Chapter 3: Camping Trip

A couple weeks later there was a three-day weekend, there was no school the following Monday, so Liam and I decided to plan a camping trip. After school I got held up talking with Jake, but soon I was driving home with "Walking on Sunshine" playing on the radio.

As I got home, I already saw the camper up and running and James was walking into it, with a suitcase, followed by Claire bringing her little stuffed tiger and pillow.

I walked inside the house and searched around for Lucas. I walked into the room and he just looked like he got off the phone. He looked up and smiled at me, "Hey honey. How was work? You look tired," He came over and gave me a safe hug since I had a little bump in my stomach which was our kid.

"It was another day…competition is almost here and I believe that we're going to get gold and take that trophy. We've worked harder this year, not to mention Mike's drum major."

"Don't worry this weekend honey…" He smiled, "Just have fun with our family and don't worry this weekend…Okay dear?"

"I'll try not to, I love you."

"I love you too. Come on, let's finish packing…"

He hugged me a last time and then went to finish packing as I walked into the closet and finished packing myself. After finishing up I walked back outside and looked into our camper.

I came on and pulled my suitcase to the back and saw Kirsten, James, and Kiere already on. James was on the top bunk, Kiere on the bottom, and Kirsten got the couch, of course. The twins, Claire and Brendan, were to get the floor unless Kirsten was kind enough to share room.

Brendan and Claire were probably going to pack all their toys, but I'm sure Liam will watch what they put in their bags, for they would need clothes more than toys.

Soon we were all on the camper and Lucas started it up and we headed off towards the city up north for camping. On the way up the kids played many games, and finally ended up with monopoly, a game that Claire had brought.

Liam said he would drive all the way up so I took my place as one of the players of monopoly. Luckily there were six people playing for there was only six pieces.

Finally we arrived at the camping place. We paid for the couple of days we would be staying and then drove to our site. As soon as we got there I walked out of the camper and smelled the fresh air, there was pine needles and flowers and it also smelled like it had just rained. It was fresh and wonderful, and I loved it.

I hadn't smelt this kind of weather in a long while and it was nice to come back and smell/see it. When Liam and I retire we both committed to live in a pine tree forest on a mountain.

"Mom…?"

I turned around, "Kiere? What's wrong?"

"I-uh…I like it here…" She smiled, but I wasn't convinced that that was what she really was going to say.

"I love it too," I gave her a hug as Liam called out to us saying he was going to the main facility to check it out.

I went back inside and started cooking dinner. As that was going I realized Kiere and Brendan had gone with Liam. James was helping chop vegetables. Kirsten was setting the table as Claire helped her out, and I was roasting the chicken over the fire. Finally Liam, Kiere, and Brendan were back and we all ate as a family at the picnic table outside.

We ate dinner happily as a family since we hadn't done it for awhile since there was at least someone gone because they were hanging out with friends, or at a birthday party, or something else they had to do.

But this trip was just for family and everybody was really happy and we were all so close I loved my children, from James to my unborn child. My children didn't fight much, weren't snobby, stuck-up, or any of that. They were the sweetest, most innocent, helping kids, and I knew they would grow up to correct families and make terrific parents.

The next man on my list for love was my husband I loved Liam and he loved me. We were inseparable, or so I thought…After dinner it was already late and we all got ready for bed and fell asleep for the coming events tomorrow would bring.

The following day I got up early in the morning and decided to check the rest of the campsite since Liam already did the previous night. I quickly got out of the bed and got dressed. I crept out of the camper and locked it, taking my keys with me, and I started my walk around campus.

I walked around smelling the sweet dew around camp, and I noticed that there were hardly any other campers on this ground. I then saw anther camper and there was a man there resting and sitting in front of his fire, "Hello there!" I called to my 'neighbor', for I was a friendly woman now-a-days.

"Hello," he called and he had a nice deep voice, he also looked to be about my age, "Come join me for a bit, it's a nice morning lady."

"Sure. Thank you sir very much."

I went and sat by him and he handed me a cup of orange juice. We both took a drink, "So what's your name?" he asked taking another drink.

"Miley…Miley Hemsworth."

He spit out all the juice he was about to swallow, at least it didn't get on me, "Sorry, forgive me, but were you originally Miley Stewart?"

"Yes…um…" It seemed to get all weird, 'Do I know you?"

"Well…um, I know you, I saw you on your graduation day. I'm Nick Jonas…" He looked at me again and I saw it.

It's like I went back in time for a moment…

Flashback

It was sophomore year and it was during band that I actually was waiting to see Liam, but who walked in was Nick, he came up to me and asked what I was doing and it was Algebra II. That was the first time he talked to me and from then on I started to develop a crush on him that would last for two more years.

But I was in love with Liam, even though he had a girlfriend. But I never really talked to Nick all that much until junior year, he gave me drum major lessons every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch. A couple times I would blush furiously when we made eye contact, but I loved Liam. And so I never really went very far with Nick because if Lucas ever came back, there would definitely be no chance with him.

End of Flashback

But years had now gone by and it was now my graduation. I remember everything about Liam showing up. So I thought harder about that night and now I remember that just before Liam came to greet me Nick was about to open his mouth to say something, but I saw Liam instead. And that was the last time I saw Nick Jonas.

"Nick!" I gasped staring at him.

"You are Miley! My, how have you changed!"

"Yeah…so have you! How—uh…how have you been?"

"Good good. Still single, but I hope to find that girl of my dreams you know," He was looking all over my body and surprisingly I wasn't mad at all. I knew I should be, Liam would've killed this man, but it wasn't necessarily checking me out—was it? "How 'bout you? You still married to Hemsworth?"

"Yeah, and we have five kids!"

"Five! Jeesh!"

"Yeah, and one on the way."

"My goodness!"

"Yep. Wanna see them?" He nodded his head so I took out my wallet and rifled through all of the pictures.

"Wow, James and Liam look alike, but Kirsten and Kiere look like you."

"I know. And Brendan and Claire look like my father and mother."

"Yeah…Here you go," He handed me my wallet back to me and very briefly we made contact with our hands. As quickly as I could I pulled away as though I had just been shocked.

"Um. Wanna keep in touch? I've actually go to go."

"Oh right. You have a family," He took out his phone as I did mine and we traded numbers and when we switched back phones we were both careful not to make any other physical contact.

"Do you have a facebook?" I asked.

He chuckled, "Who doesn't? I'll find you, it'll be easier. Nice chattin' with you Miley!"

"You too Nick." With that I turned around and walked back to our campsite. Since it was still early I started cooking breakfast so that by the time they would get up, it would be ready to eat.

I decided to cook French Toast for it wasn't only my favorite. By the time the bacon started cooking. Kirsten was up and she was helping me by setting the picnic table.

Today we were going to go four wheeling down to the base of the mountain and then we would hike to the top and eat dinner and such. We were also told that there was a lake we could swim in, so we would be taking our swimsuits up as well, probably going to wear them too.

Next, James and Liam got up as the food was being cooked and I went to grab the rest of the kids for breakfast was ready.

Kiere wasn't anywhere to be seen though, so I figured she was already up and went to the bathroom or something. But I walked over to Brendan and Claire, and I shook them awake.

"Mom! Five more minutes!" cried Claire, Brendan rolled over on his side away from my close face.

"No my darlings. Now it's time for breakfast, and I know you like French Toast and mom's special bacon!"

Brendan suddenly was up, 'Did someone say bacon!" he cried.

Claire shot up as well, 'Mom, did you say French Toast!" I nodded my head as they scrambled to the door, fighting each other of who would get out first.

"No fighting guys. You know better!" I called after them. I turned my attention to the bathroom door that Kiere was in, "Kiere honey. You in there?" I was a little worried.

"Yes mom. I—um—um just finishing up, I'll be outside in a minute." She called from within.

"Alright, you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine mom, just a minute," she said a little harshly, but what do you expect? Teenagers…

I then walked back outside, worried for Kiere. She had been through a lot in the past month. I hope that she wasn't getting sick on this vacation. I sat down with our family and I happily started eating breakfast. Under the table Liam grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently, then whispered in my ear, "Is Kiere okay?"

"What? Oh yeah, she should be out in a minute. She used the restroom."

"Okay," he squeezed my hand once more before letting go and then I saw Kiere come out of the trailer already dressed for the hike that day. She smiled meekly before she sat down and grabbed breakfast and all of us ate as a family. It was nice.

I glanced at Liam, without him looking of course and I smiled going back to my food. I was so lucky to have him. He was a good man, and he was all mine. He loved me and I loved him. We were each other's heart and soul. His drumming filled my piano which I do admit that I miss very much right now, but no matter, that'll be on of the first things I do when I get home; is play.

I believed that my love for Liam and his love for me would last forever. For I had loved him all through high school and up through now. I would never believe he would ever hurt me in my life.

Later in the day we were up the mountain, we had four wheeled over for about twenty minutes. Then we headed up the mountain which took a little longer, especially for Claire and Brendan since they didn't have very long legs at all. Kiere was also slow so I hung back with her to see what was up with her, "Hey Kiere."

She looked up, "Oh, hey mom. Am I too slow?"

"No no. You're father and James are too fast," I countered and she chuckled which was a good, since she hardly ever did that anymore, "What's really wrong honey? You're never usually slow on these kinds of trips, you love to hike." It was true, she could even hike faster than James if she really wanted to.

"I know mom, but I'm just not feeling like it this week."

"Okay honey, if you're sure…I better go help Claire and Brendan, they look like they need help. You okay back here?"

"Yes mom. I'll catch up."

"Right." I then improved my stride and just before Claire fell backwards I caught her and brought her to her feet again.

She turned around, "Oh thanks mom! I thought I was dead!"

I smiled, "You're welcome my sweet."

"Mom…I'm tired!" complained Brendan.

"Oh we're almost to the top! Can't you feel it?" I said trying to be hyper for my kids even though I was pretty tired for myself because of the little one inside me.

"Oh I'm feeling it!" called Kirsten who was a little ahead of us.

"Guys, we're almost there, so just hang in there." I restated.

Finally we reached the top and Liam and James were in conversation. James slapped Brendan lightly on the back, "You made it up my man. Give me a high five!" Brendan gave me one as I glanced down the pathway at Kiere who was coming up at her own pace.

Someone's hands slipped around my waist from behind and I would only assume it was Liam, "She'll be fine," He said softly in my ear assuring me to not worry, "What did I tell you?"

I rolled my eyes, but I could tell he noticed me because he squeezed me, "The baby!" I said releasing myself from him.

"Don't worry honey. I didn't touch our kid. Now what did I say?" he waited as I looked into his beautiful eyes.

"To not worry."

"Exactly, just enjoy this trip. Will you?"

Before I could reply Kiere finally caught up, "Hey mom," she said as she passed us and went over and sat by Kirsten on a log.

After taking dozens of photos of the mountains and of our family, we picked up our bags again and headed into the mountain to find the lake, and hopefully get dinner started by at least 8:00.

I told Liam at the base of the mountain that I would work dinner as he watched the kids play in the water. He agreed automatically knowing full well he loved to be in the water. Soon we arrived at a clearing where there was a campfire pit and the lake just beyond.

Claire and Brendan were the first ones to take off their clothes to reveal their bathing suits and go splashing into the water, screaming as the icy water met their warm-heated skin.

Kirsten I noticed was a little anxious to go into the water; she was like me in that way being afraid for the cold, so she inched herself closer into the water.

James went over to the high rocks that looked like a diving board and he jumped off that, landing cannon ball style, it made me shiver. I watched as Liam held hands with Kirsten, helping her to get in the water slowly, but surely. It was really scary that Kirsten was so like me, she had my looks, my personality, and my body. It was scary.

I took the food out of the cooler and turned around for one of the pans when a hand gave it to me. I looked up and realized that it was Kiere's hands.

"I'll help you mom," she said, "I don't want to go in the water."

"Okay my darling," I said, "Just put the meat in the pan; I'll get the fire started." We were having hamburgers tonight with chips.

As I got the fire going, taming it when it go too big; my phone vibrated and I jumped. Shocked, Kiere giggled at me as I did too and I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I have service up here! Amazed, and I thought strange as I looked at my phone and noticed that it was a text from an unknown number. It read:

Hello Miley, it's Nick,

What are you doing?

I texted back:

We hiked the mountain. And now we are getting dinner:

Nick:

Can I help?

I giggled before replying back:

How?

Nick:

I'm behind you.

At that point I turned around. He wasn't wearing any shirt and I noticed that he had tight abs. Tighter than even Liam's and he was wearing jean pants, shoes, and a backpack on his back, "Can I?" he called.

I walked over to him, "What are you doing here?"

"I decided to hike today. I swear I wasn't following you. Oh hi Kiere, you feeling better?" I turned to Kiere as we made eye contact and then her cheeks went red, "Yeah, I'm feeling much better Mr. Jonas," she said.

Great…She found who he was, "Was that what you were hiding from me Kiere?"

Forced being in the spotlight she put her head down, "She was having trouble Miley, she threw-up over the side of the path," said Nick, speaking up for her.

Kiere looked at me horrified but I still said, "Kiere! Why didn't you tell me you were sick? I would've stayed back at the camper with you!" I said shocked that she didn't tell me, "Were you throwing up in the bathroom this morning?"

She nodded her head, "Mom…I'm…late…" She looked up at me then, and I gasped.

"No!"

"Yes mom, I guess I am, thanks to that son of a bitch!" She yelled.

"Language!" I said glancing out at Nick who seemed to be trying to hold in a smile, "Okay. Kiere, go get the burgers. I'll have a talk with this kind gentleman." She walked off and if she had a tail, I was pretty sure it would be in-between her legs. As I watched her cook the burgers I muttered, "Thanks Nick. I would've…but I was helping the little ones."

"I know," and I could hear the smile in his voice, "So you need any help?"

"Sure, I've got to ask my husband, but would you like to join us for dinner?"

"I don't want to intrude."

I looked at him into his eyes and when we made contact my heart and stomach leapt like it did so many years ago in high school, "You won't be, besides you can meet my family."

He looked away, "Okay. Ask your husband first though. I'll be over there." He pointed toward a big chunk of rocks.

"Okay," He nodded and walked away. I smiled as I went back over to Kiere, "Is the food almost ready?"

"Just about…Hey mom?" she called as because I was starting to walk away. I turned around.

"Yes?"

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner…I'm such a bother…" she looked down, rubbing her stomach in the process. I walked back over to her and gave her a hug, "You are not a bother Kiere. Things just happen for a reason."

"Right," I smiled at her and I made sure she smiled back before I walked over to the shoreline, or more like the lakeline.

"Liam! Honey! Liam!" I called over the waters. He turned around, "Dinner time!" I yelled at him.

He nodded before he called our kids which were further out in the lake and finally Liam came up to me dripping a lot, "Wanna hug?" he finally asked and I shook my head frantically no, but he didn't listen. He just chased me back over to the campsite, "Come on dear. Just one hug?" He said while laughing as I giggled.

"No! Stop!"

Finally I was cornered into a bed of rocks and he hugged me with his still soaking body, "Ah, now this is nice. Yes?"

I struggled but being weaker than him I couldn't move and the result was that not only was I really wet, but I was exhausted when I finished trying to struggle. He then let me go and I automatically started shaking for the wind had just picked up.

"Oh thanks Liam." I said sarcastically, "Not like I was cold before!"

"Your welcome," he grinned his grin and then walked towards the campfire.

"Liam!" I called and he turned around.

"Yes?"

"Umm. I met someone in the park yesterday. A face I hadn't seen for fifteen years and I was wondering if it was alright if he'd have dinner with us?"

"And who is this 'old friend'? Do I know him?"

"Yeah. Well you knew of him, but I don't think you rarely conversed with him."

"Who?"

"Nick Jonas." I said, more or so like a question, when I got no response with him I added, "Well, he was a bass clarinetist and a drum major, my junior year when he was a senior."

"Oh yeah! Nick…Wow, it's been a long time!"

"I know. So can he join us for dinner? He wanted to meet our family."

"Of course, of course! Bring him over."

He then turned around and headed for the campfire, I followed him but as we reached it I passed by my family and walked over to Nick, "Hey stranger," I said, thinking it was a good start to grab his attention.

He looked up and as our eyes met again for the 2nd time that day my heart leapt again, but not knowing why. There was a moment as we just stared then he said, "Hey Miley," in a sweet voice.

"You can join us for dinner if you want to. My husband said it was okay."

He shifted his feet, "Um…sure…What are we having then?"

I couldn't help but notice that he mentions 'we', "We're having burgers."

"Awesome. I love burgers!" he yelled exasperatingly and I stared at him with his little outburst. "I—uh—mean. That's cool."

I giggled at his outburst and he walked behind me back over to my family.

I walked over and sat by my husband and I pointed to the seat next to him where Nick would sit. Tentatively Nick sat next to Liam who greeted him cheerfully, "Hey Nick, long time no see right?"

"Yeah…" He said as Nick looked at me, I then turned away grabbing my food.

Kiere came over and sat next to me with her plate of food in her lap, "Hey mom." She then looked up at Nick and gasped and she almost lost her food on the ground, "What's he still doing here?" She squealed into my ear.

"Be polite Kiere. His name is Nick. Be nice."

"Oh, I will be, I was earlier!" she defended and smiled, staring at him with a glint in her eye.

Brendan and Claire then came over and sat across from us, Kirsten then came next bringing Liam a plate as she put hers down in her place, I heard Liam say, "Oh thanks sweetie."

"You're welcome daddy," she then went and sat at her place.

James was the last one to come over to our family. He looked at Nick before he sat down, "Who are you?"

Liam came in, "Oh son. This is Nick. He went to high school with your mother and I."

James held out his hand and Nick shook it, "Nice to meet you sir."

"You too. James right?" he nodded shocked, and Nick smiled.

For the rest of the evening we talked about each other, Liam mainly talked about his job as did I and some of our kids even talked about what was happening in our lives.

I found out that Nick's job was a teacher in the town next to ours and I asked him how he came to the little town and he said that he fell in love with the mountains.

Being a school teacher at thirty-nine, high school girls would faint over him and he laughed at that comment. I giggled, knowing the same feeling with boys at my school.

Kiere at that point dropped her cup of water, "Shit!" she exclaimed.

Brendan and Claire then laughed and Liam yelled, "Language Kiere!" Embarrassed since now she was wet from the water she looked at Mason for one last look and then ran to a ledge of rocks and from what I saw was that she was crying.

Liam apologized to Nick who just shrugged it off, "I thought it was funny actually."

At that point I believe it was time for me to go and comfort my daughter and then we would head back down the mountain and to our camper.

"Well Nick. It was nice seeing you again," I said as I gave him a hug. He put his arms around my waist and squeezed gently back. The contact between us made me jump away from him and not only was I confused, but I also saw the look on his face and he seemed to have the same expression as I did…Happiness.

Then he changed his voice, I could tell it was a little shaky but nobody else did, 'I'll catch you later Miley." With that he smiled and walked away going down the mountain side.

I looked at Liam who was talking with James; Brendan and Claire were the only ones who saw my little exchange with Nick, so that was awkward.

Hesitating briefly I said, "You're sister," and I walked over to the rocks where she was at crying silently.