A CHOICE
Chapter 8
The next day, Kate and Alexis woke up and found Rick in the kitchen, cooking. "'Morning. No pancakes this time, just sausage and eggs," Rick told them.
"That's fine. Is there a plan for today?" Kate asked after she sat down at the breakfast bar with Alexis.
"I was thinking of doing something with your dad today," Rick replied.
"That sounds great!" Kate's eyes sparkled, glad that she was going to see her dad today. She had a little smile as she watched Rick serve breakfast.
~oo0oo~
Kate knocked on her father's door. "Hi, Dad! We came to collect you."
Jim smiled. He was glad to see her. "That would be nice. I could use a break. I have some work to do, but I can put it off."
"You're sure?" Kate asked him. "I don't want to take you away from anything."
"I'm sure, Katie. Don't worry," Jim told her.
Kate smiled wide. "Great, come with us then."
"What have you got in mind?" Jim inquired since he wanted to know.
"You'll need to put on your swimsuit like the rest of us, and after that, I was thinking of playing a game of checkers," Kate waited to see his reaction.
"Checkers?" Jim was dubious, but he shrugged and went inside his Cabana to put on his swimsuit.
~oo0oo~
"Checkers on the beach; I see it now. Those are pretty big pieces," Jim commented.
It was Jim against Kate first. Jim won. Next, he took on Rick, and he beat him. So finally, Jim took on Alexis, and he won a third time.
"I think he played us," Rick whispered to Kate. She just nodded and watched him set up for whoever played next.
Jim was all smiles. "That was fun! What's next?" He was so pleased that they included him in a family outing.
"I think canoeing is next," Kate told him. Thankfully, this was one where her dad didn't have to compete.
They found a large canoe. Kate was up front, followed by Alexis, Jim, and finally, Rick. Even Alexis got a paddle, though she found it easier to sit there and let the grownups paddle.
~oo0oo~
"Now that my arms are about to fall off, I believe it's time for a break," Jim said after they were done with the canoe. So next came Glow.
They chose an appetizer to eat while drinking. They each decided on a fruit drink.
"This is easier," Jim said while he enjoyed his appetizer. "So, how are the classes coming?"
"Better, now that Alexis is talking." Kate smiled at her. "She's doing pretty well. She seems to have an aptitude for History, though Math is a close second."
"It's fun," Alexis piped up. "I like history."
"Good for you," Jim said approvingly.
Mikhail walked over and joined them. "Am I interrupting?"
"No, please sit," Kate told him. "Is there a problem?" She wanted to know if he needed Rick for anything.
He shook his head. "No, for a change, it's all running smoothly. Our manager is handling everything." Mikhail grinned. "He might even run us out of a job."
Rick was relieved. "It's about time. Maybe I'll get some more writing done."
"That's good, Rick. We could use the money. This resort is soaking it up like a sponge. It's a good thing we're holding steady at three-quarters full," Mikhail mentioned.
"Yeah." Rick hung his head. He knew that if it weren't for Mikhail's deep pockets, this resort would fail and fail badly. "We have a lot of debt."
"We'll manage, my friend, we'll manage. Since I'm not needed, I think I will surprise my wife. Enjoy your day, and you, little one, you keep everyone in line." He smiled at Alexis, ruffled her hair, and he left.
Alexis finger-combed her hair and got a kiss on the cheek from Kate.
"Do I want to know how much this place cost?" Kate asked hesitantly since it really wasn't any of her business.
"Probably not, no. I contributed a total of 14 million. The rest is all Mikhail," Rick told her. "And there's your pay and Jim's pay, plus a little in the bank. Then there's the staff pay, maintenance, insurance, and supplies; this list is endless. That's why I really need to get some writing done. But have no fear, we're doing well. I think..." Rick looked around for some wood and ended up knocking on his own head.
Kate was worried about him. "Do you need to go home and write?"
"No, I could use the day off." Rick gave her a sort of half smile. "I'm good, promise."
"If you're sure." Kate didn't want to be the reason he wasn't writing.
"How about we hit the pool?" Rick asked them enthusiastically.
Kate shook her head. "I didn't bring any sunscreen." And she groaned since it was a long walk home.
"Glow has sunscreen for sale. I'll get a bottle and meet you at the pool," Rick said, saving the day.
~oo0oo~
Kate spread it all over Alexis while Rick watched. Next was Jim, who had his back done by his daughter. It was Kate's turn, and she had her back coated in sunscreen by Rick, who took his sweet time running his hands over her back. That left Rick, whose back had sunscreen thoroughly rubbed in by Kate who gave him the same treatment he gave her.
Now that everyone had sunscreen, they did one of two things. Either they went into the pool like Rick, Jim, and Alexis, or they found a chaise lounge to soak up some sun like Kate.
Rick sat down next to her. "You're not enjoying yourself."
"I am enjoying myself. I've got you and Dad watching over Alexis. And you're blocking my sun." Kate cracked open an eye to look at him until he moved. Satisfied that everyone was working out well, Kate closed her eyes and enjoyed her time in the sun.
~oo0oo~
Kate had turned over onto her back when everyone came back and announced that they were leaving the pool. "If we must," Kate sighed as she got to her feet and followed them.
Next turned out to be Kids Club. The area was mainly for kids, but adults could enjoy it too. It was one big water park.
That was where Alexis shone, as did Kate and Rick, who let his inner kid out. Jim was the only one who kind of went through the motions.
~oo0oo~
Dinner was in Glow. After they were seated, Jim looked at each of them. "This has been fun as well as enlightening." During the day, he watched the interaction between Kate and Rick and thought he saw something there.
After dinner, Jim went his way, and Rick, Kate, and Alexis went theirs.
"That was fun," Kate said with a smile. "We should do that more often. But, you need to go back to writing, Mister."
Rick raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't want to?" he challenged her.
"You need to make money. I want to get paid, the staff wants to get paid, and Mikhail doesn't want to have to pay for everything," Kate shot back.
"When you put it like that..." Rick caved, knowing she was right. "Fine, you win. But first," he put his arms around her and kissed her.
That kiss left Kate wanting more. She watched him walk away. "Bedtime for you, young lady," Kate announced. She got roped into reading to Alexis and kissed her. "Sweet dreams, sweetie."
Now Kate had to figure out what to do with herself. Rick was off writing, and Alexis was in bed. She decided to sit by the pool and watch the stars.
~oo0oo~
Kate hadn't seen Rick the rest of the day. But she felt that she was ready, finally. Kate walked into his bedroom wearing panties and a t-shirt. She found him, and he was wearing a pair of sleep bottoms.
The look he was giving her was in the form of a question. She answered it by showing him one of her limited number of condoms.
~oo0oo~
This section is rated M
~oo0oo~
Kate bit her lip nervously. "If you're ready?"
"Oh, I'm ready. I'm more than ready," Rick replied.
"Me, too," Kate murmured. She took her t-shirt off, walked up to him, and pulled his pajama bottoms down. "Get on the bed on your back."
Kate waited for him to do just that and took off her panties. She got on the bed on her knees and began giving him a blow job. She needed him to get an erection.
It took nearly no time at all. But still, Kate didn't stop. Finally, she did and ripped the condom package open using her teeth and carefully rolled it on his erection.
Then just as carefully, she straddled him, placing his erection at her entrance. Ever so slowly, she lowered herself, giving her time to adjust to his size. She figured they needed it, given how long it had been.
Once she was sitting on him with him deep inside her, she started to grind herself on his cock.
"God, you feel good." And Kate moaned as she continued to grind herself on his cock.
She massaged her breasts, but she saw Rick was more than willing to do that for her. So she placed her hands on his chest and stroked his cock in and out.
The sight of Kate sitting on his cock while he massaged her breasts was a sight he wouldn't soon forget, if ever.
Listening to her moaning and hearing her breathe heavily was also something he would remember until the day he died.
Kate was enjoying herself. Now, this was living. She didn't even notice when Rick climaxed. She was too engrossed in what she was doing to care. Still, he kept an erection and was on his way to another orgasm.
Kate needed just a bit more, and she would CLIMAX! She screamed through her orgasm.
That got Rick to climax yet again. Kate collapsed onto him and let him hold her in place while her breathing slowed and she calmed down.
Rick softened inside her, so she pulled herself off him and removed the full condom. It was so full it had burst. Kate looked at him in horror. "It's broken!" He had come inside her without any protection. "OH, GOD!" Kate didn't know what to do. She was ready to freak out. "I could end up pregnant!"
"Relax, relax." Rick attempted to comfort her. "You don't know that. It may have broken when you took it off, not when I climaxed."
Kate calmed down just a little. "Maybe."
"When's your next period?" Rick asked.
"I don't know." Kate was still in freak-out mode. "About a week I think…" She chewed her lip while she thought about it. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's in nine days."
"Then we wait and do nothing for nine days. It will be fine." Rick caressed her. "And if you are pregnant, I'll support you. It's my baby too."
Kate was still sitting on the bed, holding a broken condom. "I don't want to be pregnant. I'm too young to be pregnant." A tear trickled down her cheek.
Rick embraced her and drew her close. "It'll be fine, you'll see. For now, just rest. With me." Rick pulled her down into his arms and his bed.
Kate settled in close to him, but she didn't sleep well. She was worried.
~oo0oo~
It is now safe to read again
~oo0oo~
Kate woke up in bed. She became aware that it was his bed, not hers. Except Rick wasn't in it.
She got up, located her panties and t-shirt, and put them on. Then she went to her bedroom and saw Alexis was missing. She assumed that Rick had awakened Alexis, so she hurried into the bathroom.
Once showered and dry, Kate dressed in shorts, a loose top, and flip-flops. She headed for the kitchen and found Rick cooking and Alexis sitting at the counter watching him.
"Hi, sweetie." Kate kissed her cheek.
"Hi, Kate. Daddy came and got me."
"I noticed. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you." Kate felt terrible about that.
"That's okay," Alexis chirped.
Kate moved closer to Rick to see what he was cooking. She saw sausage and eggs.
"Hi." She didn't kiss him, and he didn't kiss her.
"Are we good?" Rick asked her, his voice low enough that only Kate would hear him.
Kate nodded once. "Yeah, we're good. I'm sorry for freaking out on you."
"You had cause, Kate," Rick said. "We'll wait nine days. I won't expect anything from you till then."
"Thanks." Kate kissed his cheek and went to sit next to Alexis.
Then, Kate teased Rick by asking Alexis a question. "Has he burnt anything yet?"
"I heard what you said," Rick complained. "Just for that, maybe I'll add some cayenne pepper to your eggs!"
Kate fake-glared at him and challenged him to do just that. "Bring it on, Mister."
Of course, Rick didn't and served them both breakfast. "I have some writing to do. If I'm successful, I'll even finish it today and send it to my editor at Black Pawn later."
"Congratulations." Kate liked to hear that. "We'll celebrate if you do."
"Really celebrate?" Rick raised an eyebrow at her.
Kate raised an eyebrow at him. "So much for nine days." And she smiled.
~oo0oo~
Kate and Alexis didn't see Rick for the rest of the day. They ate lunch at Glow and saw Mikhail. He just waved and went on about his business.
A quick check-in with her dad told her he was busy too. So she was on her own.
"How about if we go home and play a game?" Kate asked her and got a quick nod from her. This time she didn't correct her by telling her she could talk. Kate knew she could.
~oo0oo~
Kate answered her bedroom door and found Rick standing there. "I'm not ready."
"I know, and I'm not asking that of you. I just want to sleep with you. Real sleep, not sleep with you as in having sex. It's all I'm asking. Please, Kate."
Kate turned to look at the sleeping Alexis. "On one condition. I'm here for her when she wakes up. She expects to find me in my bed. In this room."
Rick agreed to that easily enough. "Deal."
Clad only in his pajama bottoms, he escorted Kate to his bedroom and got in bed. He invited her into his bed with open arms.
Kate hesitated but joined him and found herself in his arms. Rick kissed her forehead. "Now go to sleep."
"That's it?" Kate asked him warily.
"That's it," Rick confirmed. "A deal is a deal."
~oo0oo~
Kate was still awake and enjoying where she was. She liked being in his arms. She settled in and finally fell asleep.
She woke up and was at first disoriented. That wasn't her room. And next to her, there was something warm and comfortable. She finally figured out that it was Rick. She twisted her head to find a clock. 2:12 am.
Deciding that it was too early to return to her room, she settled in. She even grinned a little that she was sleeping with Rick, just not sleeping with him.
She woke again and turned her head to look at the clock. 5:32 am. She decided that it was close enough and worked at getting out of bed without waking Rick. She lingered a little and watched him sleep.
Then off she went to her bedroom and saw that Alexis was sound asleep in her bed, so Kate climbed into her own bed and lay there. There was something off about sleeping alone like this. She missed having Rick next to her. Was she that far gone already?
~oo0oo~
Alexis was awake, and Kate had her in the bathroom to take a bath, then sent Alexis into their bedroom to get dressed and told her to wait there while she showered. Once Kate was dressed, she planned to braid Alexis' hair.
They both went upstairs to the kitchen, but it was empty. Rick wasn't here, so making breakfast was up to Kate. She ended up cooking for herself because Alexis wanted cereal.
She was teaching Alexis when Rick came home. "Where have you been?"
"I went to Glow to have my story shipped to Black Pawn," Rick replied. "It'll take about a week for it to get there." Explanation over with, he went over and joined Alexis.
"They don't mind?" Kate asked him.
"Well, given they don't have a choice…" Rick didn't finish that sentence. "You need help with anything?" Rick asked his daughter.
Kate stepped between father and daughter. "No, let her learn for herself."
"I was just… I'll get out of your way." Rick got up to leave the room.
"Wait! That's not what I meant. I want Alexis to finish on her own without your help. She's smart, and I want her to believe in herself." Kate hoped that was enough to stop him from leaving.
"In that case, I think I'll get a drink and watch," Rick told her and did just that.
~oo0oo~
Rick watched and was amazed. Amazed at Kate's skill at teaching her and at how much Alexis talked. When it came time for lunch, tears were running down his face. He had never heard his baby girl talk so much.
Kate noticed the tears while Rick was making them lunch. "Are you okay?"
Rick swiped his arm across his face, attempting to dry his face. "Yeah, I'm great."
Not sure that he was, she didn't press the issue. He was making them lunch.
~oo0oo~
Time for bed rolled around, and Rick suggested that Kate sleep with him again. "Just sleep, nothing else, I promise." To his surprise, Kate agreed to his terms. As before, she found herself curled against him with his arm around her. It was nice.
But she had a question for him. "During lunch, you were crying. I saw your tears, so don't lie."
Rick was quiet for a time. "I watched as Alexis talked. She said more today than she had for the last two years. I watched as my little girl grew up, and I have you to thank for it."
"I don't know if I can take the credit for it." Kate was just doing her job. Besides, she wanted Alexis to talk, so she carefully planned many of the little girl's lessons to get her to talk.
"Oh, it was you, all right. I don't know how or why, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Rick bent to kiss her head. "Now go to sleep. A deal is a deal."
Kate grinned at the kiss and silently couldn't wait for the nine days to be over. Add three or so days after to clear any blood. So about a week for now. They were going to make love, and she wanted it to be the best she had ever had.