Family Love

by Jeanne Mccann

  “Yes, when he gets scared he acts out. Lindy can usually calm him down.”

  “Do you remember how Maria was when you brought her home?

  “It’s hard to believe she used to steal and scream for hours on end.”

  “Look at how she is turning out. Tamara, you do wonders with children who need extra love.”

  Tamara blushed with embarrassment. Years earlier, when Tamara began her adoptive family, she made the decision to adopt children others might not consider. Maria had been the first and she had been abandoned in a garbage dump at the age of four. She was like a wild animal when Tamara first brought her home. It took a long time before Tamara could get Maria to trust her. She still had times when she acted out but for the most part she was a well-adjusted young girl. Amena came from a similar situation, abandoned at a young age, and placed in an orphanage. She still hid food in her bedroom when she felt threatened.

  “I needed the extra love, Reina.” Tamara loved her children. “Lindy is incredible with them. They open up to her and tell her how they are feeling. You know it’s our anniversary the night of the dance?”

  “I know.”

  “Hey guys, what’s for dinner?” Lindy hugged Tamara, as the rest of the group returned from the bathroom.

  “Lindy, Reina volunteered to take the children for a sleep over one night this week. We will have one full night to ourselves.” Tamara’s eyes glistened with pleasure.

  “That sounds heavenly.” Lindy hugged her girlfriend quickly.

  The rest of the group quickly joined them. Max was awake and clean but clinging to Payton. “Can we help with dinner?”

  “No, we have everything covered. Why don’t you join the girls at the picnic table,” Reina suggested.

  It was a happy but quiet group that shared stories of their adven¨tures. It was especially exciting to listen to Banta talk about catching his two-foot long fish. Payton and Lindy wisely let him spin his wild story, finding enjoyment in the little boy’s excitement. Max and Molly were the first to yawn, and Banta wasn’t far behind them. While Lindy and Payton washed dishes, Tamara and Reina put the children to bed and then rejoined them by the campfire.

  Reina sat next to Payton on the ground and put her arms around her while Tamara sat on Lindy’s lap. “I think the kids will all be asleep shortly.” Tamara volunteered as Lindy held her tightly. “They are all exhausted.”

  “They are having a great time,” Lindy remarked nuzzling Tamara’s neck.

  “Honey, we are sleeping with these children in the same tent. Don’t start anything.” Tamara teased, kissing her thoroughly. Lindy just groaned.

  Reina and Payton sat with their arms intertwined, content with just holding each other and enjoying the contact. The four visited for another hour before they decided to call it a night. Payton and Reina walked to the bathroom together before turning in. They washed and brushed their teeth and headed back to camp. As they approached their tent, Reina stopped and pulled Payton to her.

  “Can I have a kiss goodnight?” She whispered, her hands sliding up Payton’s arms and around her back.

  Payton’s lips found hers and they clung to each other. Reina’s tongue slid along Payton’s lips and she opened her mouth. Their bodies were sealed against one another’s, Payton’s hands sliding the length of Reina’s back before gripping her hips. Reina moaned when Payton’s hips ground against her own, their breasts pressing together.

  “Reina, we can’t do this,” Payton gasped as Reina’s hands slid under her shirt and clasped her breasts.

  “I know. But I want you so much.”

  “I want this, but we can’t.” Payton’s head rested on Reina’s shoul¨der.

  “I love you, Payton.” Reina kissed her softly.

  “I love you, Reina.” They hugged tightly and then released each other before entering their tent. The two of them crawled into the sleeping bags with Max and Molly and snuggled up to each other.

  “Good night, Payton.”

  “Goodnight, Reina.” Reina was on Payton’s left, with Max next to her, while Molly was on Payton’s right. Payton reached for Reina’s hand and squeezed it tightly. She fell asleep holding Reina’s fingers as Reina’s head lay on her shoulder.

  It was several hours later when a quietly spoken plea woke Payton from a sound sleep. “Mom, I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “Okay, Molly, honey. I can take you. Let’s let your mom sleep. You put your shoes on and I’ll find the flashlight.” Payton slipped her own shoes on as Max began to stir. “Max, sweetie, come on. Let’s take you to the bathroom while you’re awake.”

  “Okay.” Max climbed into Payton’s arms.

  “Let’s try and be real quiet so we don’t wake everyone up.” The three of them headed for the bathroom.

  Reina was wide-awake and smiling, listening to the three of them visit while they walked. “Payton, what was that sound?” Molly asked as she clung to Payton’s leg.

  “Molly, that is an owl. You remember we saw one at the zoo.”

  “I remember.”

  The three held a running conversation the whole way to the bath¨room and back. “Okay Molly, you crawl into bed next to your mom. Max, you come get in bed with me.” Molly hugged and kissed Payton before climbing under the covers. Payton and Max slid in their side of the sleeping bag and lay down. “Max, your feet are as cold as ice, come here and let’s put some socks on.” She and Max finally settled down and Payton snuggled her back up to Reina’s. Reina turned and fit her warm body against Payton’s from head to toe.

  Payton’s reaction was immediate, as passion flared. As if she read her mind, Reina’s hands slid under Payton’s shirt around her ribs and to her breasts, while her lips kissed the back of Payton’s neck. Payton leaned back against Reina and whispered, “We can’t.”

  “I know, but I have to touch you.” Reina hands roamed across Payton’s body. Payton turned her head and met Reina’s lips with her own in a searing kiss that left them both breathless. Reina’s hands ceased their caresses but still lay against Payton’s stomach. Payton reached her right hand back and placed it on Reina’s hip and pulled Reina tightly against her.

  “I love you,” Reina breathed into Payton’s ear.

  “I love you,” Payton responded. With that, the two of them drifted off to sleep again.

  Payton was rudely awakened several hours later by a head butt to her chin as Max snuggled against her. Sleeping with a tiny little boy was an art, one she hadn’t figured out yet. “Max, where are your socks? Your feet are freezing.” She ought to know, he put them against her legs. They were ice cold. “Come here, you.” She hugged him tightly as he grinned at her. He was obviously wide-awake. Molly was stirring on her side of the sleeping bag and Reina smiled as she opened her eyes.

  “Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you. How did you sleep?”

  “Good, but frustrating.” She grinned, her hands finding Payton under the covers.

  “I know the feeling.” Payton laughed as Max launched himself on top of her and Reina. Soon Molly joined him as the four frolicked under the covers.

  “It’s my job to fix breakfast this morning, so I’d better go get cleaned up. I’m going to take a shower. Do you want me to help with Max and Molly?”

  “Why don’t the four of us take a shower together?” Reina sug¨gested.

  “Together?” Payton looked at her, her face full of panic.

  “Honey, I have showered with Max and Molly many times, and if you’re going to live with us you might as well get used to it. They are too little to take one by themselves.”

  “Okay.” Payton wasn’t too sure about showering with two small children.

  “Honey, it’ll be fine,” Reina promised her with a hug. “Come on guys, let’s put your shoes on while I pack some clothes. Payton love, will you grab those towels and washcloths? The soap should also be there, and please bring the bag of quarters for the shower.”

  Ten minutes later the four of them a
rrived in the empty restrooms. It was still very early and the camp was very quiet. “Pay-ton, why don’t you start your shower and then I’ll send the kids in one at a time.”

  “Do you want to wash their hair?”

  “Not Molly’s, it’ll take too long to dry. But go ahead and wash Max’s.”

  Payton felt very self-conscious as she undressed, started the shower, and began showering. She washed her hair and scrubbed her body before Reina put Max in the shower with her.

  “Okay little man, let’s scrub you clean.” Payton suggested as she lathered Max up and scrubbed him from top to bottom. “Now let’s wash your hair. Close your eyes, buddy, and keep them closed.”

  Soon Max was squeaky clean and smiling at Payton as he played in the shower. “Molly you start showering while I get out of my clothes.” Reina directed her young daughter, and before Payton knew it both children were showered and clean. Reina slipped into the shower with the three of them and Payton couldn’t resist a look of longing, as she gazed at her naked lover’s beautiful body. Reina returned the look with a smile, before suggesting that Payton and Max go dry off and get dressed.

  Payton stepped from the shower and took Max by the hand. She picked him up and stood him on the bench in front of her. Quickly, she rubbed him dry with a towel and wrapped it around him. She dried herself off and dressed quickly into her shorts and tee shirt. She then dressed Max, and was just finishing when Molly joined them.

  “Okay, Miss Molly, let’s dry you off and get you dressed.” Payton had both children dressed and was rubbing Max’s hair dry when Reina stepped out of the shower. Her sleek, sexy body dripping with water, and her hair piled on top of her head, was almost more than Payton could stand, and her mouth went dry. Reina’s eyes found Payton’s and she gave her a look so full of promise that Payton’s knees weakened.

  “You can’t look at me like that,” Reina teased as she covered herself with a towel.

  “It’s not something I have much control over,” Payton grumbled.

  “I don’t want you to control it.” Reina stood close to her whisper¨ing. “It’s how I feel when I look at you.”

  “Sunday night is going to be very busy,” Payton promised.

  “I know.” Reina grinned impishly as she kissed Payton on the cheek.

  “Come on, guys, let’s let your mom get dressed,” Payton suggested and led the two little ones out of the shower stall. “Let’s visit the bathroom while we’re here.”

  Before long the four of them were back in camp quietly preparing breakfast. Lindy was up first from the other tent and joined in with the preparations. She and Reina pealed potatoes for hash browns.

  “Reina, you look very happy,” Lindy observed, watching Reina gaze at Payton, Max, and Molly, while they mixed pancakes and scrambled eggs.

  “I am beyond happy.” Reina looked at Lindy. “I didn’t know how wonderful my life could be until I met Payton.”

  “She is special.”

  “Yes, she is, and I love her.”

  “She loves you.”

  “Lindy, is it fair of me to ask her to move? I know you did it.”

  “Do you want to be with Payton?”

  “More than anything.”

  “Then it’s fair. I’ve known Payton a long time and all she’s every wanted was to fall in love and live happily ever after. She has this huge capacity to love and I can’t think of anyone I would rather see her with than you.”

  “Thank you.” Reina blushed.

  “Reina, Payton loves you. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you, and I hear it in her voice when she talks about you, Max, and Molly. She also thinks your being pregnant is fantastic. Let her be a part of the pregnancy. She will be there if you let her.”

  “It still scares me to let her go back to Seattle.”

  “She won’t change her mind. You just need to reassure her that you want her to come back. I don’t know how much of Payton’s past you know about, but Payton needs someone who goes out of her way to let her know she is loved.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Reina, I know you have been hurt very badly and so has Payton. In many ways, Payton is very naive and way too trusting. Some women have taken advantage of that. Reina, just love her and talk to her.”

  “I will. Lindy, thanks.”

  “For the record, if I had to choose someone for Payton it would be you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve seen you with your children and other women. You also have a wonderful capacity to love. I think Payton is lucky that you’ve fallen in love with her.”

  Reina smiled gratefully at Lindy and then hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “No thanks needed. Besides, I promised Payton I’d help her move. She moved me, so it’s the least I can do.” Lindy chuckled. “Payton and I are good at road trips.”

  “Hey ladies, how are the potatoes coming?” Payton called across the campsite. “The bacon is almost done.”

  “They’re ready to be fried.” Lindy responded. “I’m going to go wake the kids and let Tamara sleep awhile longer.

  “Tamara is up.” Tamara stepped out of her tent. “I don’t know about you folks, but my body is way too old to sleep on the ground.” She groaned as she hugged Lindy. “Coffee, I need coffee.”

  “Your wish is my command.” Lindy grinned and retrieved a cup of fresh coffee for her partner.

  “I’ll remind you of that statement when we get some alone time,” Tamara teased, as she looked Lindy up and down. Lindy just laughed as she entered the tent to wake up the rest of the group.

  Forty-five minutes later a very happy crew quietly ate a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast, and bacon. “Very good job, Payton,” Tamara remarked as she sipped her coffee. “I don’t think Banta has eaten this big of a breakfast in a long time.”

  “It’s the fresh air. Look at Max, that’s his fourth pancake,” Reina responded. Max was seated at the picnic table, pancake syrup smeared all around his mouth while he shoveled another large bite into his mouth. Banta’s head was down while he continued to plow through his breakfast. The three young girls were much more sedate while they giggled and finished their breakfasts. The adults also enjoyed their camper’s meal as they leisurely drank their coffee while waiting for the children to finish.

  “Since you cooked, Payton, we clean up.” Tamara announced.

  “Sounds good to me. How about I take the two young men here to the bathroom and clean the syrup off?”

  “Great.” Girls, would you please help me clean up the camp?”

  Maria, Amena, and Molly loved to be included and jumped up to assist Tamara. By the time Payton and the boys came back to the camp, they were almost done.

  “So, what are the plans for the day?” Lindy asked, while the chil¨dren played cards at the picnic table.

  “We promised the kids a hike to the falls and a picnic. Then I believe you and Payton have some more fishing to do.” Tamara out¨lined the day. “Reina and I thought we could come with you guys to the lake and enjoy the sunshine.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Lindy responded. “We just need to finish cleaning up and pack a picnic.”

  “I’ll pack the lunch. You, Tamara, and the kids need to get dressed.” Payton volunteered. “Max and Molly will help me.”

  “Thanks, Payton.”

  “I’ll help pack the picnic lunch,” Reina suggested, and the group’s day began.

  The early morning hike was fun and the trip to the lake was uneventful. All of the children sat on the side taking turns fishing. Tamara and Maria were taking pictures, while Reina sat with Molly. Banta and Lindy were seriously holding their poles. Max was a little bored and played with his pole while Payton sat with him.

  “Max, buddy, let me check your bait.” Payton took the pole and reeled the line in. The hook was empty.

  “Okay, you hold your pole while I fix it for you.” Payton took the line and prepared to put fish eggs on the hook. Being an inquisiti
ve little boy, Max began to turn the handle on the reel jerking the hook in Payton’s hand.

  “Max!” Payton cried out as the hook tore into her hand. She hissed with pain, trying not to swear in front of him.

  “Payton, are you all right?” Reina came up to her to help.

  “I’ve got a hook in my hand.”

  “Max, you take this pole while I help Payton.”

  “Okay, Mom.” Max was unaware that he had seriously injured Payton and sat quietly with the other children on the side of the lake.

  “Reina, let me help?” Lindy spoke as Tamara watched closely. Reina didn’t know what to do.

  “Okay, Lindy.”

  “Damn, Lins, this hurts.” Payton was close to tears.

  “Let me get the tackle box and we will get the hook out. I have to cut the barbed end of the hook off before getting it out.” Lindy worked quickly but she warned Payton before she pulled on the hook. “This is going to hurt like hell.”

  “Okay.” Payton held her breath then hissed with pain while Lindy pulled the hook out with a pair of pliers.

  “Oh, Payton, it’s a good sized tear. Do you want to go back to camp? We need to clean it out.”

  “I’ll wash it in the lake and clean it better later.”

  “Okay, sweetie.”

  “Thanks, Lins.”

  “No problem.”

  Reina hugged Payton quickly. “I’m sorry.”

  “It was an accident.” Payton tried to smile.

  “Want me kiss it and make it better?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Payton’s hand throbbed but Reina’s gentle kiss on her hand did wonders. “There that will make it feel better.”

  The children started to get bored by lunch time so after their pic¨nic, they hiked back to the falls. They spent several hours playing in a grassy meadow with the children until they all decided to head back to the campsite. Dinner of hotdogs, baked beans, and potato salad awaited all of them and Lindy had promised they could roast marsh-mallows for dessert.

  By seven o’clock that night the tired but happy campers sat around the campfire singing songs and roasting marshmallows. A sleepy Max sat in his mother’s lap, Molly in Payton’s, while Lindy held Banta with Maria on one side, Tamara and Amena cuddled up to her other side.