The Brady Eight: Just Starting Out
A Welcome Aboard Sequel
Chapter 48
The next morning, the Bradys eat breakfast and dress for the day. The twins are still asleep in the playpen. The older kids get their gear together for their hike.
Mike: What trail are you going to take?
Peter: I figure we'd take Foothills Trail.
Bobby: Can we go cliff jumping at Laurel Falls?
Peter: We'll see.
Carol: Horrified. No cliff diving!
Mike: I don't see why not. You guys did last year.
Bobby: Celebrating. Alright!
Carol: Mike. They might get hurt.
Bobby: Rolls his eyes. Mom.
Peter: Diffusing the situation. Let's go ahead and go. Jan, do you and Cindy have the lunches packed?
Jan: Yes. Cindy and I made chicken salad sandwiches.
Bobby: What? No roast beef with spree cheese?
Cindy: No. That was Marcia's thing, and it was Brie cheese.
Bobby: Oh okay.
Peter: Well, let's go.
The four older Brady kids leave for their hike.
The twins wake up. Ryan stands up in the playpen and begins fussing.
Ryan: Momeee!
Carol: Enters the tent. Ryan,honey. She picks him up and smooths his hair. Mommy's here. Oh! You're soaked to the bone!
She changes and dresses Ryan while Mike does the same with Carolyn.
Mike: C'mere, Kitten. Let's get you changed.
Carolyn: Speaks and signs: Daddy! She wraps her arms around his neck.
Mike: Good morning, sweetheart.
He carries Carolyn out and sees Carol nursing Ryan.
Carol: Bring her over. I'm ready for her too.
Mike: Brings her over. Here you go.
Carol struggles to situate both twins. Carolyn tries to latch on and kicks her brother; he detaches and begins fussing.
Carol: Chuckles. I don't think I'll be able to nurse both of them at the same time much longer.
Mike: Lifts Carolyn from her mother's lap. Let's get you some breakfast. How 'bout some bacon and eggs?
Mike feeds his youngest daughter a small plate of bacon and eggs while Carol finishes nursing Ryan. He detaches and tries to latch onto the other side.
Carol: You've had enough, little man.
Ryan protests.
Mike: You want me to get him?
Carol: Please.
Mike places Carolyn in Carol's lap and picks Ryan up.
Mike: Time for some bacon and eggs. Tickles his son. Say, "bacon." "Ba-con."
Ryan: Bay un!
Mike and Carol chuckle.
Mike: Say "eggs." "Eggs."
Ryan: Ess!
Mike: Chuckles. Close enough.
Carol: Ready, Carolyn?
Carolyn latches on and Carol relaxes.
Carol: I know I've said it before, but I'm going to miss this.
Mike: Oh?
Carol: They've just about weaned themselves. They're down to one or two a day, and usually the morning one is very short.
Mike: They are a year and a half. You said the girls didn't nurse this long. They were weaned at a year. You've gotten six months or so longer with the twins.
Carol: You're right. They're growing up too.
Mike: Grins. Just don't push it. They've got a little while yet before they're grown.
Carol: Smiles. And I look forward to every minute of it.
Carolyn detaches and snuggles against her mother.
Carol: At least they're still young enough that they enjoy snuggling.
Meanwhile, the Brady kids stop for lunch at Laurel Falls.
Peter: You guys ready for lunch?
Bobby: Sets his pack down. Yeah, I'm beat.
Cindy: Me too.
Jan: Gets out the lunches. Got the sandwiches out.
Peter: Okay, we'll stop here.
Bobby: Can we cliff jump after we eat?
Peter: Sure. Dad gave us permission.
Cindy: Mom wasn't too keen on it.
Jan: Well, you can't blame her. She did get hurt last year on that rope swing.
The four of them shudder at the memory. They eat their lunch in silence. As soon as Bobby finishes, he decides to strip down to his swimsuit.
Bobby: Who's with me?
Cindy: Strips down to her suit. I'm right behind you!
Bobby: Jumps off the high cliff. GERONIMO!
Cindy: I'm going in!
She jumps up, pikes and dives into the water.
Bobby: Impressed! You've still got it, sis!
Cindy: Proud. Thanks!
Bobby: You oughta do another swim camp.
Cindy: I would, but cheerleading takes up most of my time.
Peter: No diving!
Cindy: Protests. But I did a clean dive.
Peter: I'm going to repeat myself just this once. No diving.
Jan: Don't push it.
Cindy: Okay. I'll work on my cannonball.
Peter: Smiles. That's the spirit. I'm going in. You?
Jan: Puts the leftovers away. I'm right behind you.
Peter: Whispering to his sister. Just between you and me, her dive was perfect.
Jan: Smiles. Yeah. It was.
Peter strips down to his suit and cannonballs off the high cliff, and Jan follows.
Jan: That was fun!
Back at the campsite
The twins have gone down for their naps. Mike and Carol embrace in their tent.
Mike: Planting kisses along her neck. Happy?
Carol: Purrs. Oh yes.
Mike: Good. He unbuttons her blouse and plants kisses along her neckline.
Carol: Sniggers. Mike! Slow down!
Mike: Can't. He gently lays her down on their sleeping bag, unhooks her bra, and strokes her breasts.
Carol: Mike! She giggles.
He rolls to the side; Carol tries to remove his shirt.
Mike: Removes his shirt. Better?
Carol: Much better! She purrs.
Mike: Studies his wife. You're so beautiful!
Carol: Blushes. Aww! She relaxes and then stiffens.
Mike: Surprised. What?
Carol: It's hot in here.
Mike: Resumes stroking and kissing his wife. I know.
Carol: She gasps. Mike. Catches her breath. It's too hot and stuffy in here.
Mike: Do you want to stop?
Carol: No. I'd like to go outside and... She whispers into his ear.
Mike: Smiles wryly. Your wish is my command.
Mike exits the tent and sets up a blanket in the grass in front of the tent. Then, he re-enters the tent and clasps his wife's hand. She stands up and allows him to lead her outside. They embrace, kissing passionately.
Mike: Better?
Carol: Panting. Yes.
They lie down on the blanket. Carol moves her hands up and down his chest.
Carol: I love you. She plants kisses up and down his chest.
Mike: Breathless. Ca... Carol. I can't last mu... much lo... longer.
Carol: Saucily. I'm ready.
Back at Laurel Falls
The kids begin to tire of cliff jumping.
Peter: Ready to hike?
Bobby: Towels off. Yeah. I'm beat.
Cindy: One last jump. She sees that her sister and brothers aren't looking and swan dives into the water. She swims back to the surface. Perfect!
Jan: Ready, Cindy?
Cindy: Hikes back to her siblings. Yeah.
Jan: Whispering to her. I'm not going to say anything, but I saw you take that last dive.
Cindy stops short.
Jan: Excellent dive.
Cindy: Thanks.
Peter: We all set?
Jan: Yes.
Cindy: We going back through East Fork?
Peter: I thought we would.
Bobby: I figured we'd go back to the campsite.
Peter: We'll take a vote. Who wants to hike and who wants to go back.
Jan: Hike.
Bobby: Go back.
Cindy: Hike.
Peter: Okay, we'll hike, but it won't be a long one.
Bobby: Agrees. Fine.
The kids hike through East Fork, taking the hike slowly, as cliff jumping has just about worn them out. Jan takes pictures.
Back at the campsite.
Carol's eyes flutter open. She sees her sleeping husband and smiles. Mike awakens.
Carol: Smiles. Hi.
Mike: Gives his wife a quick kiss. Hi.
Carol: You were great.
Mike: So were you.
They hear their youngest son awaken.
Ryan: Sobs. Mommeeee! Mommeeeeee!
Carol puts on her shorts and goes into the tent. She lifts her son into her arms.
Carol: Aww, Ryan. Did you have a bad dream?
Ryan: Sniffs. Uh huh.
Carol: Walks out of the tent. Wanna rock?
Ryan: Uh huh.
Mike: He okay?
Carol: He had a bad dream.
They hear Carolyn awaken.
Mike: I'll get her. He dresses and walks into the tent. Hi, kitten.
Carolyn: Speaks and signs: Daddy! She laughs.
Mike: Did you have a good nap?
Carolyn kisses her father on the cheek as they exit the tent.
Carol: Smiles. Hi, sweetheart. You have a good nap?
Mike sits on the blanket and gets out a couple toys for Carolyn. However, she's not interested in the toys. Instead, she stands up and begins running around the campsite, giggling and squealing.
Carol: Still holding Ryan. Look at her go!
Carolyn runs to her dad, pats him on the shoulder and runs off.
Mike: Smiles as he gets up. I think she wants me to play chase.
Carol laughs as she watches her husband and her youngest daughter play chase.
Carol: Ryan, let's play with daddy and sissy.
Ryan: Nuh uh. Pats Carol's breast. Want 'dis.
Carol: Sighs. All right. It's almost lunchtime anyway.
She nurses Ryan as she watches the game of chase. After Ryan finishes, Mike calls an end to the game.
Mike: You ready for me to fix lunch?
Carol: Thanks.
Carolyn reaches up to her mother.
Carol: Want up? She scoops her daughter onto her lap. You wanna nurse too?
Carol tries to adjust the kids, so Carolyn to nurse, but she doesn't latch on.
Mike: Brings lunch over. You want me to take Ryan?
Carol: Please.
Mike feeds Ryan his lunch as he eats his lunch. Again, Carol tries to adjust Carolyn, but she doesn't latch on.
Carol: I guess you don't want to nurse. Speaks and signs: Want some lunch?
Carolyn: Signs: Lunch.
Carol eats her lunch and feeds Carolyn.
Carol: After Carolyn finishes. Mike, can you take her? I've got to put my blouse back on.
Mike: Grins. Must you?
Carol: Pretends to pout. Yes. The older kids will be back in a couple hours.
Mike: Plays back. We still have a couple hours until then. I'm enjoying the view.
Carol: Teases. Oh, stop.
Carolyn gets off her mother's lap and begins playing with the toys on the blanket. Ryan joins her. Carol starts to put her blouse back on.
Mike: Hang on a sec.
Carol: Chuckles. What?
Mike: One more thing.
Mike stands up and holds out his hand. Carol takes it and stands up. He plants a soft kiss on her lips and then enfolds her in a gentle embrace. He leans down and picks up her blouse. Carol takes it and dresses herself as he plants soft kisses on her neck.
Mike: Better?
Carol: Smiles. Yes.
Back at the hike
It is nearing dinnertime and the four older Brady kids are nearing the end of their hike. Fatigue has set in.
Bobby: We almost there?
Peter: Camp's just over the ridge.
Jan: Doubting. Are you sure? None of this looks familiar.
Bobby: I think we need to head back to the Falls and go from there.
Peter: Trust me. Camp's just over the ridge. We're almost there.
Jan: Tell you what. How 'bout we go over the ridge and if we don't find the campsite, we double back to the Falls?
Peter: Okay.
They make their way over the ridge and discover the campsite is nowhere to be found.
Jan: Surveys the area. We double back?
Peter: Defeated. Yeah.
They double back toward the Falls. However, they don't see the Falls when they expect to be there. The kids feel defeated.
Peter: Frustrated. I don't believe it!
Cindy: We have to have made a wrong turn somewhere.
Peter: Obviously!
Bobby: Tries to be encouraging. Look. Let's sit and rest for a few. We're tired and getting nowhere fast.
Peter: It's almost dinnertime and we're not back at camp. How long do you suggest we rest?
Jan: Diffuses the situation. Pete, Bobby's right. Cindy and I have some snacks. Let's have a snack and rest for a few. It's summertime, so we've got a couple hours of daylight left. After we rest, then we can try again. The Falls probably aren't that far off.
Peter: Okay. Let's rest for awhile, have a snack, and then we'll go back to the Falls.
Back at the campsite.
It's past dinnertime. The twins are settling down for the night, and are resting on the blanket outside the tent. Carol looks in the direction the older kids left for their hike.
Mike: Carol?
Carol: Sighs. They're not back yet.
Mike: Maybe they sent extra time at the Falls. You know how the kids were excited about going cliff jumping.
Carol: I know, but I can't help thinking something's wrong.
Mike: I know you're worried, but until we hear differently, let's assume they've just lost track of time.
Carol: Mike.
Mike: Tell you what. If they don't arrive by the time we put the twins down, I'll look for them.
Carol: Consoled. Thanks.
Mike: Kisses her on the temple. They'll be fine.
The sun has set and it is almost completely dark. Mike and Carol lay the twins in the playpen for the night. Mike is preparing to go look for the kids, as they have not yet returned.
Mike: Packs an extra flashlight. I'm about ready. I'll start off in the direction they went and then see if I can locate them.
Carol: Suggests. I bet they went to the Falls.
Mike: That's what I'm thinking too.
Carol: Be safe and hurry back.
They exchange a quick peck.
Mike: I will.
Carol relaxes on a lawn chaise and, despite trying to keep watch, she falls asleep. Mike is gone for about an hour and suddenly he sees a light in the distance.
Mike: Peter?
Peter: Dad?
Bobby: Dad!
Mike: You guys get lost?
Bobby: Yeah. Just a little bit.
Cindy: We took a couple wrong turns after we left the Falls.
Jan: Then, we tried to double back and made another wrong turn.
Peter: But, we made it back to the Falls and found our way from there.
Mike: Good thinking.
Jan: Mom worried?
Bobby: Rolls his eyes. What do you think?
Cindy: She's worried.
Mike: Let's get back.
They quickly make their way back to the camp. Mike sees his wife asleep.
Mike: Awakens her. Carol?
Carol: Opens her eyes. Mike? You find them?
Mike: Yes. They were just about back to the camp when I ran into them.
Carol: Looks around. Where are they?
Mike: They're washing up and then I'm going to fix them some dinner.
The kids quickly wash up and return to the campsite.
Carol: Embraces each of the kids. I was so worried.
Bobby: Blushes. Aww, mom.
Cindy: Yawns. I'm beat.
Jan: Me too.
Peter: Same here.
Carol: Don't you guys want dinner?
Bobby: Not me. I just wanna go to bed.
Carol: All right.
The kids get ready for bed and quickly fall asleep. Mike and Carol snuggle by the fire.
Carol: I'm so glad they're back.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. Me too. I figured they'd make it back.
Carol: They must be exhausted. I bet they hiked all day.
Mike: But they're back and safe.
Carol: Smiles. Yes. Pauses. Wonder if they'll have enough energy to go to the swimming hole tomorrow?
Mike: I bet they will. They've been looking forward to it for a long time.
Carol: I'd like to watch them, but I'm not going to go on the rope swing or slide.
Mike: I don't blame you one bit. He gives her a light peck. I don't think I will either.
Carol: You don't have to not go on them on my account.
Mike: Grins. We'll see. Yawns. I think it's time we get some sleep too.
Carol: Yawns. Agreed.
They exchange a soft kiss and embrace before they get up. Mike puts out the fire while Carol checks on the twins.
Mike: Entering the tent. They're still asleep?
Carol: Yes. She gives him a passionate kiss. Thanks for today.
Mike: You're welcome.
They dress for bed and embrace under the sleeping bag. After one last kiss, they quickly fall asleep.
-End of Chapter 48-