The Search

Chapter 37

Nikolai,

Day 20 afternoon.

We are all sitting by the fire eating some hotdogs and s'mores. The kids all finished their hotdogs in seconds and happily went onto desserts.

I get Lexis hotdog ready and I cut it into a couple tiny pieces with the bread still intact.

I bring the plate over, as well as mine and hand it to her. I place mine down, "here Lex, we'll take off your gloves." I help her unzip them and take them off.

She stretches her small fingers in the cold air, steam rolling off her warm skin. "Look I smokin." she giggles.

James head whips in our direction but he sighs in relief realizing what she was trying to say. "You are steaming sweetheart." I chuckle taking off her boots.

I quickly take off her socks and put on new ones. I put her boots and other socks by the fire to heat up and dry off. Everyone else did the same thing.

Sophie lays in kits lap, curled in a little ball. She gets cold easily, I only wish she didn't cuddle with her boyfriend in front of me. Gets me all aggravated and protectively stupid.

Lexi takes bites of food getting ketchup and mustard all over her face. I sit down and eat my food watching as Jade helps Ollie like I just did for Lexi. Alessio comes over and sits in Jades open spot.

"I wanted to thank you." He speaks up awkwardly.

"Pardon me?" I cough placing my plate down to take a sip of my drink.

"For taking care of my daughter." I follow his gaze that is landed on her, she's smiling as she helps kit take off his boots and replace his socks. He's laughing as she acts like a mother towards him.

Alessio continues, "I was scared about what could have happened the years I wasn't with her. But having seen you with her and the kids I realize I didn't have to be scared. You were there the whole time, being the person she needed."

I swallow, "she's special, she's something I never want to let go and I hope you realize that if she moves to Italy. I'm going with her because there's no where I wouldn't follow her."

I go on, "and I'd like to ask now, since I wasn't able to before. May I have your daughters hand in marriage?" I ask grinning.

He shakes his head trying to fight a smile, "you don't need to ask, that's up to her and her only,"

'Good answer old man', I think looking back at Lexi who's eaten all of her food and moved onto the dill pickle chip bag next to her.

I grab the bag and pour some onto her plate so she doesn't have to reach so far to grab some. Since the bag is as long as her arm. 

I take a look at the fishing holes, and just then a bobber goes down into the water.

I leap up taking off towards the hole in full effort to grab it before it takes down the stick. I get the line just in time and I start to wind it back up.

Alexander comes running out and kneels beside me, "do you need help? I don't know what to do."

"I'm giving it to you." I command, "you're going to catch your first fish."

"No I don't thin-"

"Take the fucking line." I order and he leans forward grabbing it the way I did. "Reel it up."

He begins to copy my movements as I show him what to do. The fish fights off but eventually Alexander pulls it up and onto the surface.

I quickly pick it up so it doesn't get tangled in the line and I begin taking the hook out of its mouth. Everyone stands by watching, "fishy!" Lexi screeches.

"Wanna pet it?" I laugh kneeling down as she happily walks forward. She pets it, scrunching her nose as the stench gets to her. "Stinky huh?" She nods.

I hand it to Alexander and he backs away, "nope I'm good, thank you though."

"Come on Pa!" Jackson laughs, "Lex did it, just hold the damn fish."

"I want to take a picture." Jade orders, "hold the damn fish and then Papa and everyone else pose." I pass it to him and he finally holds it far away from his body.

I wash my hands off in the water and turn to pick Lexi up. She pokes the fish again grinning. Jade takes a picture of all of us, "awesome, release her Xander."

He clumsily let's it go and we watch as it descends once again. I put Lex down and clap a hand on his back. "So we basically just keep doing that?" He asks.

"Yup!" I say excitedly and I see a gleam in his eyes as he takes a glance at all the holes. Everyone claims a hole as their own and turns it into a challenge, who can catch the most fish by sun down?