by G S Binkley
Hayley had heard many stories about her sister’s experience with the cave and that piqued her interest. “I wanna go to the cave.”
Green eyes widened. “Lacy?”
“Honey…” Lacy stooped down next to her daughter. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She pointed to her sister. “Dani, got to go.”
“And got lost.” Dani said before thinking about it then looked at Gage quickly who just smiled.
“How about we go for a swim?” Lacy changed the subject.
“Okay.” Hayley was easy to please. “Come on.” She grabbed Derek’s hand.
Gage watched from the porch as Lacy and their children played along the lake’s shore. It had only been a few weeks since the incident. Both of them avoided talking about what happened.
“Hey, Gage… look.” Dani handed her the rock.
Gage studied it. “Looks like another one for our collection.”
“I know exactly where I’m going to put it.” Dani took it back then tossed it in the air. She turned back toward the lake but just as suddenly twisted back around. Dani jumped one step, leaned in and kissed Gage on the cheek. “I love you.” Before the blonde realized what happened, Dani was back with the rest of her siblings.
*********
Since their fishing exhibition did not yield any fish, Lacy fixed some fish sticks for dinner and French fries. As the family sat around that evening, playing a few games of charades, everyone doted on Gage.
“Well, kids, it’s getting late and Gage needs her rest.”
“Oh, mom. We’re on vacation.” Derek whined.
Hayley pouted at the prospect of having to go to bed.
Sammy agreed with his brother. “We don’t have school tomorrow.”
Gage shrugged as if to say to her partner ‘it’s up to you’.
Lacy was about to cave until Dani spoke up.
“Why don’t Gage tell us a story?”
That suggestion was met with glee from everyone.
Gage rolled her eyes. “Thanks Dani.”
Now it was Lacy’s turn to shrug her shoulders at the partner and added a wink.
“How about tomorrow guys?”
Dani knew another tactic would have to be engaged. “Come on, guys. Let’s go.” She gathered her brothers and sister up, heading off to bed.
Lacy stayed next to her partner on the couch.
“That was easy.”
Lacy heard the kids scramble through the hallway. “You think?”
“Nope.” The blonde turned to her partner. “They’re in our bed, right?”
“Bingo.” Lacy stood, pulling her partner up.
The blonde tagged along reluctantly but the smile on her face betrayed her outward displeasure. “I’m not gonna get any sleep tonight.”
Lacy just tugged at her partner’s arm.
When they arrived at their bedroom doorway, the kids were piled on the huge bed. Gage crossed her arms at the sight before her. “We’re gonna have to fight our way in there.”
Lacy laughed. The kids made room for their mother as she claimed her place in the middle of the bed.
“If you want me to tell a story then you’re gonna have to make some room.” Like the Red Sea that parted so did the kids in the bed, making room for her. She climbed in, squeezed in between Lacy and Hayley.
Derek tucked his hand under his chin. “Tell us about the Shanglon Master.”
“Yeah, Gage.” Dani pouted. “You never did finish the story.”
“I did… they lived happily ever after.” Gage countered then smiled at Lacy.
“But what about later… did they have any kids? Did the evil Robida come back?” Derek pounded the storyteller with questions.
“Oh boy… let me start from the beginning.” Gage relayed the bulk of the Shanglon Master’s story. She told how Geoff, the Shanglon Master, met and fell in love with Mecca who warmed his cold heart. On their wedding day, the evil Robida kidnapped her. But with the help of Geoff’s personal assistant, Quint, he was able to find Mecca trapped in a cave. Geoff and his men went to the rescue but it was Mecca who saved herself against the evil villain. “After that, Geoff’s chest was full of hope that their life would be wonderful.”
Dani’s blue eye brightened up on hearing two of Gage’s last words. Chest, hope… hope chest.
Sammy and Hayley delighted in the story. “Tell us more.” The youngest boy insisted.
“There’s not much more.” But her words only drew displeasure from her audience. “Okay, okay… I will tell you that Geoff and Mecca had four children. Their names were Hayley...”
The little blonde smiled.
“…Sammy, Derek and Dani.” Gage was quite pleased with herself.
“Really Gage…” Dani rolled her eyes.
“What else?” Derek asked with a menacing tone. “Want about Robida?”
The way her son asked his question made Lacy shiver thinking about the evil Blade. “He never came back… the end.” Lacy concluded.
All eyes glared at Lacy in question the way she ended the story.
“Gage, you tell really good stories.” Dani lifted up so Gage could see her clearly. “Maybe you should write a story about two women who fall in love… you know, the one…”
The storyteller’s right eyebrow cocked.
When Dani and Hayley looked in their mother’s hope chest, they found a small case with a flash drive in it and the words ‘The Woman I Love’ written on it. It was a week before Dani retrieved the flash drive. She opened it and wondered what she should do with it. She knew the only person that could help her decide would be Mark Calico. Since their ten year anniversary was coming up, Dani reveled in the wonderful surprise she had for her mother and Gage.
Still reeling from Dani’s suggestion, the writer was reminded to hurry up with special gift she was going to give to her partner for their anniversary. I need to talk with Mark… soon.
“Alright everyone… it’s time for sleep now.” Lacy wanted to make sure Gage got the rest she needed. Her partner was still healing from her wounds. She pulled her lover into her arms. Lacy quietly asked her partner. “You okay?”
“Yeah…” Gage surveyed their bed full of their children. “…they’re not going anywhere.”
“Gage, sweetheart, do you remember when I told you what I wanted more than anything in life?”
The blonde’s mind travelled back a few years to when she asked Lacy about giving up so many acting roles to be with her and the children.
Lacy said, “I thought about that and you know what?” Gage shook her head. “My greatest role is being your wife and mother to our children. Now I ask you what can be better than that?”
Gage smiled, happy to feel some of the tension ease. “You, me and the kids piled in bed watching a movie on a rainy morning.”
Gage knew exactly what the morning would bring. But tonight surrounded by their children, they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes and quietly whispered goodnight.
The End
NOTE: There are plans for one final story focused around a grown up Dani Levine entitled “Dani’s Story”. This story will focus on the Ballant/Levine family after the children have grown. Dani and Lane Grayson meet again and reignite their love affair. Derek, Sam and Hayley are grown up and out on their own. Lacy and Gage are still going strong. Gage continues to write while Lacy has her own art showing.
other stories
by
g. s. binkley
Alternative
The Woman I Love
A Woman Like You
Here Comes My Woman
A Woman in Love
Murder at Fountain Blue
An Innocent Heart
Short Stories: Just the Way You Like It
Heart of Africa
Mainstream
Angel in Disguise
Murder at Red Rum
Murder at Knifepoint
Once Again, Alexis
Here Comes Jordan
&n
bsp;