*** A very nice reviewer pointed out that I had some accidental POV shifts at the end of this chapter. Whoops for not having a beta reader for this story. I have hopefully fixed the problem. It's only the last few paragraphs if you want to reread it.
AN: Yet again I receive some of the most encouraging reviews. Everyone who takes their time to review I sincerely thank you! you help keep me writing!
Enjoy! :-)
The next week and a half fly by. Amelia's doctor's appointment goes well and she is able to get her cast off, securing for us our trip camping with the gang. We're leaving this afternoon and we'll be staying up north for 3 nights. Amelia has been so excited since I told her two days ago that she hasn't stopped telling everyone that we see. It was kind of cute when we are checking out at the store with some last minute camping supplies and Amy just blurts out to the cashier about going camping for the first time.
The past couple days the excitement for the trip has been building amongst everyone. Uriah has been telling stories about their previous trips and Four and Will have been helping Christina and I make sure we have everything we'll need. I glance around my room one last time, double checking to make sure I haven't left anything behind that I'll need. Christina walks in holding Amy in her arms.
"Amelia, don't you think you're getting too big to be carried around?" I ask her.
She shakes her head and Christina and I laugh. It makes me happy to still see my baby girl in this growing child.
"Well we better get going or we're going to be late." I tell them. We planned to meet the gang outside the sports complex at 2 o'clock since it was the most central location for all of us and close to the highway. When we arrive I see that almost everyone is already there. I hop out of the car and Four and Will walk over to greet us. Will envelopes Christina in a giant hug while I help Amy climb out of the back.
"Four!" She shouts as she runs up to Four who picks her up swiftly before greeting me with a kiss on the cheek. We've spent some more time together in the past week and it's become commonplace for us to show little signs of affection although we have yet to declare being anything other than friends.
"So we figured you could just leave your car here and you and Amelia can ride in my SUV with Will and Christina." Four tells me.
"Sounds good to me." I reply cheerfully.
"Amy would you like to ride in my car?" Four asks her very seriously.
"Mhmm." She answers him with a nod.
"So, are we just waiting for Zeke and Shauna?" I ask.
"Yeah apparently they were having some issues with Kiera this morning." Four whispers quietly to me.
They arrive a couple minutes later and sure enough there is a wailing toddler in the back seat.
"Sorry we're late." Zeke breathes as he gets out of the car. Shauna remains in the backseat with Kiera obviously trying to calm her down. I take Amy from Four and walk over their car.
Kiera settles down a little upon seeing Amy and smiles shyly at her.
"Kiera, do you remember Amy?" Shauna asks her daughter, who nods not taking her eyes off of Amy.
I get an idea and whisper into Shauna's ear, "Maybe Kiera and Amy can ride together with me in Four's car?"
"That might work, but I'd hate to leave you with two kids if they get crabby. It's a long drive."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure they'll keep each other company." I wave off her concern before walking back over to where Zeke and Four are talking.
"Hey guys, is it all right if Kiera comes with me and Amy in Four's car and Will and Christina can go with Marlene and Uriah."
"Sure sounds good to me." Zeke complies easily while looking over to his friend. "If that's all right with you?" he asks Four.
"Sure why not?" Four glances at me and I smile back at him. He's always so easy going and relaxed about things like that and that's part of the reason that I love him.
Wait I think to myself. Did I just say that I love him? I mean we aren't even dating yet and I can't be falling in love that fast. No it's okay. I just like him.
"Tris?" Someone calling my name snaps me out of my inner dialog.
I look at Four and see him looking at me with concern in his eyes.
"Sorry, what were you saying?"
"Are you ready to get on the road it's a four hour drive and we want to be able to set up before dark."
"Yeah let's get going." I say.
"Everything okay?" Four questions to me under his breath so no one else can hear.
"Everything's great." I tell him honestly. I can tell he isn't quite sure, but he gives it up for now hopping in the driver's seat while Shauna and I get the girls strapped into the back seat. I jump in beside Four and we hit the road.
"What do you girls want to listen to?" Four asks all of us.
"Mommy did you bring the CDs?" Amy asks me.
"CDs?" Four glances at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.
"Yeah, it's kind of tradition we have these three CDs that we bring on every road trip and we listen to them along the way. Christina and I have been doing it forever, but now Amy helps pick out the songs." I explain. "But it's okay if you don't want to listen to them. We can just turn on the radio or something." I quickly add.
I can't see Four's full expression as he is still facing the road, but I can see that he is smiling. "I'd love to listen to your CDs."
I smile back at him and reach out to squeeze his hand that's resting on the gear shift. He squeezes back before I reach into my purse and pull out one of the CDs we burned last night.
Speak Life by tobyMac comes on first and I smile as Amy starts singing along. Four smiles at me and takes a hold of my hand lying in my lap.
I start to sing along also when the chorus hits causing Four to laugh lightly.
"What?" I ask.
"You have a good voice and it's sweet to hear you and Amy sing together." I blush and quickly look down at my lap.
The rest of the ride is uneventful. The girls sing along with the songs they know and even Four joins in every now and then. His off-tone voice is absolutely adorable and I can't get enough of it. We pull into the campground at around 7 o'clock with just enough sunlight left to get everything set up. I help for a little while before the girls become restless.
"I'm going to take Amy and Kiera for a walk." I tell everyone.
"I'll come with." Shauna offers.
The girls skip on a little bit ahead of us hand in hand.
"I'm glad they get along so well." Shauna comments.
"Me too. None of my friends have ever had kids before so she's always been kind of left out I guess."
"I hear you. It's tough being younger parents."
"Mhmm, but I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world."
Shauna smiles knowingly at me. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Is Amy's father in the picture?"
I look down and kick a rock along the path, "No."
"Oh, how is that for her?"
"I'm not sure. She's never said anything to me, but I know there must be things she is missing out on."
"Yeah, I know Kiera is such a daddy's little girl."
I frown slightly, thinking about what it would be like for Amy to have an actual father. Not the jerk who got me knocked up and then couldn't care less.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Shauna apologizes noticing my discomfort.
"It's okay, not your fault. It's just Amy's biological father was a real jerk. He basically got me knocked up and then walked away."
"That's tough."
I shrug, at a loss for words. We continue on the path a ways before turning around.
"So do you guys come to this park every year?" I ask Shauna wanting a change of subject.
"Not every year, but we came here last year and we loved it so we decided to come again. There are miles of hiking trails and fishing and they even have a small feeder lake we can go swimming in."
"Sounds cool."
"Yeah, tomorrow, I thought maybe we could all go hiking along the river to some of the waterfalls. It's all paved trails so the girls should be okay for a while, but we won't go far."
"I like that idea."
"Awesome."
We get back to camp as the sun is setting casting golden rays over everything. The rest of our group is gathered around a large campfire talking happily with one another.
I sit down next to Four and pull Amy onto my lap. He smiles at me and Amy.
"How was your walk?"
"It was nice. This place is beautiful. I forget sometimes living in the city how alive the earth can be."
"Yeah I love being able to get out of the city for a while. It's so much more peaceful out here."
"Yes it is." I lean against his shoulder and close my eyes listening to the sounds of friendship and the outdoors floating around me.
A short time later Four shakes my shoulder lightly calling my name.
"Yeah I'm awake." I tell him opening my eyes lazily.
"Here let me take Amy." He says with a chuckle at my 'awake' state being only half so.
"Okay, where are we sleeping?"
"I set up the tent for you and Amy over here." Four says leading us towards a small tent near the edge of the grouping of tents.
"Thank you." I mumble. I struggle so stand up and Four grips my upper arm helping me get on my feet.
"Sure you're awake." He jokes lightly to me. I try to punch him lightly on the arm, but I fail miserably, causing him to laugh even harder. The movement of his chest jostles a sleeping Amy and she opens her eyes slightly. She sees Four and smiles at him before cuddling her head deeper into his shoulder. I smile at the pair of them as we make our way over to the tent.
Four settles Amy in her sleeping bag before helping me into my own. I snuggle deeper into the sleeping bag welcoming its warmth as the air has grown quite chilled tonight.
After a few seconds of silence I hear Four say, "Are you girls good for tonight then?"
"mhmmm." I respond sleepily.
"Good night." He says softly while placing a gentle kiss to my temple before stepping outside the tent. The last things I hear before I drift off to sleep in the sound of the zipper closing.
I wake up the next morning to sun light seeping through the walls of the tent. I can tell that it's still quite early, but I am fully awake and I know I won't be falling back asleep, so I quietly untangle myself from my sleeping bag and make my way outside of the tent.
Once I'm standing outside the tent I stretch my arms above my head squinting into the early morning sunlight. I spot Zeke sitting alone near the fire preparing what looks like breakfast.
"Didn't know you could cook?" I joke lightly as I make my way over to him and sit down.
"Oh I can't normally, but give me a campfire and I'll make you a feast." He grins widely at me. "You're up early."
"Yeah, force of habit with a kid and work. I don't think I know how to sleep in anymore."
He laughs in response, "I know what you mean. Kiera woke me up this morning."
I glance around the campsite and notice a lone sleeping bag in the middle of all the tents. "Zeke."
"Yeah?"
"Who is that?" I ask pointing to the sleeping bag.
"Oh that's Four. He doesn't like to sleep in a tent. Says he prefers being able to look up and see the stars."
"Oh."
"Yea, don't tell him I told you this, but I think he's a little claustrophobic also. He's always been nervous in small spaces, but he hides it well."
I smile to myself, knowing that Four would definitely not want anyone to know he was afraid of anything. I can tell he likes to put out a strong, confident persona to the world.
"Do you need help with anything?" I ask Zeke.
"Ummm I don't think so." He says right before knocking over a container with pancake mix in it. I laugh with him and pick up the container, reading the directions on the side. Zeke sets up a large griddle over the fire and soon I'm flipping pancakes.
"So you and Four?" Zeke questions with a glance over his shoulder towards his sleeping friend.
"Four and I?"
"Don't play dumb we all see the way you two look at each other."
I blush and continue working on cooking the pancakes not responding.
"I don't mean to get into your business. It's just he's my best friend and he's been hurt before."
"And you think I'm going to hurt him."
"Not intentionally."
"Zeke, I like him, but I'm not sure where this is all going."
"Tris, the guy in infatuated with you." Zeke blurts out. "Oh god, please don't tell him I said anything. He'll kill me." He moans.
His comment causes me to laugh, but also touches me deeply. If Four has a friend who is willing to stick his neck out for him and get involved a little it means that Zeke really cares.
"You care about him, don't you?"
"He's like a second brother to me." Zeke shrugs.
"I didn't know you guys got all emotional and girly." I tease shoving his shoulder lightly.
"You ever tell anyone I'll deny every word."
I smile, "Thanks for the talk Zeke. I'm gonna go check on Amy now."
Four POV
I'm woken up by murmured voices coming from the near the campfire. As I lie there trying to get a few more minutes of sleep I catch pieces of the conversation.
I hear Tris' voice and Zeke's.
"You care about him, don't you?" Tris asks.
"He's like a second brother to me." I hear Zeke answer.
"I didn't know you guys got all emotional and girly." I hear Tris say in a light teasing tone.
"You ever tell anyone I'll deny every word." Zeke says back and now I'm very curious what they were talking about.
My eyes are still closed, but I hear someone walk past me and unzip a tent near me. I assume it must be Tris. I decide I'm more curious than sleepy now so I stretch and stand up from my sleeping spot.
"Morning." I greet Zeke. He jumps a little at the sound of my voice and quickly turns around.
"How much did you hear?" he questions immediately, concern and amusement playing on his face in an amusing combination.
"You'll deny every word, huh?" I quote back to him.
He becomes uncharacteristically quiet for Zeke and I laugh making my way over to him. "It's okay. I didn't hear much I swear, but you're like a brother to me too Zeke."
He smiles at me and punches my arm hard enough to sting, but not really hurt.
"Breakfast!" I exclaim catching sight of the large pile of pancakes, eggs and sausages sitting on the picnic table.
"Yeah, but you better wake the other's before you eat it all or I think they might kill you this time."
"This time?" I hear Tris ask cheekily as she comes into view carrying Amy.
"Yeah last year this guy ate almost all our food on the first day camping. We had to make an extra run into town to get more." Zeke tells her.
"Well in that case I'll take my breakfast now, while you wake everyone else up."
I notice how Tris' face lights up as she teases me and her easy banter with Zeke. I smile easily at her despite that fact that she is teasing me and I normally hate to be teased, but coming from her, it's not so bad.
"I think I know just how to wake everyone up." I grin evilly grabbing a pot and pan from near the campfire. "Amy you want to help me."
Tris shakes her head at me, but her lips curve up into a smile. Amy nods her head and smiles at me. I grab her a pot and a metal spoon and we start walking over to the tents.
"You better wake up Shauna and Kiera without those first or you'll have hell to pay later." Zeke warns me seriously. I nod and creep over to their tent quietly waking Shauna and warning her of the racket that's coming.
Once I emerge from the tent I lead Amy over to the tent Uriah and Marlene shared with Will and Christina. I begin to bang the pot and pan together loudly while running around the outside of the tent screaming at the top of my lungs. Amy follows my lead screaming and laughing the whole time. There is a loud rustling coming from within the tent, accompanied by several curse words.
I glance over to where Tris and Zeke are standing and see them both bent over with laughter. Tris is watching her daughter with a look of such affection and love that it melts my heart. Uriah emerges from the tent first in boxers and a t-shirt. He spots me standing outside the tent and starts to run towards me in an attempt to tackle me to the ground, but before he can get too far his foot gets caught on one of the tents ropes and he lands face first in the dirt.
This causes me to laugh even harder than I was before and I scoop Amy up in my arms walking back to Tris and Zeke. Tris is wiping tears from her eyes while trying to control her laughter.
"I'm gonna get you back for this Four!" Uriah shouts at me.
"That was awesome!" Zeke exclaims giving me a high-five and holding his hand out for Amy to do the same. She looks at him for a second before slapping his hand and giggling.
"That was fun." Amy tells me.
"Yes it was, but we better eat breakfast before they get to it all." I tell her very seriously.
We gather around the picnic tables and start to enjoy breakfast. Soon a very grumpy looking Uriah joins us followed by Christina, Marlene and Will. They all shoot me an evil glare which I simply ignore with a smirk plastered on my face. No one can stay mad for too long though, and eventually they all admit it was pretty funny, especially Uriah falling on his face. Uriah's scowls deepens, but his easy smile returns not long after.
I smile at Tris and she easily returns the gesture, so far this camping trip has been the best I've ever been on.
