Author's Note: Ok, here's Chapter 10. It's been a while since I've written anything, so I'm kinda just getting back to my characters.
July 29, 2004
Author's Note: August 7, 2004 I don't know what Cameron's last name is because I didn't hear it in the episode "Fireworks" and I couldn't find any information on web sites, though I didn't look extensively. I will come back and re-post this chapter if I find out what it is. Here it is, hope you enjoy.
Author's Note: August 16, 2004 - I meant to revise this sooner, but I hadn't gotten a chance. Just after I posted this chapter, Cameron's last name was seen on the caller ID in "Yummy Mummy" when he calls Nikki back. So, he's Cameron Bale. I'm pretty sure that's about all I'll change, but I might do some other stuff—mostly grammatical.
Disclaimer: I do not own Summerland, nor do I own any related characters or places.
Your Beautiful Soul
Chapter 10
The light and easy sound of soft Caribbean steel drums floated from the small stereo in the corner near the house. Red, white, and blue rope lights ran along the edge of the house and up and down practically everything else. Dusk had just barely started to sink in and already, fireworks were starting to pop and crackle in the distance. The barbecue had produced wonderful and delicious hamburgers and hot dogs as a main course with baked beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, and two kinds of salad: fruit and vegetable, as side dishes.
The six adults—the four roommates, Erika, and Cameron's father, Kyle Bale—were playing Boggle at the main table; Cam and Nikki were laughing over something again by the hot tub; and Derrick and Maggie were in yet another rematch of Battleship. As Bradin returned to the bench with a third helping of ice cream, Derrick had just sunk Maggie's submarine.
"You're not doing so well, again." Bradin leaned lightly on Maggie's right shoulder.
"Just wait. It's all about strategy, my friend, Watson—strategy." She smiled mischievously. "G-5."
"Hit," Derrick said, then admitted sadly, "Sunk."
The game lasted only a few minutes more, and Maggie sunk Derrick's last boat.
"Good game." They shook hands.
About an hour later, everything was cleared from the tables and everyone was congregated on the patio.
"Is everyone ready to go watch the fireworks?" Susannah asked. Her question was answered with several calls of 'totally' and 'yeah'.
At last, they were on their way to the Bale house. The youngest three kids led the way and Bradin and Maggie brought up the rear, several yards behind the adults.
"Can you believe the Lakers let him go?" Johnny's words floated back to the two teens.
As they approached their destination, they watched as Cameron, Nikki, Derrick, and the women set up folding lawn chairs they'd brought and some that Cameron produced from the porch. Kyle and Jay brought out coolers and set them next to the chairs.
Kyle opened the smaller cooler and pulled out beers for the legals present, then said, "You kids help yourselves to the sodas in the other cooler."
Bradin walked over and grabbed two birch beers. He took a seat next to Maggie in the chairs they'd pulled off to the side and handed a bottle to her.
"Thanks, Bradin," she smiled.
The forty-five minute fireworks display popped and cracked loudly from the pier to the south and faint patriotic melodies wafted over the sand to the viewers on the beach. The finale sparkled constantly for a good ten minutes, the bright colors dancing across the ocean in liquid reflection. Before the last stray spot of light faded from the sky, the residents of the next house over lit a Roman Candle down by the water's edge. For another hour and a half, they sat watching the private shows put on by the beach's residents.
It was almost midnight when Ava stood. "I think we should be getting back now, especially if you guys are going to sleep out on the beach tonight." Just about everyone made a comment of some sort, complaining about having to end things 'so soon'.
After folding up all the chairs and carrying the coolers inside, the crew—minus Cameron's dad—finally departed and started back toward the house. Jay and Erika disappeared after bidding everyone a good night. Twenty minutes later, two blankets were spread out on the sand with five sleeping bags and the four teens and Derrick all sat out looking up at the stars. Maggie pointed out several different constallations and told a few of the legends that went along with them. At last, Ava came out to tell them to get into their sleeping bags and go to sleep.
"Hey, Bradin, can you help me with something in the kitchen for a minute?" Ava asked quietly after tucking Derrick in between Nikki and Cameron.
Maggie lay out on top of her sleeping bag, quietly listening to the waves. Her keen ears could hear Ava and Bradin's soft muffled voices from inside the house, though she was unable to decipher any of the words. Yawning, she turned onto her side and closed her eyes, allowing her mind to wander off to the night in the cave. The closeness of the only boy she'd ever cared about so deeply; the softness of his touch; the warmth from his body; the passion in his kiss. She melted back to the first kiss they'd shared, still feeling the gentle touch of his lips upon her own.
She woke with a small start at the sensation of a blanket being draped over her.
"It's okay." Bradin's voice was soft. "It's just me, go back to sleep."
She rolled over onto her back and caught his wrist lightly as he stood. "Stay?"
He discreetly glanced over his shoulder at where the other three slept, then nodded and slid under the blanket next to her, extending his arm over her stomach and moving closer to her.
"Mind me asking what that was all about?" Maggie asked, referring to the conversation with his aunt.
"Oh, Aunt Ava was just reminding me that I was the oldest and needed to be responsible for all of us out here tonight," he responded, resting his head on his right arm and looking at her.
There was silence.
"Bradin? Can I tell you something?"
"Yeah, of course you can," he whispered back.
"Bradin, I've never really been in this kind of relationship before," Maggie confessed.
He ran his fingertips along her off side, and he kissed her shoulder. "Mm hmm."
"I've never been with a guy before you, either," she turned her head to look at him. "Is that weird?"
"Not really." Bradin pulled her even closer to him and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks from the unexpected feelings provoked by the movement.
There was silence. Bradin sighed deeply and shifted his position. Maggie stared up at the dark sky. "Bradin?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it too early to…never mind."
"Is it too early to what?" His brows furrowing in question.
"Is it too early for me to…" she paused, biting her lower lip uncertainly. "To be falling in love with you?" She heard him hold his breath as he hesitated and she mentally kicked herself for opening her mouth.
"No," Bradin said quietly into her ear, resting his chin on her shoulder. "No, it's not."
Relief flooded through her and she allowed herself to relax completely. She felt safe next to him, as though nothing could happen while she was in his arms. Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds that surrounded them: the gentle, soothing, never-ending rhythm of the ocean tide, the normal nighttime insects chirping away, and somewhere down the beach, the sound of music and laughter.
A new sound came to her ears and brought a smile to her lips; it was the soft even rhythm of sleep that accompanied Bradin's even breath against her neck. Maggie lightly stroked his arm with her fingertips.
"I love you, Bradin Westerly," she whispered, then allowed herself to slip away, filled with warm and happy thoughts.