The Odd Couple - A Norman Reedus Fanfic Romance

Chapter 17 - The Great Outdoors

LUCY

Once I'd put my dressing gown and slippers on? We came downstairs together.

He's just like his Dad and had me tightly clasped in his arms. When we walked into the kitchen Ming let go and ran to the table. Started bouncing excitedly in his seat.

"Wrap your gums around these, pal"  Norman placed a huge stack of pancakes in the middle of the table.

He peeped over at me and gave a little wince. Obviously, he's noticed my red and very watery eyes.

"There's plenty to go around. Will you be joining us, Luce?"

I catch the undertone in his voice. And now, it looks as if he's also....holding his breath?

Norman wasn't just  asking me about breakfast.

"I sure hope you made heaps. Because I'm so hungry? I could eat the south end out of a northbound walker"  I reply with a small smile, while tugging out a chair and sitting down.

He came around the kitchen counter and placed a mug of tea in front of me. Before resting his hands on my shoulders. Gave a gentle squeeze and kissed the top of my head once more.

Mingus shovelled pancakes into his mouth at the rate of knots. I swear that kid has a tapeworm, given the amount of food he manages to put away.

He paused his munching long enough to ask.

"Dad, can we drive out to the waterfall and take Lucy with us?"

"Sure, Ming. That's a good plan. Have you asked Lucy, though....if she wants to come along as well?"  Norman sat between us, his head swivelling as we talked.

"Yes, he did. I told him I'd love to. As long as it's what you both  want"  I reply softly.

"Then the good plan is now a done deal"  He announced happily, holding out a fist to each of us.

We all bumped.

*

Half an hour later we were in the Jeep, heading out of the city to Indian Brook Falls. Mingus tried to insist that I sit in the front seat. Instead, we compromised....I'd do it on our way home.

He kept up a steady stream of chatter with his Dad. Telling Norman about what we'd gotten up to over our three days together.

While I happily sat back, watching the change in scenery. Putting in a word or two now and then as Norman's smiling eyes peered back at me via the rear vision mirror.

He parked at the head of a walking trail.

"What's in the bag?"  I quizzed as he removed it from the rear tray.

We each have a backpack containing water bottles and rain ponchos. I've thrown a few extra things in mine. But the one he's unzipping is big and padded.

"My camera and some filters"  He slung a digital Ricoh around his neck and tucked some other items into the pockets of his pack.

"I love taking photos wherever I go. Sometimes, when you look through a lens? You'll see a completely different perspective than what you do with both eyes. I like to find those differences and see if I can capture them somehow."

He looked relaxed and happy as we hiked the trail for the next forty minutes or so. I began to hear the gentle sound of the falls when we got closer.

A couple of spots were slippery underfoot and Norman grabbed my hand when I stumbled on a loose rock. He didn't let go until we reached the pool at the base of the falls, ten minutes later.