a frustrated expression. It turned out that the lounge singers jumped ship while we were docked in Seattle and he was trying to find replacements. Uncle Marion had his hands full and I hoped that my gift would distract him for a bit.

I waited until he got off the phone to surprise him.

"I got you a surprise gift Uncle Marion, " I smiled as I placed the gift bag on the counter.

"Let's see," he smiled and was stoked to find the handkerchiefs, "Marley, these are wonderful! Thank you!"

"No prob! After what happened, I figured you could use some relief."

"I'm already relieved."

I could tell that I made his day as he went through the handkerchiefs before his cell phone rang.

    ⚓

As I headed for the juice bar to meet up with Caleb, I noticed Zack and Cody with Kurt, their father, and Carey who both arrived to spend the weekend with them. 

"Hey, Marley!" Carey smiled at me as I walked by them.

"Hey, Carey. Hey Kurt," I nodded.

I introduced Caleb to them since they were family to me. And since Caleb and I hung out a lot together, I figured he'd meet the people I knew.

After a couple of minutes of introductions, we left the Martin family to themselves figuring they'd want some family time. 

Next thing, both Zack and Cody were surprised with a red electric car Kurt got for them. I could only hope neither of them crash it, which would get Uncle Marion freaking out, like a lot of the damages that happened back at the Tipton.

"Sweet ride!" Zack remarked as he and his twin got up from their seats to check out the car.

"Well, boys, I always promised you I would teach you how to drive once you got your learner's permit, and being out in the middle of the ocean wasn't gonna stop me," Kurt smiled.

"Can we drive it now?" Cody asked excitedly.

"Of course. I'm not gonna get you something you can't use for five years."

I noticed Carey had an offended expression on her face. Whenever Uncle Marion surprised me with something special, I always felt appreciative of the gesture and would work hard to find a gift for him as a way of thanking him for everything he did for me, like taking me in and being my guardian.

"Who wants to go first?" Kurt asked the twins.

"I do I do I do!" Zack and Cody exclaimed ecstatically and shoved each other trying to get into the driver's seat until Zack suggested that he and Cody check the tire pressure before getting started.

Cody fell for it and Zack jumped into the driver's seat," Sucker!" Zack shouted and took off driving like he was Rat Fink, and ran over Cody's foot in the process.

Being the sensitive one, Cody started crying in pain.

"Oh, it's okay, honey," Carey comforted him, "You'll get your turn,"

"I know. Zack ran over my foot!" he sobbed.

"That must've hurt," Caleb nodded sympathizing with Cody.