for better or for worse // mitchel cave (completed)

part LV

*mitchel's pov*

"hey, it's not my fault there's no actual snow here!" i exclaimed, my eyes pinpointing onto laralyn's figure. she had been whining jokingly about just how unchristmas-like our activities were.

she nodded, her head pulling up from the plastic of the pool tube she was laying on to study me. "this is still weird though. i mean, swimming in one hundred degree weather in the winter time? just weeks before christmas? i don't know how i feel about it."

i shrugged, taking a sip from the bud light next to me. "doesn't matter how you feel about it darling, cause you're stuck here with me," i joked, winking vaguely.

she shooed my teasing off, a slight giggle escaping her mouth. "come in the pool with me!"

i sighed, surveying my situation. i could stay here at the side of the pool and keep drinking my beer. (that sounded perfect). or i could swim with my beautiful girlfriend to make her happy. (that sounded perfect also.)

"i don't knowwww, this beer is awfully good," i responded, a finger circling the cap of the ice cold bud light.

i heard her scoff before i felt two small hands grab my ankles and quickly whip me into the water. i thankfully only went under the water a little bit, but when i rose on the surface i gave her a serious look.

"oh. it. is. on. now." i stated, a mischievous glint stuck in my eyes. she raised her eyebrows in amusement before i dove under the water, grabbing her ankles and pulling her down lightly. i didn't want to do it too harshly as not to alarm her but i also wanted to hear her squeal in laughter.

when i surfaced, i watched her come up at the same time from me, out of breath and laughing. "mitchel, you monster!"

"uh...says YOU. the one that practically drug me into this pool," i fired back.

she shrugged her shoulders. "not my fault you're a buzzkill."

i raised an eyebrow, about to snap at her jokingly before my mother sashayed out of the back door and interrupted us.

"what are you crazy kids doing?" she said, a bright smile working it's way onto her face. i mentally facepalmed, hating the way she treated me like a preteen, as much as i loved her.

"oh, just trying to make your son have some kind of fun," laralyn answered, shooting a look that could kill towards me. her and my mother biddi had grown quite close over the course of the past two or so weeks. they regularly shopped and cooked together, and it was obvious biddi was just what lara needed.

i knew laralyn and her mother weren't close at all, and it warmed my heart that my mom and her were growing so close. the "typical" love hate in-law relationship didn't apply here.

biddi shot me a playful look. "are you a grumpy one today? i told you not to drink that extra beer last night," she sing songed, taking a seat by the pool.

i sighed, cracking a smile. "my girl just brings out the hangover in me sometimes," i joked, glancing over to see laralyn's reaction.

she gasped and swam closer to me, hopping onto my back, her legs encircling my waist as her arms loosely hung around my shoulders.

i turned my head to the side, planting a soft kiss on her lips. she smiled at me after. "uh, we both know i bring out the fun in you, not the hangover."

my mom sighed loudly, watching us. "ahhh, to be young and in love." i could tell she was joking but she made me want to rip my braids out sometimes.

i gave her a look. "mom, i swear to g-"

"so biddi, where are the boys at?" laralyn interrupted my rant, saving us both the trouble.

my mother shrugged. "last i saw, christian was getting ready to come to the pool and clinton and jesse are probably off day drinking somewhere."

"and pat is most likely hidden in a corner, talking to himself," i murmured teasingly, swimming lightly through the water with lara still clinging onto my back.

lara snickered at this, nodding her head and agreeing. "he sure is a quiet one."

i shrugged at her comment. "maybe we need a balance of quiet in this group. i mean, imagine five obnoxiously loud boys."

she sighed. "you're pretty much two in one, so i can imagine that quite well." i was ready to open my mouth and retaliate before i was once again interrupted.

the amount of time in between hearing christian yell the words "cannon ball" and feeling the intruding splash of water on my face was not long at all. his tanned body slipped into the water, making a ginormous wave and resulting in water spraying in our eyes.

i had to spit out the salty spray, groaning and slipping lara off my back. "did i ever mention how much of an absolute nuisance you are?"

christian had just emerged on the surface, golden hair slicked back and a laugh clear on his face. "i got you guys good!"

"okay, that's it, i'm done with the swimming," i laughed slightly, pulling myself onto the side of the pool with my arms and standing up.

lara made a pouty face but followed suit, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her instantly. i could tell how much more confident she had gotten since we had been together but i knew she still struggled with her image every now and then.

"do you wanna go back up to my room?" i asked, busying myself while looking for a towel.

"yeah sure, my clothes are up there and i want to change," she responded, waiting for me to wrap the cotton towel around my lanky body before leading the way upstairs.

i trailed her up the stairs and into my room, closing the door behind us. "i had a fun time today princess, even though i enjoy ragging on you."

she laughed, waving me off. "you know us australians, we're always talking shit," she mocked me.

i laughed with her, slipping out of my trunks and giving her a look. "well, i think we can have more fun up here, and that's not just me talking shit this time."

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sorry for the late update, i've been out of town for over a week or so!! i hope u guys are still involved and loving the book, as i know it will be coming to an end in a lil while 🖤 love y'all !