Ages:

Jim - 44
Melinda - 40
Katie - 15
Aaron - 11
Mackenzie - 5

It was hot. Very hot. And although Melinda loved summer, even she had to admit that she couldn't take this heatwave anymore. She licked her lips in a failed attempt to satisfy her thirst because she had finished her water off an hour ago and Jim refused to stop until they got to their final destination.

She fanned herself with a magazine because of course her jeep's AC broke an hour into their road trip. Why hadn't they just taken the truck? She rolled the front windows down, so they could all take the pleasure of feeling the breeze the speed created.

"Where are we going?" Katie asked, groaning as she to fanned herself with a magazine, finally being able to put it down as the wind made its way to the back.

For the past few hours, they'd been driving to Jim's secret destination for their family vacation. Two weeks away to a place her husband had picked and wouldn't tell any of the kids or her about the location until they got there.

"Yeah, dad," Aaron, their second child, sighed. "Where are we going?"

"Daddy, I'm hungry!" Mackenzie, the youngest, yelled and kicked her dad's seat to get his attention.

"Is anyone else hungry?" Jim said, glancing at the kids in the rearview mirror. He could see that each of them nodded and he looked to Melinda, who smiled at him and nodded too. "Okay. I'll stop somewhere soon. I think we are almost there."

Melinda watched Katie plug her earbud back in and Aaron looked back down at his game. At least Aaron had only just pulled out his Nintendo Switch. Katie had been quiet the whole trip and glued to her iPhone, for the entire seven hours.

What was up with her? Had something happened before they left?

Melinda didn't have much to go on because her daughter had been keeping to herself lately, but that never meant anything good. Katie usually told her everything, or nearly everything because every kid kept a few secrets from their mom. She let it go for now and knew she would be able to get to the bottom of it once they got out of the car.

Hearing the same country song that had played four times that hour, she switched the station and a Demi Lovato ballad came on. One that she particularly liked. She started to sing along with the song that came on the radio, and Jim joined her, but his voice was so terrible that Mackenzie started to laugh at him. A second later, everyone was laughing, too. Even Katie.

They drove past a sign a few moments later.

Welcome to New Hope, PA.

"Where the heck are we? Are we lost?" Aaron asked as Jim moved over into the lane to get off at an exit.

"Nope," Jim said, getting off onto the viaduct and turning toward the town. "We're here. I found a small town with a nice lake and some fun downtown shops. I thought it would be a nice week of fun for us." He went down the county road, driving a few miles before he parked the jeep outside a diner. "I'll grab Mackenzie."

"Okay," she said and leaned across the driveshaft to kiss his lips. "Will you take her and Aaron inside? I have to figure something out with Katie."

He nodded wordlessly and grabbed the keys, kissing her again before he moved to get out of the jeep, unbuckling his seatbelt. Jim was quick about grabbing Mackenzie from the backseat and Aaron had climbed out the second the car had stalled long enough, and her husband ushered the younger two of their children inside the restaurant.

Katie had been sitting in the middle, to prevent Mackenzie from bugging Aaron, and climbed out last. She was standing there waiting for her.

"Walk with me, baby," she said, linking arms with her.

"It's hot out, mom," Katie groaned but followed her anyway. "What's up?"

"I'm just worried about you. You didn't talk the entire car ride," Melinda said, walking down the little business street. "Hey, let's take a look inside here. There's AC too."

Katie nodded and they walked inside the shop next to the dinner, seeing various clothing styled on manikins. It was a cute shop, but there wasn't anything bigger than a size ten at this store. Why did people idolize being so thin?

"So what's up with you, babe? You usually play along with all of the road games." Melinda watched as Katie looked at the shirt, bringing it up to herself in front of the mirror. She could tell by the material it would be see-through after the second wash and she sensed Katie did too because she folded and put it back. "But you didn't today."

"I am just tired, that's all. Maybe a little hungry too," Katie shrugged, taking a dress off the rack. It was purple and short, a little too short for her fourteen-year-old daughter, and Melinda reached to push it back toward the rack, which Katie hung back on with a laugh. "We got up super early is all."

Melinda didn't quite believe her but decided not to say anything and looked at some jewelry that was on the manikin near her. It was a cute feather statement necklace. "I guess we did," she agreed slightly, feeling the drain of all the traveling today has had on her. "I'm so excited to get to the cabin, turn the AC on high, and take a nap."

"Me too. I want to take a bath too." Katie said, a chuckle dying in her throat. Her daughter turned to face her and lost all strength in her face then, biting a quivering lip to keep herself from crying in the middle of the boutique. "Mom, the reason I'm upset is that Henry broke up with me two days ago. I don't want to talk about it." Her daughter's voice broke and a few tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Oh, honey, come here," she whispered and pulled her in close. Melinda hugged Katie tightly and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "It's gonna be okay. I know that breakups hurt, but know it does get better with time. I promise. Are you still hungry?"

Her daughter shook her head and pulled back, having cried enough for being in public. "I just want to change out of these clothes and lay down."

"Okay. Let me go talk to your dad and see what I can do," she kissed her daughter's forehead and hugged her again. "This is a special circumstance, but we do only have one car." Melinda reached into her purse and grabbed a twenty from her wallet, giving it to Katie. "Get yourself something. Whatever you want. I'll be right back."

"Okay, that's fine. If anything I can get a cup of soup and wait to go to the cabin," Katie said as she took the money and took another quick look around. "Do I have to spend it here?"

"You can do whatever you want with it," she said with a laugh and linked arms with her daughter as they walked out of the store. The sun's heat smacked them in the face as they left. They were too similar when it came to shopping. "I think I saw a bookshop across the street if that's more what you were looking for."

"Maybe," Katie shrugged. "It's never a bad decision to find a new book to read. I'll look for something you'd like too." That's all it took for the teen to double-check if cars were coming and book it across the street.

Melinda chuckled, seeing her slip into the bookstore as she walked into the dinner. She knew her daughter far too well.

"Mommy!" Mackenzie waved wildly and Aaron chuckled as he sipped his soda and played on his Nintendo.

"Hi, baby," Melinda said happily and pressed a kiss to the small blonde's cheek. She ruffled Aaron's hair next, kissing his forehead before she sat down next to Jim, kissing his cheek. "Hey, can I talk to you?"

"Where's Katie?" Jim looked over his shoulder to the door and didn't see her.

"She's going to check out the bookstore," she said and took a sip of her water at the table. "I was gonna ask if I could take her to the cabin. She's not feeling up to lunch or the plans after this so I was thinking it would be nice for her to have the day with me."

"Did something happen?" He asked, eyes searching for if it was anything serious. He leaned in to whisper in her ear next. "A ghost something?"

"No ghost," she said, but it was still something she wanted to handle alone. "But I'd rather not talk about It here. It's not my information to spread." She sighed, knowing Katie should be the one to tell her father when she was ready. "Plus tomorrow is her birthday and this is going to ruin it no matter how hard I try to fix it."

"Is Katie okay?" Aaron asked, looking up from his game.

"Yeah, your sister is just a little sad right now." She said, seeing the concern in the ten-year-old's eyes. "But she will feel better soon and I'm gonna try to cheer her up."

"Katie's sad?" Mackenzie stopped coloring the book her dad had grabbed from the car and pouted. "That's not good. I don't like it when she's sad."

"Me either, Kenzie," Jim said ruffling her hair and winking at her. "Mommy will take care of it though."

"The campground is just a walk down the road right?" She asked and pulled out her phone, shooting Katie a text to tell her she had gotten okay from her dad to check-in to the cabin and to meet up at the car in ten minutes. "Because then you can keep the car and I'll grab my bag to go check-in."

"Yeah, it's to the right and at the end of the next block." He explained with a nod. "We'll stop by after we eat to check in and see if she's up for mini-golf."

"Okay," she kissed his cheek and stood up. "We'll probably make something to eat there with the food we brought. If not for her, then for me because I'm hungry."

He squeezed her hand as she walked away and smiled. She hoped she did the right thing by not telling Jim about the breakup. That was something she wanted Katie to tell him.

They found the campground quickly and went to the main office, which thankfully was air-conditioned. Katie sat in one of the few different waiting chairs, holding onto both of their bags as Melinda checked in. It was done in all of five minutes and they were taking a golf cart up to cabin seventeen, which was unexpected.

"A golf cart? Was that included?" She asked, following her mom out of the office and towards a small lot to the side where a few extra golf carts were parked.

"It wasn't included, but when the clerk offered the option I thought why not? It wasn't that much extra and I'm sure you're dad would've done it anyway and won't mind," Melinda shrugged, pointing to the back of the cart. "Put the bags there and strap them in just to be safe."

"Can I drive?" She asked, but still, she did as she was told. "Pretty please?"

"No," Melinda shook her head and sat in the driver's seat, putting the key in.

"Why not?" She asked, standing behind the cart so her mom couldn't put it in reverse. "I heard the clerk say the age for driving was fifteen."

"You aren't fifteen yet," Melinda corrected her and patted the spot next to her. "Come on, just hop in."

"Mom, my birthday is literally in less than twelve hours from now." She sighed and moved to sit in the passenger seat when her mom wouldn't budge. "Can I drive tomorrow?"

"Maybe," Melinda shrugged and pulled out and drove up the hill toward where the signs told them to.

Once up the hill, it flattened out and there was a cut path between big evergreen trees where each cabin sat. It was a fairly nice campground for a passing-through kind of town. There were thirty or so rented cabins and even a few that were left open since it was following the Fourth of July.

Plus there was a cleared section of lots for campers that must park there all year round. There were a few signs that pointed to a lake about a mile down a dirt road for swimming and fishing, but there was also a nicely-sized pool and hot tub in a centralized area with a small playground, and even a few nice-looking bathhouses around.

"So what kind of cabin did you and dad get?" She asked after a bit too much silence, looking around the campground. "This place is nice."

"Yeah, your dad did find the jackpot. I think the clerk said it was a three-bedroom cabin with a full kitchen and bathroom," Melinda explained, driving down the path that the sign read cabins sixteen through twenty were located down. "I would guess there is a master bedroom and then two smaller ones."

"Nice," she said. "That sounds like a big cabin. I know you said maybe, but I would like the drive the golf cart this week."

"I was just teasing you before. The rules are fifteen and up, so I don't see why you can't since your birthday is tomorrow." Her mother winked at her and she laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe you can find a cute boy around here to lift your spirits when you are driving around?"

She continued to laugh then, shrugging. "I don't know, mom. Maybe."

"Did you at least find a good book to read?" Melinda asked as she drove the golf cart up to cabin seventeen and parked.

"Yeah. I found two. It's a mystery and a period romance. I'll show you when we get inside," she said as they got out and grabbed their bags, walking towards the front door of the cabin.

Her mom was right behind her and unlocked the front door quickly to get out of the heat and inside. It was already cool when they got in there and she shut the door behind them. "This is nice," Melinda pointed out, turning on the light.

The door led into a large living room which an open kitchen was right off of, and a hallway to the right led to the bathroom and bedrooms.

"Yeah, really nice." She said, walking down to the bedrooms. She saw one bedroom had a queen-sized bed and the other had two twins. "You think I could have my own room? Of two smaller bedrooms, one has two beds and the other has one."

"Of course, Katiebug." Melinda put her bag on the couch and followed her into her room. "You are the oldest and it's almost your birthday. It has its perks."

She laughed as she put her duffel bag and purse on her bed. "It's a nice room, and even has a ceiling fan." She said and pulled out the first book she got to show her. "This one was on the bestseller's list and I want to read it, but I thought you would like it too. The period drama is for me. I also got these to match my swimsuit," she fished a pair of pink sunglasses from the bag, putting them on her face with a smile. "How do I look?"

"Very sophisticated," her mother smiled as she peeked around the room and then into the closet. "This room is super nice. You should hang up your dresses in the closet."

"Yeah, in a little bit. The bed looks comfy." Katie took the sunglasses off, putting them back in the bookstore bag and on the side table with her book. She moved her duffel bag to the floor and plopped on the bed, relaxing into it the cool comforter and pillows. "Super comfy. Oh, I could sleep right now, even though I sweat through this entire outfit."

"Oh, don't worry, I did too." Melinda laughed, moving out of the closet and over to lay next to her on the bed. "I can't wait to change. I regretted putting on jean shorts the moment we left the house."

"Yeah, me too. This outfit may be cute and worth the Instagram post, but not the heat and uncomfortable feeling once you start sweating," She said, chuckling as she sat up and pulled her duffel bag onto her lap.

"I could have told you that, babe," her mother told her teasingly.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," she sighed and rummaged inside her bag, pulling out her journal and the small bag of pens to place it on the side table before starting to look through the clothes. "You're always right, mom. I am starting to realize this."

"You know I love you that's all," Melinda said as she kissed her cheek. "Are you ready to talk more? I can make us some lunch if you're hungry."

"I kind of want a grilled cheese," she shrugged, pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it to the space between the wall and the bed. "That would be nice." She grabbed a new tank top and comfy shorts before moving her duffel to the floor. "I guess I could talk more now that we're alone."

Melinda nodded "I have a story to tell you," her mother said. "From when I was in college."

"Is it about dad?" She asked, eyes wide at the possibility of a story about her parents. "I love hearing about how you and daddy got married and fell in love."

"Kind of," Melinda shrugged. "It's about a lot more than just a story about him. When I graduated high school I wanted to get as far away from my mom as possible, so I moved to Seattle right after graduation in June. I'd had a lot of money saved in the bank and I got an apartment off-campus. I made a friend, her name was Holly and she eventually moved in to help out with rent. Holly was kind of a little boy crazy. She partied a lot and we had a lot of fun. She always brought me with her because I was the so-called single friend who'd never gotten attention from boys."

"You?" She was shocked. Her mother had always been beautiful. She had seen all of the photos of her mother growing up by now. "You never got attention from boys?"

"Well I was an outcast in high school because I chose to be and I didn't hide my gift, so I was the school freak who saw ghosts and talked to herself in public. The guys who did give me attention weren't the ones you wanted giving you attention." Melinda sighed, thinking back to that time. She could tell her mom didn't like to, but she would, for her. "I only had one friend throughout my childhood and her name was Alexis. She was my best friend and I trusted her with everything. She even believed in my gift, in a way, kind of like Hannah, but our senior year she convinced me to go to some stupid costume party and for once I did, but when I got to the party it was all a joke. Every single person including my best friend was dressed up as a ghost to make fun of me."

"That's terrible, mom," she said as she hugged her. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"Anyway that was a bit off-topic, in college, I met this older guy." Her mother told her. "His name was Kevin and he was charming, smart, and handsome. He took me out and showed me everything about Seattle. All of the coffee shops, the best bookstores, food, and any fun you could think of in the city. I loved him very much and he was the first boyfriend I ever had, much like Henry to you."

"He broke your heart too?" Katie didn't know what else to say. She squeezed her mom's hand and waited, knowing there was more to the story.

"He did. In a whole bunch of different ways," Melinda whispered and wiped a few tears away from her eyes. "One day, I worked up the courage and told him about my gift, and Kevin didn't believe me. He told me I was crazy and that the only way I would see him again was when he was a ghost. He stormed out of the apartment and I never saw or heard from again."

"Does it still hurt?" She sighed, her head falling into her hands now. "Because I hurt everywhere mom and he was just some stupid boy. I knew that things weren't going to work out weeks ago... but why does it still hurt so much?"

"I can't say why it does. And I want to tell you that it won't hurt in ten or twenty years, but I still cry every time I think about it. Not because I hurt, but because I remember how it was to feel that pain Kevin caused me, and I feel for myself and everything I went through." Melinda explained, her voice thick with emotion as she spoke. "I can't thank your dad enough for coming into my life and giving me three beautiful children and a wonderful life."

"Well, I am happy you met dad too." Katie smiled and wiped her tears away. "What happened after Kevin broke up with you?"

"I came home about a month or so later," Melinda sighed, thinking about her first few weeks back in New York after Seattle. "And the first week back I got a temp job as a receptionist at a law firm. I ended up grabbing the wrong coffee my first day and had to return it to its owner, and her name was Andrea."

"That's how you met Andrea?" She gasped, having never heard this story. "I wish I could've met her. You always talk so kindly about her."

"Yes, she was the funniest person I ever met." Melinda smiled sadly, feeling her grief for her friend coming forward. "I miss her a lot... and when I came back to New York, I stayed in the city. It may have taken a year, but when I met your daddy he showed me what love was supposed to be like. He showed me how good it was to be treated right and one day you will meet a man like your father and Henry will be a distant memory. Okay?"

"Okay…" She whispered and then her mother pulled her close, kissing her head, and the dam broke. "You know, Henry broke up with me because I wouldn't have sex with him."

"What a bastard. I swear teenage boys will always have the audacity to do the dumbest things," Melinda muttered and shook her head. "But you made the right decision, sweetheart. Anyone who truly loves you would wait until you're ready. Never let anyone pressure you into something like that."

"I know that. You've given me the consent talk a thousand times," she said, circling the subject cautiously. "I just feel like everyone I know has already done it... how old were you?"

Her mother had always been open with her, but there was a slight pause before she answered. "My first time? Um. I was nineteen. I had been dating Kevin for six months and it felt right. This is why it doesn't matter what everyone else is doing. Just what feels right for you."

"I know and I'm glad I said no," she sighed. "I can't imagine doing that right now. I'm only going to be fifteen tomorrow. Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all. If Henry was half the man he thinks he is then he would've never pressured you," Melinda said, kissing her cheek. "Ugh, all this sex talk... my baby is growing up!"

"I'm not a baby, mom," she said but let her mother pull her into her lap like she was one anyway.

"I know, just let me dream. It's like I had you yesterday." Melinda sighed, cupping her cheeks, and hugging her. "You were such a cute and peaceful baby. Your father and I were very fortunate."

"I know. You've told me a thousand times," Katie laughed and kissed her mother's cheek.

"Okay. Enough teasing," Melinda let go of her and toward the other room. "Let's make some food and watch a movie. Then your dad should be back to take us mini-golfing."

Later that night when Melinda was cleaning up the kitchen and getting herself a glass of water, Jim came back from checking in on their children, who were all settled into their rooms peacefully. Mackenzie slept soundly on her bed and Aaron played on his Nintendo, as always, while Katie was writing her journal entry before heading to bed.

As she finished up her cleaning by wiping down the counters, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "So like I told you," he whispered. "The kids are taken care of... should we head to bed?"

"Soon. I still have to do the dishes, and I want to have a glass of wine," she said with a giggle. "Are you up for more than sleeping after throwing Aaron and Mack around in the pool all afternoon?"

He hummed against the shell of her ear, his hands coming down to palm her ass. "I always have enough energy for the love of my life," he whispered, his lips trailing down her neck. "Don't worry about the dishes. You just pour yourself a glass of wine and get ready for bed, okay?"

She finished washing off the counter and turned around in his arms, giggling as their lips met briefly. "Okay. You're the best."

"Now that is something I am well aware of," he chuckled, letting her sneak by him as he went to begin to load the dishwasher.

Melinda poured herself a glass of Pinot and then pressed a kiss to her husband's cheek before going into the bedroom. She sipped at her wine as she undressed and redressed into a rather sexy white nightgown, before going to brush her teeth and wash her face before bed. She got into bed afterward and found something on tv to occupy her until Jim came in.

He got ready for bed as quickly as she did and then slid in beside her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "What are you watching?" He asked, his hand sliding around her waist.

"Some old episode of Grey's Anatomy," she said, glancing over at him. "Not that I am paying any attention to it. I was just waiting for you."

"Good," he said, kissing her neck and running his hands over her body. "This is sexy."

In the shifting and settling of their bodies, her nightgown had been rucked up around her waist, and his hand was resting on her bare hip. His shirt was pulled up some as well, and where her rear was nestled in the cup of his thighs, they were skin-to-skin. She pushed back against him with her behind, more to settle herself more firmly into his warmth than an incitement to lust, but she felt his hand tighten on her hip slightly as she did so.

"I want you," he breathed into her skin, his hand sneaking between her thighs.

Her inhibitions were subdued in the fuzziness from the wine, the joy of laying down comfortably, and the touch of her husband. She turned to him, slow and dreamlike, as though they were underwater. His eyes were like water too. Without light, they were black as a pool in a cave, but shining and watching her as she moved.

His hands found their way under her nightgown to one breast, his large hand engulfing it in warmth and strength. Her nipple came up hard against his palm, and he made a small noise in his throat in pleasure, but still, he moved slowly. He kissed her thoroughly and stroked every inch of her skin that he could reach, and she writhed under his touch as he pleasured her.

Soon fingers were not enough, but he rose, and their lips met again as he slid his cock inside her. "Melinda," he whispered, and it was a question, plea, and prayer in one breath, and she answered him in kind.

"Jim," she moaned softly, claiming his lips again.

When he gently began rocking his hips, she could feel her eyes roll back up into her head. It was just the barest movement, but he did so against her perfectly, building a maelstrom of something hot and tingling within. She breathed, opening her eyes, not wanting to miss seeing his face.

His dark eyes locked with hers, intense enough to make goosebumps rise across her skin. "You feel so good." He groaned quietly against her lips.

She smiled. "So do you," she whispered in return.

He kissed her once more as he began to move. With each kiss, he drank down the sound of her moans. He had worked her up to the brink and her orgasm wasn't far away. Lightning bolts of pleasure spiked, making her tighten around him and a whimper caught in his throat.

"Mine." He growled, his hips moving with more urgency, more force, "All mine."

She was on the edge, teetering on the brink of too much and not enough. Jim was perfect, her perfect match. She was so close to coming, her toes curled.

So close. So close. So close.

His teeth against the base of her throat sent her breaking, the hair of his five o'clock shadow brushing against her overly sensitive skin, and she came with a hoarse cry. He groaned and continued to thrust his hips until they gave a few last snaps and came.

Melinda made a low noise as she felt the throbbing of his cock inside of her. He rested his forehead against her chest and she let her eyes drift shut as she caught her breath.

She tried to find the words, to sum up how she felt, but all that managed to come out was, "Wow."

He chuckled, pressing slow, lazy kisses to the side of her breast before he lifted his head. "Wow, indeed." He shared another kiss on her lips and felt her smile, her hand trailing through his sweaty hair. "I love you."

She hummed against his lips, "I love you."

He shifted beside her and she quickly went to the bathroom before they settled in for bed. "What was up with Katie earlier?" Jim asked once she came back to bed. "I know it was something bad by the way you were talking about it."

"I don't know if I should be the one to tell you," she sighed, looking over at him. "It's her thing."

"Just tell me, Mel." He asked, shutting the tv off. He wasn't much in the mood for it as background noise. "Unless it's just that time of the month?"

"No. God, you're such a man. Henry broke up with her a few days ago," she muttered and gestured for him to close his mouth and just listen. "I didn't tell you at first because I don't want you to make a big thing about this. Katie is in far enough pain as it is going through this transition, but she's strong and will get through this without either of us medeling. She told me she had a great day today and I want her to have an even better birthday tomorrow, okay?"

"Mel," he sighed, wanting more information. "What happened?"

"I really shouldn't tell you this, but he tried to pressure her into having sex," she replied. "She stood her ground and said no, and part of me is so proud of her Jim, even if she got her heart shattered because of it." She explained with a shake of her head. "She stood up to the pressure and I am proud because I know that I would have done anything to be attractive in someone's eyes back then."

"That bastard," he muttered and she had to press a kiss to his forehead for him to release his clenched fists. "And you are the most beautiful woman on the planet. I love you more than anything in the world."

"Mmm, good thing I married you then, huh?" She giggled, closing her eyes. "Let's get some sleep, and then before you make Katie's favorite breakfast... maybe you'll get lucky again."