by G S Binkley
Lacy hushed her partner with her fingertips. “Gage, sweetheart, it wasn’t you. You’re right. Words can be… very damaging. Derek knew you were just teasing. It reminded him of the kind of things David has said to him. Only when he says them there’s a kernel of truth to it.”
“And, even a six year old is smart enough to know that.” Gage concluded.
She kissed her lover. “Talk to him tomorrow. I suggest you two do something together. I’ll get Stella to go shopping with the kids and me. I promised Dani.”
“Okay. I can come up with something we’d both like.”
“No trouble!” When Lacy admonished her partner, Gage simply offered her an innocent yet devious wink. “I mean it sweetheart. I do not want to come home and find this place in shambles like I did…..”
Smothering her lover with a soulful kiss, Gage doused the head of steam Lacy was building inside. “Save that fire for later.” Gage waggled her eyebrows.
Snuggling closer, Lacy yawned again. Hoping her partner would take the not so subtle hint, Lacy said barely above a whisper. “Just a little sleep before I have to get up in the morning and…. oh, that reminds me I didn’t….”
Gage stopped her with another gentle kiss. “You know I love you, don’t you?”
“Yes. I know.” Perplexed, Lacy crunched her eyebrows together.
“I’m gonna show you…….” Gage wiggled up and over her lover. The blonde kissed Lacy deeply before running an eager hand along her lover’s side. “…..just how much.” When it looked to a very tired Lacy that Gage was determined to her have her way, the blonde jerked back up. “I’m gonna wash the dishes.” Gage planted one more sweet kiss on her lover then was up and out of the room, heading for the kitchen.
Snuggling under the covers, Lacy inhaled deeply the scent of her lover. “God, I love that woman.”
Chapter Five
After forcing Gage to swallow several vitamins to counter the effects of being anemic, Lacy kissed her and Derek before bidding them farewell on their great expedition together. Then, Lacy slipped back into bed, savoring a few quiet moments before she gathered up the rest of her brood and headed out on their shopping adventure.
***********************
The long drive to the Meadow River slipped by in relative silence. Both sleepy heads were excited about the float trip, but the early morning hour waged war against their enthusiasm. When they finally arrived and readied the raft, Gage asked Derek if he wanted to be in front or back. The blonde realized this was a huge risk. There was no way she would allow him to be at the stern of the raft since they would be encountering a few nasty rapids. But, she wanted to encourage confidence in the shy child and make him feel somewhat of an equal in their upcoming adventure.
Gage allowed a grateful breath to escape when Derek finally revealed the answer he was pondering. “No, you drive.” With his life vest snuggled securely around him, he jumped into the raft.
“Whatever you say, skipper!” Gage shoved off and soon the current caught them and away they went.
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Lacy hurried to the front door so she could bring the car around while Stella finished helping the kids get ready. When Lacy opened the door, there stood David. The startled look on her face prompted David to announce. “Surprise!”
“What a nice one it is.” Lacy said in a deadpan voice.
“Oh, come on.” Attempting to kiss her, his lips barely brushed her cheek because she hastily evaded his unwelcome overture. Frowning, he said. “Guess that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Impatient, Lacy quizzed. “Did you want something David?”
“Matter of fact, I was still supposed to have the kids and since you came back early….. I came over to spend some time with them.” He waggled his eyebrows and displayed his snake-like charming smile then concluded. “You’re not going to deny me, are you?”
Easily recognizing his double entendre, the actress coolly replied. “No.
Not that anyway.” When Stella arrived with the kids, Lacy suggested. “Why don’t you come along?”
“Yeah, dad.” Dani wholeheartedly agreed. “It’ll be fun.”
“Okay.” David followed them to his car. “Ahhh…, where are we going?”
She slipped into the car then answered. “Shopping.” Lacy didn’t have to turn around to see the pitiful look on her ex-husband’s face.
***********************
“You know, Derek.” Gage paused. “Why don’t we pull up onto that sandbar?” The blonde wanted to talk and didn’t want any distractions.
“Aye, aye.” Jockeying to the other side of the raft, Derek paddled with all his might.
After a few moments both sailors settled down on the big rocks. Derek jammed his hand in the watertight bag, retrieved a sandwich and gave it to his mate.
“Thanks.” Gage said. Grateful that Lacy got up early to fix them something to eat; she chomped down into the delicious sandwich of peanut butter and bananas. I do love that woman.
Drawing Gage from her musings and much to her surprise, Derek asked. “What’s on your mind?”
Shifting her green eyes to her son, Gage smiled. That’s the way I’ve thought of him… my son… from the very beginning. And, Dani, too. Now, Sammy…
“Gage?” The six year old demanded her attention. “What is it?”
Gage mussed his hair which he tolerated but only because it was from her or his mother. Derek liked Stella yet he thought he was getting too old for her to do that. When his mind started to drift, Gage brought him back to the present. “You’re a smart young man. You know that?”
A shy smile rose on his perfect young features. “Yep.” Then he quickly revealed. “Mom told me you had something you wanted to talk to me about.”
“Ohhh, she did, did she?” Stalling a bit longer, Gage threw some crushed ice in a plastic cup and poured her soft drink in it. She chewed on the ice for a few moments. “The other day…”
A sad look crossed his face. “I know. Dani said I overreacted….” The last word was said with a dramatic flair. “Mom had to tell me what she meant by that.”
“No.” She interrupted him. “I should have realized…. Derek, I know things are a bit difficult between you and your father. He does love you.”
The young boy cast her a very suspicious look.
“I know. I know. It may not seem like it.” Retrieving a distant memory, Gage continued. “There was a time when this woman came into my life. She helped me stop stuttering.” Gage winked at Derek. Both knew they shared this one time obstacle. “I really came to like her. Before that the only other person I trusted was my caseworker lady. Anyway, there we were getting along so well and I thought she cared. Then, one day….” The blonde snapped her fingers. “…she was gone. I was very young then…. the things that will go through a young kid’s mind when something like that happens.”
Derek nodded thoughtfully. “Where’d she go?”
“For years I didn’t have a clue.” Gage revealed. Sucking in a deep breath, she continued. “I guess I was bout twenty-one, twenty-two. I decided to look for my parents.” She said with a hint of remorse. “My only lead was the caseworker. So, I found her. Now, she wouldn’t reveal anything about my mother.” A fond memory surfaced as Gage recalled when the caseworker gave her the necklace that Lacy now wore. “But, she did tell me a few things about that woman. It wasn’t that she didn’t care or love….” Gage found it hard to say the word even now. “…me. You see, I was up to be adopted. She felt it was only right to, well…. give me the best chance to bond with my new family.”
“Did you like them?” Derek fondly looked up at his hero.
Mussing his hair again, Gage refused to entertain that dark and gloomy part of her life. “Now, that’s a story for another time.” Releasing a heavy sigh, Gage did entertain another thought that she would soon have to do something about. I never did tell Lacy any of this. Guess I’ll put that on my list of things to do. Glancing at Derek,
Gage let out a small laugh. Dani, is sure to interrogate her little brother and if she knows then Lacy….well…. that just jumped up to number one on my list.
Derek pondered the blonde’s story. “Mom says that, too. And, Dani. Bout him caring about me.” The small tyke crossed his arms, gnawing hard on this idea then concluded. “Me, too.”
There were still words left unspoken between the two. However, with the relationship they had formed over the last few years, both grinned in silent understanding, both knowing that they loved each other very much. Derek stuck out his fist. Gage did the same, slapping his fist with hers together from the front first, then the top and finally from the bottom.
“Are we okay?” Hesitantly, Gage asked.
“Yep. If you let me drive now.” Derek jumped up and headed for the raft. “Those rapids are gonna be soooooooo smooth.”
Shocked green eyes nearly popped out.
Derek gathered the cooler, leaving the trash on the ground behind.
“Derek. Let’s pick up the trash.” Gage snagged a piece.
“Oh, Gage…” Derek pouted.
Nodding, she said. “Keep America clean, that’s what I say.”
He did as he was told, stuffing the trash in a plastic bag. Turning around, he spied his floundering partner still slightly stunned from his earlier request of being at the helm. Her green eyes tracked him as he approached the rear of the raft. When Derek quickly redirected his feet to the bow of the boat, an impish smile rose on his face. “Gotcha.” Derek let out a full belly laugh. “Dani said it would work.”
Recovering, Gage shook her head and mumbled. “You’re getting more like Dani every day.”
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After a couple hours of shopping, David persuaded the small group to have lunch. When they were finished, David tossed his young daughter a couple of twenties. “I saw you eying that CD. If you can get Stella to take you back there……” His words quickly dropped.
Fully aware of David’s not so subtle tactic to spend some time alone with her, Lacy agreed. “Stella, would you mind?”
“Not at all. Shall I take Sammy with us?” The nanny inquired.
“Yes.” David ordered.
Stella patiently waited for Lacy’s approval. “Yes, thank you. We’ll wait here.”
Dani happily hurried off with brother and nanny in tow.
David leaned forward and reached across the table. He placed his hand over hers. “I’m surprised Lacy. I didn’t think you’d fall for that.”
“What? Quality time for us?” Withdrawing her hand, Lacy picked up his hand and placed it back in front of him. “This belongs to you.”
“There was a time it was yours. It could be again….. that’s not all.” Throwing her his sexiest grin, David winked.
Refusing to return his rude serve, Lacy volleyed back to him. “Besides, it worked to my benefit. I wanted to talk with you alone.”
Tipping his hand to her, he acquiesced. “Advantage Lacy.” David relaxed back in his hard chair. “What’s on your mind?”
“Derek.”
***********************
As they traversed the worst section on the river, Derek noticed a small fish trapped in the protruding roots of a tree at the water line. Desperately flapping its fins, the small fish tried to escape its plastic beer holder prison.
Tossing his paddle on the bottom of the raft, Derek launched toward the port side of their ride. “Gage. Look!”
Nearly hanging over the side, Gage reached out to the young boy, grasping the top of his shorts. “Derek! Get back in the boat.”
“Gage, we gotta get him.” His concerned gray eyes remained glued on the little fish even as the raft floated past.
The blonde yanked the small boy back from the edge. Planting him firmly between her legs, she navigated the swift current, bringing the raft safely to shore.
Derek hurried out of the craft then rushed to the water’s edge.
“Derek!”
Turning to her, Derek pleaded. “Do something… please?”
Gage’s shoulders slumped in resignation. “I hate fish.” Trudging upstream through the rough water, Gage fought the current across the river then secured herself to an exposed root. After several attempts, the slippery fish eluded her causing Gage to slip against the moss-covered rocks. The deluge of water doused her completely. Now soaked and still hanging tightly to the root, Gage rifled her hand through the water capturing the frightened fish. Carefully, she made her way back through the rapids.
Derek plopped down beside her at the shoreline. “Is he still alive?”
“Yep. Hold on little fella.” After a quick search in her pocket, she snapped her small knife open. Carefully, she slipped the steel blade between the plastic strip and the fish, cutting it away. “That’s why we pick up after ourselves. This river belongs to him as much as us. Even more so I reckon.”
Handing the fish to Derek, he scrambled up, waded out a few feet in the water then released him. “Keep America clean, right?” The brilliant smile Derek threw her way was all the reward Gage needed.
***********************
Lacy thoroughly spelled out her evidence, detailing incident after incident where David verbally mistreated his son. When she was finished, there wasn’t much for him to say.
David huffed. “If it wasn’t for her…..”
Blue eyes flared at him. “Don’t you dare blame Gage! This was going on long before she came in our lives.”
Reluctantly, David retreated from that approach. “I’ll try.”
She shot him a doubtful look. “Promise me. David, I will not allow our son to be exposed to this kind of treatment any longer. You’ve done it in such an off-handed way at first I didn’t recognize it for what it was. Abuse! Don’t make me do something I would never want to do. But, I will protect him.”
Realizing that Lacy was threatening his right to see his son, David relented. “Fine.” He couldn’t help but add. “You know, a judge might not see your side on this…. your relationship….”
“Is none of your business.” She spat at him. Sucking in a calming breath, she held up her hand, stopping him and reluctantly admitted. “All right. I do realize that my relationship with Gage does affect our children so indirectly it is somewhat a concern for you.”
The executive produced a smug smile in victory.
“I want all of us to get along. David, we need to do what’s best for our children.” Lacy pleaded. “Leave this… what has happened between us regarding Gage…..and Hayston out of it.”
David pondered her words for a long moment. Realizing it was the best arrangement he could get at the moment, he concurred. “Deal.”
She took his proffered hand in agreement.
“So, all is right between us?” David asked, figuring he had come out ahead in the negotiations.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss.”
The handsome executive raised a concerned eyebrow.
Chapter Six
With Gage and Derek’s relationship back on track, the blonde and Lacy prepared for shooting their upcoming film. After dinner, the couple gathered with Stella and the kids enjoying a relatively quiet evening together. They played a few turns of charades before Dani suggested they read through Gage’s script for her mom’s movie.
Gage took it as a compliment and Lacy took it for what it was. She’s got some ulterior motive. “Any particular scene you’d like to go over?”
Flipping to the earmarked page, Dani handed it to the couple that was sitting on the couch. “How bout this? I’ll play the young Jordan.”
Sammy grabbed for the script, attempting to get a taste of it. He pouted when Gage pulled it back then tried to hand it back to Dani.
Dani rejected the script. “I already have it like… memorized completely.”
Lacy settled her son in her lap who gave Gage the evil eye. “Sammy, here.” She handed him Derek’s old yellow duck. It was a gift from Derek to his brother on hi
s second birthday. It became Sammy’s favorite toy. Turning her attention back to her daughter, Lacy concurred. “I’ll bet you do.”
Gage was totally oblivious to what was transpiring between mother and daughter. With a cocked eyebrow, she shot her partner a questioning look.
“Dani, why don’t you explain to Gage?”
Shocked blue eyes met her mother’s knowing identical blue ones. “Like …. what? I haven’t the slightest idea…..” Dani countered with a dramatic flair. Trapped by her mother’s knowing glare, the twelve year old caved. “Oh, all right. I was thinking… and I don’t want any like special treatment but….. what about me playing the young Jordan?” Dani laid out her case. “I’m a natural….. just like my mom.” That has got to score points with both of them.
Lacy and Gage watched the young would be actor continue in what turned out to be an audition.
The television program he was watching was boring compared to his sister’s performance. So, Derek plopped down on the couch next to Gage. Stella sat quietly in an easy chair thoroughly enjoying the antics of this young and very precocious child.
Dani started act two. “I grew up on the set of the very best show of all times.” Dani mentally checked off another point in her favor, referring to her mother’s television show, CRACKDOWN. Now, for the closing act, referencing her mother, she concluded. “One more thing, I look exactly like you when you were my age…. beautiful.”
“Dani, if you’ve read the script, then you would know that young Jordan is six years old in it.”
“Maybe you could re-write it… make her, say, twelve.” Dani eyed Gage and said seriously. “It shouldn’t be a task for you. You’re a great writer.”
“No.” Lacy said.
Gage shot her partner concerned look.
“No to Dani… not you.” Lacy kissed her lover. “She’s right. You are an excellent writer.” That brought a jubilant smile to Gage’s face.