Hey There,
Welcome back for a rare Friday Post! But I HAD to give you guys two posts this week! I had to make up for the lack of ANY posts last week and I'm so thrilled I could accomplish this!
Special thanks to the few of you who have placed this story on your Story Alert or Favorite Story lists. Special thanks to the few of you who have added me as an authoress to your Favorite Author's list or Author's alert lists too. That is high praise and I hope I don't let you guys down.
Special Thanks to reviewer: Guest Nina (My goodness, bless you. Yes this week has been going a lot better, so far. Thank you so much for being so kind, so understanding about last week. For trying to build me back up a little bit. That combined with your compliments towards my writing, were so sweet! It was so much more than kind, and I can't thank you enough for that. I really try to give them all a little spotlight. But Zoey telling Mark he'd better not hurt ANYONE else was way too fun to create in that last chapter. Especially when Logan jumped right in, and got on his case too. And ended up confessing he had those feelings for Quinn before he even realized it and when Mark was still with her. It was so fun! I felt like Quinn was so wrapped up in what was happening around her at the farm That it would be kinda nice for the gang to clue her in [in their own unique way] about what's really going on with these exams and Logan... trying so hard. I was very nervous about posting till I read your review. It gave me so much peace of mind and you even called me a 'friend,' when I'd needed that. Just God bless you for ALL these comments. Please let me know if it's okay if I can call you a friend as well when I post next. I am doing my best to spoil you guys, you keep me going! Bless you, hope you're having a GREAT week! And weekend now that it's Friday! Take Care and Much Love!)
Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own plots. Most will be returned unharmed.
Enjoy!
"How We Spent Our Summer Vacay!"
Chapter 6 - School's FINALLY Out!
((Logan's Perspective))
Like the end of EVERY year at PCA, I had a team of people coming in. To take apart my part of our dorm setup and store it just right for my Senior Year. Dad usually got me new things every year, but he always finds uses for the old stuff too. It had to be kept nice and most of it needed to be handled just right. After all of the glitches these webcams had throughout the year. I had half a mind to throw them away right now. Chase wanted them embronzed or something as one of the best and worst things to happen to him. Because they're first glitch let Zoey know he loved her. The glitch right after that had let him in on my secret with Quinn, before ANYONE else.
Chase even argued, "He felt closer to me and Quinn since all that went down too."
So, I just gave them to him, I'll explain why to Dad later. He won't mind.
My roommates both weren't leaving till tomorrow morning (Saturday), but I would be leaving as soon as my last exam was done.
When the last exams and presentations wrap up on the last day of classes. ALL of us who haven't already left, stand together in the open-air halls and outdoor eating areas. Watching the clock wind down those last five minutes of school at the end of the day. And the last twenty seconds get counted down like new years. Quinn didn't want to miss this tradition… so I'd reminded her last night that I would call her as soon as my last exam was turned in.
Since it kinda like New Year's Eve, and I FINALLY had a girlfriend this year. I'd been imagining kissing her when we were free. I'd been imagining that even when we were still a secret. I even sometimes wondered if that would be how our secret got out... but I hadn't lasted that long and had to end up telling everyone at Prom.
I knew my friends would be doing EVERYTHING they COULD to beat me to Quinn today. ESPECIALLY the girls, hoping to keep her hostage from me as long as possible. Just outta meanness! I was so glad I told her not to answer when ANY of them called her, around this time. To wait for me and only let me walk her through it.
You don't know how happy I was to call and have her pick up on the second ring. "Hey Baby, EVERYONE has been calling me these last few minutes."
The Jerks!
I had to ask, "Where am I finding you right now? Are you at your house taking it easy? Or are you helping out around the farm?"
"I'm in the barn with my alpaca family, but I promise I am taking it easy."
But I just heard somehow in that little quietness at the end there. That she hadn't ALWAYS been taking it so easy either.
"Otis and Maybelline are still staying inside their sick stall turned birthing stall. Neither of them are even trying to go outside… Maybelline seems to be having a very bad day, she seems to be very uncomfortable. She's even running a low-grade fever. Her doctor swears it's normal and she's just getting close to her delivery time… It could still be days before the crias are born. But she's definitely getting close."
"You sound more worried than excited." I noticed, "What's got the gears in your head working overtime? What else did the doctor say?"
"Her vet just warned that one of the twins is doing better than the other. One seems to be healthier than the other. It's pretty common with twins, even in human twins…but I'm hanging out with them. Just in case. While she's got this little fever spike happening." I could hear her walking as she was talking to me too. "And when I'm not with them. I'm helping getting the indoor stalls ready for the giraffes my uncle's taking in soon. He had to build on special stalls just for these new additions. I thought it was one or two but its gonna be three retired giraffes total…I can't believe no one wanted them."
I had to agree, "I can't either, it's just crazy."
She told me more about what was happening around there. As I walked to the spot where all of us were meeting up for the countdown. When I saw my friends and they were all snapping their fingers because they saw me talking to Quinn on my cell phone. I called them ALL out being jerks, to their faces. It felt like no time at all, because I let them all talk to Quinn (not letting any of them steal my phone though, I held on the WHOLE time. No matter who tugged on it) Then the countdown was starting before we knew it and I hope Quinn still felt like she was a part of it all… I get the feeling she may have been tearing up on her end and trying to hide it…
I know I've said this constantly since she left, but I'll say it again till I get there! I've GOTTA get to SEATTLE! I can't take it when she cries and I'm right there. It turns out to be a million times worse when I KNOW she's crying and I can't be there… I can't hug her and tell her everything's gonna be alright… She did her best to hide it, but even the girls were all noticing and not fooled.
I know I had to be jumping off soon, even though a team was packing my things. I still had a lot to do before I could leave PCA today. I had to have a talk with everyone about the Hawaii trip. There wasn't any reason to be so secretive anymore either. Since MICHAEL blabbed! I got straight with everyone how they're all getting back to me BEFORE we leave. What the due date is, and how we're all meeting up to travel with my Dad's filming crew. Even going as far as getting some of them to team up with each other and get back here in plenty of time before we're supposed to leave. So that everyone made it in time.
Zoey and Chase had the easiest job here, they just had to be ready for us. I didn't tell either of them that I had called Zoey's Uncle and cleared them both from duty during our two-week stay either. If we weren't gonna surprise them when we showed up. I was still gonna surprise them some other way. And getting a break like that would be a great start.
I had a list I was checking off in my pocket. I needed whatever the gang wanted me to take with me for Quinn to ALSO be ready to go. TODAY! Before I LEAVE! And some of it had to be close so I made sure it got packed for my trip to Seattle. Which I would be packing for tonight when I got to my grandparents' place.
I needed all of that squared away before I leave. And all of that pressure and weight was starting to crush me. But I still stood there talking with Quinn as long as I could… even though I promised to talk to her later tonight. But all of that crazy tight scheduling in my brain flew out the window when I even THOUGHT I'd heard tears. On the other end of that phone call. So I ended up having the Hawaii pow-wow while Quinn was still listening. Still denying she'd been crying too. But I know what I'd heard.
After that, I really did have to hang up. It hadn't been easy, but there were so many things I had to talk about that Quinn couldn't hear. I had to let her go… again! It was just torture.
But EVERYONE was handing me all sorts of things to take with me. Either gifts for me, or Quinn. Since I would be seeing her a lot sooner than anyone else. They'd all bought gifts for Quinn as well as things she'll need for her alpaca family… specifically the new baby alpacas, and even though they weren't gonna be able to come to the farm with me. They were all sending along gifts for the little shower I was planning to throw for her whenever I do get to Seattle. I had a pile of gifts going one way, dorm stuff going another, AND a driver picking me up with whatever I could carry with me. For my short stay with my grandparents. AND even when I got to their place, I needed to pack up for my next trip. So gears were in motion, but I had a LOT to do.
Zoey had been carrying around Quinn's yearbook almost as much as me. And I made sure I had it with mine before I left too. When I went to get Quinn's yearbook and say 'bye' to the girls. Who were busy packing up all of their stuff by hand (they didn't have a team like me). I know I ended up spending an hour at the girl's dorm. Because as they'd hinted, Zoey and Lola had put together a gift for me.
They have recently been sorting through their pictures, and had seen my printed photos. And found out how much I love having printed pictures like that. So they'd both given me a stack of pictures from their own stashes and memory cards with recordings of some of the dancing Quinn and I had to do together. We both ended up dancing a lot together, before our relationship was even public. We had to help our injured coaches teach EVERYONE how to dance, before the Prom. Some of them I hadn't even seen before… Stacey, Lydia, and Lisa all made sure to tell me 'bye' and hand off gifts too. But I think that all of the girls had been working together because even those three had included thick envelopes full of pictures… Not that I minded!
But just like normal, the longest, hardest part of the day. Was saying bye to the guys. Chase had JUST gotten back from London. It sucked to have to turn around and say 'bye' again so soon. Even if we were gonna all end up in Hawaii thanks to him… Oh yeah, and Zoey.
Michael always acted like he was glad to be getting rid of me. But then he usually cried whenever I said 'bye' for real. This year was no different, some things never change.
Vince would be going off with Lola. So I had to tell him 'good luck with that.' And 'bye' till we see him in Hawaii too. Lola usually spends a ton of time visiting her family in Mexico. Not that I've ever gone with her for that... even if I have bumped into her there before. We had both come to the same place at the same time separately.
But James, Lydia, Stacey, and Mark were all toting season passes to Mystic Mountain. And keeping kinda local for a big part of their summers. So we were all kinda trying to figure out times we could meet up there and hang out.
It felt like it took forever! But finally! The team of packers pulled away with my packed dorm stuff. The other packed car pulled away with the stuff I needed with me (at my grandparents and probably when I go to Seattle too) and it was time for the driver to pick me up. But I was expecting a company car or professional driver to escort me to my grandparent's house. Like normal… well, that's more normal for me. It was just the way my dad got from place to place and he usually always made me do the same. Even though I can drive now, and have been able to for a year.
I wasn't expecting my Grandpa to pick me up himself. But he did, saying he wanted a chance to catch up before my grandma dominated the conversation. She would do that, knowing her, but I was still shocked. After all of the crazy stressful WEEK of studying and tests. Of moving out, of missing Quinn, AND saying bye to ALL of my friends… I got to talk to my Gramps the whole ride to Pasadena from PCA. It was so nice.
I'd told Quinn that I was starting this summer like I've started EVERY summer as far back as I can remember. I usually tour all of my dad's different homes and make sure they're all still standing. He lends them out to friends, even rents out some of them as vacation spots, and I have to make sure that every one of them is STILL the way he expects them to be. We have five that are just ours, and then there's the family beach house, family houses in Canada and Aspen for the wintertime. And few others we co-own like that. With our families… Or Dad's business partners and friends. But that wasn't the real plan at all this year. My grandparents had already ran that route for me this year and were taking me directly to their house for the weekend. While Quinn and I would be working on Mystic Mountain, I'm hoping to stay with them too. They're closest to the pack, and even some friends may crash with us here or there. My grandma and I have been setting up those plans for a month now.
Sunday night or really early Monday morning, Quinn's uncle would be coming this way to pick up some special feed for some of his more wild animals. He was gonna be stopping by and kinda picking me up that night or early morning. I was driving too, following him back to Seattle. To surprise Quinn, she didn't think she was gonna be seeing me for a couple of weeks. I'd been hiding it all this time, that I'd scored an invite to Irvine's wedding, and was showing up WAY earlier than she expected.
I couldn't stay away.
It hadn't been easy keeping this secret. But I knew if I pulled off this surprise. It would all be worth it. And if I played my cards right that wouldn't be the ONLY surprise I was bringing.
That's just what I have planned. I have no idea how much of all of that will workout. But chit-chatting with my Pops. About these plans, and all of the other things I've got in the works for this vacay.
FINALLY Getting closer to being with Quinn again… I could not quit smiling. The whole way to Pasadena. I did have a session with my anger management counselor tomorrow morning. I hadn't lied about that. I really was going to talk about my nightmares. About what I'd seen happen while I was pretending to be a fireman. What could have happened to my girlfriend if Vince and me HADN'T done what we did. All of it and see what the shrink thinks.
I also wanted to see if tonight, I could spend some time setting up the bench I'd saved from the school's outdoor groundskeepers. The day BEFORE our prom. I caught a team of PCA staff taking up a bunch of outdoor benches and replacing them with new ones. One of the benches that was getting switched out was THE BENCH. Where I'd first kissed Quinn that crazy day she was dressed so strangely. I was being forced to go to the Prom with Stacey, I was so jealous of Dustin. DUSTIN! Zoey's younger brother, I couldn't see straight, because he was going to the prom with MY girlfriend. It had been that last straw!
I'd bought it from the Dean on the spot, and had it sent to my Dad's main house in Beverly Hills for like less than 24 hours. Planning to keep it someplace there originally. But Dad's head gardener had some mental breakdown about me wanting to place 'that thing' in my own backyard. Something about it not matching anything else in his modern styled art statement he'd created… he'd kept calling it 'his Eden'… Which I didn't get, because I could have sworn he was gay. Why would any woman be that important to him?
Even when I'd explained I didn't want it around my Dad's stuff at all. I wanted it to go beside my old playground. The one I don't even play on anymore… But was built for me… And it's my house too! One of my homes.
Dad's gardener is STILL panicking about it. Even though I had it moved to my grandparent's house. For safe keeping while I was getting ready for my Prom and it's sitting in my grandparent's shed. Waiting for me to place it wherever I like, at their place. Probably because my Dad chewed out this guy for making me feel so screamed at for wanting to put something in a place that was built for me. That belonged to me, and not ANY gardener.
Dad explained the Eden thing too, so we're good.
But my grandparents were gonna hold on to it for me, till Dad got rid of that kook. When my grandpa and me had been chatting. The bench had come up, and he was excited to see what I was gonna do with it. But he was more excited for the WHOLE story connected to it. I'd already told most of it, and hinted at the rest… when this all first happened. But wanted me to tell it again.
I'd managed to squeak by him, promising to share the story with him and my grandma when we got to the house. Maybe over dinner, when we were all together. But when we got back to his place I hardly got in the door. Before my Grandma was demanding more about this girlfriend of mine. When I'd made the same suggestion to her, to wait till dinnertime. I forgot she's old and that old people eat super early all the time. She had dinner ready.
So I couldn't stall anymore, I ended up telling them the whole story about the bench. How we started out a secret the got blown when I confessed screaming across Prom. Then I was showing them a bunch of the recorded dancing things we'd had to perform too.
My gramps was even more excited to meet Quinn then he had been on the trip. But I noticed my grandma was still acting like she wasn't too sure. She only said, "Quinn and me sounded like opposites."
Before she was telling me. "I know you have your anger management session tomorrow morning, you need to pack, and you want to work on your bench project. With you grandfather, but after that appointment tomorrow you're getting a haircut, Logan. I'll not be seeing you in or at anymore weddings this summer looking that raggedy. You're better than that, I want my family looking a little more polished in those wedding photos. We'll have to look at for YEARS to come. Some of them are gonna be released to the press too. I'm sure even this girlfriend of yours will be thanking me, when you bring her here."
Then Gramps and me figured out where we were gonna put the bench and tulip bulbs. And spent the rest of the night researching with some of his friends (who are also scientist and run a greenhouse) the best way to plant these tulips so they'll bloom before next spring. Maybe even while we're here this summer, living in California has it's perks. His friends are even gonna show up super early tomorrow and help us treat the soil.
Between that call to Quinn this afternoon and when I FINALLY got to call Quinn tonight. It had really felt like three days had happened instead of one. But around midnight, as I was working on my packing. Deciding what I needed to stay here at my grandparent's place and what I needed to take with me to Seattle. I FINALLY got to call her again and talk to her. But I didn't do it over skype this time, I only let it be a phone call.
The first thing I had to ask, even if this was becoming a habit. Calling each other so late, was "Am I calling too late?"
"No, no." She said and I could hear her smiling. I was already arguing with myself in my head. About making this conversation not a video chat. I wanted to see that smile so bad! But she didn't notice. She went on saying, "Not gonna lie, It's kinda perfect you're calling me now. It's been a very busy day over here."
I can't explain it but I heard it in her voice, something that had me asking, "What happened? Were the babies born? Is Maybelline and Otis okay? Was it your aunt's bachelorette party? The giraffs that are gonna be living there? What? Talk to me."
She took a deep breath and explained, "Two of the giraffs we're getting are male and one is female. And the female's health has been plummeting for the last few days. It was so bad we had to MAKE Marion go with her friends tonight. My mom's brother and wife just got here today, and even they were saying it took the jaws of life. Getting Marion outta the house and NOT canceling her own bachelorette party. My uncle Irvine had the female transported here tonight, as a surprise for Marion when she gets home or isn't hung over tomorrow."
"That's one heck of a surprise." I had to say, even if I was keeping in a surprise of my own. Irvine was definitely gonna have planty to talk about when we were traveling together soon.
"Marion has been saying over and over all day, that it couldn't wait till after the wedding. Like most of the animals being retired to her care here at the farm. That "Gloria" needed to get out of there sooner than that. That's the ill giraffe's name, 'Gloria.' She hadn't seemed very happy in her cell, she tried to take apart her enclosure bars and almost did it too. Marion was hoping the big open air places on the farm and barless enclosures would be a welcome change, that could help Gloria feel better… I was part of the transport team, and we were all so worried she wasn't gonna make it. She was that ill during all of the excitement."
"You helped transport a wild animal? Should you be doing that?" I had to ask.
"I was just support more than anything, I wanted to see how it was done." She explained… I doubted that, but pretended to buy it. When has she ever just sat on a sideline and watched anything with animals go down? Never, around me. She's always the one jumping out and knowing what to do. Like her Uncle, she just naturally knows all of this stuff about animals.
But I didn't press it anymore and asked, "She made it though, right? Gloria made it to the farm and she loves it there? Doesn't she?" I had to guess, Quinn didn't sound like that had been the end of the story and if the animal had died. I don't think she would be this together. Talking about it.
"She is and she does," she said first. Before, "But the bigger shock is what happened when she got here. She went inside her stall, built just for her and her very tall friends… it's a lot bigger than the enclosure she's used to and she just laid down in the middle of it. We hoped she was just tired from her trip here. Between checks on my alpaca family, living a few stalls down. Checking on Maybelline's fever, which is staying low grade… but it isn't going any higher… not yet. I stayed with the campout team, monitoring her while she was resting. And you know what, it turns out she's so old. No one checked to see if she was pregnant at the zoo. Not even Marion, because she's way too old to be having anymore babies. But we have two new baby calfs in our stall. Can you believe it? That's why she's been so sick. She's been pregnant all this time."
"Wow! That's awesome…" But then I realized, "Are you gonna get to keep these babies, or does the zoo still have rights to them?" I know firsthand how awful those contracts can be about things like this. But Quinn was ready for this question.
"The ink was bearly dry on the contracts my uncle had signed today. Releasing the animals to him, before 'Gloria' was transported. He's been looking over them since we discovered the babies in the stall. Since she was so old and useless to the zoo, and they're getting new animals next week. Never again dealing with giraffes either. ALL of the rights of all three animals were signed over to us Including miracle circumstances like these. So he's picking up the boys tomorrow and babies are all ours, in every way. We're waiting to see what Marion will name our new little prince and princess tomorrow."
I simplified, "So Marion gets two new babies to raise, out of this. A girl and a boy. Then you're getting two new babies soon too."
"Hopefully." she'd said, and I could just see her worrying about her grandcrias. Probably biting her lips or nails. God, she's cute when she's worried. But it was better when she worried and I was there to tell her to quit doing that.
Why oh why did that vet have to be so real with her? About the probability of both twins surviving? Why did they have to get her all worried like this, I could hear it even though I couldn't see her. I could hear her worrying in the silence on the other end of this phone line. I just started telling her. "Your twins are gonna be just fine. Really, it's not gonna even need a miracle to happen like Gloria did. Maybelline's young, these are her first babies and Otis' too. It's gonna be fine."
"I hope so." She agreed, but I could still hear all the vets warning setting off alarms in her head.
So I tried to get her to think about other things, not such terrible possibilities.
And I started telling her about my day… well, what I could tell her about it. And I was as I'nest as I could be. But the rest of it, d been working up so my mind all day. Saying I had just arrived at my Dad's main house the one that was the closest to PCA. And even though it wasn't so far away. It had taken all night to get everything straight from the last wrap party held there.
It wasn't even a total lie because the last time I was really home. That was exactly what I had had to do. My grandparents even told me the mess they'd witnessed (when they were there for me this year) had been nearly the exact same story. So I wasn't completely lying to her… It really had been a mess and it had been handled. Just not by me, this year, and I wasn't there at all. I was in my room at my grandparent's place, packing to come see her. Not that I could tell her that.
She'd said, "Wow, sounds like you've got your hands full. Are you gonna be stuck there for a long?"
"I don't know," I'd shrugged. "I'll just have to see how much I can get done after my session tomorrow."
She said, "Well, good luck. I hope it all passes quickly and you're not stuck anyplace longer than you need to be. I know you're excited to see your grandparents."
I had to sneak in the warning, "My Grandpa's all excited about meeting you. Since he heard how into science and inventing you are."
"I'm excited about meeting them too… but nervous too." She admitted.
"Why?" even if I could guess, I wanted to know.
And just as I expected, she said. "Well, dealing with my own set of grand-parental units has made me very wary. They've been calling my Uncle daily trying to talk him out of this wedding. Out of tying the knot with Marion, because they don't like her. They keep coming up with different reasons… the latest is just because it interferes with their travel plans. They were supposed to take their like 30th tour of Italy or something this summer. With a big group of friends, Selfishly! They're more concerned with what their friends will say about them, than missing out on their baby boy's big day! And I've had to intercept some of those calls. Getting chewed out for taking Irvine's side and trying to save him the heartache. If that wasn't enough to make me worry. I saw your grandparents from afar at your dad's almost wedding… I didn't get the chance to meet them but they looked elegant and important… I don't know. I just know I'm not gonna be what they're expecting you to bring there, or call your girlfriend."
Even though I expected it, it hadn't been easy to hear her say all of that. I tried to tell her there was nothing to worry about. Out of all my family, I'm closest to my dad and these grandparents. They helped raise me more than almost anyone else. (Can't forget Chauncy, there.) I knew my set of grandparents weren't like hers. And that they were gonna see in Quinn the same thing I did. I don't know how I knew that, I just did.
She did take my word for it, but she had still said her goodnights sounding very unsure. I didn't know if it was because of what she'd been through today. Or it was about her worries meeting more of my family. Either way, I had to tell myself, I would be with her soon. Either way, and I could squash whatever doubts she has when I'm right there with her.
I finished what I was doing wrapped up in her blanket and tried to sleep. But I was too excited, to glad to finally be outta PCA. To even be this close, to being with her again.
Even though I didn't want to go to that therapy session and spill my guts. Even though I didn't want to get a stupid haircut, I didn't think I really needed it. Even though I had so many things I didn't want to do… I knew I was still gonna do all of it anyways… I was gonna get through ALL of the things and do whatever it took to get to her again… and as soon as I could.
So when I told her everything was gonna be okay, I could hug her when I said it. And KNOW she believes me instead of guessing.
(Logan's Grandma [Lillian]'s Perspective)
I know that Malcolm is over the moon about this girl Logan's dating. That my son's so thrilled to finally see Logan serious about a girl. He'd be thrilled to death over ANY one Logan had brought home. That my son has always carried too much guilt over raising his son around too much of the darker side of his Hollywood lifestyle.
Just like I knew that in all honesty, Malcolm had nothing to worry about at all. He'd raised a good man with a good heart… despite all of Tinseltown's exposure. While I knew this about our grandson, I wasn't so convinced that this first love was all good for our boy.
I know that Chauncy even had only glowing things to say about her. Even if they had been delivered in his ever-snide and sarcastic way. I listened to all of their comments, I stored all of them away. And knew I would pass my own judgment in the end no matter what they said.
I wasn't spying or anything, but I had been around when Logan had been speaking with his girlfriend. And even though I know that she's on a farm in… Seattle, right now? What a terrible place for a farm! What are they farming MOSS?
The girl had been speaking about giraffes she was caring for on this farm and alpacas. Just what sort of farm is this?
My husband had to remind me, "Lillan. Logan said his girlfriend's uncle rescues all animals. Even the more exotic or wild ones, and he's building on right now to accommodate some giraffes that are coming along with his bride when her specialty animals retire from her Zoo. Along with a few other African natives that the lady has cared for since some of their births. It's such a noble cause, and Logan says Quinn's never shy or scared of animals either. What does that tell you about her character?"
"That this Quinn could replace the Crocodile Hunter. Her uncle recuses animals no one wants, and he's marrying a zookeeper bringing him more animals that no one wants… just who are these people, Rowan?" I asked him in a near panic.
But my husband said as firm as ever. "Good people, who have already impacted our son and our grandson so well. Logan more than anyone, but even Malcolm is involved with all kinds of new charity work and projects BECAUSE of Miss Quinn. You should have heard Logan talking about this farm on the way here. He spent two weeks there last summer with Quinn. Before he even knew he liked her, like that. And you should have heard all the things he learned. Just walking around and helping wherever he could."
I hoped they were alright, that this girl wasn't gonna be like some of those vanity projects my son was always bringing home. I hoped that Logan did have better taste than that, and good sense. But when I checked on him, to see how his packing was going. I found him sound asleep wrapped up tight in a blanket that clearly wasn't his…No way Logan would have ever been so attached to anything plaid for any other reason. I don't think any of his homes contain a single scrap of plaid anything… But I prayed that if Logan truly is serious about this girl. That she won't break his heart the way Malcolm's first loves mutilated his. From his first kiss to that she-devil named 'Devlin' who was his first wife and Logan's mother.
She's done nothing but hurt them both, and I've had to watch.
I hoped for better luck for my grandson and this Quinn girl. And for this summer to not include anymore heartbreak than it already has… Malcolm had been here enough complaining about his most recent breakups and heartbreaks. I couldn't bear it if Malcolm and Logan both got hurt all in the same season.
I look at both of them as my babies still, even if Malcolm is a full-grown man.
Logan never had much of a consistent mother, so I filled in wherever I could. Can you blame me for being a little overprotective? Wanting to shield him from heartbreak if I can?
((Logan's Perspective))
I had done it all, I'd gotten up early this morning and helped dig up the area where the bench and bulbs were gonna go. My granda even helped me make some personalized stepping stones that we'd put down when I came back later on. By pouring fresh cement into these different shaped molds and letting it harden while we did other things. They'd be ready to put in place when I came back later.
I'd even been talking to Pops friends, about bringing Quinn by their greenhouse sometime soon and letting her look around. Thinking that could be a fun thing we could do when we're not helping out Del Figg's fam. Spending HOURS in the theme park his family owns… saving their a$$es.
Or when I wanted some time with her all to myself.
I did need to start thinking up other romantic and date things to do. While she's with me, I can't let it all be work and no play. And all of those weddings we're going to so don't count. They're sometimes more work than they're worth. I hoped Irvine's wouldn't be like that, he's too nice of a guy. And he's waited too long for this to finally happen.
I'd done all I could do, before showering and heading to my anger management session. With my bored-to-tears-sounding therapist… Who was surprisingly a lot more helpful than I thought he'd be. I did feel better after talking things out with someone who knew what they were talking about and he scheduled some other times we can talk. When I'm local again after my trip to Seattle. I felt a little lighter walking outta that place today.
I went to my haircut appointment in a much better mood. And the haircut made me feel even lighter than that. I had to admit I did look good, not that that was a shock. But I did end up thanking my grandma for making me do that. While I secretly hoped Quinn would like this new look on me. I hadn't done anything like this since we'd gotten together… what if she liked my longer hair style better? And this was a deal breaker?
Nah! I'm just being crazy. Grandma's right, she'll probably be thanking her when they meet.
(AN: In case you're wondering, I picture it being more like his hair is now. Shorter like that.)
We'd set out the stepping stones, before we'd had dinner together and then it was all about getting my car packed up with everything I would need for Seattle. Irvine said he could fit some things in his truck too. He would only be toting some bags of feed and his truck's flatbed had a shell roof. So anything I put in the back of his truck wouldn't be out in the weather it would be protected by an enclosed roof. I did end up having a few things I needed that wouldn't fit in my car. My car's trunk just couldn't fit that much. But I hadn't wanted her for her trunk space… Some things had to go in the passenger seat next to me. And I still ran outta room...
(AN: it's as ostentatious as you suspect and as luxurious as you're expecting. SO it has a teeny tiny trunk, but since I personally own a Volkswagon beetle. That I have road tripped, and traveled in plenty of times… I know all about making tiny trunk space and back seats, WORK! LoL!)
After that, I went inside and talked to Quinn like I wasn't coming to see her in hours. I was so afraid to give anything away. I had opted for mostly texting back and forth instead of even calling her the traditional way tonight. I went with the excuse of having an early morning… but it was completely true Irvine would be here in the wee hours to lead me on.
Quinn was so worried about Maybelline and camped out in the barn with her and Marion… it sounded like my arrival was gonna be right on time!
I tried to rest, to sleep, for a little bit, I did…
But I was WAY too excited to sleep. It was really hard, I nodded off here or there, but I kept waking up and looking at the clock like, "Is it time yet?"
Nope.
How 'bout now!
Nope!
Is it time?
Damn!
FINALLY, it was time to give up, to get up, and be ready! I had to look great, and smell great, and I had a plan in place for HOW I was gonna spring this whole surprise on her too. I even had backup plans in case she slept in the barn with her alpaca family… even though I really hoped she hadn't done that. I had it all in my head, I just HAD to get there… where she is.
I didn't get really antsy excited, until I saw Irvine's truck coming up my grandparents' driveway. And he hopped outta the cab in his nicer casual clothes. He was trying to make a good impression, I could tell. Shaking hands with my grandparents and chatting them up… even if he still was calling me 'City.' I couldn't hold still! This was HAPPENING! I had been plotting and planning this for what felt like AGES! And NOW it was going down, I was going to see her! REALLY see her! In person! Very SOON! FINALLY!
It's been weeks but it felt like YEARS!
I got the things I couldn't fit secured in the back of his truck. Closed the back doors tight, but Irvine pulled something out of a box in his passenger seat and handed it to me too. I took one look and KNEW it was one of Quinn's Quinnventions. But it turned out be a 'radio modulator,' that I could clip to the air vents of my car and it would let me talk to Irvine through our car radios... Even though we were driving separately in different cars. It would help us communicate back and forth during this trip.
What she won't come up with next! Of course my grandpa helped me get it up and running. Studying it as he did so… I just know I'm gonna have a time ripping him and Quinn apart when she gets here. They're too alike! What was I getting her into bringing her here?
I thanked Irvine again. For all of his help, not only planning this and letting me tag along with him back to Seattle. But for also keeping all of this a secret and letting me surprise Quinn. He'd slapped me on the back and said, "Thank nothing of it, City. But if you want this to all happen in a timely fashion we better scadaddle and get on back up that road. This giraffe feed needs to be fed to our new Mama right on time till those young ones grow a little more." He'd shook hands again with my grandparents and tipped his baseball cap. Saying, "It sure was nice meeting y'all, you've got hell of boy there."
I always KNEW I liked Irvine.
I hugged both of my grandparents and thanked them both for everything. Before I reminded them when I'd be back, and that I would have Quinn with me. When they saw me again, and my gramps was reminding me, "Tell her to bring all her BEST toys. I wanna show her my lab and compare notes."
While my Grandma told me, "Call us when you get there, and be careful."
She's still a mom, always will be. She's more my mom than my birth-mother will ever be. I promised I would, then I ran back to my car, and started her up. Irvine said over my speakers, "Dang that thang goes vroom-VROOM! City, you're gonna have to let me borrow her and take a spin, one time."
I told him, "After this, I'll let you borrow it for a whole night and let you look like a big shot."
"I'm gonna take you up on that, but let's see if you can keep up with my ol' girl. Hang on!" Then we both finished going down my grandparent's driveway and outta their swanky neighborhood before flooring it when we got out to the mainroad… just because we could. Just till we reached the next light. The rest of the way I stayed tight on his bumper and followed him the best I could. Through Quinn's invention, we chatted the whole way too. He was letting me know more about some of the other animals on the farm and some of the new ones. Also some of them I remembered from my visit before that I was gonna being seeing again too.
I know it was hours and some of the traffic had been tough to get through and stay together. But it helped that we could talk to each other and make those quick decisions together. When a bad accident was blocking all the lanes too. Irvine knew a detour that got us around it and we still made great time. But when we FINALLY pulled into the familiar drive way and we even passed a familiar house on the way in… I was so excited I was bouncing in my seat. Thank goodness Irvine was communicating with his staff and getting them to open up his garage so I could hide my car inside. And not give anything away till I was ready to. I pulled right in and prayed Quinn hadn't seen us. I'd tried to keep my car quiet as I'd pulled in behind Irvine. I didn't rev her loudly or anything near Quinn's house or anytime once we'd turned off the main road. But Quinn could have been looking out a window or something for all we know…
I did make a quick call to my grandparents, letting them know we were here. Safe and sound, but I ended it quick promising to call later with more details. They both wished me luck. Pops even said, "Go get your girl!"
Marion was the first to get to me and give me a big welcome hug. I knew it was almost ten in the morning, and she was working on a BIG breakfast welcoming me and feeding their staff all in one go. But Marion was letting me know more than just that breakfast would be ready in a little bit. She'd been keeping an eye on Maybelline all night with Quinn. Who had stayed up all night in the barn, making sure she didn't miss anything. But Quinn had headed home for a shower around 9am. SO almost an hour ago.
I asked, "Is it okay if I go try to see her?… Or do you think she'll try to sleep or something?"
Marion said with confidence. "She's not gonna try to sleep. Maybelline's fever spiked higher, and Quinn knows it's happening soon. There's no way she's gonna even try to sleep. She said she was getting a shower and changing and she'd be right back. She knows breakfast is usually around ten too. So If you want a little time just the two of you. Now's the time, Logan… but maybe I should warn you about something else that happened too. Let's go to where Irvine is, over there. He should hear this too."
When we got to where Irvine had been talking with some of his people. Helping him unload the feed he'd brought. Marion explained that Quinn had gotten told off by her grandparents for picking sides in this fight one time too many. That Quinn had finally snapped on her grandparents and told them what she really thought. Then she'd called her dad and told him all about it before he heard about it second-hand… which was good. Quinn got along better with her Dad than she did her Mom most of the time. And this was his baby brother Quinn had been speaking up for, just as much as herself and Marion…
I thanked her for letting me know everything. I thanked Irvine again for letting me come, follow him, and for inviting me to their wedding. I borrowed an umbrella because it was trying to rain and started the long walk down the shared driveway leading to Quinn's house.
This time I wasn't gonna be comforting her over JUST this phone line either. I was FINALLY here! I wasn't going any place till I got to take her with me.
The others had all had their chance to comfort her.
This is my turn.
(AN: Because I can!)
(Quinn's Perspective)
I spent last night in the barn with my Otis, his Mayebelline, and dear Marion. My uncle had gone to pick up more feed for the giraffes. So, of course! Maybelline's fever had spiked higher and she was showing signs of early labor. But just as soon as all of these things had started, they stopped too. And it was all looking like a false alarm at the moment.
But her fever is still hanging on and we're not convinced she's outta the woods yet. So while she's sleeping at the moment. I slipped outta the barn and ran home. Telling Marion to call me if anything changes. I didn't want my uncle to see me in the same clothes I'd worn yesterday. He'd know I'd slept in the barn and get all fussy about me needing to take it easy.
Even if technically, I hadn't slept in the barn… because I hadn't slept at all.
What I NEEDED was to be there when my Otis became a daddy for the first time. THAT'S what I need. But it couldn't hurt for me to feel a little better before I have to look my uncle in the eye and tell him that his parents would rather tour Italy for the 30th time than come take part in the happiest day of his life… That was their newest excuse and story and since his parents had attended all of his other siblings' weddings. They feel like they don't need to come to anymore of them. I did not want to be that person to tell him that. So I'd stalled seeing him by going home too. Hoping the shower would help me feel better about the human race… I doubted it but it was worth a try, if only it were that easy.
But I've seen better family values in that barn all week! Compared to what I had coming from ANY of my family. Besides the few surrounding me here.
Even after my hair was dry and perfectly hay-free… I still just wanted to cry. For Irvine even more than myself, and my grandparents had just disowned me too… Not that that was new news at all. But Irvine is one of the sweetest souls on the planet, he didn't deserve this. Not at all. I know Marion's probably telling him right now that I've even been disowned for taking his side. She's probably trying to take the blame too... I would have to tell her again. This was all in motion long before she was here. But not even this made me regret a thing I'd said or done lately. I would do it all again, I was hurt but I knew I was right…
I'd talked to my Dad for a little bit too. Let him in on my side of the story. Before he gets a call about me from the rest of the family. But even as my dad had told me he was proud of me… I wish I felt better.
As I was coming back down the stairs all clean… and ready to head back to my Uncle's house. I still have to take the stairs a little slowly. Even though my stitches are out and my wounds are mostly healed. As I was concentrating on taking each stair carefully… my phone lit up in my pocket and started to ring… I wondered if it was about Maybelline. If she really was in labor now.
When I pulled it out though, the screen told me Logan was calling. It's like he knew I really needed to cheer up or something. I said, "Hello?"
He said, "Baby? Are you okay?"
"Yeah … I'm fine," I answered him.
But he immediately said, "You don't sound fine. What's wrong?"
"I'm just climbing the stairs… you know it takes time. I'm taking it easy."
"Sorry I couldn't talk last night, I had to turn in super early because I was kinda traveling far to the next place on my checklist, today." I could tell he thought I was upset about that, but I really wasn't.
"No, I understand, I spent a lot of time in the barn last night watching over Maybelline. Couldn't get much sleep, she had a bad night."
"Were the babies born yet?" He asked so sweetly.
"Not yet, but I spent all night with Marion out there making sure Maybelline was okay. Otis was a bigger wreck than anyone. I just ran home and took a shower to feel better-"
"So you're at your house? Right now?"
"Uh Huh!" I said, wondering where he was going with this. "Why?"
But then he explained, "Well… I sorta sent you a care-package and I just got a confirmation e-mail about it being delivered to you. The picture looks like the box is sitting someplace in front of your house. I asked for it to be left on the front porch… But I don't know if this is sitting there or not… While you're home, do mind running out front and checking on it?"
"Loooogan, you didn't," I told him he could not spoil me all the time.
He said proudly, "I did, but I'm worried about it getting swiped. Packages like that in my neighborhood would get swiped for sure if it got left out too long."
"I thought theft like that only happened in poorer neighborhoods?" I asked, trying to stall so it would seem like I was taking so long to still climb these stairs.
"Nope, it turns out rich neighbors can be ghetto too. Are you outside yet? Are you looking?" He asked, and I didn't want to tell him 'no and my slow a$$ is on the last step.
But I did say, "Hold your horses, I only have one speed right now… determined, that's all I got… and it turns out determined is pretty slow… and not quick. Hang on, okay?!"
"Sorry, it's a big box." He stressed.
"How BIG?" I panicked, horrified he'd overdone it again.
He said, "You know me, go big or go home."
"Logan! We talked about this! You can not go overboard like this all the time." I stalled for more time as I walked a little quicker through my house. And the nice flat surface of the first floor.
He answered me without blink of hesitation. "Sure, that was our agreement LAST summer. When I was a friend and nothing more, but THIS summer, I'm not just you're guy friend anymore. I am your boyfriend so those rules are now null and void. So I can spoil away until we agree on new terms."
"You're UNBELIEVEABLE!" I ended up screeching into the mouthpiece.
While he said, "Not the first time I made you yell that."
"LOGAN!"
"Or the last!" He said impishly.
"LOGAN! CUT - IT - OUT!"
"I'll stop. I promise. But first, check to see if it's really there for me. Then you can just open it up whenever." Then he went on asking, "Are you there yet? Can you see it?" As I was looking out the binds on my front door. Rain was coming down pretty good, but other than that, I didn't see any box.
I said, "I'm looking through my blinds, but I don't see anything on the porch."
"Nothing? Are you sure? Walk out there, look around."
"My porch isn't that deep." I almost complained. "There's not a lot of room to hide there."
He reminded me, "I've hidden there and you didn't know it before."
"I didn't know you were that apt at the game ninja-warrior!"
"Well now you know things CAN hide on that porch, go out there and look."
AHHHHG! I mentally screamed. This man! He makes me so crazy… sometimes... like I wouldn't know if something was on my own front porch…The Maniac!
So I opened the front door and walked out onto our small front porch. But still no sign of anything. And my voice did this weird echoing with the sounds of the rain. When I told him, "I'm out on the porch like you asked and not seeing a thing still."
"Check over by the mailbox, maybe it's there? It's out closer to the road, isn't it?" He was trying to remember.
"Yeah, it just a little ways from the house? Was the picture taken there?"
"Maybe, run check? Is that rain I'm hearing?"
"Yes, it is Seattle, you know?"
"Don't go out in that, can't you see it from your front porch?" He asked.
"No, not really… And this is nothing, hold on." I tucked my phone in my pocket so it wouldn't get too wet and ran as fast as I could (not fast at all) down the footpath to the end of the gate and looked at our mailbox. But still there was no box, or package of any kind. Just the snail mail in the box I'd forgotten to take in yesterday. I rushed back for my front porch, leaned against my front door, and let out a deep breath straight up into the overhanging steepled roof. Before I pulled my phone back outta my pocket and told him. "No box, I looked everywhere. It must be at the wrong house."
But instead of his voice coming out of the speaker on my phone. It sounded like he was next to me when he said, "Turn around."
I could not believe my ears, but when I turned, as he'd asked. There was Logan, standing on my front porch. With a drenched umbrella over his head and a HUGE smile. My glasses were slotchy and foggy, I HAD to be seeing things. I quickly whipped them off of my face and wiped them off on the hem of my shirt. But I could hear him chuckling the whole time and when I put them back on. He was still standing there smirking at me.
And I let out a noise that was somewhere between the word, "Hi," "Hey," and just "AHHH!" As I just hugged him and he hugged me. We both laughed and I was too shocked. I couldn't form words for a few seconds. I hadn't been expecting this AT all! To be so down, so disgusted, so concerned for my little alpaca family… and then so HAPPY! At the SIGHT of my boyfriend.
The first words I'd gotten out were, "YOU'RE - HERE!"
"I'm here." He said cooler than anything.
"You're really here, this isn't a dream."
"Nope, not this time." He kept right with me.
I gripped both sides of his face and neck, as I realized. "You cut your hair."
"I did," He looked a little worried if it looked okay. Not that he would admit something like that. No, not Logan.
I gushed, "It looks GREAT! SO Handsome!" and I saw him let out this breath before he said.
"Yeah, I know." He'd said like it was nothing.
He was saying more, and I wanted to hear it all. But unknown power pulled me to him like a magnet and I cut him off mid-word with a kiss. That we both melted into and his arms came around me to press me against him. GOD! I'd missed this.
Then I remembered how wet I'd just gotten out in that downpour. It doesn't rain in Beverly Hills like it does here. When I remembered it and just how tightly he was crushing my whole body to his. No matter how good he felt, I broke it off, and started to tell him. "Sorry! I just remembered that I was out in the rain, I got pretty soa-"
He talked over me and did just say, "No, you started this-"
Before he cut me off with another kiss. Picked me up and carried me back inside my front door, kicking it shut behind us. I think we could be just a little late to breakfast this morning. Hope my farm fam won't mind. Even if especially my alpacas.
((Logan's Perspective))
When she came out of her front door, I had been hiding myself along the side of her house. When she came out to check her mailbox, I'd snuck up on her porch and took back the hiding place I'd found there last year. Where she wouldn't see me till I wanted her to.
But when she came back up on the porch, all outta breath from running the best she could and the six steps she'd had to climb. She kinda laid against the wall and her front door and she looked SO HOT! The rain had made her shirt pretty see-through, even though it was layered up. I couldn't help myself, I stepped out and got almost behind her and told her to, "Turn Around."
When I'd seen this in my head, I'd said much cooler lines. But when she'd wiped down her glasses adorably, and hugged me, I didn't care. I was home and I just didn't want to let her go. She freaked out, even noticed my haircut and told me it looked 'great' even 'handsome.' And one point goes to Grandma.
I was trying to tell her, "I didn't call and talk to her last night, because I wanted this to be a surprise. I really did! And I was afraid if I talked to you last night, for too long. I'd give it all away, so I kept it clipped and short, you were busy, I was busy and-"
Then she'd kissed me and I really hope I didn't hurt her. Because I pretty much crushed her to me. Out of sheer habit… she was pulling me closer, hugging tighter, and giving it all back to me in that kiss… so, hopefully she didn't feel any pain.
She broke it off way too soon though, remembering she'd gotten wet. Like I freaking cared! I warned her, "Oh no! You started this-" And I kissed her again. But this time I picked her up and carried her inside her house, never breaking the contact.
She had to have helped with the door, they just got outta the way for us too easily. As I think about it now. I couldn't think at all right then. All I do remember was kicking the main door closed and carry her over the sofa. I hope I was gentle enough, that I remembered to be gentle enough. I put her down on it like she was made of glass. STILL never breaking that contact… that kiss STILL happening between us. When she was safe and sound she pulled me on top of her and we were both lost till we ran out of air.
It was a glimpse of heaven after so much HELL.
I'd MISSED her so BADLY! Since she'd left.
And here she FINALLY was, truly so much better than she had been that last day we were together. As soon as I could I trialed kisses down her neck and shoulder. While she was still hanging onto me for dear life. I was wrapped in her arms and legs. And she'd let out this breathless laugh complaining, "That tickles!"
She was still out of breath when she said, "I mi-missed… you too much." Hugging me even tighter and even closer.
I rested his hot face against her shoulder and said. "I don't think I could really… breathe right… till now. It hurt too much."
"Me either," Quinn realized, and the second our eyes met, she gave me the sweetest smile and said. "You can't know how glad I am, that you're here."
I gave her the MOST tender kiss we've ever shared yet. It was just perfect. And I told her, "You can't know how glad I am to be here."
But then both of our phones were going off, reminding us of all the people waiting on us to start breakfast. AND that poor Maybelline could still deliver. That she could be having her babies today, at any time really. Quinn needed to be camped out with her, Like she had been all night.
I'd jumped up and said, "Hey that's right! Our grand crias could be ready to come out. We gotta be there."
Then I'd offered her a hand up off of my couch, but I had suggested… "You might want to change your tops at least real quick though. They're kinda went see-through after the rain and we've still got to walk back there now."
"Oh my GOD! You're right!" She realized horrified. "Be right back, but she was planning to climb those stairs again. I don't think so, I scooped her up can carried her up there myself. As I was carrying her she said, "I appreciate it, but I really need to keep practicing. It'll help me bounce back better."
"Yeah, but this is an emergency, we've gotta be quick so let me give you a lift, just this once." I'd said as we reached the top in record time and I let her go.
She'd said, "Okay, thank you… but I still need to do the work mostly myself."
"Gotcha." I smirked, and something in that smile had made her say.
"You're staying out here, and I'm changing behind a closed and locked door."
"Why, I already know you're wearing a green bra."
"LOGAN!"
"I can already see it peeking through all those lighter colors, is that really necessary?" I thought it was a good question.
Quinn let me know, "YES! It's VERY necessary!"
"It's a pretty bra."
"If you want another CHANCE to see it, you'll stop right there." She advised.
But I read between the lines, "So, there's a chance?"
"LOGAN!"
"ALRIGHT! You, go in your room with your locked thing and change. And I'll just be out here waiting for that NEXT chance… whenever it'll happen." I'd said, like a good guy.
Even if she was eyeing me like a bad boy. She told me, "Wait a second."
"Yeah, yeah." I listened. While she changed I did steal this chance to use the bathroom. I hadn't been in hours and it had just hit me. When I came out, Quinn was in all dark colors, even her jeans were a darker blue now. Someone wanted to conceal something better. She'd said it was just in case she had to help with the delivery. But I could tell, I'd gotten under her skin, my favorite place to be. And I had to let her know, as we were taking the stairs again slowly.
"You know, I wasn't gonna say anything at all… about your clothes going seethrough-"
She said, "I'm glad you did, it's not gonna be just you and me walking around the farm."
I nodded, "EXACTLY… if you're wearing anything like that, I don't want any other guys seeing it. I want that to be for these eyes only…"
"Do you know how nuts you sound?" Quinn asked me shooting me a look.
"Uh! Do you know how SMOKING HOT you were before I told you I was there? You looked like something out of movie!" I had to tell her, she really has no clue how GORGEOUS she is.
I still had that picture in my head, why hadn't I snapped a pic, even with my phone. She'd been that SEXY! UNFORGETTABLY Sexy! THANK GOD Irvine was with Marion, because if he'd seen me in that moment, I probably would have gotten shot. But I would have gone happy.
She was still looking at me like I was crazy as we headed out the door and started our long walk back to Irvine's place. Till I'd offered her my hand… and she'd reluctantly taken it.
Hand and hand sharing an umbrella. She had her own in her hand, but we were standing so close, she didn't need it.
The look she was giving me changed as we walked. And at first I thought she saw something on my face. But when I asked her 'what was up?'
She'd said, "I still can't believe it… you know, that you'r really here and I'm not just deluding myself. I think I'm still in shock."
"Want me to prove it?" I'd said letting go of her hand switching my umbrella to my free one and pulling her against me mid-step and wiggling my eyebrows at her.
She'd laughed so cutely and said, "If I wasn't convinced Irvine and company are all watching for us out the windows. I would totally take you up on that. But maybe not, Irvine was offered once to take a job as a sniper, his shot's so good and I don't want to test that out today."
"Oh! Come on," I teased, "If they're all watching we should give them a show."
She pushed her glasses up her nose and shot me a look that was thinking about that for a second. She even said, "Hmm… you think?"
"Totally, so then there's no doubt anymore, from anyone." I tried to make the idea sound good. But it was really gonna be up to her.
And she decided, she was gonna make me a crazy person in front of all of these watchful eyes. Because under our shared umbrella, she came right up to me and… kissed my cheek. We were close enough to the house by now to hear a few gasps from inside. Some guy even, "Booed." on the second floor.
But this wasn't the first time that this little lady pulled this stunt. And if she didn't know what was coming… no, she knows what's coming. I see it all over her face, as she tries to escape now. She thinks she's won, but again. This is a game we've played too many times, and BOTH of us always win.
I caught her by her waist, turned her back to face me and told her. "After this long apart, forget that cheek stuff." And I'd kissed her for real. And all the windows of Irvine's house ALL erupted with reactions. Even through most of them were closed and locked up tightly. Irvine and Marion were waving to us on the porch. And Irvine warned, "Enough of that for now you two, don't make me go running for my spare shotgun over the doorframe."
Quinn told him, "Irvine that's not a shotgun it's a musket from the Revolutionary War. I doubt it still shoots anymore."
"Let's not find out, today, okay?" He advised, while I played it cool, tried not to gulp, or think of Quinn's green bra I'd seen. It just wouldn't be good for either of us if Irvine even sensed that was where my mind was. New crias incoming or not! Breakfast was gonna be interesting!
That's all Folks!
Well, for this chapter anyways, I really hoped I could make it this far. Back to where they're finally BACK together and not just exchanging e-mails and phone calls. I'm so tickled that I was able to accomplish this and CAN'T wait for next week. And yes, it should still be a chapter from Quinn's perspective. This little peek from her at the end isn't gonna mess with the pattern at all. Even if Logan gets to pop in on her chapter now too after this. Please write in if you can, I would love to hear from you. Thanks again to all of you reading this right now. God bless anyone reading this right now. Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!
~DarcybeDippy85!