Joshua turned and wrapped both arms around Colin’s waist, his head resting on his husband’s shoulder. "We are such a tiny part of the picture,” Joshua whispered, his voice barely audible above the gentle lapping of the waves. In that fleeting moment amidst the vastness of the ocean, they felt an enduring connection not only to the whales but to each other and to the world around them. Joshua’s arms tightened around Colin’s body, and as the boat traveled back to port, they held each other close, lost in the memory of their extraordinary experience and their love for one another.
CHAPTERFIVE
THE ONE-TWO PUNCH
The travelers dined at The Hanger on the Wharf, a highly recommended Juneau restaurant, where they stuffed themselves with Alaskan salmon and sampled several delicious locally brewed beers. They caught the last tender and arrived in their staterooms shortly after 7:00 p.m.
Colin flopped onto the bed and drew Joshua down beside him. “You should have seen your face today,” he murmured, holding Joshua tightly. “You were glowing!”
Joshua nestled closer in his arms, his head resting on Colin’s shoulder, his leg stretched over Colin’s legs. “I’m not surprised to hear it,” Joshua told him, reaching to run gentle fingers through Colin’s hair. “Today was a wonderful gift, my love. Thank you. Like always, you helped me find the courage I needed. You healed my heart.”
“The whale healed your heart, my darling. And I don’t have to help you find your courage. You have courage enough for the two of us.”
Joshua barked out a dismissive laugh. “Right. That’s why I was cowering in the inner cabin, scared to death to be out there with you guys, even though I longed to be there with all my heart.”
“Well, the seas were rough,” Colin said with a quick smile. “That boat was dancing around pretty good, and you came with me when I asked you to.”
“That’s because I love you too much to refuse you,” Joshua told him. “I was still a little nervous.”
“But you came anyway.”
“I did it for you. Does that make me brave? Or a man in love?”
“You don’t think it takes courage to be a man in love?” Colin asked. “Especially withme!”
“Loving you is the easiest part of living,” Joshua told him. “It’s as much a part of who I am as breath.”
A loud banging on the adjoining door startled them both.
“Now, who couldthatbe?” Colin asked, rolling his eyes.
“C’mon, you guys!” Nate yelled. “Fuck later! Let’s go have a nightcap.”
Laughing, Joshua got up and moved to open the door. “We werenotfucking!”
“You were working your way up to it,” Nate insisted, following Joshua into the room.
“He has a point,” Colin said, grinning.
“Get up, Irish!” Nate exclaimed. “Let’s go have a drink before we all crash.”
Groaning, Colin stood. “Can we slide to the Lido deck and check out the pie situation?”
“After we have a drink,” Nate said, then sighed. “I’m still sad I didn’t touch the whale. I need to drown my sorrows.”
“You gotta bequick, Natey-baby,” Colin said, pausing in front of the dresser to slide his fingers through his hair in a futile attempt to tame it.
Joshua offered Colin’s jacket. “Better take this. Might be chilly on deck.”
The two couples walked to the Rolling Stone Lounge, a lively bar offering rock, country, and pop music and a large dance floor. They settled at a table and ordered drinks.
“Today was amazing,” David told the group. “I didn’t touch the whale, but that’s OK. It was more important to me that Josh have that experience.”
“Why?” Joshua asked him.
“Because you were anxious about being on that boat and it was bouncing around pretty good out there today. You’ve been anxious about this entire trip in ways.” David shrugged. “I’m just glad you got to touch the whale.”
“It was extraordinary,” Joshua told them, his voice tinged with awe. “And I owe it all to my husband.”
