Passage to Australia [Passage to Australia Trilogy Book One]

Chapter IV Resumed

Chapter IV

Resumed

"Oh, I really don't want this day to begin," were the first words out of Brandon's mouth the next morning when the sun filtered through the curtain above the bed.

"I know what you mean." Janine rolled over onto her stomach and pretended to go back to sleep.

"Somehow, girls, I really don't think it will be that bad," Paris grinned as she pulled a blue sweater-dress over her head and belted it at the waist. "Things always look better in the morning than they did the night before."

Janine groaned and burrowed deeper into the bedspread. Brandon sat up slowly and glanced around the suite.

"Where's Aunt Fiona?"

"She's out in the hall talking with Uncle Parker." Paris, being the first one up, had seen her aunt steal out of the room and guessed the couple were going to have a confidential chat.

"I can just imagine what they're saying about us." Janine sat up with deliberation, a scowl firmly placed in her expression. "How we're just horrible kids and our parents must have gone wrong somewhere. I can just hear it."

Just then the hall door opened and Fiona entered with a bright and bouncy step. "Come on girls, get going, we've got a big day ahead of us." She picked up a stray piece of clothing and folded it over her arm.

"Yeah, a return trip to Denver," the blond commented wryly as she stretched her arms.

"Well, maybe we could postpone that for a while, dear," there was a sparkle in Fiona's eyes. "Your uncle has changed his mind; the trip will go on as planned."

"Yippee!" Brandon nearly jumped out of bed. "Seriously? We're really going after all?"

"Yes, so get ready," Fiona winked at Paris and mouthed a 'thank you'. Paris nodded, feeling light hearted and cheerful. Because of her mood, she didn't refuse when Janine offered to let her wear some of her new shoes.

"These are perfect with that dress," her cousin said of the felt black heels. "You look stunningly casual."

Paris raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

It didn't take the cousins long to pack up their things and send them downstairs. A light mood pervaded the hotel suite, and Paris was sure the boys could hear their excited chatter through the wall.

"Keep it down in there!" Paul shouted at them, confirming her suspicions, and causing them all to only become louder.

By eight o'clock, after the featured continental breakfast, all were on their way to the port, and arrived in good time despite the dense traffic.

"Well, thar she stands," Uncle Parker joked while he pointed to the ocean liner that would take them across the Pacific. She had eleven decks, not terribly impressive but not to be despised either. "She'll get the job done, don't you think?"

"I guess," Paul mumbled.

"What were you expecting, the QE2?" Janine retorted, sending him her signature scowl.

"Well, I'm certainly looking forward to it," Paris interjected before Paul could answer.

"Come on, kids, get in line." Parker shepherded his group to the line of people embarking on the ship. "Mr. and Mrs. Parker Birch," he told the stewardess taking names. She slid her gaze over them and paused for a split second on Erik.

"Yes, Mr. Birch, we have you down for three cabins on Deck 7." She handed him a floor plan of the ship. "You can retrieve you keys just inside; I hope you enjoy your experience," this with a sly grin sent Erik's way. Paris could feel her breakfast rumbling unpleasantly in her stomach.

"Thank you, I'm sure we will. Come on guys." Parker led the way on board. Four flights of stairs later they reached their staterooms. The kids had two adjacent rooms and Parker and Fiona's room was just across the hall.

"These aren't bad," Brandon stated as she set her carry-on down on the bed and looked around. "Comfortable, in fact."

The walls were carpeted in a pleasant shade of forest green, the floor slightly darker, the ceiling was white and there were lacy curtains on the window. There was a small closet on the right of the door, and a tightly arranged bathroom on the left. The bed sat under the window, a sofa on the left wall, and a chair and desk on the right. A small TV stood on the latter. Comfortable indeed, but a tight fit.

"My goodness, Janine," Paris sat on the edge of the bed and removed one of her shoes. "How do you wear these things all day? I've hardly walked anywhere and they're already killing my feet."

"That's a good sign," her cousin replied carelessly and dropped onto the sofa. "Ah, almost three weeks of nothing but cruising across the ocean and sipping-"

"Sipping what?" Brandon raised her eyebrows.

"Fruit juice." Janine grimaced.

============

"Let's go check out the ship, what do ya say?"

"I don't feel like it," was Paul's monotone reply.

"Fine," he said with a sigh. "I'll go by myself." Frustrated, he refrained from slamming the door on his way out. His brother used to be so much fun before the divorce. Paul had always been the one to recommend activities, but now all he wanted to do was sit and sulk. Erik suspected Parker had invited them along if only to help his brother, but that was seeming more and more unlikely. He didn't want to be helped.

"Erik, wait up!"

He turned with a smile to see Paris just coming out of her room behind him. He noticed she still hadn't changed out of those ridiculous shoes of Janine's - even though she couldn't hide her discomfort. What in the world made women wear those things?

"If you're going to walk around the ship, can I come with you?" She attempted to walked nonchalantly as she fell into step at his side.

"You know I can't refuse you," he teased with a flirtatious grin.

"Cheesy," she returned with a saucy flip of her head.

"Maybe," he ceded, still grinning. "But it's worked before."

"If you weren't such an unrepentant flirt I might like you."

"You like me anyway." Erik smirked knowingly.

"You wish." Paris picked up her pace and reached the elevator one step ahead of him. "Up or down first?"

"Up," he replied without having to think. They stepped inside the elevator and the door slid closed behind them. He hit the "8" button to direct the elevator up one deck before stepping back beside Paris.

After a moment of silence she said in a wary tone, "You wouldn't try anything in here, would you?" He took in the slightly guarded look she gave him, then the two feet of space between them.

"What, take advantage of you?" Erik affected exaggerated hurt. "Never!"

"Somehow that doesn't reasure me," was her dry comment.

The elevator came to a stop with a sudden jolt. Paris teetered for a moment, then her ankle gave way and she lost her balance, quickly falling towards him. He lurched forward and caught her arm, his own circling around her waist and pulling her to him. She regained her equilibrium quickly, but didn't move away from him.

"You said you wouldn't try anything," she muttered as they stood unmoving and stared at each other.

"I just said I wouldn't take advantage," he teased, but for some reason the charming smile he had perfected wouldn't come. All he could think of was how beautiful her deep brown eyes were, and found himself dipping his head towards hers.