~Audrey's POV~

The camping trip was nothing short of incredible! Hunter worked all week from Monday to Saturday, then on Sunday we loaded up his truck with the tent, grill, camping chairs, tarps, side tables for chairs, dry foods, and clothes while we kept one set for ourselves out to change into Monday morning. After we were showered and dressed, we grabbed all the cold foods and drinks to pack them into the four coolers we had with ice and got them into Hunter's truck. We used the backseats to hold the air mattress, pump, radio, extension cords, pillows, and blankets. By 10:30 am, we were ready to leave and told everyone we'd see them throughout the week, then we were off to Thor's Edge or at least the campground side of it across the lake from the picnic area where we'd been the day Hunter said he was going to AJROTC for the summer.

When we arrived and got checked in, then reached our spot, I fell in love with where Hunter got us for the week. A big spot with a fire ring, picnic table, some rocks, and a path leading down to the river. The first thing we did was set up the canopy tent over the picnic table then add the netting around it to keep out the bugs. Hunter and I unloaded the grill and chairs next, then the side tables. After all that was arranged to our liking, we set up the tarps just in case it rained. Finally, we put up our tent; it was a big four sleeper one and the perfect size for us. Hunter positioned it so we could wake up watching the sunrise but still have the entrance to the tent able to face the fire and truck. Hunter took the liberty of pumping up the air mattress then I made the bed with sheets, blankets, and pillows.

We put our luggage in the tent along with a small, square folding table on either side of the bed for the battery operated lanterns. The coolers were stashed in the canopy tent under a big folding table, along with the metal bucket filled with dry foods. On the folding table was the cooking and eating utensils we would use. Around 12:30 pm, we'd finished setting up of our site and then decided to get something to eat for lunch. When that was done, we used the truck to bring back two wheel barrels full of wood. Hunter's inventing habits kicked in as he found a way to keep it between two trees on a tarp and covered by one but still easy access and near the fire ring. Safe to say that by 1:45 pm, we were ready to sit back and enjoy our week together.

We spent Monday relaxing and looking at some of the events going on through the week to see if we'd join any of them. There was bingo nights, luau's, and more. Tuesday was a pool and beach day since we could swim in the lake just like on the picnic side of Thor's Edge. Wednesday we did some of the activities around camp like the airsoft war, crafts, horseback riding, etc. Thursday was a day where Hunter's family and mine came up in the late afternoon until dinner, then enjoyed the fire with us. Friday our friends and Caitlyn came through to hang out, this also included Treyden, Andrew, and Theo too. Saturday was a day just for us, relaxing down by the river and talking about whatever came to mind. Finally, Sunday came, and we spent all morning from 10 am to 2 pm packing up and leaving for 3 am when checkout was.

Most nights during the trip, Hunter and me were having sex. There was one time we did it just as our friends showed up because we'd forgotten they were coming since they were late so we figured why not get a quickie in. Sorely mistaken when we heard two cars pull up and doors shut, then voices asking where we were. What sucked was that Hunter and I were in the middle of doing things slowly, we told them to give us a few minutes than Hunter, and I got each other off through foreplay. Boy was it awkward coming out of the tent and seeing them staring at us, we told them to leave it alone, and if they hadn't wanted to hear anything, then they should have been on time and not let us entertain ourselves when we got bored. Later that night Hunter and I went all out with the screwing after our friends left.

We returned home Sunday afternoon, unpacked the main stuff then Hunter returned me to my house so I could grab a shower and unpack my clothes. Since my parents weren't home, he stayed over until 7 pm, and we had sex again. I swear that week alone we beat our record of most sex had in a single week. Most of the time, we only did it once or twice since Hunter was usually tired after work and used his Sundays to recuperate from the long week. With him not working while we camped, there were no boundaries to hold us back. It was now August 18th, 2018 and I would be starting my final year of High School a week from this coming Monday, today was Saturday.

Hunter told me he had a day planned out just for us since, in the following week, he would be busy with work, and I will be stuck school shopping with my mother. Apparently, I needed a new wardrobe that was befitting of an adult ready to take on the world with a job and starting to get my life together. I dreaded it, but I could do with some new clothes and shoes, such was life. I would still get to see Hunter during the week though. He was working 4:30 am to 6:30 pm, the hours weren't great, but we came to find out that it was due to his promotion of First Lieutenant because now, Hunter was working out of Fort Draco with bigger jobs and training new recruits too.

All that meant was Hunter had to leave his house by 3:45 am to get to the base, park, clock in, then prepare for the day. Upon leaving work, Hunter clocked out at 6:30 pm, got to his car ten minutes later, then the forty-five-minute drive home. It was past 7 pm by the time he got there and was always exhausted too. I felt bad for him, he worked so hard, and it was unbelievable to see his accomplishments in only two years. Hunter joined June 2016; now it was August 2018, he's been a member of the Army for twenty-six months. It was surreal to process sometimes, but Hunter earned everything he has, and a lot of us felt like we had been wrong to doubt his ability to survive in the military.

Viola still hated it, but she kept her comments to herself. Salvatore was only proud of everything, Caitlyn was iffy still. Our friends and Shane didn't care as long as Hunter was happy. Eddie and Drew could care less; they only came around so much because I felt like they were jealous. I couldn't wait for this event Hunter had planned for us, it's been nagging at me since he mentioned it last night. I guess we were starting at 11:30 am, right now it was only 8 am so three hours to go. I was showered and ready while sitting on the couch messaging him, he said he had to go for a bit and would see me soon. In the silence, my mind began to wander. I often thought about November 2017, when I had that abortion and no one even knew I was pregnant to start with.

I felt awful about it and still do. I had no right to go through with that procedure without consulting with Hunter first. The baby I carried was mine, and his and I only got pregnant because I lied about being on birth control. Hunter would never forgive me if he found out, no one would for that matter. What made it worse was Hunter calling when I got home from the clinic. Hunter saying that all our friends noticed my odd behavior, that Heather thought I was pregnant and if it had been just three or so hours before; I could have told Hunter I was and never did the procedure because Hunter admitted that he would have been overjoyed to find out he was going to be a father.

I hated myself for what I did, and there were still times when I would breakdown and cry over it. If I didn't have the abortion, we'd have our baby. Hunter and I would be married, living together probably but I fucked all that up by making a selfish decision regarding myself. I had the abortion because I was scared Hunter would leave me, afraid that he might die or not want the child. Terrified of having to raise the baby alone while still in High School, that I wouldn't get to go to college because I'd need to work to take care of my baby. Gods, I was a horrible person because Hunter would have made sure I was taken care of in the event he did die, and his family would have been around too.

I should never have thought those things and made the decision out of fear. Now I couldn't take it back and had to keep living with the guilt of my choice. I honestly didn't deserve to be with Hunter; I'd lied to him, twice and still keeping secrets about everything. I didn't have the guts to tell him the truth because I know he'd be upset, angry, and break up with me in a heartbeat. The saddest part, I wouldn't blame him one bit. It would hurt, and I'd probably beg and plead his forgiveness for another chance but what I did was unforgivable. I knew Hunter; he would likely forgive me but never forget, and it would keep us from being together because he would know he couldn't trust me anymore. I know this made me selfish, to continue lying and hiding things from him but I was afraid to lose him.

I love Hunter with everything I am and I knew the truth was safe because no one knew I was ever pregnant or that I had the abortion. It would be okay, Hunter and I could have another baby and the previous pregnancy would never come out because there would never be a need to question things, I made sure not to leave a trail. I changed doctors so there was no record of me ever being pregnant and it wouldn't be brought up next time I went and got asked if this was my second pregnancy. I destroyed the sonograms, appointments, discharge papers, everything from the clinic. There was nothing to ever say I was pregnant except myself and I'd never tell.

(4:45 pm)

~Hunter's POV~

I was so friggen behind in picking up Audrey because I misplaced my keys and wallet. Found them under them in my clothes that almost went through the laundry. I texted her ahead of time to warn her I couldn't find my stuff and then let her know I was on my way to grab her at 12:30 pm so we could start our day. It would kick off with lunch at Gregory's place, then mini golfing, finally, something I couldn't wait for; skydiving. I remembered Audrey mentioning the night of my promotion she wanted to try it after seeing me and the guys jump out of a plane so I arranged for that to happen. When all that was over, we were going for a walk in the park together and then we'd likely end the night with dinner and making love.

There was no way we wouldn't end the night like that because this evening over dinner; I was going to ask Audrey to marry me. Yes, it was time to ask her. I always said I would propose to her when I was eighteen, and now that she and I both were, I wasn't going to wait any longer. I would ask for her hand tonight; then we'd plan the wedding for after she graduated, then we could enjoy that life and honeymoon before Audrey started college. Hopefully, after that, we could live together while she did her studies and had a family. That's all I wanted anymore; I had a good job, great family, and friends. Now I wanted this woman beside me as my wife forever while we raised our own family. I couldn't wait.

Even though we got a late start, we got to do everything I planned. Now, we were enjoying a pleasant walk through the park and talking about whatever. I had the ring in my pocket on the opposite side she was on so Audrey wouldn't accidentally run into it by accident.

"So where are we going for dinner, baby?" Audrey asked me with a broad smile as we were holding hands while making our way down the path.

"Oh, just a beautiful little spot called Berkian Fine Food & Drink," I stated as she stopped quick and looked at me with wide eyes and a bigger smile than before.

"Oh, my Gods?! You got a reservation for that place?! It's next to impossible, how did you manage?!" Audrey exclaimed as I chuckled.

"I know a guy, but yes, I got us in for 6:00 pm. I figure we can circle back and get to the truck, relax at your place for a bit then be on our way to dinner," I told her as she squealed with excitement and jumped up and down while I laughed a little.

"You're the best boyfriend ever!" Audrey giggled, and we shared a kiss. Gods, I loved this woman. After the kiss, we turned around to return to the truck; it wouldn't take us long to reach the restaurant at all so why not enjoy some alone time. I honestly just thought of proposing at her house, then we could celebrate the engagement over a romantic dinner for two and tell everyone else afterward. Tonight was going to be perfect. Fifteen minutes later, we were nearing my truck to leave.

"Audrey! Hey, it's been so long since we've seen one another!" called a voice I didn't recognize. Audrey and I turned to see a young woman hurrying over towards us, so we waited. I figured this must be someone Audrey knows and it's not like we were missing anything right now.

"Uh. Hi, Peyton. Yeah, it has been. How are you?" Audrey asked as this girl hugged Audrey and I found myself getting confused about how these two knew one another.

"I'm great. My guy and I got back together, happier than before. How have things been for you? Got a new guy I see, what happened to Hunter?" Peyton mentioned as I blinked a few times and Audrey's eyes widened before she quickly shook her head side to side.

"Oh! No, no. This is Hunter, he just looked different with the haircut and not in his uniform as you saw him that day at school when he finished his training," Audrey said quickly.

"Ah, I see the auburn hair and green eyes now. Sorry, Hunter. I only caught a glimpse of you that day," Peyton giggled gently.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't know who you are?" I stated.

"I'm Peyton; I was a class above yours. Well, it would be Audrey's since you left and joined the army," Peyton introduced.

"So you and Kyle got back together after the whole...situation?" Audrey asked her.

"Yeah. Right after it was over with he called and asked if I was okay, he came over to comfort me, and it took a few weeks, but we decided to be together again," Peyton explained.

"That's wonderful, and I'm glad you two worked things out. Where is he now?" Audrey smiled.

"He's going to meet me here in ten minutes, he said he had trouble finding his keys," Peyton chuckled a little and Audrey did the same.

"Hunter here did the same thing this morning," Audrey stated as I rolled my eyes.

"How have things been for you two now that he's back from deployment? Oh, and welcome home, Hunter," Peyton said.

"Thanks," I replied calmly.

"We're doing great. It was not an easy time with him gone, and I hope he doesn't have to go back anytime soon," Audrey said while hanging on my arm.

"I can imagine with all you had going on at the time we saw one another in the office that day," Peyton nodded agreeing. Something about that sentence caught my attention; what office was Peyton talking about and what did Audrey have going on that was hard without me around? "Well, it's definitely past the date, so I take it you went with one of the other options?" she added. Okay, what the hell was going on that I didn't know about!? Had something happened to Audrey that she wasn't telling me? I saw Audrey give Peyton a nod silently and I couldn't help but notice the nervous, saddened look in her eyes.

"Babe? What's going on?" I asked her.

"I had mild stomach pains and light bleeding for two days; the symptoms faded off by day four. It was hard to do, but I didn't have another choice. I wasn't ready for all that," Peyton sighed some. "You look good for someone who gave birth about two months ago. Was it hard for you both to let the baby go after it was born? Was it a boy or girl?"

At that moment, my eyes widened in disbelief of what I was hearing. This Peyton girl was saying that Audrey was pregnant and had given birth back in June? I-I was home at the start of May, and I would have noticed if Audrey was eight months pregnant. "I think you might have the wrong person. Audrey wasn't pregnant two months ago. I got home in May, and she was as skinny as she is now," I said to Peyton.

"Oh, I see. You went with the abortion like I did," When the girl said that, I felt Audrey flinch since I was still holding her hand. I froze and slowly faced Audrey who looked like she was about to cry. Peyton seemed to stop now as she looked at me and Audrey who looked to be nervous still, biting her bottom lip and not staring at me. I suddenly had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Oh my Gods," Peyton covered her mouth quickly and stepped back once, "you...didn't tell him?" she added on.

What...wasn't Audrey telling me? I let go of Audrey's hand, not in anger but it just slipped away. I was shocked, confused, and didn't understand what was going on. Of all the things I expected to hear that could have happened, I didn't expect this to be it.