Chapter 2 of 2 … Don't miss Ch 51!

Sorry this was a bit slow. Sometimes things flow quickly onto 'paper' and other times they don't. I couldn't post the last chapter without this one. If I post too many more cliff hangers, no one will read anymore ;)

Thanks for your positive reviews as always!

* STEAM ALERT *

(14/10/2018)

CHAPTER 52

Continued …

Elizabeth's attention was drawn by Jack's panicked voice and she saw him running into the water yelling Eve's name. She froze momentarily at the tone of his voice before she too was running.

Jack looked into the water around the inflatable but he couldn't see her. It wasn't clear water but he should be able to see something. Then he saw the glimpse of a foot kicking on the surface leading underneath the inflatable. He quickly grabbed it and pulled her out.

Eve gasped for air before she spluttered and began crying. Jack held her tight to his chest. She cried his name.

"It's okay, baby. I've got you."

Elizabeth was running down the bank frantic. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah. She's fine. It just scared her."

Jack handed her to Elizabeth and kept his hand on Eve's back.

"You're okay, baby. Take some big breaths."

Her crying changed to sobbing. Elizabeth rocked her backwards and forwards trying to calm her down.

Shane had brought the other four kids out of the water and was getting them to stay in the shallows, the inflatable had been brought up on the bank. Halley and Gracie were playing uncertainly, watching their parents and Eve.

Halley came and tugged on Jack's hand. "Is she okay, Daddy?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She just gave us all a scare, didn't she?"

"Yes."

Jack was quiet for rest of the afternoon. He took Eve back off Elizabeth and walked up toward the campsite with her. He sat down in one of the camping chairs and Eve curled up on his chest with a towel over her shoulders. She ended up falling asleep so Jack carried her to the tent, covered her with a blanket and lay down beside her.

Elizabeth came into check on them and pulled him away. Outside the tent, Jack wrapped his arms around her.

"That was so close, Beth. We could have lost her."

"I know, but she's fine."

"I took my eye off them for a split second."

"Jack, it was an accident. You can't let this affect the rest of the weekend. Grace and Halley are really upset by it too. Can you try and cheer up for them? Please?"

"Yes."

She kissed his cheek. "Go on. I will watch over Eve."

Jack went and found Halley and Gracie. "What are you two doing?"

"Nothing" they said sadly.

"How about we have a game of hide and seek?"

"You'll play with us?"

"Of course."

"Okay!"

Jack told them the rules so that they wouldn't go too far and then Jack started counting. Sophie and Candice joined in and before long Shane, Katy and Phillip were hiding as well. They were in the midst of the game when Eve emerged from the tent and excitedly ran away to hide. Jack watched as she darted around after her sisters, her little legs trying to keep up with them, and he smiled.

After their game had finished, Jack and Shane made hot dogs for everyone and they sat around the fire singing songs and laughing into the night.

By the time Jack crawled into bed, he was more tired from laughing than anything. Elizabeth joined him moments later, propping her head up on her elbow beside him.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

"It's been a good trip, hey."

"Yes, except for that one incident."

Elizabeth hovered over him. "Forget about that" she said as she leant in to kiss him. His hands ran through her hair gently.

"Are you trying to make me forget?"

"Something like that" she said, barely letting him speak. He kissed her back, pushing her onto her back before coming over her. His hand ran up her side under her t-shirt.

"I want you" he said into her ear.

"Tomorrow" she whispered.

He knew she was right but he teased her anyway.

"Now" he said as his hands slid over her skin.

His mouth ran down her neck, nipping at her skin. She had her eyes closed tightly and he watched her as his hands drifted higher under her t-shirt. He ran one hand over her breast and he felt her tense underneath him and he smiled. His lips came back to hers, his tongue running gently along her lip before his teeth tugged at her but she didn't make a sound. He pulled his lips away, his hands receding as he rolled away from her. He heard her exhale slowly.

"You are in big trouble tomorrow."

"Oh really?"

She still hadn't moved. "Yes."

"I can live with that" he said with a chuckle. He put an arm around her and kissed her cheek.

After breakfast, they packed up and made their way home, picking up Rip on the way. He bounded up to them, covering the girls in sloppy kisses.

"Look at you Viola" Elizabeth commented when she saw her sister.

"What?"

"You've really popped in the last few days."

"Do you think so?" She said looking down at her stomach.

"Yes."

"Well, I am 18 weeks. It was bound to happen at some point."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Just tired and the headaches can be debilitating."

Elizabeth nodded thinking about something else. "Let me know if I can do anything."

"Thanks Elizabeth."

As Elizabeth and Jack drove away, Jack must have noticed she was quiet.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I was just thinking about Eve. I'm going to have to book her into pre-school, I think. It's not fair for Viola to look after her now."

"Is there one near the school?"

"Yes. There's one next door. I shouldn't have any problems getting her in. They usually give priority to the teachers at the school anyway."

"Do you think Eve will handle it okay?"

"I'm sure she will, if she thinks she's getting closer to going to big school with her sisters."

"What's the problem then?"

"Oh nothing, just something Viola said."

"Which was?"

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Nothing. It doesn't matter."

When they got home and finished the ominous task of unpacking and laundry, Elizabeth collapsed onto one of the sun lounges on the deck.

Jack brought out a drink for her and they sat out there together holding hands across the arms of the lounges.

"I think we should book our Hawaii trip this week. Can you find out if you can get some leave around Christmas? About two weeks?" she asked.

"Yes. I can ask tomorrow."

"Good. That will be nice. New Years Eve in the sun."

Jack smiled at her. "That sounds great. I'm really looking forward to it."

She sat there quietly, taking a sip of her drink.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jack asked.

"Yes. I'm fine. I've got a busy week at work this week and now having to sort out somewhere for Eve to go too … I just have a lot on my mind."

"I can help. Just tell me what I can do" he said, squeezing her hand.

"Thank you, Jack."

As they got ready for bed, Elizabeth thought back to the night before and grinned. She had promised Jack that he would be in trouble after all. She slipped into the walk in wardrobe and pulled on a black fitted number with suspenders and pulled a matching robe around her, heading back to the bedroom. Jack was sitting on the end of the bed, looking at his phone. She turned off all the lights, leaving the lamp on his bedside still on.

He hadn't noticed her as she approached him. She came to stand in front of him and as he looked up at her, he dropped his phone and it landed with a thud on the carpet. His mouth was agape as she stepped closer to him, between his legs. She ran her hand up his neck, holding his head up to her and she leant down to kiss him. Gently at first, but rougher as he settled against her lips. Her hands gripped his hair as she kissed him harder. The surprise must have overcome him for a moment as he barely moved but as her kiss deepened, his hands wrapped tightly around her waist, feeling the fabric underneath her hands.

She pulled his shirt off quickly, as he pushed her robe down off her shoulders. She heard him exhale slowly. His hand reaching out slowly to touch her, like he had never done it before.

"What are you trying to do to me?" His hand ran down the centre of her body.

She leant down and kissed him slowly, tugging at his bottom lip before she moved back and went to walk away.

He grabbed her hand. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to sleep now."

"What? Why?" he said confused.

Elizabeth turned back to him. "I would have thought that was obvious. After last night, anyway."

She grinned down at him and she saw the confusion for a minute, before a smile broke.

"I concede. You win" Jack said. He stood up, closing the distance between them.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Making up for last night" he said as his arms went back around her and his lips captured hers.