Clear Blue Sky Ch. 12
Evie woke up bright and early, looking over at Donovan who was passed out on the bed, she smiled, and carefully got up and ready for the morning. Looking around her old room, she smiled that her parents kept it the same, except the bed, that was new. Grateful that her parents bought a queen bed instead of leaving her twin. Snickering at the thought of Rocker trying to sleep on something so small.
Heading for the bathroom, she did her business, and washed her hands. Padding quietly into the room, she dressed for the day, and let him sleep in, knowing that it was rare for him to sleep past 6am.
Making her way downstairs she found her mother in the kitchen, "Mornin' mama." she greeted her.
Looking up from her cinnamon buns she was making, "Morning cricket. You sleep well on the new bed?" she asked.
Giving her a kiss, she started helping her with the dough and getting them ready to be popped in the oven. "Yes mama, thank you for doing that. I don't think he would have fit on my other bed even by himself." Trying not to laugh at the thought of his big ass taking over her bed.
Putting the tray in the oven, she looked at her daughter, "I figured as much. Surprising your father didn't have too many issues with it." Turning attention back to the grits that she just started, she gave her daughter a look, "You're being safe, right cricket?" she asked. Not that she would be upset with another granbaby, but she hoped that Evelyn would be married first.
Blushing at her mother's question, but she understood, as understanding as they have been with her being a bit different from the rest of them, an unplanned pregnancy without at least being engaged would upset them greatly. "Of course, mama." Lifting her arm she pointed, "Right here mama is implant that is birth control, last about 5 years, I got it when I first moved to L.A, so I'm good for a while mama. No surprises."
Pulling out some sausage patties, and eggs, "5 years cricket! Is that how long it's going to take you to marry that man?!" she asked, worried that he wasn't taking her baby girl seriously.
Shocked by how defensive her mama got, "Relax mama, I can take it out anytime I want to. And I don't know what his plans are, but it a little too soon to start planning a wedding, we've only been together about 3 ½ months." Starting to crack some eggs for her, giving her a big smile.
"OK, your right cricket, just. After Tommy, I want you happy." She watched as her daughter mixed up the eggs and spices to make the family scrambled eggs. "Do you want to marry him?" she asked.
Stopping in mid stir, she looked up and had a blank look on her face, it took a second for her brain and mouth to catch up, "Yes. I really do. He makes me happy, listens to me, excepts my nerdiness." Looking at her mama, "I just hope that he see's the same future for us."
Rocker woke up to the smell of food being cooked, slowly sitting up, he checked the room and found that she was gone, it didn't surprise him, but he felt rude for sleeping in. Looking at the clock next to the bed, it was 6:45am. Heading to the bathroom, he washed his face, and used the toilet. He made his way back into the bedroom and dressed for the day, once he had his boots on, he made his way down the stairs, as he was about to hit the last step, he heard what Evie said. She wanted to marry him. Keeping himself still for a moment, he didn't want to walk around the corner with a goofy grin on his face. It took him a second to get centered, but once he felt that he was able to keep his face in check, he turned the corner. "Good morning, ladies, I apologize for sleeping in."
Looking up from preparing breakfast, Evie smiled at him, "Don't worry about it, you never sleep in, figured you'd enjoy it."
Christina watched how her daughter lit up when he walked into the room, turning her eyes towards the young man making his way to them, she could see that he felt the same about her little cricket, it pleased her to no end. "Cricket's right sweetie. Breakfast is almost done." Pulling out the cinnamon buns, she spoke to Evie, "Your sister should be here soon with the baby. She's not getting a lot of sleep, so she might be testy. I'm gonna get you daddy." Walking past Donovan, she gave him his shoulder a squeeze.
Grabbing plates, she put them on the counter, as she pulled out some silverware, she found him setting the table for her. "Thanks baby."
Leaning over he kissed her, "Of course." Finishing up setting the table, he helped her get everything on the table. Just as they finished, he could see her parents coming in, and the front door opening. Looking towards the noise he found Mandy coming in holding a little baby. "Congrats on the baby, it's good to see you again." He said to her.
Evie smiled and walked towards her sister, she could see that she had bags under her eyes, and he was being fussy, "Hey twister, let me hold my nephew. Please." Gently grabbing him.
Mandy looked at Donovan, then back at her sister, she smiled glad to see that Evie got her head out of her ass. Looking at him, "Thank you so much. Nice to see you too." Turning to her sister, "Missed you cricket." In mere moments she watched her sister put the baby on his stomach on her forearm, lightly patting his back, and he let out a loud little fart, and instantly stopped crying. "Every single time. Baby whisperer." She teased.
Sitting down at the table, they all ate, while Evie never let go of little Danny. They talked about everything, and laughed, but as they finished up, Evie turned to her sister, "Leave the diaper bag, and go upstairs and sleep, I got him."
Donovan watched as Evie took over the care of the baby. He'd stick around if she needed help.
Mandy had tears in her eyes, "You're the best." Kissing his head, she bolted towards the shower and her old room. She really did need a little sleep.
James watched his youngest hold the baby, "Evie, you really are a baby whisperer." Remember how since as far back as he could remember, she had a way with babies and kids.
Blushing, at his words, she looked over at Rocker, seeing his eyes watch her. "What can I say. It's a gift." Soon he started fussing, looking down at him, "Hungry little dude, OK," not even realizing that Rocker was still watching, she reached into the diaper bag and grabbed the bottle, putting it in the warm water her mother was starting to warm up. Laying him on the counter, she quickly changed his wet diaper, and by the time she was done, the bottle was ready. "Let's go to the sunroom my little man."
Donovan watched as she just left the room, looking at her parents wondering what he should do. It was her father that cleared that up.
"Evie really loves kids, she'll be fine, how about you and I head out to the barn, if you're up for a little work." He said.
Looking at him with a smirk, he figured he would be tested through this trip, nodding he stood, and walked out with him.
Gently rocking the baby as he fed, Evie looked down at him, he had his father's dirty blonde hair, but he had Mandy's eyes. Deep chocolate brown. Smiling at him suckle. She knew that she would definitely want a child or two of her own. It made her wonder if Donovan even wanted kids. She knew that was something they would have figure out sooner rather than later, as much as she loved him, she wouldn't have a future without kids.
He worked hard, lifting, tossing the hay bales, it was a great workout, and he was glad that he was as active as he was from SWAT, because if he couldn't keep up with her dad, he knew that the man may have looked down on him.
It took another 2 hours of work, but it was done. Turning to James, "How often do you have to do this?" he asked, being unsure of how a working farm actually works.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the cooler, he tossed one to Donovan. "This is usually done 2x a year." Taking a sip, "Thanks for the help." Looking out over the property, he let the sight relax him, but he wanted to get to know him. "What of your family?"
Drinking the water, "Not much to tell, parents are both alive, divorced, mom lives in San Diego area, dad still lives in L.A, we're not close, he drinks a little too much, doesn't want to stop. I still call him every now and then, see him on his birthday, but that's about it." He watched the horses in the field run and play, "Definitely not as close as you and your family. I envy it." He always wanted a family like that.
He could see that he was telling the truth about that. "We are close, if you were going to be here longer, I'd introduce you to the whole family, but I know Evie wanted sometime with us, and the baby."
He could only nod, "Well hopefully next time, right?"
James turned to him, "Right. What about kids, you want them?" he asked.
"Yes, I did, Val didn't, at the time it was one of the biggest things we argued over, but I guess in hindsight it was a good thing she didn't." Looking at him, "That is something that I need to talk to Evie about, as much as I love her, I want kids."
James knew that Evie did too, but that wasn't his place, that was something for the both of them to discuss. "It's good to find out before it gets any further, for sure." Looking at the young man, he seemed to be a good man, and he respected the hell out of his baby girl. He knew that he was going to give his blessings but was going to keep that to himself for a bit longer, he needs to sweat a bit. It'd be good for him.
Evie felt someone standing over her, looking up, she found Mandy looking well rested, "Feel better?" she asked her.
Sitting down next to her sister, smiling at the sight of a sleeping baby, "You have no idea." Leaning back, "So, what was that forearm thing?"
"Research shows it helps get all the gas out, I just gave it shot, also, swaddling can help, newborns really like the feeling of being wrapped up." But she could see that she wanted to ask other questions, "Go ahead, but you get only 3." She said smiling at her.
Grinning like a cat that just caught a mouse, "Deal. 1. Is he amazing in bed? 2. Is he big? and 3. Can you keep up?"
Snorting at her, Evie looked around making sure mama wasn't around, finding her outside with the chickens, "1. OMG yes, the man has skills and stamina. 2. Huge. Like painfully huge, but worth it. 3. I do my best to keep up, but there are times, he's so rough, in a good way, all I can do is just take it."
Biting her lip from screaming, she didn't want to wake Danny. "I'm so happy for you! So, he's your Dan?" Speaking of her husband, who was all those things for her.
Nodding, "Yes, I guess he is."
Looking down at the baby, then back at her sister, "I need a favor cricket, Dan is doing some Army reserves thing for the next 2 weeks," picking at her shoelace, "Can you head up the mountain tomorrow and get me a deer or two for the season?"
Leaning over, nudging her shoulder, "Of course I will. You know that." Thinking that Donovan may want to join her, she made a mental note to ask him.
Patting her shoulder, "I appreciate it, I would, but I'm not sure I could be that far from him yet." She said looking at her baby who was now waking up. As he started to fuss, she picked him up and quickly changed him and started to feed him.
Evie snorted, while breast feeding was a beautiful thing for mother and child, it was strange to see that her big sister was doing it. "It's amazing but so weird to see you with a kid." Giving her sister a little privacy, but as she walked out of the sunroom, "You're doing great Mandy. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Cricket."
Sitting around the table, Evie looked at her parents and back at Rocker, "Did you have fun working with daddy?" She asked, knowing that her father was going to use his back as much as he could.
Putting his fork down, "Yea, it's a lot of work out here, but I see why you guys love it. There's a reward to it." He said honestly.
James laughed, "Yea, it's not for the weak, but you did great for a city boy." He said.
Nodding at him. "Thank you sir."
Evie looked at her daddy, giving him a smile, she knew he liked him, which was a relief, she really didn't want to have to worry about it. Looking up from her plate, "Oh, daddy, I'm heading up the mountain tomorrow, can I take out the Cat?" she asked him.
Donovan looked down at her, "What's up the mountain baby?" he asked.
Looking over at him, "Deer. Mandy asked me to get her a deer or two for her and Dan since he's away with the reserves for the next two weeks, I was going to ask you after I got the OK from daddy about the cat." Turning to her daddy, "So, can I take the cat?"
Looking at his wife, she gave him a smile, "Of course baby girl. Just be careful yeah." Rubbing his goatee, he looked over at Donovan, "You ever been hunting?" he asked out of curiosity.
Shaking his head, "No sir." Looking down at his love, "But I'm more than willing to go and learn from an expert." He tucked a stray hair out of her face.
Evie couldn't keep the blush off her face. "Thank you."
James and his wife shared a look, "OK, well listen to her, she's probably spent more time on that mountain then anyone I know." Standing from the table, he went to his cabinet where he kept his rifle and his bullets, bringing it over to Donovan, "Here, Cricket has several, but they were custom made for her smaller stature, this is more fitting for you."
Christina smiled, the only other person he let touch his gun was Cricket, giving her husband a knowing look, "That's a good gun, provided for this family for a long time." Standing up she started clearing the table, she saw Cricket getting up and helping her, looking at the men talk about guns. Putting the leftovers in the fridge, she turned to her daughter, "That's a good sign," indicating towards her husband.
Evie followed her mom's line of sight, "I know. He must either like him or at least trust him because he's a SWAT officer. Either way, it makes it less stressful." Putting the dishes in the washer, "Mama, do you think he could borrow some of daddy's clothes for the hunt, I don't think he planned to go hunting."
Kissing her head, "Of course baby. Go get your gear together, and clean that gun of yours and make sure it's good enough to take up there."
Nodding "Yes mama." Heading towards the gun case she pulled out her Winchester Model 70. Grabbing her ammo kit, she sat down at the table and started to take it apart and clean it out, all while her father was explaining his gun's little quirks. Looking up she found Rocker smiling at her, "What?" she asked.
Shaking his head, "It's purple." Eyeing the gun in her hands, "It's adorable." Taking the gun from her father, he broke it down and started the process of cleaning it, to familiarize himself with it.
Shrugging her shoulders, she put the firing pin back in, and cleared the barrel, and it was ready for tomorrow, loading it with her bullets, and stacking the bullets on the handle, she smiled at him, "Well what can I say, I'm a lady but I like to hunt."
Before he could banter with her, he could see Christina coming with a few items in her hands, "Here baby, these are Jimmy's clothes for hunting, didn't know if you brought anything that would be good up there."
Taking the jeans, shirt, and hat, "Thank you Christina," looking over at James, "Thank you sir."
"Oh, you're welcome suga." Kissing his head. "OK, you two finished up packing the gear up, I'll have some take with you breakfast so you don't have to be hungry up there."
Rocker watched as her parents headed off towards the living area, his eyes found Evie, "What else needs to be done?" he asked her.
Smiling, "Bring the gun, and follow me." Bringing her gun, she placed it on the side door that they would be leaving in the morning, gently taking her daddy's gun, she placed on the hook next to hers, "Makes it easier to grab and go." She said to him as she opened the door. Turning around she opened the closet, she pulled out her backpack that she used to go out. Putting it on the table, she opened it, going through it, first aid kit, check, empty toilet paper rolls with lint, check, Flint starter, check, and finally a tarp and string, check. She could feel him staring at her, he was holding the toilet paper roll with lint.
"What is this for?" he asked generally curious.
Since she had at least a dozen, she figured she could spare 1. Taking it from his hand, she placed it in the sink and used the flint and it immediately caught fire. "Sometimes the wood up there is too wet to start a fire, so these helps get it started for you if you need one." Turning on the water. She made sure it was smothered. "Come one, need to check the cat, make sure it's ready to go up, then we can have a little adult time, then bed." Giving him a quick kiss.
Smiling at her as she made her way outside. He knew that she was a little different than anyone he ever met, but seeing her in this environment, just made him love her more. She was small, soft, and very much a lady, but she was also, fierce, skilled, willing to get dirty for family. And she was his.