Crusin' On Vacation

00| Settling In.

Day 0: Settling In.

I STARED IN SATISFACTION at the huge cruise ship right before me. My mother gulped as she stared at my father. I could tell they didn't want to do this, but right now, I'd do anything for them to see their worth.

I couldn't stand the idea of me moving from state to state or country to country, trying to figure out who I'd stay with. I wasn't ready for the fuss of divorce. I couldn't stand the idea of living in with just one parent.

My case was different. Other parents actually had problems. My parents were just too stubborn to see how much they loved each other, and I was going to help them see that, no matter what it took. I knew it was going to be a rough ride, but it was worth it.

I had ten days, starting from tomorrow, to get them to see that they loved each other. I wasn't going to let an opportunity like this pass away.

After a week of convincing, my parent's had finally agreed to come with me on this cruise. It was the first time I'd ever been on one, and I was a little excited. But I wouldn't get ahead of myself, I only came here for one thing. And that was to get my parent's to love each other again, because falling out of love simply was not an option.

I also didn't think I would be able to convince them to lift my groundment, just for this little trip of ours. It took a lot of convincing with my mom and even I couldn't understand my excitement when she finally said yes.

"Ava, before we get on this ship, we have to tell you something," my mother said, sounding hesitant. I stiffened. Why was my mother so persistent about this?

I straightened, not letting my face portray any emotion. "Mother, whatever you have to say can wait. You've already paid the money. This is meant to be a no stress kind of place. So please, don't say anything that'll cause me stress? For me?" I asked, with pleading eyes as I stared at my mother.

She glanced at my father. I wondered what was going on in her head. I wanted to know if she wanted the divorce or not, since she was a lot more persistent than my father was. Did she really want to let go of our family?

"Honey, let it go. For Ava, and me." My father said, placing his hand in her hand, as they intertwined fingers. She closed her eyes briefly, and let out a breath. She nodded, and picked up her luggage.

"Fine. Ava, but after this, we'll tell you what we want to. Okay?" She said, with the very same look I'd given her earlier. I put on a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. What if this didn't work? Then they would actually go ahead with the divorce, and I'd have to face the cruel reality of the situation. My parents would split up, and it wouldn't be the same old family it once was. My mother would go on and find a new family that wasn't ours. And so would my dad. Soon, I'd be having step sisters and step brothers.

I blinked, not noticing how vulnerable I was at this moment. I really wanted to let the tears out, but not in front of my parents. They would know something was up.

Crap, I thought. Why didn't this cross my mind? Why was I so foolish? I couldn't let them get the slightest hint of what I was up to. If they did somehow manage to find out, I was sure they would bail out on me, and everything would come crashing down. I wasn't going to take any risks, whatsoever.

"Sure. Whatever you want to tell me should be said after this. Right after ten days." I told her with a grin. She nodded and smiled up at my father. If they continued to act like this, I didn't see why there was need for a divorce. Or maybe they were both putting up an act so I wouldn't suspect anything.