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Later that night, after the guys had warmed themselves up from their surprise dunking in the ice-cold lake, everyone was back around the campfire. As with the night before, all were wrapped in blankets and snuggled up close - everyone except Katie and Cody. Both of them looked so lonely it broke Shay and Frankie's heart.
"Hey, Mr and Mrs. Shaw..." Ty spoke up.
Both Frankie and Jake blinked and raised up. "What?" they said in unison.
Everyone bust out in laughter. That was so adorably cute it was funny.
"You two got your problems worked out and all? I mean, that was one heck of a showdown this afternoon when we got back from the lake."
"Yeah dude, Alex and I were rather worried about you two. You all cool and all man?"
Jake chuckled softly and kissed his wife's ear softly. Under the blanket, one hand had started massaging the soft swell of her lower belly. From what Frankie had told him, she wasn't far enough along to show physically, but it was an emotional thing.
Frankie smiled softly at their concern and slid her eyes closed. She felt his hand on her stomach. "Yeah, Christian, we're cool." she said softly.
Alex didn't miss the glow in her voice or the glow on Jake's cheeks. "Damn. You two make out like a pair of rabbits!" she laughed.
Everyone bust out laughing again. But when it calmed down, Frankie tilted her head up at Jake. Everyone watched them for a moment, Frankie leaning back against Jake, her head on his shoulder and his arms wrapped around her. There was something different.
"We weren't making out like bunnies." Jake said softly. "I was apologizing for being an ass... and Frankie was telling our child what kind of parents he or she are going to have."
"Child?!" Alex sat up straight.
Frank and Shay just smiled, snuggling closer together.
"Parents?!" Monica and Ty shouted at the same time.
"HOLY SHIT!" Cody burst out. All nine other pairs of eyes turned to him. Cody blushed to the roots of his hair and murmured an apology. "Congratulations you two!"
"Yes indeed, congratulations!" Katie said enthusiastically.
"How far along are you?" Monica asked.
"Doctor says I'm about a month along. I didn't know until the morning we left Chicago. That's what I've been keeping a secret for the last few days. Doc said I'll be fine as long as I take it slow, then I should be fine. That's why I didn't go kayaking on the lake with you this morning. With the pain I've been feeling in my chest and the potential danger, Shay and Frank kind of held my head in the toilet for a full swirly until I held off the practice."
"Wow... congratulations you two! I know you'll both make great parents." Christian said brightly.
Right about the time that everyone else was about to offer up their congratulations, another severe storm hit the Black Canyon and scattered the group to their respective tents for the evening. The lightening was sparse, but the rain fell steadily in large heavy droplets and the thunder was loud and constant.
--
Cody woke to the sound of a soft tortured cry. At first, he thought it was just an echo from the nearby woods, perhaps the cry from one of the wood creatures. But when the whimper came again, he realized it was coming from the tent next to him. It was Katie.
Unsure of what to do, he quietly pulled on his boots and wrapped himself in a blanket and hurried to her tent. He slipped inside quickly and tossed the wet blanket in the corner and removed his wet boots before approaching her. He knelt down beside her and could see she was still asleep and when another loud boom sounded from the heavens, she whimpered and rolled onto her side, facing him.
He found he could not stop himself from reaching out and gently brushing the hair from her forehead as he whispered softly to her that everything was going to be fine.
Katie heard the soft murmur in her sleep and quieted. She reached up and twined her fingers with those of the hand that comforted her during her sleep. Funny, no one ever comforted her during this nightmare. It was the same one she experienced every time there was a loud storm. That revelation drew her from her sleep and was startled to see the hand she held was real. "Co-Cody."
"I..I heard you cry out...I wanted to make sure you were okay," he explained nervously as she released her grip on his hand.
Katie sat up and drew the blanket up to her chest. "Thank you, I'm fine."
Cody nodded. That was his cue to go. He headed back toward the exit and reached for his boots.
"Caleb..."
He turned sharply to gaze at her through the darkness. "Who told you..."
"I asked Shay. Stay, Caleb..."
There was a softness to her voice, a huskiness he had not heard before. "I..." He was at a loss for words. Was this what he wanted? Was it really what she was asking? Or did she merely want someone to hold on to while she was frightened by the storm?
Katie tossed the blankets aside and moved to her knees. "Come here," she breathed and held out a hand to him.
He took her hand as he went to his knees in front of her. He brought her hand to his chest and held it there. "Kathryn..."
Katie brought her other hand to his cheek, then let it slide down to his shoulder and pulled him toward her. She brushed her lips to his gently in a questioning gesture.
Cody sighed happily before deepening the kiss, branding Katie as his own. He lowered her gently to the bedding as their hands explored each other and their bodies molded themselves together in perfect union. His last rational thought before his lips claimed hers again was that he owed Donovan for forcing him to come along on this "vacation".
************
Shay woke early to the continued drizzle of rain. Apparently the storm had not let up all night. She crawled to the tent flap and peeked outside. The skies were dreary and it did not look as if it was about to let up. She sighed loudly as she donned a pair of sweats, jacket and tugged on her boots.
Frank moaned lazily as he rolled on to his back and groped beside him blindly. "Get your ass back over here, Mrs. Donovan," he ordered playfully.
"Sorry BossMan...nature calls," she replied with a chuckle. Pulling the hood over her head, she stepped out of the tent and headed toward the facilities.
Almost on cue, each of the women exited their tents with the exception of Katie. Shay laughed to herself. Maybe it was true; there was some unwritten law of nature that prompted women to go to the ladies room in groups.
With the camp waking, even with the light drizzle, the men started to make their way out to join their wives or significant others. That was what caused the whole group to stop dead in their tracks; the sight of Katie, followed closely by Cody, exiting her tent.
Frank came up behind Shay and pulled her back into this embrace. "Now, would you look at that," he whispered.
"I'm looking," Shay replied with a grin and nudged Frankie who stood close by. "Check out Katie...she's blushing from head to toe."
Frankie nodded and laughed. "So is Cody."
"They make a cute couple," Jake added as he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and rubbed her lower belly protectively.
Katie glanced at the group who stood in the rain staring at her and Cody. "I can't believe you people," she said, shaking her head.
After everyone had taken care of their personal needs, Katie walked to the edge of the campground. She could hear the roar of the raging river below. Turning back to the group, her expression was a bit resigned. "I don't know how to tell you this, Mr. Donovan, but I don't think your group will be kayaking the white waters this trip. The Gunnison is too angry after these storms."
Frank's chuckle took Shay by surprise. She knew he was looking forward to the trek. He further surprised her when he swooped her up into his arms and headed back to their tent. "That's quite all right, Katie. I've had plenty of rides this vacation," he said as he disappeared into the tent with a giggling Shay holding tight; heading for yet another ride.
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Still wondering what the ladies did with those screen caps? Watch for the Epilogue. ~g~ and thanks for reading! A special thanks to those who reviewed or let us know by email how you enjoyed the story! We enjoyed telling this little tale and your acknowledgement made it worthwhile! --Shel