Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Regardless of Carter being the official patriarch of the family, and this being a present to the children from their grandparents, I suspected Dash had wrangled Elsa to meet us at the entry. Of course, I didn’t know the cost. Everyone understood how cheap I was, but watching our girls being over-the-top excited was worth everything.
Elsa waited for the rest of the family to catch up, speaking directly to the girls like a pro. After the briefest acknowledgement to the adults, she turned, asking the girls to clasp hands. Our official tour for the arrival had begun.
Dash and I followed behind, coming in last. He clasped my hand. I side-eyed him, but his huge grin said it all. He was as happy as I was. I intertwined my fingers with his.
“Paw, I’m not sure,” Ava said, clutching my neck in her version of a death grip.
“I got you. I promise not to let you go. Trust me,” I said, moving the next step forward in line. “You’ve been itchin’ to do this since your dad showed you the ship.” Her head rested on my shoulder, and I did my best to run a hand over her head. It wasn’t easy with the life jacket and floaties she wore. In theory, Ava was the bravest of the three, but that didn’t say much in the face of the slide. “Think about somethin’ else. It’s gonna be fun. Next time you can go on the bigger slide because you’re gonna love it. Did you like your birthday presents from Gigi and Pop-Pop?”
Her face sparkled as she pulled back to look me in the eye. “Paw, she gave us all the Disney toys and princess dresses and stuffed animals. It was so much. I’m wearing my Minnie Mouse dress and ears to dinner.”
“I thought you planned to be Ariel?”
“No.” Her head swung back and forth until it didn’t. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as the attendant lowered our raft into the entrance of the tunnel. The lifeguard gave a once-over, scanning Ava’s life vest. “Keep your arms to your side.” She dropped her elbows against her side to show Ava.
“Okay.” Ava tucked her elbows in when I put her on her feet.
The little kids slide required a parent and took us over the main part of the swimming pool to a shallow edge where the rest of our group waited. I took a seat on the raft and reached for Ava. She misunderstood the seating arrangement and ended up face-to-face, arms tight around my neck.
“Baby, I’m gonna turn you around. Hang on to my legs, and I’ll hold you.” Once she flipped, I held her securely in place with one hand. She took my other arm, wrapping it around her too. “Make sure you look through the tunnel and grin big at Daddy.” My amusement turned to laughter as she did exactly what I instructed, grinning big through her worry. “You’re brave, Ava. Kailey won’t ride a slide. She’s afraid.”
“1, 2, 3, go.” We got a slight shove, and Ava screamed, her hands clutching my forearms. A trickle of water guided our way. Ava easily found her groove, the water swishing and swirling around us. All three girls had taken swimming lessons.
“There’s Daddy and Gigi! Wave.” She took her greeting job seriously as Dash snapped a picture then waved as big as Ava. “Get ready to hold your breath.” Moments later, we popped out of the tunnel with the smallest free fall. A lifeguard and Carter were there waiting. The girls and Kailey stood cheering Ava on. The great thing about this cruise was the excitement everyone shared with each other. The staff and guests alike applauded her accomplishment.
I hoisted her up by the back of the life jacket, dragging her through the shallow water to deposit Ava with the others.
“You should try!” Extreme excitement laced Ava’s words. “I was scared and then I wasn’t. It was fun! Paw’s strong. He’ll keep you up if you go,” she said, adding a little jump at the end.
“Beau!” Kailey called when I was about halfway to our table. “Can you take me on the medium size slide?”
What? Was she braving up?
“Sure,” I said, not questioning or teasing her for fear she’d back off. “Let’s go on the other slide. The bigger one’s not that big, and the rafts are larger. It’ll splash more water.” I rambled, glancing at Carter and our mom. “I’m takin’ Kailey.”
“You going again?” Dash asked, jogging to me.
“Yup, she wants to try,” I said, grabbing her life vest. “She’s bravin’ up. Put this on. I’ll make sure it’s cinched up in line.”
“Good job, Kailey.” Dash lifted his hand for a high five. “I’ll take pictures and wave. Watch for me.”
He followed, chatting with Kailey to help her nerves. I had such a stunningly beautiful life.