The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 24
A/N1—The weekend getaway continues. Shelleymh, this is also for you! :0)
A/N2—Theresa was on the Varsity squad with Cindy last school year, but she's at Westdale this school year. Jennifer is on the squad with Cindy last year and this year.
At the hotel
Mike and Carol lay in bed in an embrace.
Carol: Hands clasped behind his neck. I love you!
Mike: I love you too. Kisses her neck.
Carol: Mmmm! You said something about the bathtub?
Mike: Do you want me to draw us a bath?
Carol: Please?
Mike: Chuckles. If you want me to draw us a bath, then you're going to have to let go.
Carol unclasps her hands and Mike draws her a bath, complete with bubbles and scented bath oils. He comes back, clad in a towel.
Mike: Our bath awaits, m'lady!
He wraps her in a towel, clasps her hands, and leads her to the bath. Her eyes light up with delight when she sees the bathtub, overflowing with bubbles, candles on the nearby table, and two glasses filled with champagne to complete the scene.
Carol: Gasps. Oh, Mike! This is wonderful!
Mike: Grins. Shall we?
Mike unwraps her towel. Carol places her hand on his shoulder as she sticks her leg in the tub and lowers herself in.
Carol: Sinks into the bubbles. This is heavenly!
Mike: I'm glad.
Carol: But there's one thing missing.
Mike: What?
Carol: You!
Mike removes his towel and joins his wife in the tub. He grabs the glasses of champagne and gives one to Carol.
Mike: To us.
Carol: To us.
They clink their glasses and sip.
Mike: Gazes into her eyes. I love you!
Carol: Sinks further into the tub. I could get used to this.
Mike: Grins. Oh, could you?
Carol: Yes, I could.
Mike: Well, maybe one of these days, I may have to get us a hot tub or something.
Carol: Mmmm! That would be divine!
Too soon for Carol's liking, the water begins to cool. Mike gets out of the water and dries himself off. He holds out his hand for Carol.
Carol: I'm going to stay in just a little bit longer.
Mike: You sure? You're gonna freeze.
Carol: Give me about five minutes.
Mike: Okay.
Mike, in his bathrobe, leaves the bathroom and prepares the bedroom. Reluctantly, Carol climbs out of the tub, pulls the stopper, dries herself off and puts on a light blue negligee. She opens the door and poses at the threshold. She is wearing a baby blue double layered waltz length nylon negligee gown, with a soft slippery nylon underlayer, frothy ultra sheer chiffon nylon top layer, with exquisite lace at the neckline, a pretty satin ribbon bow graces the center of the neckline, and sweet puff sleeves with elasticated lacy cuffs with tiny lace trim and the bottom graces a lacy hemline.
Carol: Saucily. Mike?
Mike: Whistles. You are something!
Carol: You like?
Mike: Swallows. Oh, yes!
Carol: Well, then come and get me.
Mike holds her hands and leads her to the bed. Carol inhales as she sees the décor before her. Red rose petals adorn the bed and in the center, is a heart shaped box of chocolates.
Carol: Oh, Mike! It's lovely!
Mike: Placing a soft kiss on her lips. Not as lovely as you.
Carol blushes as Mike unties the bow in front and removes the gown from her shoulders. It falls to the ground. She shivers as a brief cool breeze touches her skin.
Mike: Cold?
Carol: A little.
Mike: Let me warm you up.
She unties his robe and lets it fall to the floor. Mike leads her to the bed, moves the box, and lays her down. He plants slow, delicate kisses down her neck and bust. She shivers under his touch. He strokes the side of her left breast.
Carol: Gasps. Mike!
Mike: Grinning. Hungry?
He opens the box as she sits up. Her eyes grow as big as saucers. He takes one and places it in her mouth. She licks the chocolate off his fingers.
Carol: Mmmm!
Mike: Chuckles. Another?
Carol: Hungrily. Uh huh.
He feeds her another and she groans in pleasure. Kissing the chocolate off her lips, he places the box aside and lays her back down on the bed.
Mike: You are beautiful!
Carol rubs her hands up and down his chest and back and smiles. She moves her hands lower and he tenses.
Mike: You do that enough and I won't be able to last much longer.
Carol: Cheeky. Well, what are you waiting for?
The middle of the night at the Brady house
Jan, sleeping in her parents' bed, sits straight up as she hears a baby cry. She yawns, crawls out of the bed and makes her way to the nursery. She sees Carolyn, standing up, holding on to the side of the crib, screaming at the tops of her lungs, and pulling on her right ear. Ryan, awakened by his sister's cries, sits in his crib and sobs.
Jan: Hang on Ryan. Let me get your sister. She lifts her sister out of the crib and feels her head. You are burning up!
Bobby wanders sleepily into the nursery.
Jan: Bobby, can you get Ryan?
Bobby: Picking Ryan up. What's wrong with Carolyn?
Ryan snuggles into his brother's shoulder and closes his eyes.
Jan: She's got a fever. I'm gonna take her downstairs and get her a bottle and some Tylenol. Can you rock him? He looks like he's gonna go back to sleep.
Bobby: Unsure. Uhhh.
Jan: If he falls asleep, put him back in his crib. If he wakes up, bring him down and heat up a bottle for him.
Bobby sits in the rocker and Jan takes Carolyn downstairs.
Bobby: C'mon, little brother. Go back to sleep.
Bobby closes his eyes and soon, he and Ryan are asleep.
Jan: Let's get you some Tylenol. Are your gums hurting?
Carolyn continues to wail and pull on her ear. She prepares a dose of Tylenol as the bottle heats.
Jan: You got an ear ache? Squirts the Tylenol in the baby's mouth. This will help make you feel better. Tests the bottle and feels that it's warm enough. Let's snuggle in the living room while you take your bottle. I'm sorry you're not feeling well.
Carolyn eagerly sucks on the bottle and relaxes.
Jan: There! Does that help?
She finishes her bottle and Jan moves Carolyn to her shoulder.
Jan: Just relax, baby girl. I've got you.
Meanwhile, in the nursery
Bobby startles, as he realizes he was asleep. He checks to make sure Ryan's still asleep. Seeing the baby is still slumbering, Bobby gently gets up and lays him in his crib. He stops to make sure he doesn't accidentally wake his brother. Sighing with relief, he leaves the nursery.
Bobby: Good night.
He peers downstairs and sees that Jan's asleep, with Carolyn asleep in her arms. He descends the stairs, retrieves a small throw, and gently lays it over Carolyn and Jan.
Jan: Opens her eyes. Was I asleep?
Bobby: Yeah.
Jan: Ryan back in bed?
Bobby: Yep. He was out like a light.
Jan: Guess I need to put this little one down.
Bobby: Why was she screaming like that?
Jan: She was teething, but I think she may have an ear infection or something.
Bobby: Why do you think that?
Jan: She was holding her ear.
They reach the top of the stairs.
Bobby: Yawns. I think I'll go to bed.
Jan: Thanks for your help.
Bobby: You're welcome.
Jan goes into the nursery and checks on Ryan. He's still asleep. She lays a sleeping Carolyn in her crib and goes back to the master bedroom. She quickly falls asleep.
The next morning
The sun shines into Mike and Carol's suite at the Bed and Breakfast. Mike studies his wife.
Mike: Thinks to himself: I've got the most beautiful and wonderful wife in the world. I don't know what I did to deserve her.
Carol's eyes flutter open and she smiles.
Carol: Morning!
Mike: Grins. Morning! How did you sleep?
Carol: Sits up, yawns and stretches. I slept like a log. I don't think I've slept this well in ages.
Mike: I'm glad. Me too. Sounds like we needed this get away.
Carol: Part of me wishes we could stay another night.
Mike: Hopeful. Do you want to?
Carol: I'd love to, but I think the kids will want a break from the twins.
Mike: How's this? Let's get breakfast and we can call the house before we leave for lunch. If everything's going okay, then we'll stay another night. If we need to head home, then we'll head on home.
Carol: Okay. You've convinced me.
At the Brady house
Peter sneaks into his father's office to call Julie before he leaves for work.
Peter: Julie?
Julie: Yeah?
Peter: I just wanted to call and apologize for yesterday.
Julie: You didn't need to apologize. I love you.
Peter: I love you too, but I feel bad about what went on. A... and I... uhhh...
Julie: Chuckles. You mean when Greg just about busted the door down?
Peter: Yeah. I'm sorry about that, a... a... and before that too.
Julie: Mock exasperation. Peter Brady! You've always been a gentleman.
Peter: Blushes. Ah, I dunno.
Julie: You have. You've always treated me like a lady, and I appreciate that.
Peter: You are a lady, and I love you.
Julie: Blushes. Thanks. I don't have any regrets about yesterday.
Peter: Can I see you when I get off from work?
Julie: Absolutely!
Peter: Sighs with relief. Good! Well, I need to get off so I can get to work. See you tonight!
Julie: Yes. See you tonight.
He hangs up the phone, gets ready for work, and leaves. Meanwhile, Jan gets up and checks on the twins. Ryan stands up in the crib and holds his hands out.
Jan: You want up, little man? She picks him up. Okay. Let's get your breakfast. Peers in at Carolyn and feels her head. Looks like your sister's fever's gone back down. That's a relief. Let's see if Cindy or Bobby are awake.
As if on cue, Cindy walks down the hall.
Jan: Cindy, can you get Carolyn for me?
Cindy: Sure. She gets Carolyn. She's wet, so I'll change her before I bring her down.
Jan: All right.
Jan heats up the bottles and pours a bowl of rice cereal for the twins. Cindy, carrying a fussing Carolyn, joins her as the phone rings.
Jan: With Ryan still in tow. I'll get it. Go ahead and test the bottles and pour some into the cereal.
Cindy: Got it.
Jan: Answers the phone. Hello?
Mike: Jan?
Jan: Yes.
Mike: How's everything at home?
Jan: Going all right at the moment.
Mike: Curious. Oh?
Jan: Yeah. Ryan's been fine, but Carolyn woke up in the middle of the night with an ear ache. I gave her some Tylenol, and she seems to be feeling better today, although she is a bit fussy at the moment.
Mike: Glad she's feeling better.
Cindy: Unsure. Uhh, Jan?
Carolyn begins screaming and holding her ear.
Jan: Looks over at Carolyn and her face falls. Oh no.
Mike: What's 'oh no'?
Jan: Scratch what I just said. She's screaming at the top of her lungs and holding her ear.
Mike: Go ahead and call Dr. Porter. We'll be on our way home soon. It'll take us a couple hours though.
Jan: It's okay. We can hold down the fort until you get home.
Mike: Okay. We'll see you in a few.
They hang up and Jan calls Dr. Porter.
At the bed and breakfast
Carol comes out of the bathroom as Mike hangs up the phone.
Carol: So, how is everyone?
Mike: Sighs. Carolyn's running a fever. Jan was up all night with her.
Carol: Sad. Oh no. Her teeth?
Mike: No, her ear.
Carol: How is she today?
Mike: Not good. I could hear her through the phone. Jan said she didn't feel warm, but she was holding her ear and screaming.
Carol: Anxious. We've gotta go back.
Mike: That's what I told her.
Carol: We've gotta call Dr. Porter.
Mike: It's all taken care of. Jan's going to call. Sighs. I'm sorry we've gotta go back sooner than I wanted.
Carol: Kisses him on the cheek. I am too, but I'm glad we came. We needed this time, just the two of us.
Mike: Let's get checked out and on the road.
At the Brady house
Dr. Porter arrives at the Brady's house and rings the doorbell. Cindy answers the door. Jan is walking Carolyn and Bobby has Ryan up in his room.
Cindy: Hi, Dr. Porter. Come on in.
Dr. Porter: How's Carolyn?
Cindy: She's running a fever and pulling on her ear.
Dr. Porter: Puts her bag on the table. Jan, let me take her.
Jan passes the baby; the doctor lays the baby on the couch and examines her.
Jan: She was running a mild fever yesterday. Mom thought she was teething. She wasn't pulling on her right ear until the middle of the night. I've given her Tylenol like the directions say to do.
Dr. Porter: Has that helped?
Jan: Some. It seems to help her sleep. She also seems to feel better when she's taking a bottle.
Dr. Porter: Looks in the baby's ears. The right one does look a little infected. The left one looks fine.
Jan: Mom and dad said part of her deafness is caused by an inner ear deformity. Could it also make her have ear infections?
Dr. Porter: Very well could.
Jan looks up and sees her mom and dad walk through the kitchen into the living room. Carol looks at the doctor, worried.
Carol: How is she?
Dr. Porter: Finishes examining Carol. She has a slight ear infection in her right ear. Lifts the baby and passes her to her mother. She addresses Carolyn. Here you go. Here's your mother.
Carol: Receives her daughter and holds her close. Oh, my baby girl!
Dr. Porter: I'll call an antibiotic into the pharmacy. Continue to give her the Tylenol for a few more days.
Mike: Thank you, Dr. Porter.
Dr. Porter: While I'm here, would you like me to look at Ryan?
Mike: Sure.
Jan: I'll go get him. She retrieves the baby from Bobby's room and brings him downstairs. She passes him to the doctor.
Dr. Porter: How has he been?
Jan: He's been fine.
Dr. Porter: Any fever?
Jan: None that I could tell.
Dr. Porter: Examines the baby. He's got a little fever and his left ear looks like it's starting to get inflamed. I'll call in enough antibiotic for both of them.
Mike: Thank you.
Dr. Porter calls in a prescription for the twins. Carol rocks Carolyn in the rocker. The baby snuggles into her mother. Mike, with Ryan on his hip, shows the doctor out.
Dr. Porter: Call me if you need anything else.
Mike: We will. Thank you.
Dr. Porter: You're welcome. To Ryan. And you, Mister, you and your sister get to feeling better, okay?
The doctor takes her leave and Mike shuts the door behind her.
Mike: Walks back to the living room. Jan, thank you for watching the twins.
Jan: You're welcome. I'm just sorry that you had to cut your getaway short.
Carol: That happens sometimes. Carolyn rubs her face in her mother's chest. You hungry, baby girl?
Jan: Probably. She had breakfast and took a little nap.
Carol: Unbuttons her blouse. You want some lunch? She gets Carolyn situated, and she immediately latches on.
Ryan: Leans toward his mother, arms stretched out. Ma ma ma ma maaaaaaa!
Mike: Chuckles. You want some lunch too? How 'bout Daddy fix you a bottle?
Carol: I'll nurse him too.
Lays Ryan in Carol's lap. The baby latches on immediately.
Mike: I'll run to the pharmacy and pick up the antibiotic and some more Tylenol. He gives Carol a quick peck on the lips. I'll be right back.
As he leaves, Bobby and Cindy race down the stairs.
Bobby: Hey Jan! Can me and Cindy go go cart racing at Woodland Park? He pauses as he sees his mother. Oh, hi mom.
Cindy: When did you get back?
Jan: Mom, do you need me for anything?
Carol: We got back a few minutes ago. To Jan. You look tired. Go ahead and get some rest. We'll be fine.
Jan: Yawns. Thanks. I think I'll turn in for a few. She goes upstairs to her room and immediately falls asleep.
Bobby: Can we?
Carol: Can you what?
Cindy: Bobby and I want to race go carts at Woodland Park.
Bobby: They've got a track.
Carol: Sure. She smiles. Go on. Have fun.
Bobby: Thanks!
Bobby and Cindy dash out the family room door.
Woodland Park
Bobby and Cindy take their go carts and meet Mark and Jeremy and their sisters, Jennifer and Theresa at Woodland Park. Mark is in Bobby's grade and Jeremy Malone, is in Cindy's grade (she used to "date" him).
Mark: You ready to lose?
Bobby: Not gonna happen.
Jeremy: You think you're gonna win?
Bobby: Absolutely!
Theresa: You're on! C'mon Jeremy, we're gonna school these four grade schoolers.
Jennifer: Sorry Theresa, but Mark and I are gonna skunk you guys.
Cindy: I'm not so sure about that.
Bobby: Mark, Jeremy, you're on!
First up is Mark and Jeremy. They take their places as Bobby counts them off.
Bobby: On your mark! Set! Go!
Theresa and Jennifer root for their brothers as Cindy keeps time at the finish line.
Cindy: Jeremy wins by half a second.
Jeremy: Gets out of his go cart. Okay, now it's me and Bobby's turn!
Bobby: Eat my dust!
Jeremy: I don't think so.
Mark counts them off and Jennifer stands at the finish line. Bobby and Jeremy eye each other and then off they go!
Jennifer: And it's Bobby by a nose.
Mark: It's you and me, Bobby.
Bobby: Prepare for another defeat, dude.
Mark: Not happening, man!
Jeremy counts them off and Theresa's at the finish line.
Theresa: Bobby's got it again!
Bobby: Takes a bow. Told ya I'm the Master of Go Carts.
Mark: Let's see how these girls do.
Cindy: Theresa, you're on!
Theresa: Prepare to lose.
Cindy: Nope!
Theresa and Cindy take their places and Jennifer counts them off. Mark heads to the finish line. For most of the race, Theresa and Cindy are neck and neck. They round a corner and Theresa pulls ahead. Cindy begins to get a little nervous. As they round the last corner, Cindy leans forward and sails through the finish line.
Mark: It was a photo finish, but Cindy pulled it off at the last second.
Jeremy: Shocked. Really?
Mark: Yep. He shows them his stop watch. They were less than a quarter second from each other.
Bobby: High fives his sister. Good job, sis!
Theresa: Next, it's me and Jennifer.
Jennifer: You're on!
Cindy counts them off and Bobby is at the finish line. Theresa pulls ahead early and sails through the finish line. Jennifer loses control of the go cart at the last turn and careens into a nearby bush. The kids race to check on her.
Cindy: You okay?
Jennifer: Gets out of the go cart. Yeah. She looks at her arm and sees that she's bleeding. Drat!
Mark: Concerned. We need to go home?
Jennifer: No way! It's my turn to take on Cindy.
Cindy: Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you tangled with that bush.
Jennifer: Bring it on, Captain!
Cindy: You got it!
Theresa counts them off and Jeremy is at the finish line. This time, Jennifer manages to stay on track, but Cindy takes an early lead and leaves Jennifer in the dust.
Mark: Now, it's brother against sister!
Cindy: I think I can beat you, dear brother!
Bobby: Ummm, you're good, but not that great.
Mark and Jennifer go first, with Jennifer capturing her first victory of the day. Then, Jeremy and Theresa go.
Bobby: Shocked. Wow! You guys tied!
The siblings shake each other's hands and congratulate each other on a good race. Last, Bobby and Cindy go.
Bobby: You're going down, sis!
Cindy: Not so fast, bro!
Bobby: In your dreams!
Cindy: Well, let's get on with it!
Jeremy counts them off and Mark is at the finish line. Bobby takes an early lead, but Cindy catches him on the first turn. She overtakes him at the straight away, and it looks like she's going to win. However, Bobby catches and blows past her on the last turn into the finish line.
Cindy: Shakes her brother's hand. Good race, bro!
Bobby: You too! You're a formidable opponent.
Mark: Wow! Cindy! You nearly beat him!
Cindy: I'll get him next time! You did great, Jennifer!
Jennifer: Thanks! And you weren't so shabby either, Theresa.
Theresa: It was fun! And yes, you're on for a rematch!
Bobby and Cindy go back home after an afternoon of racing. Carol is rocking Carolyn in the living room.
Carol: Hi guys! How was it?
Bobby: I won all my races.
Cindy: I won all but the one against Bobby.
Carol: Great! No one got injured or anything?
Cindy: Well, Jennifer landed in a bush during one of her races, but aside from getting a few cuts here and there, she was fine.
Carol: That's good! So you won't have to replace anyone for next week's game.
Cindy: Nope.
Bobby: Cindy's a formidable racer, that's for sure.
Cindy beams.
Carol: Well, go wash up. It'll be dinner time soon.
Bobby: 'Kay. He goes upstairs.
Cindy: How are the twins?
Carol: Ryan's taking a nap, and I just got her to sleep. They both have ear infections, but Carolyn's is pretty bad.
Cindy: Hesitant. Is it because of her inner ear deformity?
Carol: Dr. Porter couldn't say for sure, but it could make her more prone to them. Well, go wash up for dinner.
Cindy: All right. She goes upstairs and washes up.
That evening
Carol rocks Carolyn in the master bedroom. Mike walks into the bedroom.
Carol: Is Ryan asleep?
Mike: Stretches. Yeah. He put up a little bit of a fight, but he gave it up. Looks at Carolyn. How's she doing?
Carol: She still has a fever, but she seems to be feeling a little better.
Mike: Oh, that's a relief.
Carol: I want to keep her in here for the next few nights. I don't want her to wake Ryan up.
Mike: I agree. Jan said she woke Ryan up last night.
Carol: To Carolyn. Well, little girl. This will be the first time you and Ryan won't be sleeping in the same room.
Carolyn drifts into a deep sleep, so Carol lays her in the playpen at the foot of the bed. Mike dresses for bed.
Mike: I'm sorry we had to come home early. Taking off his shirt.
Carol: Wraps her arms around his waist and lays her cheek against his bare chest. I'm sorry too, but I had a wonderful time. She kisses his chest.
Mike: Next weekend, I want to take you out for lunch. We can have either your folks or mine watch the twins for a couple hours.
Carol: I'd like to take the kids to Woodland Park and the four of us walk along the nature trail.
Mike: Smiles. If that's what you want, then we'll do that next Saturday.
Carol: Grins saucily. But what I want to do now is... She whispers in his ear.
Mike's eyes widen and he grins.
Mike: Hang on one minute.
He locks the door and turns off the bedroom lights. The light in the bathroom is still illuminated. Mike turns on the lamps on either side of the bed and Carol turns off the bathroom light. Mike returns to his wife and enfolds her into an embrace.
Mike: Now (kiss) where (kiss) were (kiss) we?
Carol: We were right here. She plants a soft kiss on his lips.
A wry smile spreads across his face as he begins planting kisses along his wife's neck and shoulders. Carol moans with pleasure as she runs her hands up and down his chest. She starts to tenfold him in an embrace, but he's busy fumbling with her gown. Carol chuckles.
Carol: Need some help?
She unites her gown, exposing her breasts. Mike sits on the bed, puts his arms around her hips and pulls her close. He pulls Carol onto the bed beside him and begins massaging her back. His hands slide down to the small of the back. Carol groans with pleasure.
Mike: More?
Carol: Panting. Yes.
He moves his hands over a bit.
Mike: Here?
Carol: Mmm, hmmm!
He moves his hands up his wife's back. Carol shudders, as he lay her on the bed.
Mike: Okay?
Carol: Yeah. Keep going.
She moves underneath her husband and Mike continues his ministrations.
Carol: Moans. Now!
Mike teases a bit. He plants gentle kisses along her neck, stroking her breasts with the tips of his fingers. Carol shudders with want under his touch. Her breathing is stronger and stronger until she doesn't think she can stand much more of his teasing.
Carol: N...n...now. P...please!
She moans in anticipation. Mike grins as he has her right where he wants her. Her eyes meet his and a small smile escapes her lips, as she feels safe underneath his embrace.
Carol: Oh Mike!
Mike: Carol!
Carol: I love you.
Mike leans over and turns off the lamps.
-End of Chapter 24-