Sandy went ahead and redid everything Colby had already sorted out, making sure every little detail was spot on.


    Sophie,pletely unaware of Sandy''s handiwork, was overwhelmed with gratitude when she realized everything was ready to go. "Sandy! What would we do without you? We''d still be running around like headless chickens, right, Colby?"


    "Sweetheart, actually I..."


    "Oh,e on now, we''re all family! No need for all that fuss!"


    Sandy grabbed Sophie''s hand and said, "With us being so close, who needs formalities? Let''s hop in the car. Adler and Jenna are already waiting, and we can have a nice long chat on the way!"


    "Sounds wonderful!" Sophie replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.


    Meanwhile, Colby was less than thrilled. His face darkened with every mention of Adler and Jenna. Weren''t they supposed to be off on some vacation abroad?


    "Colby! Why are you just standing there? Get a move on!" Sophie waved him


    over.


    Colby really wanted to say no-not to Sophie, but to Sandy. Did Sandy really need to monopolize his wife''s time like this? But since Sophie was eager to go, he couldn''t say no and climbed into the car with them.


    Once they were in the car, Sandy made sure to sit in the back with Sophie, chatting away happily about their kids.


    "You wouldn''t believe how grown-up kids are these days! Barely eighteen or neen, and they''re already..."


    Sandy dished out thetest gossip about college students, leaving Sophie wide- eyed. "Seriously? Are college students really that wild now?"


    "Oh, absolutely! Having seven or eight girlfriends is just the start!"


    Up in the front seat, Colby was rubbing his temples, trying to steer the


    conversation back to their honeymoon ns, but he couldn''t find an opening.


    Colby couldn''t wrap his head around how they always had so much to talk about.


    "Colby, why so quiet? Aren''t you surprised?" Sophie asked.


    "Uh, yeah, sure," he said, though he hadn''t caught a word of their


    chatter. He was too busy plottic


    to steal Sophie away forsome


    timeter on.


    Before long, they arrived at the cruise ship, where Adler and Jenna were lounging in the sun.


    "Hey, there you are!" Adler greeted Colby with a cheeky grin. "Escaping for some peace and quiet, huh? get it, parenting can be a drag. Isn''t it better to just kick back and rx like us?"


    Colby''s scowl deepened, catching Jenna''s attention.


    "Colby, what''s the matter? Did your wife give you a hard time or something? You look ready to explode."


    "Hmm? What''s going on?" Sophie turned to see Colby with a surprisingly calm smile aimed at her.


    "Everything''s just fine!" he reassured her.


    "Honey, can youe with me for a sec?" Colby asked, his eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.


    Sophie didn''t miss a beat, telling Sandy, "Colby and I are just going to check out our room! We''ll be right back!"


    Jenna giggled mischievously, "Go on, the presidential suite is massive!"


    Sophie blushed, while Colby, hearing the word "massive," rethought his ns.


    The ship''s staff guided them to the presidential suite. As soon as Sophie opened the door, she was dazzled by the spaciousyout and luxurious amenities.


    "Colby,e take a look! This master bedroom is amazing," she eximed.