Among The Wildflowers

𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝕠𝕟𝕖: Best Friends

It's been two months since Will returned to his hometown and Gina's starting to think he wasn't lying when he said he'd be sticking around.

Since that night when he explained everything to her, Gina's come to trust him. She's started to really enjoy his company again. It's almost like he never left to begin with.

The way he fits so effortlessly into Gina and Nic's lives makes it seem like this was how it was always meant to be.

Gina's also come to really like John. He's every bit as sweet as his late mother, and he looks just like his father.

He's extremely respectful, which is probably the result of living with his ex-army uncle. There's not much that Will lets his nephew get away with, and Gina finds herself feeling sorry for the boy sometimes.

She's even started pulling Will aside at times to ask him to lighten up a bit.

Today is grocery day, so they're all at the grocery store picking out a few things. Even though they live separately, Will insists on doing the majority of their shopping together. Gina thinks he does this simply to make up for all the time he spent away from her.

She doesn't complain though, she enjoys their time together. Forgiveness is freeing.

"Gina, can I have this?"

Nic's holding up a box of fruity pebbles and she has a hopeful look on her face.

"No, ya have fruit loops at home that ya haven't finished."

Just like that, Nic's entire demeanor changes.

"But I don't want fruit loops," she replies with an attitude,"I want fruity pebbles."

"Well ya ain't getting fruity pebbles, so I suggest ya put those back."

Will and John just stand there watching this situation unfold.

"No," Nic says, putting the cereal box in the basket,"you're buying me these like I asked you to."

Gina's face goes red and her eyes harden. She decides to give her daughter one last chance to obey.

"Take that out of the basket and put it back."

Gina doesn't add an "or else" because she wants to see if Nic will listen to her without the threat of a consequence.

She doesn't. In fact, Nic crosses her arms over her chest and plasters a smug look across her face.

"Make me," she says, her tone making it clear this is a dare.

Before she can even process what's happening, Nic's being spun around and five powerful swats land on her shocked behind.

Gina turns her daughter back to face her and looks into Nic's wide eyes.

"Don't think I won't wear your little bottom out in this grocery store, darlin'. Ya disobey me again and we'll be taking a trip to the bathroom, am I understood?"

"Yes ma'am," Nic says, her cheeks bright red from embarrassment.

"Good, now put that cereal back."

Damn it, Nic thinks, I was hoping she'd forgotten about the cereal. I really wanted that for breakfast tomorrow.

"Are you sure I can't have-"

Before Nic can finish, Gina turns her back around and begins to spank her again. But this time, she doesn't stop at five.

"Okay!" Nic cries, trying to reach back and block the blows,"okay! I'm sorry, I'll put the cereal back! Ow! Please, I'll put it back!"

Gina turns her daughter back to face her, before pointing to the box of cereal.