Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 52

The first few hours of driving are peaceful and happy. It's absolutely wonderful seeing the city lights dim behind us while the sun rises through the trees in front of us. Within four hours, we've passed all the dry-looking desert and farming land. Of course, Amelia is picking on Lexi, while Charley and Priscilla sleep. After ten minutes straight of Amelia trying to convince Lexi that she has a bug in her hair I finally snap. I spin around in my seat, "Amelia! Leave your sister alone." I give her a glare when she opens her mouth to sass me. "I don't want to hear any more. I'm putting on a movie and that's the only thing I want to hear." I warn her.

I spin back around. Andrew is biting his lip trying not to laugh. "What?" I grit out, thoroughly pissy.

He chokes on a laugh, "They once went on pestering each other for two hours until they passed out."

"I don't find that amusing." I grit through my teeth. I'm still too riled up to humor him. Michael puts on Inside Out, and I lose myself in the movie long enough to forget I was angry. That's when Charley wakes up.

"Daddy, I need to pee!" He shouts alarming us all.

"Goodness Charley, no yelling in the car." I scold him.

"We're about to go through Coeur d'Alene." Michael says from the front, "It's a great place to stop."

Andrew's eyes glimmer, "What is it?" I ask him.

He leans in close to my ear, "Let's go swim in the lake."

I frown, "Swimsuits?" Honestly a cool down sounds perfect to break up the drive.

"We're all in shorts except you, Charlotte." James answers, "Let them go play.

"Fine, kids we're going to stop here to stretch our legs and go to the bathroom."

"Yay!" I hear Charley cheer.

"Good." Lexi grumbles.

"I see a lake on the map." Amelia shoves her phone screen in my face, I'm glad she was ignoring us not even five minutes ago.

"That's nice sweety, maybe we'll be able to see it from the rest stop."

"Could we play in the water please?" Priscilla asks.

"I don't know if we have time." I tell her, they all continue to beg while the four adults try not to burst out laughing. Amelia goes as far to say she'll never ask for another thing for a week. That finally gets me as I burst into giggles.

"Kids, look outside." James tells them. "We're here. We have one hour, let's go!"

There are literal screams as we leave the van, Charley grabs my hand. "Bathroom." He says seriously.

James puts Charley over his shoulder with a shout to me, "I've got it hun."

I laugh and follow the pack as Andrew leads the girls to an empty sandy beach. I check over my shoulder to see Michael catch up to me. "Are we allowed to get in the water here?"

He shrugs, "Not a clue. I just try to let them have their fun."

"I suppose someone will either yell at us to move along or nothing will happen." I state the obvious.

Michael squeezes my shoulder, "Try not to stress too much. Alright? You and Teddy need to stay as happy as possible."

I narrow my eyes at him, "I'm aware, there's just so much to do. I'm worried about getting the girls settled before school and getting Charley into preschool."

"He can wait another year if you'd rather keep him with you." Michael reminds me gently. He wraps his hand around my wrist tugging me into the water. Not very far, just enough to cover our feet and cool down. Hearing gravel crunch I look over my shoulder watching James running after Charley as they leave the restroom.

I grin over at my... no, our boy as he chases Andrew through the water on his tiny legs. "He practically begged me to let him go to school and be a big kid." I sigh happily.

"He did." Michael smiles, "Don't you dare come this way." He tells the splashing kids.

They turn their attention to James and tackle him into the water. "Do we have towels?" I glance at Michael not looking forward to how terrible the van is about to smell with clothing soaked in lake water.

"I don't think so," he grins at me head tilted to the side. "We could use the blankets."

I cross my arms over my chest, "Yeah, that will work. Any idea how we'll get the smell out later?" I ask grumpily.

Michael laughs and tugs me closer to hug me from behind. He nips my neck, "My love we'll have it detailed professionally."

I laugh, "I suppose that would fix the problem. We do have a ton of blankets in the house so it's not like they will need them tonight."

"Exactly, and even though it will be late I think you need a walk around the meadow when we get the kids settled."

I sigh leaning back against him, "Yes, I've missed my land so much. I'm sure the kids will be happy exploring the updates."

He snorts, "How about we have pizza delivered to the house so it's ready when we arrive?"

I snort a laugh, "No one delivers out that far."

"Lindy does." He replies, his hands slide down over my stomach. Teddy immediately kicks him, annoyed at the intrusion.

"You think she'd mind? I would love to see her."

"Andrew talked to Allen yesterday, she misses you too. She volunteered, as long as we're paying."

I laugh, "Sounds like her."

"Mommy!" Priscilla shouts, "Save me!" She's running towards me with the other kids close behind. Michael moves in front of me and picks her up, running off with her so they can continue the game away from me. My eyes well up with happiness, I hope they'll always be this playful.