Chapter 15

After everything had calmed, I finally was able to take Charlie, Bryan, and myself on that trip I promised them. A lot happened over that semester and that summer for me, my brothers, and my cousin Genesis.

For me I passed all my classes and was ready to start interning as a real teacher. My final GRE exam was scheduled for the following year, and I was due to graduate that same summer. I could finally quit my waitress job and leave the pizza place behind me. I also decided it was time for a change. I cut my hair off to my neck in a nice bob. It felt refreshing. Bryan got his first haircut too. He looks even more like his Daddy now.

Charlie got a promotion and is now the station manager. He makes his own hours. On our summer vacation trip he gave himself extra time off to spend with Bryan. He and Bryan really needed that time together.

Bryan's come along way in his growth. He is beginning to gain independence from me and Charlie. Even though he needs help to go up and down stairs; or to go potty, he's getting there. He's 19 months this month. Which is basically just another way of saying he'll be two in six months. He now weighs about 25 pounds. Charlie and I have looked into daycares and preschools to enroll him in. I want him to interact with kids his own age.

Justice has quit the soccer team. No one was disappointed he quit, because he seems happier without it. He's also making new friends. One of those friends happens to be Patrick. Jesse, Justice, and Patrick hang out and awful lot actually. Mom and Dad finally got to meet Patrick before my vacation at our annual 4th of July family BBQ.

"Mom..." Jesse began.

"I want you to meet Patrick...he's my boyfriend."

"Oh why hello Patrick!"

"Hi Mrs. Tennyson."

"Ben, come here!"

Dad left our grill and ran over to mom.

"What's up?"

"Ben...this is Patrick...Jesse's boyfriend."

"It's an honor to meet you Mr. Ben Tennyson sir."

Patrick stuck out his hand for Dad to shake.

"Please call me Ben, and the honor is mine, I can't tell you how happy you've made Jesse, thank you."

Dad shook his hand.

"Patrick, how did you and Jesse meet?" Dad asked.

"Oh...he came into the library one day looking all sad...so I thought I'd talk to him...and from there we just kinda..."

"Understood each other?" Jesse interrupted.

"Yeah." Patrick agreed.

"Great." Dad said with a smile. "Forgive me I have to get back to the grill."

Dad tapped Patrick on the shoulder gently as he walked away. Mom gave Patrick a wink.

"I've got to run and get some ice, feel free to help yourself to whatever Patrick." She said.

I watched from afar. Since it was hot Jesse was wearing a t-shirt for the first time in a while. His scars in full view of everyone. Patrick grabbed his wrist and kissed his scars. I smiled, then blushed as Patrick hugged Jesse from behind. Jesse held onto Patrick's arms.

I later met with Justice. Apparently he has finally hit things off with Tabby. Both of my brothers were finding their charms. Tabby was about my height. She was the same age as Justice with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Her hair was long with bangs. She was a huge nerd, but she loved fashion and singing. She was a regular cutie. Justice seemed to light up when he was around her. Now Genesis, she's not really looking for love. She wants adventure. She's trying to set a record at school by being apart of just about every club and organization there is. Which means she also wants to be a cheerleader like I was. I know she'll want tips later.

I couldn't believe how far I'd come in life. It made me rethink about that time I was crying in the bathtub. I have a wonderful life I've just hit way to many bumps than I care to admit.

After we got home from our vacation. I left Bryan with mom and dad. They really wanted to spend time with their grandson. I didn't mind it. It gave me time to put together my lesson plans for my internship. I sat on the bed with my laptop and tried to make objectives and a rubric of sorts for my classroom. I was going to be teaching Kindergarten. Since having Bryan, I love little ones so much that I just want to be around them all the time, and help shape their futures.

As I worked I didn't even notice Charlie enter the room.

"Hey..." He said softly.

I was so wrapped up in my head and into my work I didn't answer right away.

"Oh...sorry...hey Char."

I opened a folder next to me and looked over our state's educational department guidelines. According to them, there is a certain criteria students have to meet. I wanted to make sure I could cover all of them.

"Harmione...come on...you still have a few weeks left before school actually starts back up again...you need to give yourself a break."

Charlie stroked my head and pulled my hair behind my ear.

"I know...but I just want to do this right."

"You will..."

Charlie began to massage my shoulders.

"Must you?"

"Yeah...you've been stressed out for months. The only few times you were genuinely happy were back at the pancake breakfast, the BBQ, and on our trip..." He replied.

"I...I guess you're right. I could use a little break."

Charlie took my laptop, my notebook, and my folders from me. He placed them on our dresser and got in bed next to me.

"See, isn't that better?"

I smiled and lied down. We stared into each other's eyes. I then slowly ran my fingers through his hair.

"Charlie?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you have any regrets?"

"Regrets?"

"Yeah...like...I don't know...did you ever expect all this turmoil I brought on you?"

"Quit talking like that...there's not a thing wrong with you, and I don't regret knowing you at all...get your mind off that."

"I love you Charlie."

He placed his hand on top of mine.

"I love you too Harmione."

He kissed my head. I sighed and shut my eyes. I felt so exhausted from the last few months that all I wanted to do was sleep.

"Want to take a nap with me Har?" Charlie asked sweetly.

"I'd love that."

Charlie smiled. We got up and he took his shirt off. I took off my shorts. We pulled the covers back and got back in bed. The A/C was on full blast. Our bedroom was the perfect chill tempture. It combated the 92 degree weather outside. The light was off and our blinds were closed. Our ceiling fan in our bedroom was on full speed. It was quiet in the house except for the occasional swinging of the fan chains against the light fixture. Our bedding was just washed yesterday, and I put on fresh silk sheets. It felt so good against my skin and bare feet. I know it felt good against Charlie's chest. To avoid adding heat between us we didn't cling to each other. Instead Charlie fell asleep on one side of the bed, and I on the other. I was so relaxed I didn't toss nor turn as I slept.

We woke up about the same time. Being alone with him was like being on the beach all over again, on that day he gave me that promise ring.

"Hi..." He mumbled.

"Hi..." I whispered back with a slight laugh. I then stroked the side of his face.

"What do you say we get the gang together and go back to the beach...for old time sake?" I asked.

"And leave Bryan, we couldn't do that."

"Then...let's take him with us."

"What?"

"No seriously...I know we just got back from one vacation a few weeks ago but a trip to the beach could be fun for all of us...we could revisit that aquarium show, have Bryan make sandcastles..."

"You took taking a break seriously."

I laughed and got out of bed.

"Come on!"

We arranged our trip for one of the first weeks in August. Schools would be starting soon, there would be less traffic, and fewer people at the beach. Charlie and I packed all of our essentials and met with Deanna, Sierra, Kim, Jaynie, Lacey, and Irene. Deanna even brought Harvey. It was going to be so much fun. We did a lot of sight seeing on the way there. Once we got to the hotel everyone couldn't wait to get to the beach.

I held Bryan's hand and led him over to Harvey and Deanna.

"Hi Bryan!" Harvey shouted. "Mommy can me and Bryan make sandcastles over there?"

"Stay here Harvey where I can watch you."

I smiled at Deanna.

"I can't believe this Har, it seems like we were here just yesterday."

"It does seem like that."

"You need to call me more."

"Sorry Dee, I know you stay busy at the hospital and things have been pretty crazy lately."

"Yeah I heard about your brothers...and that crazy Franz guy...I would have killed somebody if that was Harvey!"

"Well I almost did."

Charlie walked over to us and sat next to us on a towel. He was wearing his swim trunks and a pair of sunglasses.

"What goes on, that was a long drive huh?"

"Longer than I remember." Deanna replied. "I guess cause I didn't drive last time.

We watched the kids play in the sand, then Deanna took out her phone to video.

"Hey Sierra!" She called out.

Sierra who was sitting in a chair and a sun hat sat up. She waved. Deanna laughed and pointed the camera at the kids.

"Harvey, look at Mama, over here look at Mama!"

Harvey looked at her for a brief second before he went back to playing again.

"Turd...what about you Bryan, give Dee a wave."

Bryan waved shyly.

"Awww that was cute." She beamed. "Okay Lace it's your turn!

Lacey was putting on sunscreen.

"Don't record that, film Kim, Jay, and Irene!"

The other girls were out in the water surfing.

"Whoo-hoo!" Deanna screamed. "Go Kim!"

Kim attempted a trick before wiping out.

"Oooo!" We all said at the same time. She came up out of the water and pulled her wet hair back into a ponytail.

"Delete that!" She cried. "And don't share that with anybody Dee!"

"Oh it's so going on the internet!"

"Better not!"

Charlie wrapped his arms around me and put his head on my shoulder. I leaned into him and sighed heavily at the tranquility I was in. Deanna turned her phone to face us. She then got in the shot herself.

"Heyyy, just me and Harmione, and Charlie chillin' on the beach!"

She threw up a peace sign. I did the same.

"I've known this girl for almost 17 years, she's actually my sister."

"Hey." I said into the camera.

"And that was the kids you saw, mine's the one with the lighter hair and a booger up his nose."

"Dee, don't talk about your baby that way!"

"I'm just kidding those were our cute boys... and speaking of boys...or oh excuse me, he's a man now.. Rockin' that Dad bod it's Mr. LeMay."

"Don't film me, film the boys." Charlie spoke out.

"Still camera shy after all these years huh?"

"Charlie would rather been heard not seen that's why he's in radio." I exclaimed.

"Aww...come on Char...do something for the camera just this once."

Charlie tried to ignore her. I decided to do something a little devious. I reached down around me and rubbed the front of his swim trunks.

"Ah!" He panted out and grabbed my hand. "Don't do that Har!" He blushed madly. Deanna and I laughed. He let go of my hand and pointed at Bryan.

"Dee, seriously film Bryan and Harvey."

I devilishly smirked at Deanna. She winked at me. My fingers traced down the front of Charlie's trunks. Charlie jumped and grabbed my hand.

"For real Harmione, stop!"

Deanna and I laughed again.

"You're making me hot, quit." He mumbled softly into my ear. "Are you still filming me?!"

We laughed again. Charlie laughed slightly.

"Delete that for real Dee!"

Deanna laughed loudly and put her phone down.

"Hey l know let's take some pictures now!" She cried out.

She first had Charlie take a picture of me and all the girls. She then had Charlie take a picture of just her and Harvey. Then we snapped another picture of her and Harvey with me and Bryan.

I had Deanna take a picture with my phone of me, Bryan, and Charlie. I would later frame it and put it in our living room. Lastly, I took a selfie picture of me and Charlie kissing. Our day at the beach was exciting as it was romantic. Which is what I was counting on.

Later that evening Charlie and I went to bed in the hotel room with Bryan between us. It was even better than the nap I had at home because I had two of my favorite people so close to me, in a comfortable bed in a stress free environment. I was so at ease. When I awoke the next morning Bryan was asleep in front of me sucking his thumb. I smiled shyly and got up out of bed ever so quietly as to not disturb them.

I went to the bathroom and did my business. I then stripped to take a shower. Moments later I got dressed and began to dry my hair. I didn't want to wake my family up, but we were meeting the others for breakfast and I had to get ready. Charlie entered the bathroom a little later. I tried to dry my hair as fast as possible while he used the bathroom. When he finished he came over to the sink to wash his hands. I stopped drying my hair and began to brush it.

"The reservations for this place are at 10:00." I started to say, then Charlie kissed me. I smiled.

"Morning Harmione."

"Good Morning my love, we need to get Bryan ready."

Charlie leaned on me and wrapped his hands around my waist.

"I gave him a bath last night so he should be pretty clean, his other set of clothes are- ah!" I gasped.

I felt Charlie run his hand down my stomach and down the front of my shorts into my panties. He leaned closer to my ear.

"This is payback for yesterday." He whispered.

I trembled and felt my legs buckle. I held onto the sink countertop and groaned. It had been such a long time since we were like this around each other. It had been a while since I felt Charlie's fingers there. I didn't want being a good parent to make me fail as I wife so I suddenly shouted;

"Charlie!"

He removed his hand and I turned to face him.

"What's the matter?" He asked in a sweet breathless tone.

"You... You and me...right now..."

"Now?" He questioned. "You want me now?"

"I want you always Charlie..."

I swiftly kissed him. He held me against the bathroom wall as we kissed.

"But Bryan...we'll wake him up."

"Then be quiet about it..." I kissed him again.

I then pulled down my shorts and panties. As we kissed he contiued to stroke me there. When he could no longer handle my groans he pulled down his boxers. We as fast as we could made love to one another. And as if it never happened we got ready and went to breakfast with our friends and Bryan.