RAISING SUMMER

PHOBIAS

Lilah and I emerged from the room into the kitchen where she sat at the table.

"How did things go?" Luke asked.

"Actually they went pretty well." I smiled as I glanced over at Lilah."

"Assuming everyone is done with breakfast...." Luke began clapping his hands together. "Why don't we do something fun today?" Luke finished.

"Like what?" Callum muttered.

"What about the carnival at the park?" He suggested.

"Yay park!" Lana cheered.

We walked onto the grassy field, and I borrowed one of Lucy's strollers. Carter and Summer sat in the stroller together.

"FACE PAINT, FACE PAINT!" Lana pointed.

"Who wants to get their face painted?" I asked.

"Oh I do, I do!" They all cheered. Luke and I walked the kids over to the face painting station, Lana went first she requested a butterfly, Callum wanted a Zebra, Carter wanted to be a koala, Lilah wanted to be a tiger. I was stuck being a puppy and Summer was a teddy bear. Luke stayed to get his face painted as we went to go play at the water gun booth. They played against each other for teddy bears, we watched a magician play tricks. And watched a man make balloon animals for them. I felt a tap on my shoulder as I turned around. I viewed a brightly colored smeared face with a wig and a bright red nose, I screamed in fear tossing some of my popcorn his way.
"Relax, it's just me Jane." He wrapped his arms around me. I swatted his shoulder.

"You know I'm deathly afraid of clowns." My heart raced in my chest. He pulled off his wig and nose as the kids started laughing. Slightly frustrated at Luke I turned to my phone to text Lucy she was in town and ready to pick up the kids. I texted her back to meet us at the fair.

We walked the kids to where Lucy and Calvin were waiting. The kids ran up to them and told them about everything we did while they were gone.

"Thanks for watching them." Lucy smiled as she embraced her littles. Luke whispered to Calvin for a split second.

Calvin took Lucy aside. She nodded with a big grin on her face.

"What's that look for?" I asked as Luke handed Summer over to Calvin and Lucy.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about a thing. Have fun! First dates are so exciting." Lucy squealed.

"Wait, Jane and Luke are boyfriend and girlfriend?" Callum asked with a disgusted look.

"Awwww are they gonna kiss." Lana asked.

"Oooooo." The girls chanted.

"Ewwww Luke, Jane might have cooties!" Callum protested.

"Do not!" I retorted, a little offended.

"Pipe down kiddos let's go play some games." Calvin turned the band of kids in the opposite direction, steering them away. I turned to Luke.

"First date huh?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am." He smiled, holding out an arm as I chuckled.

"Such a gentleman, who are you and what have you done with Luke Barrett?" I joked.

"I'll have you know, I've always been a gentleman." He grinned his dimples showing through and my knees almost buckled at the sight.

"I didn't bring flowers but may I offer you some cotton candy." He laughed flustered.

"My favorite!" I chirped as he handed the vendor some cash. Luke offered me a soft smile picking at my cotton candy.

"You want to go on the ferris wheel?" He grinned, my stomach roiled at the thought of being that high up.

"Um sure why not." I glanced at the ferris wheel over Luke's shoulder.

Latching us in the old rickety cart as it rolled to a start. I clenched my hands on the bar white knuckled. Where weren't even that high up yet. I started to squirm but it rocked the cart more.

"So, this is a date?" I nervously started. Avoiding looking at the city below. "I've never been on a date before." I rambled. "I've never done any of this before, it's all new to me." The cart rolled to a stop shaking the cart violently. I flinched when it all went wrong. I looked down at the scene below. I was going to vomit, I was going to pass out, probably both. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to focus on my breathing.

"Why didn't you tell me?" His warm hand wrapped around mine. He enveloped me in his side and at this height the wind blew his all too familiar and comforting scent my way. It eased the fear slightly.

"I didn't exactly know. I'm afraid of everything!" I panicked. He gripped my chin gently, turning my face to him.

"Focus on me." He smiled. "There she is, there's nothing to be afraid of." He pushed a lock of curls behind my ear. "No more secrets. It's you and me." His gentle hand laced behind my neck.

"I'm a virgin." I spit out covering my mouth. Luke looked taken aback before a low rumbling laugh echoed.

"Jane." I tried to turn away from him a bit embarrassed.

"I'm not laughing at the fact that you're a virgin, I'm laughing at the delivery, it's a very Jane thing to do." He turned me back to him.

"I feel like I'm not good enough for you." I choked up.

"Hey Jane, you're too good for me! I just want to make you happy Jane. I just want you." His eyes drifted to my lips.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Any way I can have you Jane, I just want you." He smiled sincerely before pressing his lips softly to mine in a passionate kiss. He broke the kiss and gestured out at the view squeezing my hand to remind me he was there that I was safe.