Love Boat (Tom, Ben, Zac and Joel story)

Goodbyes

3 weeks later
*Camille*
Honestly I am worried as we arrive in Florida, I feel like Ben and I has done nothing but fighting lately, slowly slipping apart. Now he is returning to London and me to LA. Soon he is flying out to Malaysia to shoot a movie and I will go on another cruise.. so when we will see each other again is kind of drifting in the wind and I have started worrying if this was just a holiday fling after all.

I like Ben, I really do.. but he has changed since he found out he is going to be a father, and I get it.. totally.. I just can't agree with how he is constantly pressuring Mariana to give up the kid. I told him the other day that it isn't smart to stress a pregnant woman. All I got from that was him snapping at me and then ignoring me for the rest of the day.

We are all standing on the dock, ready to say our goodbyes.. Ben is going back to London, so is Tom and Holly, Zac is heading for Texas, and the rest of us is bound for LA.

Zac and Zoe is standing close together a bit from the rest of us, she has been crying and he is clearly fighting tears as he tries to comfort her, promising they will see each other again soon.

Part of me is happy to have a break, but a big part of me is sad that this trip is ending. Will I ever see any of them again ? Will I even see Ben again ? Right now I am not to sure.

"Safe travels home". Zac comes over to hug me tightly, his eyes still shining with the tears he is holding back not to make Zoe cry again.

"You too Zac..". I lean close to his ear, whispering the next part. "And don't worry, I have a feeling you and Zoe won't be apart for long".

He gives me the sweetest smile, quickly drying an escapes tear away."Thank you darling.. and I think we'll see his other pretty soon, I feel a wedding coming on".

I glance at Joel and Joslyn, giggling softly. "Oh I am sure you are right".

Then he go to hug the others in turn, telling them all to get home safe. Then he go back to pick up his bag and kissing Zoe one last time, before walking towards the taxi, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"Zac, wait !" Zoe cry out, running after him and throwing herself into his arms as he turn around. He squeeze her into him, kissing her face softly. He is no longer able to keep the tears back.

Seeing them so heartbroken to leave each other, I feel a pinch in my chest.. this is how me and Ben should be right now. But we aren't, sadly we aren't.

"It's okay baby.. I'll call you as soon as I reach Texas.. I promise". Zac say softly. Then he seems to get an idea and lifts his hand to take of his necklace, placing it around Zoe's neck. "Here.. so you'll think of me too".

He kisses her one last time before getting into the car. Zoe is pulled into Holly's arms, crying against her shoulder, but I guess that is good, because then she don't see Zac hiding his face and the tears flowing freely now in his hands.

Tom comes over to hug me.. they are off next. He keeps his voice low. "I know you and Ben are.. a bit troubled right now, but he do really care about you.. I dare even say he loves you.. there is just so much going on, so maybe a bit of time apart will be good for you".

"Thanks Tom.. and you might be right". I enjoy his warm hug, hoping he is right, that time is all that is needed. "Save travels and take good care of Holly".

"I promise you, I will treat her like a queen". He glance lovingly at her, oh there is no doubt he is lost, so deeply in love that there is no way back. "Take good Care of yourself Camille, no matter what.. okay ?"

I nod slowly. I really like Tom, there is something about him that just makes you feel like everything will be alright. "I promise".

Next is Holly, after she has managed to calm Zoe. She hugs me tightly. "I hope we'll see each other again soon".

"Me too". I tell her, hugging her back. "And I just know you will be happy with Tom in London".

She glance over at Tom, her face lighting up with love. "I know.. how could I be anything but happy when I am with him ? I love him so much"

"And he adores you more than anything, it is easy to see". I tell her. I love seeing how caring they are with each other.

Then at last Ben comes over, he is kind of shuffling his feet, looking a bit uncomfortable. And the other walks over to the waiting car, giving us a bit more space.

"Sooo..". I breathe out and look up at him. "We have really sucked lately at being a couple Ben.. I like you I really do.. but we don't seem to be good at dating each other".

He nods. "I like you too.. I might actually really love you.. but yeah.. so much has happened on this trip and .. I think my head and my body kind of need to catch up".

"I get it.. I mean I know we have been.. fighting.. but I also know that you are a good guy.. so.. I am sorry". I bite my lip. Why is this so hard ?

"Me too.. I am sorry to I mean". He sigh. "I really wish there hadn't been all these things building up against us".

I reach out to caress his cheek. "Makes sure you get back to London safely.. and.. call me when you feel you have caught up.. Maybe we can start over with a clean slate then".

"I would love that". He leans in giving me a soft lingering kiss. "Get home safe too.. and.. we'll talk soon.. okay ?"

I nod and he walks over to the taxi, where Tom and Holly have just gotten into the backseat. He stop, halfway slid in beside the driver, and turn his head to look at me, before blowing me a kiss. A moment later he is gone and the car drive off.