Chapter 3
The next day we were outside waiting for Stephanie, AJ, Ariana, and Howie while the kids were once again in the pool.
"Everyone wearing sunscreen?" Zoe asked.
"Yes," they chorused and dove in. I heard cars pulling up.
"They're here!" I yelled and ran off to see them. "Hi guys!"
"Hi Abby!" Ariana gave me a hug. "I missed you SO much."
"I missed you too. Come up to the pool and introduce everyone."
Then I saw Stephanie. "Steph, hey girl how's it goin?"
She gave me a hug. "Good." I dragged her and AJ up to the pool.
"Can I have everyone's attention!" I yelled.
Everyone got quiet. "Thank you, the last people are here so I'm gonna let them do their intros and then we can eat."
Howie and Ariana stepped up. "We're Howie and Ariana Dorough. This is Allissa Leigh Anne and she's 9. This is Zoe Marie and She's 7."
They found a seat and AJ stepped up holding Steph's hand. "I'm AJ and this is my wonderful wife Steph. This is Alexander James II. He' 8. This is Stacy Marie. She's 7."
"OK let's eat!" Brian yelled and their was a stampede to the food. We grabbed our food.
"Look," Ariana said, "All the mothers are together and all the fathers are together."
We chuckled a little. Within minutes we had finished eating and were standing next to the pool watching everyone.
"I'm gonna swim," Zoe said,"anyone else?"
We all jumped in. I noticed the guys standing next to the pool talking. I got the girls attention and we snuck over.
"On the count of three," I whispered,"1..2..3!"
We shoved them all in, fully clothed.
"You look good in wet clothes," I teased Brian, "but I have to clean the pool water so guys change into swim suits."
They grumbled but got out anyway. They walked into the house except Brian. He grinned at me.
"Brian, go change."
"Only if you come with." He slung me over his shoulder.
"Brian NO! You're getting water in my house...BRIAN!" He took me upstairs and put me down.
"Silly," I whispered in his ear and kissed his nose, "I'll be waiting downstairs."
I jogged downstairs and got back in the pool. Soon Brian joined me. I dunked him. Then he dunked Nick who dunked Ashley, who dunked Steph, who dunked AJ who dunked Howie who dunked Ariana who dunked Zoe who dunked Kevin who started the cycle over again by dunking me.
I dragged myself out of the pool and plopped down on the ground. They joined me.
"Remember when we first met," I asked Brian.
"Who can forget falling in a pool?" We laughed. Ashley spoke up.
"Remember when Mellissa was born." Aj chuckled. "I'm sure they could hear you screaming in China."
I looked at him. "Do you have any idea how much childbirth hurts?!"
"No, and I'm glad I never will."
We dissolved into laughter and I wondered how I could ever lose touch with these people.
~*~
Later that night all the kids were asleep and all of us were outside on the deck.
Ash spoke up. "Promise we'll never lose touch again. I missed all of ya'll so bad."
"Same here," we all agreed.
"We'll be together, now and forever," I said.
"Now and Forever," they agreed
and by looking at them I knew it was true.
*SOB* The series is over *SOB*. I loved writing it and am sad now
that it's over. Thanks to everyone who wrote me with ideas and
compliments. And a special thanks to Yvonne, the wonderful
hostess, who puts up with me and my stories. Thanks again
everyone and read my other stories. Oh yeah, don't forget to
email me at mmsonlayaway@hotmail.com
Peace and Happiness,
Blair