"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"The Long Weekend pt.2"

After a few more laps around the lake, Devon & Krystal swam out. Although they were dripping from head to toe, they were still laughing & flirting with each other. Summer smiled while watching them try to dry off in the sun. She was a tad jealous at how much fun they were having together. She wanted to join the fun, but wanted Jay to want her to join. George was done too & Nat helped pull him up out of the lake. George was teasing Nat saying he was going to get him wet while Nat was yelling for him to stop. Nat ran away while George chased him around the field across the lake. Jay was the last to get out of the water. He wiped the water away from his face & removed his shirt to wring it out.

Summer: That looked like fun.
Jay: Why didn't you join us?
Summer: Not in the mood I guess.
Jay: Hmm...

Jay walked past Summer & headed towards Devon.

Jay: Yo D! Let's go fire up the grill.
Devon: Let's go man!

Devon & Jay walked ahead of the group & talked about how they'd prepare dinner for everyone.
George caught up with them. The girls lagged behind. Krystal was still dripping wet.

Krystal: I cannot believe Devon threw me in the lake. God knows what's in there.
Summer: At least he's paying attention to you.
Krystal: What's that supposed to mean?
Nat: K, you don't see what's going on?
Summer: Nothing's going on.
Nat: Summer, it's so obvious. Jay's been distant.
Krystal: You wanna explain what's going on here?
Summer: I wish I could, but I don't even know myself.
Krystal: I'm sure it's nothing. It's probably just the deployment transition. That was always a little difficult for D & I at the beginning.
Summer: Yeah.
Krystal: Ugh, I need a towel.

Krystal walked ahead of Nat & Summer. Summer wanted to confide in Nat so they took their time walking back. Nat comforted Summer explaining that every couple goes through a rough patch.

Nat: You know George & I almost broke up a year ago.
Summer: Really?
Nat: Yup... It was tough. Deployments were a bitch. It was like every time he came home we had to re-introduce ourselves. How we were on the phone was different than how we were in person. I could talk to him for hours on the phone, but in person it was awkward.
Summer: What did you guys do?
Nat: Time. Patience. Love.

Summer nodded & looked down. Nat lifted her face.

Nat: It's going to be fine. He's probably just getting used to being around you again. There's nothing wrong with that.
Summer: Thanks, Nat.
Nat: And... I'd found that it's nothing a little BJ can't fix.
Summer: Nat!

Summer slapped Nat's shoulder. The two laughed.

Nat: I'm not kidding... it'll do you wonders.

They were approaching the campsite. Krystal had changed her outfit & had a towel around her hair. The boys were firing up the grill & setting up for dinner. Summer went up to Jay, wrapped her arms around him. He looked down at her. She pulled his head down to her level & flirtatiously kissed him. He looked at her, smiled & wrapped his arm around him.

Jay: Babe, come on. I gotta get the food cooked.

The sun was setting & the group had gathered around the picnic table for dinner. Nat brought out the chilled wine from the coolers & once everyone's glass was filled, Jay stood up. Everyone looked up at him. He thanked everyone for coming along their camping trip. He mentioned that it was Summer's birthday trip & let the group to a birthday song for her. Summer smiled as her fiancé & friends sang a few choruses of happy birthday to her.

After dinner, everyone gathered around the fire pit. It was completely dark & all you could see were the distant cabins & tents with their lanterns. The fire glowed brightly & the heat brought warmth to their faces while crackling sounds were comforting to the ear. The group shared ghost stories & their camp experiences. Summer shivered from the cold & got up to get a jacket from the tent. George was seated with Nat laying in his lap. The two were star gazing. Krystal had her head on Devon's shoulder. Jay was sitting on a bench poking around at the fire & Summer had gone back into the tent for a jacket. When Summer came back, she sat on Jay's lap. She was staring into his face, but his gaze remained on the fire.

Summer: Hey...

She directed his face towards hers.

Jay: Hmm?
Summer: Thanks for the camping experience.
Jay: Well, you wouldn't shut up about it last week.

Summer's heart sank. It was as if Jay only planned this trip to pacify her. Krystal motioned for Devon to leave the fire pit. Devon cleared his throat & then announced that he & Krystal would be retiring to their tent.

Summer: Good night, guys.
Krystal: Goodnight, baby...

Krystal kissed Summer on the forehead, greeted her happy birthday & followed Devon towards their tent. Nat was still laying down & picking out all the different constellations. George whispered to him that they should go. Nat got up & bid Summer good night & whispered happy birthday to her before he followed George to their tent. Summer & Jay were alone at the fire pit. There was dead silence. Summer had felt bad for what Jay said & he didn't seem to realize that it had hurt her feelings. She was upset & she could feel her anger kindle just like the fire before them. Then she burst out telling Jay about the surprise camping experience Dennis prepared for her.

Jay: I can't believe you're bringing him up...
Summer: At least he gave me a proper birthday. You know he stayed an extra day in Seattle just to celebrate my birthday with me.
Jay: Are you still keeping in touch with him?
Summer: We text once in a while.
Jay: I want you to stop communicating with him.
Summer: But he's my friend.
Jay: I said I want you stop communicating with him.
Summer: Jay...
Jay: You heard me!

Jay stormed off & Summer was left alone at the fire pit. She felt bad for angering Jay. She blamed no one else but herself. He was right, she had to stop all lines of communication with Dennis. She stood up, wiped her tears & went to look for Jay to apologize to him.