Remember Laughter

by Ginny Sterling

  Shrugging, she unpacked her things and washed her face. She was worn out from the early flight, but infinitely glad she wasn’t Lily. The woman’s feet were miserably swollen to the point that John insisted that she kick off her shoes on the way to the cabin. A knock sounded at her bedroom door, and Leia jumped and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

  “Don’t panic,” she whispered. “He’s a friend. That’s all. It might not even be him,” she intoned, staring at her reflection. She slipped on the earrings Jason had sent her and walked over to the door. Pulling it open, her breath escaped her in a massive rush of air as Marigold stood there, smiling.

  “Oooh cute earrings!”

  “Thanks!”

  “I just love big bracelets on my wrists and dangling earrings. I adore those bright colors. Miss Trend-Setter-Leia!” she announced happily, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her towards the stairs.

  Leia noticed that Marigold was dressed in a pretty pleated dress that flowed all around her. Leia was wearing black slacks and a short-sleeved sweater. Nothing too outlandish and nothing she would want to be perceived as ‘just for him’. She wouldn’t readily admit to making sure her makeup looked good or that she brushed her teeth… three times.

  “I haven’t heard much of anything from Ben lately, so I’m hoping he makes it.” Marigold said happily, humming and dancing down the long hallway towards the stairs. The woman was always so chipper!

  “I’m sure he will.”

  “Have you heard from Hody?”

  “Just to wish him a safe trip.”

  “Oh, that’s sweet. I’m glad you two are writing each other. I wish Ben wrote more often, but I write him regardless. I know he’s busy and I don’t want to distract him. He must be such a good person to have to deal with the pressure of taking care of the team and his dog. Did you know his dog’s name is Paladin? I believe it was a knight somewhere in history.”

  “Yes. It’s the name of a religious knight or a crusader, like the Templars.”

  “It’s also a character class in Dungeons & Dragons… but only us gamer nerds know that,” a voice called up the stairwell.

  Leia froze. She recognized that voice and turned to see that warm smile that she’d admired so much over the last few months. Jason’s dark eyes were watching her.

  “Hey, princess,” he said softly, as he leaned against the wall of the cabin, comprised of massive logs stacked on each other.

  Jason was devastatingly handsome and the photos he’d sent didn’t do him justice. Bright, twinkling eyes that had creases at the corners revealed that he smiled or laughed a lot. That smile gave him dimples that were hidden beneath a neatly trimmed beard, that looked almost like a heavy shadow on his face. Thick, dark hair was neatly combed and resembled the same haircut that the other men standing behind him had. They were all smiling, clapping each other on the back, and hugging one another in welcome… everyone except Jason.

  He stood there, at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her.

  “You coming down or shall I come up?” he asked candidly.

  “Don’t get pushy.”

  “I like to push your buttons, princess.”

  “Leia,” she stressed firmly, seeing several people stop to look at them.

  “Ohhhh, I get it!” Marigold interrupted the moment, laughing. “Princess Leia? How cute! I thought you two had given each other nicknames already but you are Leia-quite literally, too.”

  “We did give each other nicknames,” Jason acknowledged and Leia felt a flood of heat fill her cheeks as she realized that he was referring to himself as ‘the sexy Han Solo’.

  “Yes-and his is Sasquatch,” Leia blurted out, coming down the stairs from where she’d been standing. Jason’s warm laughter washed over her as she got to the foot of the stairs.

  Chandler had been slim and strong, cutting a striking figure in a crisp suit… but not this man. Jason was a giant. He might not be much taller than her in high heels, but he was certainly broader. He had great, big hulking shoulders that made her itch to touch.

  It also made her feel downright feminine.

  Standing on the last step, she was nearly eye to eye with him.

  “Your promise?” he whispered intimately.

  “I keep my word, but you’ll regret asking me to sing.”

  “I doubt it,” he grinned, giving her a lop-sided smile that tugged at her heart just seconds before he hugged her. It was like being swallowed by a warm tree trunk of muscles… one she wished she didn’t melt into quite so easily.

  It felt amazing to be hugged by someone and it had been well over two years since anyone had done so. A sniffle escaped her against her will, causing his arms to tighten perceptibly around her.

  “Shhh, my little princess. I’ve got you,” he whispered in her ear before straightening up and smoothing her hair. Leia buried her face in embarrassment, knowing that he’d heard her. She hoped that no one else did.

  “Y’all go on and we’ll catch up.”

  She stood there for what felt like for several moments as he gently rubbed her back lightly. He handed a napkin up towards her, in between them, and she grasped at it, mortified, wiping her face. Leia stepped back and avoided looking at him.

  “I’m just tired,” she explained quickly.

  “I’m glad that my hug doesn’t make you cry.”

  “No, of course not,” Leia scoffed immediately. “Why would it?”

  “Just a theory.”

  “No. It doesn’t make me cry.”

  “Would you be upset then, if I said I needed to hold my friend again, just to make sure you are really here?” he asked quietly.

  Leia looked at his face and saw the warmth in his gaze as he watched her. He held open his arms and she couldn’t help but crumble. Jason chuckled lightly as Leia wadded up a fist and slugged him gently in the pectorals. It probably didn’t even budge the big lug. Instead, he cupped his hand over hers and cradled it to his chest.

  “I want to be there, for my friend,” he whispered. “You take as long as you need cause I’m in no rush to go anywhere.”

  “You just got here,” she sniffled, “and I feel like an idiot.”

  “You feel amazing and trust me, I’m more than happy right now feeling you,” he chuckled intimately.

  “Ugh. You big oaf,” she balked, stepping out of his reach again, only to see his smile. He wagged his eyebrows at her playfully, causing her to laugh thickly through the remainder of her tears.

  “That’s better.”

  “You’re a dork.”

  “And you’re a crybaby,” Jason said easily, crossing his arms. One dark eyebrow rose in challenge as he watched her.

  “Well! That’s rude.”

  “Both are true right now, aren’t they?”

  “Only fifty percent of it, Sasquatch.”

  “That’s my firecracker of a woman.”

  “I’m not your woman,” she blustered, sticking her nose in the air and looking away. Jason hefted up a massive duffle bag with one arm and glanced at her.

  “Where’s your room?”

  “NOT WITH YOU!” she blurted out immediately, dumbfounded. She didn’t think his smile could get any wider without splitting his face in half. Instead, he stepped past her on the stairs, leaning down to her.

  “I was asking so I could give you plenty of space,” he whispered playfully. “But I like what you are thinking, princess. We just met, though, so give it time.”

  His laughter carried down the steps towards where she stood, blushing fiercely with embarrassment at the misunderstanding of his words and the implications of own . She wanted to melt into the floor right now and realized it might be a long week here in Alaska with Jason.

  Chapter 12

  Leia avoided meeting anyone’s eyes, as she walked out onto the massive deck that encompassed the back of the cabin. She assumed the sun would be going down soon and she hoped to see the northern lights. As it was, she could see greenery off in the distance, snowcapp
ed mountains even in July, and there was a raw beauty that was inspiring.

  “What do you all want to do for supper? I know we are grilling at Post’s house in a few days, but did you want to go into town and grab something or eat here?”

  Lily spoke up almost immediately.

  “I’d rather just stay here tonight and put my feet up. John, if you want to go out with everyone – please do. I don’t want to hold you back, just bring back some drive through or something.”

  “Lily, I’m not going anywhere without you. A night out here on the deck, watching the stars overhead, and rubbing your swollen feet sounds like an amazing evening,” John said tenderly, taking a seat beside her.

  Leia knew the woman had to be miserably uncomfortable as she had her feet propped up on the footstool and her stomach seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds. Lily had told her that she was right on the edge of where she wouldn’t be able to travel and this was their last chance to see everyone together for a while.

  “How about we order in pizza or something?”

  “Mari took off to explore some of the shops.”

  “She did?”

  “Yeah. I almost feel bad for Watson.”

  “Why is that?”

  “She was practically bursting at the seams with happiness. They are going to an outdoor market in the area, a new age shop, and she said she wanted to take him to see the ocean front.”

  “All today?”

  “My point exactly – and I never took Watson for a ‘new age’ kinda guy.”

  “He’s more like a Stone Age guy with all the grunting and barking he does at people,” Jason interjected from behind where Leia sat in one of the chairs.

  She felt a large hand land on her shoulder, almost in a possessive fashion, that caused her to look up at where he stood nearby. He’d obviously gotten a shower, changed, and looked more than happy to be with everyone.

  “Is pizza okay with everyone?”

  “We are heading out,” Jason announced, again surprising Leia.

  “We could stay in with your friends,” Leia countered.

  “Karaoke,” he reminded with a single word.

  “Oh, that sounds fun. I didn’t know you liked to do Karaoke.”

  “I’ve never been and he’s insisting on ear-brutality.”

  “Do you want company?”

  “Yes.”

  “No,” Jason interjected.

  “No,” she amended, glancing at Jason questioningly. “Maybe tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good. You two have fun and we’ll see you in the morning for breakfast. There is a diner down the road that is supposed to be amazing and a favorite of Jamie & Lucy’s. I can honestly say that I’ve never had hash browns covered in country gravy, but I’m willing to try it.”

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Tobin whined.

  “It sounds delicious!” Ava groaned happily, closing her eyes.

  “Who’s the pregnant one?” Lily teased playfully, rubbing her stomach.

  “Actually,” Ava said with a shy smile, looking at Colin. The tall blond man holding the toddler in his lap just grinned proudly at the woman who sat beside him.

  “This little angel needs a lifelong friend to play with,” Colin said tenderly.

  “No way? Yes! Congratulations!” Leia chimed in happily for the couple.

  “Way to go, Wilkes!”

  “Both of the Wilkes’,” Lily corrected with a smile at Jason. “I assure you that both of them had a part in it, not just Colin. Am I right, John?”

  “I plead the fifth,” John said innocently, before smiling proudly at his wife. “Lily attacked me, though.”

  “Oh, stop! You’ve got to quit telling people that, John Griffin!”

  “You two go have fun,” Tobin instructed, waving his hand at Leia and Jason. “You don’t have to stick around here with these lovebirds. It might be contagious, after all… or at least I hope it is. You got a girl for me Lily?”

  “I’m going to have to think on who to pair you with.”

  “I thought you two weren’t going to play matchmaker anymore?” Leia questioned as she got to her feet, looking back at the couple sitting on the couch together.

  “Why not?” Tobin interjected with a frown. “They’ve been spot on so far and I want my chance.”

  “They haven’t been,” Leia faintly protested, feeling her face blush with embarrassment. She didn’t want it announced, or even said aloud, that she was developing feelings for Jason when she’d barely met the man. Her pen pal she cared for as he’d become her best friend, but this attractive man beside her… she had yet to get to know him. The real him.

  “I beg to differ?” Jason chirped beside her in mock alarm.

  “You can’t be perfect with everyone and we just met, so you know…” Leia trailed off, feeling like her face was a thousand degrees under the scrutiny of eyes watching them both.

  “I’m telling you that Tobin deserves his chance just like anyone else.”

  “Of course, he deserves a chance at happiness, but it doesn’t have to be orchestrated or by someone playing matchmaker,” Leia argued.

  “Is that because we’re grunts?” Jason blurted out angrily.

  “Speak for yourself, ya big lummox,” Tobin teased.

  “Why would you even think that?” Leia questioned, glancing up at Jason.

  “You two take it outside,” John interrupted in an annoyed tone, looking at his cell phone.

  “John’s going to be such a good father,” Lily whispered loudly to Ava and Daisy, unabashedly proud of her husband and rubbing her stomach tenderly as her eyes never strayed from him.

  “I’m ordering the pizza and I thought you two were going out?” John barked, holding his phone up to his ear and glaring at them pointedly.

  “We are,” Jason and Leia said simultaneously.

  They walked outside and she halted at the top of the stairs. Leia had forgotten to get her purse and realized that the shuttle they’d taken to the cabin meant they didn’t have a vehicle.

  “We need to call an Uber – and I need to get my purse.”

  “Leia, relax a bit. This dumb grunt has it under control.”

  “Would you quit calling yourself that?”

  “Why? Isn’t that why you aren’t going to even give us a chance? ‘Cause I’m too dumb and not as smart as you?”

  “Oh my gosh, do you really even think that?”

  “I bet the teacher in you wanted to correct the spelling on my emails,” Jason said harshly, looking away as he stormed down the steps towards the parking area just underneath the house. The house was elevated for practicality due to the heavy snows in the winter that could hit the area.

  “Jason! I have never…”

  “It’s okay… just try to have fun this evening for my sake and let’s not let it ruin the week.”

  “Would you just stop?” she stormed, charging up behind him as he got to the bottom of the steps. He stopped immediately, and Leia bounced off his back, falling onto her bottom on the step behind her.

  “Ooof!”

  Jason immediately turned around and quite literally picked her up, standing her on her feet. His cheeks were pinkish and he looked away from her. The poor guy was embarrassed, but it was her fault she’d run into him. He pulled his hands away and Leia surprised herself by grasping them.

  His dark eyes met hers.

  She saw the doubt and indecision in their inky depths. They both had scars to bear and obviously being thought of as dumb, really was a tender subject for him. This harkened back to their rules they’d established right away.

  “I’ve never broken Rule #1 or even had a reason to let the thought cross my mind,” Leia whispered softly, staring at him. “I’ve never thought anything less from your letters and quite enjoyed them. You have such a bright, wonderful mind, and I don’t like seeing this injured, upset, side of you. If I’ve hurt your feelings, I’m so sorry.”

  “You’ve never hurt my feelings, but I know my l
imitations.”

  “They are only limitations if you let them be,” she breathed.

  “Kind of like singing?” he reminded her with a soft smile that caused her to chuckle. The lighthearted man that she’d talked to, bickered with, and teased was back.

  “It’s your hearing, buddy! Let’s go have some of this supposed ‘fun’ you keep yammering on about,” Leia quipped hotly, releasing his hand to do air quotes, to press home the sarcastic tone to her voice. Jason laughed aloud and picked her up, swinging her around him, and putting her onto the ground.

  Chapter 13

  Leia climbed inside the large van that Jason had rented. It had several seats and looked almost big enough to seat everyone; if nothing else, they could shuttle in two trips. Their group was quite large and by all counts close to fifteen, at this point.

  Jason’s presence seemed to fill the space as she sat beside him in the passenger seat. She caught him looking over at her a few times as they drove into town. As they pulled into a gravel driveway, Leia marveled at how different the buildings here looked, only to realize that Jason had come around the van and opened her door for her.

  “My lady?”

  “Why, thank you,” she said regally, smiling. She put her fingertips on his hand and hesitated.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I just realized that our friendship is such a good thing that I’m scared to ruin it,” she admitted quietly, looking up at him. “I’ve needed this friendship and it’s helped me for so long now, that I’m afraid.”

  “What makes you think that we are going to ruin it?”

  “Because I really want to kiss you to see if this is as magical as it feels to me sometimes,” she whispered painfully, looking up at him. “I’m terrified to wake up, realizing that I’m alone, and you aren’t real.”

  “I’m real and I’m going to kiss you… but it will be on my terms,” Jason promised intimately. “Not when you are scared to be alone, or because you need a friend to help you through a tough spot, but because you can’t imagine another minute passing between us without tasting what true happiness and affection feels like against those beautiful lips.”