5 Reasons To Love Again

Chapter 125

The guys had told me a little bit more about their work with the Academy and the grand tradition of camping after Christmas up until New Years. I told them that it was fine and that they could still go. They fussed over that because they didn't want me and Lexine to be alone without them for a week. I offered for us to go with them but that didn't appease them either. Finally Preston told me about it being a kind of introduction to the Academy and seeing if new comers could band into teams. My first thought was about Lexine and what it would mean for her. Surely she was way too young for that? I left it up to them and they said that they would talk to Phil and figure something out.

After conferring with Phil, a decision was made. For the first few days of their camping trip, Chase, Brady and Wyatt would go and then come back home to switch places with Preston and Jake. That way they could all participate and us girls wouldn't be left alone. To my great surprise however on the morning of New Years eve, Preston had me and Lexine bundle up into warm clothing and shoes to spend the day outdoors with before hustling us into the car with Jake. "We are taking you out to the campgrounds today so that the whole family could be together. It's being held out on one of the Island's campgrounds this year so we can watch the fireworks from the beach. I think that you and Lexine would enjoy it." Lexine clapped her hands in pleasure yelling, "Yes!" and I had to smile. "It's a great idea and I'm happy to be with all of you."

Tiger was taken to the vets for boarding and after driving a while, Preston pulled over at an IHOP to feed us. Perusing the menu, I noticed that the picture of a cheeseburger made my mouth water. A waitress stopped by our booth to take our orders. Preston who was sitting next to me in the booth of course noticed my interest in the burger and asked her if lunch items were available yet. She told us yes while looking down at my stomach with a smile so that's what I ordered. "Pregnancy cravings are kicking in I guess." I said sheepishly. They laughed and teased me about being weird when the food came out. Weird or not, that didn't stop everyone from taking a French fry or two from my plate! I ate the pickle first before attacking my cheeseburger. The rest of the drive took over an hour and when we got to the campground's parking lot, I shivered a little as I stepped outside. The air was a lot colder this closer to shore. Jake pulled out a little set of pink gloves to slip over Lexine's hands and a matching pink knitted hat to keep her warm. Preston pulled out a black pair of leather gloves for me with a black fuzzy knit beanie. He put the hat on for me as I tugged on the gloves. I grinned at him as he then pulled a large backpack out and a rolling cooler.

Jake took Lexine's hand in his to lead the way down a path into the trees. We saw a few cabins and then various spots where large and small tents had been erected. Further down the path in another clearing a very large tent had been set up and I saw Chase, Brady and Wyatt waving to us. I grinned and Lexine ran towards them shrieking in delight.

I couldn't help hurry towards them myself. They took turns sweeping me and Lexine up for hugs and kisses. Their scruffy beard stubble scratched me and I giggled when Wyatt nuzzled my neck. "Don't start something that you can't finish." I whispered a playful warning in his ear. He laughed and swatted my rear end. They showed me their tent and it was large enough for all of us with cots. There was a portable heating unit and the sleeping bags were battery powered to stay warm all night. I'd never been camping before and Chase told me that we would be spending the night there. My mouth opened to tell them that we didn't pack some overnight things, but Preston held up the backpack from the car with a grin. Academy men were always prepared! Lexine climbed on the smallest cot with a light blue sleeping bag to claim it as hers.

They took us around and introduced us to different people. There were different stations of interest and Lexine found the engineering station to be absolutely fascinating. They had erector sets there and she sat down at the picnic table to play and put something together. Wyatt and Brady sat on either side of her watching her build something. The man in charge of the station was an experienced engineer and watched our daughter avidly as he took a seat across from her. He asked her a question about a piece that she was using but of course she didn't answer him. She did sneak a glance up at him but then focused her attention back to her work. Preston stepped up next to him and bent down to whisper in his ear. I'm sure it was an explanation as his confused expression cleared up and he looked intrigued. It seemed that Lexine was going to be staying there for a while so Brady and Wyatt stayed with her while Jake, Preston and Chase accompanied me around.