Chapter 11
After coming home from the beach, and eating dinner, they were going to have a campfire, but just over the lake, heading in from the sky were dark clouds.
"Oh no!" Cole shouted when he saw lightning in the distance. "Mama is there really a storm coming?"
Tara picked up her kid, nodding in response, "I'm afraid so."
"Take me inside?" Cole pleaded while hiding his eyes on her neck.
While everyone else headed inside, Joanne, Maureen and Mr. Jefferson stayed outside, watching as the storm came in.
"Wow, looks like it's going to be a big one." Mr. Jefferson pointed out.
A small smirk hit Maureen's lips. "How big?"
"Probably one of the biggest storms this year." Mr. Jefferson said, "I better go make sure the boat is securer."
"Want me to help?" Joanne asked.
"No dear, I'll be fine." Mr. Jefferson answered, quickly heading down to the lake.
"Pookie isn't this exciting!" Maureen cheered, wrapping her arms around Joanne's arm.
"Yes very." Joanne sarcastically answered.
"You don't like storms?" Maureen asked.
"I do." Joanne began. "I just don't like them when I'm on vacation. It's a vacation killer."
"Well you're with me, I'm sure we can think of plenty of things to do." Maureen said with raised eyebrows.
Joanne smirked, knowing exactly what was going through Maureen's mind. "Can my parents join too?"
Maureen's face completely fell at the suggestion. "Joanne ew!"
"Well, you are forgetting who we are on vacation with, and who we are sharing a house with."
Maureen pouted. "That didn't stop you this morning."
Joanne couldn't help but smile at the thought, but she shook her head clear. "Maybe later tonight when everyone is sleeping, but not now, everyone will be up and alert during the storm."
Just then a gust of wind picked up, causing Maureen to wrap her arms around Joanne for warmth. The door to the cabin then opened, with Mrs. Jefferson poking her head out.
"Joanne, you two better get in here, the radio said the storm is picking up." Mrs. Jefferson said. "Where's your father."
"Okay mom." Joanne said, as she began walking towards the door, her eyes also catching the sight of her father running towards the cabin. "Dad is coming right now."
It wasn't long before the storm hit, causing loud thunder, and big flashes of lightning. Maureen was kneeling on the couch that was behind the window, her eyes watching as the storm did its damage. Everyone else was seated in the living room, Joanne was reading a magazine, while Tara and James, tired to console their son as he hide his head under a pillow. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson cuddled on another couch, simply talking and discussing their jobs.
"Oh sweet!" Maureen shouted with joy, her head turning around to focus on Joanne's dad. "Mr. Jefferson I just want to let you know, that those yellow umbrella's we were using today…well you won't be using them anymore…I'm sorry for your loss."
"What?" Mr. Jefferson said, now standing up making his way over to the window, to see two umbrella's spinning around in the wind, gaining a whole bunch of rips, and holes.
At that moment, another crack of thunder hit causing the power to go out, and causing everyone to scream, everyone except James, and Mr. Jefferson.
Maureen then started giggling while lowering herself down on the couch, "This is exciting!"
"If its so exciting then why did you just scream?" Joanne asked.
Maureen shrugged. "I don't know, its what girls do when the lights go off."
James then started chuckling. "That is such a true story."
"See." Maureen said now wrapping her arms around Joanne's shoulders.
"Is it over yet?" Cole asked, his head popping out from under the pillow.
"Not yet buddy." James answered.
"I have to use the bathroom…" Tara said, "But how do I go with no light?"
"Use a candle." Joanne replied as if it was even a question.
"No need for attitude Ms. Ivy League." Tara said as she stood up.
Maureen snorted at the remark, laughing on the inside, causing Joanne to glare at her. "What?"
"Don't you even start." Joanne warned with a playful look in her eye.
"Daddy can you come help me find some flashlights?" Tara asked her dad in a childlike manner.
"Daddy?" Joanne mocked. "You're not a child Tara."
"Shut up." Tara replied.
"Girls, don't start, you two are adults now." Mrs. Jefferson said.
"Lets see who is the more mature adult, by having them wrestle." Maureen suggested feeling a little more comfortable in front of Joanne's family.
"I agree!" James quickly answered.
"No." Joanne and Tara said at the same time.
"Come on, is sisterly fun." Maureen assured.
Mr. Jefferson chuckled. "Not in this house. Now come on Tara we'll go find some flashlights, and candles."
"Where's Mama?" Cole asked his voice filled with terror.
"She'll be back in a few minutes." James answered.
"I want her now." Cole said.
"Want to come sit with us?" Joanne asked.
Cole peered over towards the two, his eyes adjusting to the dark to see the two women cuddled together. Suddenly he jumped off the couch, and ran over to Joanne and Maureen. Just as he reached the couch another crack of thunder went off, causing him to hide his face in Maureen's chest.
Joanne smiled at the sight, watching as Maureen wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay." Joanne said while running a hand threw his hair.
"Yeah the storm can't get you in here." Maureen added.
"Promise?" Cole asked, his eyes peering up towards Joanne.
Joanne smiled and kissed his forehead. "Promise. If it does come in here, then you can tickle Maureen to death for lying to you."
Maureen eyed Joanne, and then looked back down at the kid in her arms. "But I'm not ticklish, therefore it wouldn't work."
Joanne's smile grew wider, her eyes still on Cole. "Try it."
Cole kept his eyes on Joanne with a questioning look.
"Tickle her." Joanne said.
"Joanne no." Maureen said.
A spark hit Cole's eyes, as he slowly brought his hand down to Maureen's side, his little fingers grazing a ticklish spot.
"No!" Maureen laughed.
"Haha Maureen is ticklish." Cole giggled, his hand moving some more, causing Maureen to burst out into a fit of laughter.
Joanne then grabbed Maureen's wrist, holding them tightly so Cole could tickle her good.
"Joanne you suck!" Maureen laughed.
"Just getting you back for today." Joanne said with a huge grin.
"Okay stop!" Maureen laughed, her body struggling to get free from the torture.
Fortunately for Maureen there was a loud bang of thunder, causing Cole to quickly stop, panic, and lunge for Joanne, the closes thing to protection.
Joanne let out a small laugh at the sight, her arms now wrapping around her nephew in an order to comfort him. Maureen finally recovered from her tickle attack; her head now resting on Joanne's shoulder, her fingers drawing circles on the lawyers thigh.
"You two look good with a kid." James blurted.
"Thanks." Joanne responded with a content smile, also taking note that Maureen didn't respond, and her fingers quickly stopped the circle making.
An hour later the storm finally calmed down, and the power came back on. Everyone was pretty tired from the beach adventure, so they all headed to their rooms for the night.
Maureen and Joanne climbed into bed together; Maureen was ready to have some fun, until Joanne put everything on hold with one simple question.
"Do you see kids in our future?" Joanne asked.
Maureen froze at the question, not able to answer right away.
"You seemed a little quiet after James said we looked good with a child." Joanne added.
Maureen sighed, letting her body rest against the headboard. "I don't know, I don't think about stuff like that. I mean the only time I ever thought I would have a kid, is if it were an accident. But now that I'm with you, I don't have to worry about stuff like that. I'm happy with just us."
"But you're so good with Cole." Joanne said with a spark in her eyes. "Imagine what it would be like with our own kids."
"I don't know Joanne, lets just go to bed."
Joanne sighed as she watched Maureen roll on her side, her back facing the lawyer. Joanne reached out and turned off the light, her body now molding against Maureen's in the spooning position.
Joanne was almost afraid to wrap her arm around Maureen, unsure if she made Maureen angry about her question, but she did it anyways, and was surprised when Maureen covered Joanne's arm with her own, and interlaced their fingers together.
Nothing more was said between the two, as the rain poured down in a calming motion, causing the two to drift off into a peaceful slumber.