VIRGIN VOYAGE
Graham woke with the bed covers clenched in his fists and a very painful condition south of his belt buckle. He was in a cold sweat and breathing hard, pretty much the way he woke up every time he was able to catch some sleep. It was the same dream over and over, never reaching the satisfying end he craved. The end he needed. One last satisfying hoorah where Mari was concerned to put it all to rest. It worked in theory at least. He rolled over and sat up with a groan, running his hands through his damp and tangled hair. That part of his life was supposed to be over, he'd made sure of that. But every damn night the memories came roaring back. One of these days he was going to explode, physically and emotionally.
His first wife Lisa used him, their daughter and everyone in her life. She tore their worlds apart and he just couldn't deal with that again, ever, even for Mari. Loving her was not an option, it never could be, but for some reason he just couldn't completely let go. Obviously at one time she was the love of his life, not that he ever got around to doing anything about it, but now he refused to love anyone. His mom called it 'Graham's Vow' but it was more of a promise. A promise to himself to never get caught up in love and family again. He had to do something to preserve his heart.
**********
Abigail motioned Mari over for a hug and to introduce her to the infamous personal assistant Sam. Her Yuppie oldest sister couldn't even go on vacation without an entourage. And it seemed that somehow the room assignments got messed up so now Abby had to share with the very handsome, very male Sam. Very awkward situation for both of them although Sam seemed perfectly happy. Abigail on the other hand looked like she was about to freak the hell out.
Mari turned her full attention to her long absent sibling after proper introductions were made. "I can't believe we finally get to see you. I've really missed you!" she hugged her older sister tightly.
"I've missed you too! I'm sorry I don't get the chance to call much anymore. I'm just so busy at the publishing company..." Abigail returned the hug.
"It's okay Abby, I understand." Mari took her seat between her sister and Jackson. "Time gets away from all of us."
"Don't worry about it Abby, Mari's been too busy mooning over Grahamie boy to worry about whether you are calling her or not," Jackson interrupted jokingly.
And Mari smacked him in the gut. "I wouldn't go there if I were you brother dear." She tried to sound serious, but her voice broke. She hadn't really thought of Graham tonight and now she probably wouldn't be able to stop.
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