Loveland Vol.3

Chapter 2

Autumn

I was still dreaming of last night. Going in and out of consciousness, with thoughts of Logan. Naked. Standing in front of me. How he took me by the back of my neck, and put me on my knees. 

"Wake up baby. We're landing. Finally." I heard Logan's voice in my ear. His strong hand gently nudging me awake. I couldn't believe I actually fell asleep. 

The flight was rough getting home. It was delayed for an hour, which wasn't that terrible. But then once up in the air, we hit a small storm that caused some turbulence. It was the first time I'd seen Logan squeal like a little girl. 

When we hit the first pocket the plain rocked to the left. Logan suddenly squeezed my hand. I tried to console him. And at first it was fine. But when we hit the second pocket of wind, the plain plunged forward for a moment. I felt a crunch in my hand as Logan squeezed so hard, and let out a squeal equal to an old southern widow that had just seen a mouse. The look on my face must have said how I felt, as he let go of my hand and turned away from me. Clearly embarrassed. I had no idea he had a fear of flying until we got to the airport the morning we left for Ireland. 

Logan was usually so tough. Fearless. Seeing him like this not only was hilarious. But humbling. I liked it. I couldn't help but laugh a little. As the plain settled and the terror was over. The captain spoke through the little speaker above us. 

"Apologies, folks..." 

I took hold of his hand and tried to bring him back to me. It took me a while. But by hour 3 he was okay. Still wounded haha. But okay.

Now we were ready to get off. I knew Logan needed solid ground underneath him. It would probably be a while before I got him back in the air again. Which was fine at the moment. I was glad to be home. The fun still wasn't over. Once in the terminal, we were waiting for our bags. I'm standing in front of Logan. My arms tucked into his jacket. We saw our bags coming down, and as we were standing there...

BAM! 

Some asshole ran past me and nearly knocked me down. I would have landed on my knees but Logan managed to catch me. 

"Oh my god! Are you alright? Jesus what an asshole!" I heard Logan say as be scooped me up. I thought he might run after him but the guy disappeared. 

"Probably some i***t who's about to miss his flight. Pussy." Logan said almost too loudly. 

"Logan baby. Language. Don't worry about it. I'm fine. Didn't even break a nail." I said trying to be cute. He just rolled his eyes. Wrapping his arm around me and grabbing our bags. 

I was ready to see my boy. I missed Aiden so much. It had been the longest I had ever been without him. Besides my stint in the hospital that is. I needed to see Mac too. Beth Anne said they were having a great time. But that she had some news for us. I had an idea if what it could be. As a woman it's kind of obvious, what news a 12 year old girl could have suddenly. But poor Logan. He couldn't imagine his baby girl growing up. So he had no clue. 

 The whole ride to Beth Anne and Rays I mentally prepared myself for it all. Hopefully it wouldn't be too traumatizing for either of them. Truthfully I was just ready to get back to some normalcy. 

"Back to reality, baby." Logan said, taking my hand up to his lips. That sounded fine to me. I loved my reality lately.

Once inside the truck. We started on the hour drive back to Loveland. Back to our home. I was gazing out of the window. Tomorrow would be August 1st. School starts next week. And we would begin our new normal. I was ready. I felt the warmth of Logan's fingers intertwining with mine. I looked down and saw the sun reflect off his wedding band. I stroked it with my own ring finger. When I looked up into his eyes, he gave me a wink. Bringing my hand up to his lips once again, as 'Unchained Melody' played on the radio. 

We pulled into Beth and Rays driveway, to see the kids out front playing football with Ray. Logan couldn't help himself. He jumped out of the truck and ran out onto the yard. Without a word, catching the ball that Aiden had thrown. Logan kept running towards Aiden, scooping him up into a bear hug. 

"Dad!! Mom!! Your home!!" Aiden yelled as Logan set him down. Michaela came running around the old oak tree, she looked happy to see us. But it was obvious something was up. I looked over to Logan wondering if he had noticed. He didn't say anything as she gave him a half way hug. But I saw him give her a look. 

Before he could say anything, Beth came out of the house holding onto Bre. 

"Hey guys!! Yay your back!! Tell me everything, how was it!?" She said pulling me into a tight hug. Her blonde hair was even brighter than normal. Someone had been to the salon haha. 

"Love this by the way. I've got tons to tell you." I said touching the ends of a loose golden curl. She just gave me a cute smile as we headed into the house. 

The men sat on the front porch, talking about the trip. Mostly sticking to family history, the museum we visited that held the family crest. While me and Beth Anne and Mac sat at the kitchen table. Michaela was nervous. She looked pale poor thing. I hated that this happened while I was away. But I knew Beth would take good care of her. 

" Michaela honey... Are you okay?" I asked. She still wouldn't look at me. 

"Mac honey. You can talk to us." Beth said. Patting her on the back. 

"I'm fine." She finally said. She started to sit up. "it's just... I don't..." She was struggling. Poor thing. 

"Listen sweetie. You started your period. Right?" I asked. She nodded. Without a word. I continued. "Well... I know it's probably scary. And it's gross. And painful. It's a ton of things." I said as Beth nodded in agreement. 

"It's just something that we all as women have to go through. Unfortunately. Its-" she held a hand up begging me to stop. 

"That's just it. I know that it's normal. That we all go through it. I just don't want it to be a big deal. I feel like everyone knows. And they're all looking at me funny. Like something is wrong with me. Uncle Ray acts like I have leprosy. I don't want to talk about it. I definitely do not want my dad to know! I just want everything to go back to the way it was." She let out a huge breath. God being a teenager sucks. I remember how horrible and awkward being 12 was. So I did what I thought she wanted me to do. 

"Okay honey. We don't have to talk about it. And nothing has to change. But if you need help or anything you know you can come to me. And I promise I won't tell your dad. Okay?" I took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She smiled and came over to give me a hug. 

""Thanks Autumn." She said in my ear. I didn't mind that she used my name. I kinda wanted to hear her say mom. But I know that will have to come in her own time. 

Just then the men came busting into the house. 

"Woman! The time for us to leave is approaching. I'm ready to be in my house. In my comfy chair." I loved and hated when he talked like that. As the kids said their goodbyes I walked out behind them. Logan held the door open to the truck so I could hop in. Before I did he gave a sharp smack on the ass cheek. He then held onto my hip, pulling me into him so he could say in my ear. 

"I'm ready to be in my comfy chair, and inside my wife."  Jesus Christ, I thought to myself. He ran around the back of the truck laughing. But I knew he was serious. 

Standing in the my kitchen, I finally had us all unpacked. Well mostly. The kids were at the dining table playing cards. Apparently uncle Ray had taught them how to play Gin. Now they were practicing. I was pulling out all the ingredients for a lasagna. I knew that would make Logan happy. Just then he came into the kitchen wearing basketball shorts and a white t-shirt, and his running shoes. 

"Hey baby. Im feeling a little anxious. Im gonna go for a quick run. Kay?" He said as he took hold of my waist. Kissing me under my ear. Sending chills up my spine. 

"That's fine honey. But don't take too long. I've got lasagna coming. And dessert afterwards." I said with a cute wink. He kissed my forehead as he squeezed my ass. 

"Don't you worry baby. I'll be back soon enough... Wouldn't dare miss that lasagna. Or desert." He said turning around to give me a once over. Then he was out the door. 

Logan 

Running felt amazing. The air was still warm enough to enjoy being out here. The road that went out and around our property was perfect for running. Quiet and still for the most part. With the occasional car, though they were usually our neighbors. I had my music on. And Macklemore was rapping about feeling glorious. In that moment as the sun started to sink past the Pennsylvania hills, I knew exactly what he meant. 

My honeymoon was f*****g fantastic. I ate way too much delicious food. And I had more s*x in 4 days then I've had in the last 4 years. Autumn may have been basically celibate in her first marriage, but she was making up for that lost time with me. And I was more than happy to let her. Hell for the first 2 days of our trip we never left the hotel room. Even now I could still remember the feeling of her warm wet skin on mine. Her hair, warm honey colored waves down her back. 

As I rounded the corner I was lost in thought. As a dark blue Toyota Celica came around the bend and seemed to come off the side of the road, almost hitting me. I snapped out of my daze just in time to jump out of the way, sending me rolling into the ditch. I sat up, shaking the grass from my hair. 

"What the f**k!?" Was all I could say as I stood up. My legs still wobbly. I hoped nobody saw that. Because I'm sure I looked like an i***t. I needed to get back home. 

I ran back home much faster then I ran out. What just happened? I asked myself. Either someone was texting and driving or they intentionally tried to hit me. But why? Most of our neighbors are very friendly. Hell I already knew most of them personally. And the ones that just kept to themselves still never would do anything like purposefully try to run someone over. I had to tell myself, it was just some i***t trying to text and drive. 

But the car...

I had never seen that car before... I had to calm myself down as I ran up the steps and into the front door. As I walked through the house and entered the kitchen, I was stunned by what I saw. My little girl holding a box of what looked like pads. She had this deer in the headlights look about herself. And there was my wife. Handing her the heating pad we kept in the hall closet for emergencies. 

The look on Aurum's face said it all. I just looked from the pads, to Mac and back to Autumn. For what could have been forever. 

"Somebody wanna tell me what's going on in my kitchen?" I asked. My voice not as strong as I would have liked it to be. 

No. Not this. Not now. Everything was going so great. Until someone tried to kill me with a car, and now my daughter. My only little girl... Has started... Oh god I couldn't even think it. 

"Dad... It's not really something I can talk about with you but... Yeah." Is all Michaela said to me. She took the pads and the heating pad and walked around me, almost cat like, I guess trying to avoid me. Once she was out of ear shot, I let out a huge breath. Then just sat down on the floor. 

"Ugh. God Autumn... Really!?' I said. Probably looking like a damn fool sitting on the floor. But I honestly didn't care. My eyes were closed tight. I punched the bridge of my nose trying to gather my thoughts. I then heard her bare feet. Walking along the old hardwood towards me. She stopped in front of me and say down on her knees. She didn't say anything. She just sat next to me. Quietly. I felt her soft hand on the back of my neck. I instantly felt relief. 

"Baby... What's the matter? I know this is a big thing, what all's going on with Michaela. But really it doesn't have to be a big deal. Honestly that's how she wants it." My heart was pounding as she spoke. I know she was just trying to help, but I needed her to stop. I just had too many things going through my head at that moment. I stopped her by looking up and quickly taking her face in my hands. Kissing her soft lips, almost too hard. 

"Baby... I just.... Ugh. I know it's gonna sound crazy but somebody almost hit me about 15 minutes ago. They ran off the road and almost hit me. I had to jump into the ditch to get out of the way. Look at me, I'm covered in God knows what the f**k. Then I come in and see my daughter... My baby... It's just all too much at once. And to be honest after what just happened, I'm just happy to be here. Alive...." I felt like somebody had knocked the wind out of me earlier. And now the air was finally coming back. I smiled wiping the crazy off my face. Autumn gave me perplexed look. It was adorable. 

"So... Michaela started her period huh?" I asked. Laughing in my throat. 

"So... Someone tried to run you over huh?" She asked. Laughing at me. 

"Must be Tuesday..." We both said in unison.