Dysfunctional Family Outing- Part 2
They awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking outside. The air was cool and damp, and it was going to be an effort to get out from under the covers. Not to mention, they now had to explain why they were sleeping in the same tent.
Princess rose up groggily and looked at her sleepy companion. He looked so cute in the morning, bed head and all.
She smiled shyly at him. "What are we gonna tell the others?"
"Hold on, let me think...it's not our fault, you know...there was nowhere else for us to sleep!"
"You don't have to convince me, I was there...remember?" She kissed his forehead.
"Let's think this through a little bit before we go out there, Prin. I feel like we're about to be thrown to the wolves."
Meanwhile, the other three were gathering around the campfire next to Tiny, who was busily preparing breakfast.
"I knew we kept you around for some reason, Big Guy..." Jason sat on the log next to Tiny. "Got any coffee?"
"Only instant..." Tiny pointed to the boiling pot of water and handed Jason a packet." Best I could do."
Jason grimaced and fixed himself a cup. "Beggars can't be choosers..." he mumbled to himself.
Keyop interrupted. "Where's Mark and Princess?"
"Still asleep, I guess." Jason pointed to the two-man tent.
Tiny's eyes widened. "They slept in there...together?"
Keyop wrapped his arms around himself and turned his back to the other two. It appeared as though someone else was hugging him. "Smoochie- woochie, Marky warky..." The trio laughed.
Just then, they heard the distinct sound of the zipper on the tent. Mark appeared first. He tried to appear non-chalant.
"Good morning, everyone...ready for some white water rafting?" He looked at the others; they gaped back at him as though he was a ghost.
Jason got an evil grin on his face. "Looks like it's a good morning for somebody..."
"Cut the crap, Jase, you caused it...why'd you take Princess' tent?" The Eagle's eyebrows knit together. He was determined to defend Princess' honor.
"You guys took so long on your romantic walk, I couldn't wait any longer, and I figured I might slug you when you opened the tent and woke me up."
Mark was getting dangerously angry. "Whatever you say, Jason...but don't say a word about this to Princess. Absolutely nothing happened between us last night. Understood?" He pointed his index finger at Jason angrily.
All three stood at attention and gave Mark a mock-salute. "Yes, sir!" They shouted in unison.
Princess emerged from the tent holding a towel. "I'm going to wash up in the lake. No peeking!" She wagged a finger at the others and walked down the path.
Jason whispered to Mark, "Well, what are you waiting for Commander? It's your golden opportunity!" He winked.
Mark answered him by connecting his fist with Jason's jaw." If you ever talk about my third-in-command that way again, I'll kill you!"
Jason rubbed his jaw, walked over to Tiny, and whispered, "Oh, he's got it bad..."
Later, Princess arrived back at camp with a towel draped around her and dripping, wet hair. She carried her clothes in her arms. The four guys became statues, watching her open the tent. She felt like she needed to explain. "Well, I didn't want to put my clothes back on until I dried off a little more." She shrugged her shoulders and disappeared into the tent.
Man, what I wouldn't give to be in that tent right now... Mark let his mind wander, remembering how good her body felt next to his...picturing every curve...
"Penny for your thoughts?" Keyop smiled slyly. Mark had a feeling the Condor had put him up to asking. Jason and Tiny were listening too intently to the conversation.
"Oh, I was just thinking about rafting..." Mark rubbed Keyop's head. "Isn't the food ready, Tiny?"
"Huh? Uh yeah, sure, eat up..." Tiny handed out some paper plates and forks.
After breakfast, they all set out to ride the rapids. The rental center was about thirty minutes away by car. When they arrived, they rented a large raft.
The rushing water roared so loudly that they could hardly hear each other speak. Keyop went charging forward to board the raft. Tiny grabbed him before he could make it. "Hold on, small fry...ladies' first..." Tiny bowed with one hand on his bulging stomach, the other pointed at the raft. "After you, Prin..." Princess climbed aboard, followed by Keyop, Tiny, Jason and Mark.
Bouncing and splashing on the rapids, they were having a great time, and getting soaked to the bone in the process.
As they came upon a shallow part of the river, they were grounded on a bunch of rocks. Mark, Jason, and Tiny got out to push the raft. Problem was, the rocks were tooslippery. Jason and Mark managed to keep their footing, but poor Tiny was all over the place. Jason kept having to let go of the raft to rescue Tiny from drowning. Finally, they pushed off, and Mark and Jason had to push Tiny back into the raft.
Once inside, Jason bonked Tiny on the head with an oar. "You nitwit, I nearly drowned out there trying to keep you afloat...lose some weight, will ya?"
Jason felt an oar smack the back of his head. Keyop was coming to his buddy's aid. "Don't talk about Tiny like that..."
The already irritated Condor reached back and let loose on Keyop. It was on. They floated down the river, oars flying, connecting with whomever crossed their path.
Mark finally put a halt to the bird assault session. His voice was loud enough to echo above the roar of the rapids. "Stop it! We're supposed to be a team, and I feel like I'm riding with the three stooges!" The "stooges" in question laid down their oars and begrudgingly apologized.
Mark continued, "We're about to hit the roughest part of the river...everyone put your oars in the water, and stroke on my command!"
They earnestly tried to follow Mark's lead, but the churning water became too much for them.
The water tossed the raft violently, sending them all into the drink. They coughed and sputtered as they held onto the boat. The current finally led them to the shore.
They all crawled on shore, looking like drowned rats. Princess was the last one to join them. She was having a little trouble getting the water out of her lungs. Mark rushed over to her. He placed his arms gently around her. "You okay, sweetheart?"
She coughed out the words, "I'm ok..."as she looked up lovingly at her Commander. She didn't want to appear weak to her teammates. She was determined to prove she was just as tough as the rest of them.
Jason, Tiny, and Keyop looked at each other blankly. Something did happen last night...You can't keep this a secret forever, Commander...I'll find out, one way, or another...Jason regarded the two "love birds" with great interest.