*****048:

Public cruises.

I've been on a few cruises, and Aubrey has been on several. This was a shorter one, with stops in the US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and San Juan. It wasn't particularly a family cruise, there weren't many other kids. But there was plenty for kids to do. The upper decks had pools and water slides. There were kid shops, arcades and a play land similar to Boondocks, or McDonalds complete with jumpy houses and ball houses.

Virgil was wow'ed.

I could tell he was completely out of his element. He walked with his head tilted back, staring all around. It made him stumble periodically. But since he'd met us he'd gone from a one room life, to plane rides, family dinners, friends, and the beach. Now the cruise.

He was trying to take it all in stride, having realized that Aubrey and Abbie actually did take very good care of Rein. But he was still protective of both Rein and Felicity, so far no major breakdowns and the trust was building. What kid could resist complete adult attention like this?

It was evening. We'd had dinner at a buffet. And watched a band playing, we'd even gone and danced a little. A very little.

The air was balmy, full of water. Clouds covered the horizon and the sunset sported spectacular colors. We stayed on deck and watched it. Downstairs the décor was extraordinary--- all decked out for the holiday. In the atrium, a giant Christmas tree spread directly in the center, and a train--- that actually ran and gave rides to kids--- landed them near Santa, as many times as they wanted.

All three of our children had to be coerced to see Santa. The explanations varied from not liking his beard, to not knowing who and what he represented. Felicity had been taught about Baby Jesus, she did not recall Santa, although her experiences did include gifts and the Christmas Tree. We heard a lot about Momma and Papa, and what they had done before.

It seemed that these would be Virgil and Rein's first Christmas memories.

Abbie was the best nanny, taking her job seriously. I had thought she might not be able to distinguish between family and job--- it would have been easy to do--- fall into the vacation scene, and not been attentive to nanny responsibilities, but that wasn't the case. She kept the kids in sight, corralled them wherever we were heading, and held hands or pushed the stroller as we explored what there was to do, and she and Aubrey decided where the kids could be feasibly--- which decks, which activities. And--- Abbie changed diapers, loaded diaper bags, and completely took over the whole snack and preparedness aspect of traveling with kids--- which left Aubrey far more free to enjoy herself, and be attentive to me.

If I decided the two of us needed alone time---- Abbie was fully capable of handling the kids. This was a lovely feature of traveling with a family nanny.

And we didn't hang out much with Jeremy and Hannah--- who looked ever more like an engaged couple. I expected an announcement at any time. Pretty sure he was going to propose on this trip.

Aubrey had the program in her hands and was staring it down as if it were her nemesis. I looked over her shoulder and saw she had her reservations and schedule open on her phone as well, comparing.

"Did you get it all, hon?" I asked her good-naturedly.

"I booked in advance, but I just want to correlate shows and stuff on board." She looked up at me.

I patted her on the back as we rounded a corner and saw a bowling alley and arcade ahead. Virgil's eyes were big, and his mouth had fallen open.

"What do you think Virgil? You want to play?" I moved ahead and took his hand. He yanked away.

"Play what?" His English had gotten better, but he was very aware of his limitations. There was so much we all took for granted, that he simply had never been exposed to. He probably didn't know what a bowling alley was, or what you might do in one.

I knelt, and quietly, firmly explained about the bowling alley, and the arcade. I told him that kids usually liked these kinds of things and that we would spend some time here just playing.

His initial stance had been wary and belligerent--- defensive—and with good reason. He felt inferior--- left out of life. He didn't just see things around him and not know what they were--- he saw people around him who did know--- and he felt stupid.

It was a hard Catch 22.

I walked him up to a pinball machine and bought ten dollars worth of tokens. I was acutely aware that his little mind was taking in information at a phenomenal, even unprecedented and overwhelming rate. Like an infant--- he had some catching up to do, and he often squinted and screwed up his features trying to grasp things.

I tried to be patient. "Just take it one thing at a time, son." I hugged him, and he pulled away, staring at the pinball machine. I showed him how it worked--- showed him every aspect of it before we even got to the idea of a coin, or playing it. Then finally I let him put in the token and I played it. He was fascinated even against his will. He tried to act as if he already knew what it was, to save face. But he needed quiet, face-saving explanations and tutelage.

I saw Aidan and a girl I didn't know come closer, watching.

"Hey, man!" I extended a hand and he grinned. "Long time no see."

"You guys are just a traveling pair, aren't you?" He shook my hand and our eyes communicated and acknowledged the last trip we'd been on--- the goods and the bads--- triumphs and losses. The deep wells of his expression reminded me that Tim and Jake and Lavon had not just been his security guard co-workers, but his closest friends. For him, it had been like going to war.

None of that was said. We'd said it all at memorial services and funerals.

I introduced him to Abbie and our kids, and watched as Aubrey gave him a tight hug. She wasn't over her grief--- and all reminders gave her a start. He quickly introduced us to his fiancé, and our second security guard on this trip, Keeva Travis. She was tall, well built and red headed as the day God invented gingers. I shook her hand, beefing up from a soft feminine shake to a firm confident shake as the contact persisted briefly. She sported a slightly authentic Irish brogue.

This was the opener and ice breaker--- as I was able to not only mimic her brogue easily, but ask about her homeland. Aubrey easily collected herself, and hoisted Rein into her arms from the stroller where he'd been fussing. Abbie took Felicity over to the bowling alley for a look.

Aubrey shared the itinerary with Keeva and her phone, while Aidan and I talked about the latest Laker's scores. To all outward appearances, we were young couples enjoying the holidays with our family. I noted that several older couples and some not so older couples as well, stopped to look at us admiringly. We were the epitome of cute family. You didn't see as many of those on these trips.

Although I had noted a few other family groups. Cruises at the holidays were common and fun.

However--- I'd been on private yachts more often.

Going on major cruise lines as a celebrity made for a lot of staring. I'm sure people who recognized me also thought I might be performing.

As it stood, we opted for bowling and forgot I was a celebrity.

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