80. Stella goes back to base camp with Drake.
1299 Words
Drake went out first.
" Hey, Stella will be right out. Let's have a chat." He said as he gestured to the chairs around the fire.
Jacob nodded." Ok, Stella joining us?" he looked behind him as he walked with Drake.
Drake was almost a full head taller than Jake, but all the Palmer men were tall and naturally muscular.
He sat down.
" First off, my wifey. She loves to befriend people, she is quite dynamic.
I will warn you, she can be a spit fire. Let me just say, she's been hurt.
She never complains or acts as a victim. She instead holds things in and will make you think she is stronger that she actually is."
He sounded like he knew her very well, thought Jake.
" Well she's handy with the bear spray I will just say." He nodded.
" Oh, is that why you looked like you were slapped in the face with poisoned ivy?"He was concerned. Stella wouldn't just spray a movie star for no good reason.
Stella came out in a pair of cotton pants and matching blouse. She looked magical.
Her hair was loose and wet from a quick shower. She had gold toned sandals and a leather belt around her waist. Very chic.
She sat next to Jacob and patted his back.
Drake addressed her.
" Mrs.Calloway, you need to apologize to Mr.Harris for using bear spray on him, why in the world would you mistake him for a bear?" he sounded angry.
She looked at Jake. " I'm so sorry I mistook you for a tiger." She nodded and rubbed his arm.
" Don't be silly, I was the one that tried to have s*x with you." He said.
Drake spit out the beer he had been nursing. He stood up and stood in front of Stella, guarding her from him, though a bit too late.
Stella looked around his tall legs to see Jake.
" Well, she was able to fend off the wild tiger in me. Don't worry, I see how able bodied she is at catching the wayward tiger unawares."
Stella stood up and hugged Drake. "Don't worry he really was left incapacitated and he was regretful immediately." She added, trying to prevent him from knocking Jake out.
Jake nodded. "That is true, she basically kicked my butt."
Drake smiled now." You got him pretty good huh?"
She nodded.
" Drake one thing I learned from your uncle, er daddy...don't be unprepared, you dont know how a man might react."
He frowned. " That's not something my uncle should have taught you my love.
He is no longer a part of the family. Infact I need to talk to you about some news back home."
" Okay. Umm.Jake would you mind fiding me some vegan style food?"
He nodded and left them to talk.
" The boys and I have decided we are legally changing our names to Calloway. We want to be a new family. I hope you don't mind, it was Cash's idea."
Stella started to cry. "Drake, are you sure, I dont want to be a Miller anymore either?"
He nodded. " We were all in shock by what that man did to you.
We can't continue to be under his thumb. Especially since he isn't changing his mind, he thinks he did nothing wrong.
He was never a violent man before, to my knowledge." he said.
" Drake Sam told me a few things about his father. He believes he might have dementia. I think you should talk to Sam when we get home."
He nodded slowly.
" Stella, I also need to talk to you about Olivia."
Jake came back just then with a plate of food.
Stella took the plate and quickly ate several bites like she was starving, stuffing her mouth full.
Seeing the men watching her with horrified looks on their faces, she wiped her mouth with her napkin and set the plate aside.
"Excuse me, I've eaten very little this past week. I guess I'm starving, sorry."
She put her head down embarrassed.
Drake sat her on his lap. He gave her the food back.
" Eat up honey. We don't care, just surprised us a bit that's all." He stroked her hair lovingly.
He would talk to her about Olivia later.
" No.. I'm full." She said affraid to start eating again, she might go crazy with all the delicious foods.
Drake said," Open."
She shook her head.
" Stella, don't be stubborn. You are thin as a rail." Jake said.
She smiled. " Tell me about your last movie, where did you shoot it?" She changed the subject.
Drake put a dollop of potatoes on his finger and placed it in her mouth.
She licked his finger clean. He fed her slowly like this as Jake distracted her with his stories.
Stella kissed Drake's cheek.
" I'm really full now, thank you stinky feet." She grinned.
He knew she meant it. He finished the plate and listened to Jake talk about Canada.
It was getting dark now. Stella excused herself and walked to Baraka.
"My friend, how is your nephew?" She asked.
He frowned. " My sister hasn't called me. I think his face rash must be getting better or she would have called me."
Drake overheard Baraka talking. He knew this was the boy that died a few weeks ago at the small village.
He was feeling upset at seeing this man worried about this child, knowing that he was dead.
His sister might also be dead by now, she was so distraught and her cancer was very bad.
After Stella came back Drake said," Let's go for a little walk."
He told her about the child.
Stella was sobbing. He felt bad at having to tell her, but knew Baraka would need her support when the got home. He had to prepare her.
" This place, it's so beautiful but so sad. I wish we could start a medical foundation here.
I know how you feel about me giving my money away. I need to do something here."
He put his hand on her chin.
" Well you already started a foundation with the Calloway LLC. The GWEN. Garden, water, education, and necessities program. But I extended it to the new clinic. I am working with Dr. Slack to help Hospice patients and their families."
She smiled. " You are something special hubby, you gave them some of my money?"
He shook his head.
"I gave them some of my money. It felt very, very good.
I understand why your aunt put you in charge of her money, you are a good person Stella Calloway.
I love you dear. We all do. I need to tell you about Olivia, dont be upset please."
He told her Olivia's claims.
" I think you will make a wonderful father Drake, this is great news for you." She said it but felt gut punched.
" No Stella, it's our news, we are having this baby, not me...we." He hugged her.
" Drake...are you sure I will make a good mother, I never had parents that cared for me, I don't think I can do it."
He said," I am not sure about me either, but if a baby needs us, all of us Calloway's will be involved, this might be good for our family." He tried to be positive.
" Drake, even if the baby isn't yours biologically, we both know what it will do to him or her, we better not get a DNA test, maybe Olivia will sign all rights over to us?"
" I will get a lawyer. You are right either way a baby needs parents. No DNA testing." he assured her.
- Writer
