Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Forty, Surreal 
Rating: NC-17 [sex, drinking, language, drugs]

Summary: Jimmy may actually enjoy being a homebody if Charlotte has her way - enough that he goes a night and day without calling Summer. Meanwhile across the ocean, Summer and Cameron test out their fortune cookie fortunes. Robert seems to be settling down in his own home too. Ends with some more reading...




It was the single-most worst experience in his life. Looking into her happy blue eyes, he wanted to feel remorse or guilt for how he felt. But he did not. He felt disdain — no,disgust — at what had happened. He could not fathom how any would find pleasure in such activities. It was not something he would repeat any time soon, if he could avoid it. In addition to not finding any enjoyment at all, he had stained and torn his favorite pair of pants. Oh no, no matter what she said or did, there would not be a repeat performance, ever. He could not fake it, despite his best efforts.

Some people were not meant to be parents; Jimmy was one of those.

However, he was masterful at leading his audience to believe he was something larger than he was. Never had he considered using such on his daughter, but after the disaster of going to the park, he could think of nothing else. He did enjoy her happiness, her smile, her giggles. It was the fatherly act he was not keen on. 

Why he was making the effort, he did not know. Perhaps it was a subconscious effort to impress Summer. After all, he had promised to help her take care of Robert’s baby.Robert’s baby. It was not even his child and he made a promise to her. He did not evenfancy kids. What the hell was his problem?

Rather than sitting around and getting cornered into a conversation with Charlotte over breakfast — something he sorely wished to avoid after returning to the house soiled and unkempt the afternoon before —Jimmy called a car and headed into town. With no real destination in mind, he ended up browsing antique shops. As his fingers reached out and pulled the switch on an art deco lamp, a flicker of a memory crossed his mind as the lamp did not light.

Suddenly, Jimmy had purpose. He abandoned the antique shop and headed directly to the car. With quick instructions, he glanced out the window and smirked. It was a school day, so she would be home. It was perfect.

As the car pulled up in front of the large house, Jimmy felt the slightest flutter of nerves. He quickly dug out a bit of powder from his coat and snorted it, before tucking the small bag back into his interior pocket. Stepping out of the car, he checked his appearance quickly in the small side mirror before confidently heading up to the door.

Knocking thrice, he was suddenly remorseful at not having a gift or a bundle of flowers. Not that he would have knocked and dashed, Jimmy did briefly consider and abandon the thought. The door opened a moment later, completely negating any chance of leaving.

“Good afternoon, Cadence.”

“Why, hello, James. I was not expecting you.”

“I can come back another time if I am inconveniencing you.”

“No, no. I just have to pick up Audrey from John’s shortly,” she stepped aside, motioning him in.

“Your daughter is at the bass player’s house?”

“Yes,” Cady nodded.

“Does this mean we are all alone?” he closed the front door.

She stopped in the corridor, turning to face him, “No, James. We are not. Alec and Chris are home.”

Thinking back to their last conversation, his brows furrowed slightly, “Your daughter is at John’s house but his son is at your house? How is that logical?”

“That’s right. I always forget that even thought you have a daughter, you are not really a dad,” she commented before turning and continuing down the hall.

He flinched slightly, grateful she did not see it, and followed her to the back of the house, “How is… your husband?”

She stopped, glancing at the boys who sat on the rug, playing with toy cars, “James, why are you really here?”

“I cannot just call on a friend?”

Her blue eyes went to his, “I know you better than you think.”

He sighed, “If you must know, Cadence, I was in the shop where we met. As I have had a rough morning, I though, perhaps, seeing your beautiful face would change the day’s fortune.”

She smiled slightly, “Can I offer you a cup of tea, James?”

“I would like that.”

Leaving the Townshend house in better spirits than when he arrived, Jimmy decided to return to his own home. However, he did not want to show up empty-handed. Therefore, he stopped for flowers and cookies, trying to put on a good face after the disastrous park trip. His daughter greeted him upon entry to the house, happily accepting the cookies while he handed the flowers to her mother.

“Jimmy?”

“Pretty flowers for a pretty lady,” he stated.

Charlotte sniffed them quickly before turning away, “You missed tea.”

“For that, I apologize. I was… visiting a friend.”

“Yes, of course,” she headed into the kitchen for a vase. “Should I expect you for dinner?”

“I… yes, of course,” he nodded. “I think I will head into my studio to practice for awhile. Did anyone call while I was out?”

“Only Peter.”

“Ah. Well I shall ring him right away then,” Jimmy’s arm snaked around Charlotte’s waist quickly, stopping her from walking away long enough to brush his lips across her cheek. “You really are lovely.”

Her eyes went to his and she smiled slightly, “Thank you.”

He stepped away, “I’ll be in the studio.”

With Scarlet tucked into her bed and most of the lights off in the house, Jimmy settled down with a glass of wine in the parlor, listening to a record, after dinner. It concerned and bothered him that Summer had not called him back — neither last night nor that day at all. It was foolish of him to not ring her again, but he kept resisting the urge so as to not seem… desperate. Truth be told, he wanted to know she wanted him as much as he wanted her. No phone calls did not bode well. He was certainly not used to waiting for anything he wanted; women were certainly no exception. He would ring the suite in New York that evening, once he finished his glass of wine.

Deciding upon his next action, Jimmy closed his eyes and focused on the music playing. He barely noticed Charlotte’s presence until he heard the unmistakable sound of wine refilling his glass. Opening one eye, he looked at his lady and smiled slightly. She set the wine bottle down and reached for his wine glass. His other eyes opened and his gaze settled on her, curious as to her intentions. Leaning forward, Charlotte kissed him gently, her hands rubbing his thighs. He let her do as she pleased, but did not lift a hand to touch her.

Finding the fact he did not push her away encouraging, Charlotte sat in Jimmy’s lap. She kissed him deeply, one hand slipping between his legs to gently rub and grope him. Jimmy gasped, but still did not push her away. Instead, his arms slipped around her back, making certain she did not slip out of his lap.

Ending the kiss, Charlotte pulled back enough to look into Jimmy’s eyes, “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this.”

Smirking, Jimmy said nothing. Instead, he pulled her back into a kiss, his right hand cupping her breast. They kissed, groped, and caressed until Charlotte slipped out of his lap and pulled him to his feet. Smiling at him, she led him from the parlor and upstairs. She stepped into his bedroom, ignored the light switch, and headed directly to the sumptuous bed. Sitting down, Charlotte quickly removed Jimmy’s pants and silk boxers, leaning forward to fellate him. Closing his eyes, Jimmy enjoyed the experience for a few moments before shedding his shirt and moving to undress her.

With a happy sigh, Charlotte laid back, beckoning to Jimmy. He smiled slightly and crawled over her body. His mouth kissed and nipped her skin before settling on her breasts. His mouth and tongue played with her nipples while his fingers danced and played her skin. She moaned as his digits slipped into her body, stroking her sex and increasing her arousal. With a breathy plea, she begged Jimmy to unite with her once more.

Leaving her breasts alone, Jimmy locked eyes with her, spread her legs wide, and pushed abruptly into her body. Charlotte instantly gasped, her hips arching upwards. His hands slipped under her body, tilting her hips so he could thrust deep and hard. Her moans and gasps increased as his pace did, her body swelling and heating for his.

Abruptly stopping, Jimmy withdrew. Saying nothing, he kissed her quickly and guided her onto her stomach. He slapped her ass cheeks, leaving dark pink hand prints on her pale flesh. Keeping her legs together, he pressed his cock back into her sex, coating it with her honey. Charlotte clung to the pillow beneath her head, suppressing some of her moans with the feather-filled pillow. Smirking, Jimmy pulled out once more. Rather than change their position, he slapped her ass once more before both hands grabbed her cheeks. Pulling them apart, he pushed his wet cock forward. Careful to move slowly, he entered her ass. A deep moan bubbled up his throat as he slowly thrust completely in.

Very slowly Jimmy found a pace to thrust. Charlotte moaned and wiggled slightly beneath him, one of her hands releasing the pillow to slip down and play with her sex. He pushed slow and deep. Soon the familiar sexual tension began to bubble down his spine. His pace increased as did her cries, tickling some hidden place in his mind. With a grunt, Jimmy pulled out, quickly rolled her over, and thrust back into her wet sex through her parted fingers. Eyes locked with Charlotte’s, he groaned and fought back his orgasm, hoping to bring her first.

Suddenly gasping in desire, her hand left her clit and slapped on his ass, pressing his erection deep into her body. Jimmy bit his bottom lip slightly, holding back his orgasm. Riding out her plateau, he leaned back and knelt between her legs once her hand left his body. Holding his turgid cock in his hand, he looked up at his lady and stroked his orgasm out of his body. He grunted as white ropes of semen shot out onto her sex and stomach. Some even hit the lower swells of her breasts, making him groan when she scooped it off and licked her fingers.

“Oh, Jimmy,” she breathed, reaching for him. “Love me all night… just… like… that.”

Leaning down he kissed her deeply, “As my lady wishes.”



Pulling out of the kiss, Cameron looked down at Summer. Her eyes were still closed, her dark lashes drawing his gaze to her soft cheeks. Smiling, he noticed soft flecks of freckles on her nose and cheeks, likely from her days in the sun in California. Her dark pink lips were slightly parted and swollen from his sudden, passionate kiss. He could just barely feel her breath on his face and it sent warm shivers down his spine. Not at all able to resist, Cameron kissed her cupid lips once more, his tongue slipping into her mouth.

Her hands traced up his chest and slipped over his shoulders. Slowly her arms circled his neck, helping pull her closer to him. Without thought, Cameron leaned forward, making her take a step backwards to maintain some balance. One step lead to a cascade of others until she hit the back of the couch. Cameron’s hands left her back, slid down over her hips, and wiggled between the sofa and Summer’s ass. He squeezed her cheeks as they sloppily kissed, instinctively grinding his body against hers.

Summer pulled out of the kiss, her eyes fluttering open. She barely glanced over his face before his eyes opened and met hers. A smile lit up her face as she reached up to caress his cheek. His lips curved into a soft smile as well before he leaned forward and kissed her gently again. His hands left her ass, caressing up her sides but stopping just under her perky breasts.

“Summer,” he breathed against her mouth before kissing her again.

“Cameron, what did your fortune say?” she whispered.

He chuckled, stole a quick kiss, and replied, “It said that I need to act more, think less.”

“And what do you think about that?” she giggled as soon as the question tumbled from her lips.

Cameron kissed her again, “Best advice ever.”

“Oh yeah?”

His hands quickly moved back to her ass and he lifted her up onto the back of the couch. Summer giggled, resting her arms on his shoulders. Her eyes sparkled, looking into his. She found it hard to believe that a little slip of paper hidden inside a cookie would bring such action from him, but she supposed if she added up all of their sexual tension from the entire day it could equal action.

“Cameron?”

“Yes, beautiful.”

“Do you want to…”

“Do I want to what?”

She flushed slightly, “You know.”

“I know what?” he smiled, his fingers tracing down the side of her face.

“Make love to me.”

His cheeks instantly turned deep red and he broke eye contact with her. He stuttered uncomfortably, but did not mutter a single, complete word, as his hands dropped down to her legs. Though clearly embarrassed, he did not step away. His hands dropped to her thighs, rubbing and squeezing gently. She could tell by his awkward avoidance of her eyes that her question flipped his thinking switch back on.

“Cameron?”

His eyes flicked to hers. His flush was slowly receding and lust growing in his eyes once more. However, he did not budge or speak, merely looked into her eyes. Deciding she clearly had to take control of the situation, Summer leaned forward and kissed him sweetly. Pulling away from kissing him, she winked, pivoted, and sank onto the couch cushions. Laying down, her eyes once more locked with Cameron’s and she beckoned him to her.

Walking around the couch, Cameron gazed down at Summer. The pretty blond teen folded her right arm under her head and slid her right foot up towards her ass, making the skirt of her white eyelet dress fall towards her hips, stopping just before revealing her body. Her left hand twirled a long strand of blond hair around her finger, almost playfully. She looked so very sweet and innocent; he could almost not believe the sordid thoughts shooting through his veins. Cameron could not quite reconcile her innocent beauty with her morning grind. Who was this sexy angel?

“Cameron,” she muttered, her breath filled with arousal and affection, drawing his eyes to her strawberry lips.

Entranced, he stepped forward, bent, and kissed her gently. Her hand released her hair and curled around the back of his head, holding him in the kiss and deepening it. Her left foot slipped off the edge of the couch, leaving plenty of room for Cameron to lie mostly on the couch instead of her. Ever so carefully he lied down on top of her, placing his hands on the cushions around the curve of her body to minimize any weight upon her. Unintentionally, his awkward motions caused his bulge to press against her hips. Summer smiled but said nothing and pulled him down into a kiss.

Slowly Cameron began to relax into the kissing. Summer’s fingers pulled free of his hair and traced down his spine, gently groping his butt. Her lips left his and fastened upon his ear, gently sucking and nibbling. With his lips free from hers, Cameron kissed down her neck to her right shoulder. As his lips touched the spaghetti strap of her dress, he decided to follow it down with kisses. He kissed down over her collarbone and along the soft scoop of her dress’s neckline. Summer giggled lustfully as he began to kiss up to her other shoulder, mirroring his previous path.

When his mouth touched hers again, both of Summer’s hands ran down his chest, searching for the hem of his band tee shirt. Finding the stitched hem, her fingers slipped under and wandered up his bare back, forcing the shirt to bunch under his armpits. Cameron broke their kiss and arched up, helping her peel the shirt off. Summer’s hooded eyes looked up at him. With a smile, her fingers gently scratched down his slightly defined but underdeveloped chest. Her hands parted at his waist and slipped around again, groping his ass.

Tentatively, Cameron brushed his hand over her left breast. She gasped ever so slightly, a smile upon her lips. Spurred by her reaction, his hand completely covered her breast and squeezed gently. Her eyes fluttered close and her lips parted with a happy sigh. He quickly captured her bottom lip in a quick kiss as his hand began to knead and rub her breast. Summer’s hand found his other one and guided it to her untouched breast. Clumsily, Cameron leaned up some so he could watch her reaction as he groped her small, round breasts. His awkward position once more pushed his covered erection against her body, an action that sent shivers racing up and down his spine. Summer’s left foot left the floor and looped around his legs.

Leaning down for a passionate kiss, Cameron abandoned squeezing her breasts momentarily. Instead, his toes found the opposite armrest from where her head rested. Pushing slightly against the armrest, Cameron used the leverage to grind purposefully against her body. Unable to suppress it, Summer softly moaned. Pressing his forehead to hers, Cameron’s hands wandered down her body again, his hips pressed tightly against hers.

No longer kneading his ass or needing to urge him to press against her, Summer’s hands traced around the waistband of his jeans. She lightly scratched his abdomen before reaching for the copper-colored button. Cameron pushed up slightly, his eyes looking down at her fingers. He gasped as she deftly unbuttoned the row of buttons down his fly and slipped one hand in to cup his erection.

“Summer,” he groaned before kissing her.

His lips once more ventured to her shoulders. However, instead of following along her neckline, Cameron’s fingers slipped under her strap and gently began to pull it down her arm. With a smile, Summer removed her hand from his pants and helped him pull her straps off. Wiggling slightly under him to slip her hands under her back and release the zipper of her dress, Summer smiled crookedly. Cameron softly groaned as he pulled down the front of her dress and exposed her small breasts.

“Oh my…” he breathed.

As his hands shakily reached to cup and touch her bare breasts, a threatening growl filled the hotel suite. His brown eyes quickly flicked to Summer’s, his hands lifting from her breasts. She shook her head slightly, indicating it certainly was not her. Slowly, Cameron cupped her milky globes once more. Again, a growl warned Cameron of his touch.

Summer erupted into giggles, her hands covering her face as she laughed. Confused, Cameron pushed up and sat on his feet between her legs. Saying nothing, she pointed down at the floor. His eyes followed her finger. An awkward chuckle left his lips as he settled on the source of the growling: Queenie sat near the couple, leash at her feet, protective glare on her puppy face.

“Your dog doesn’t like me touching you,” Cameron commented softly.

Uncovering her eyes, Summer glanced from him to the dog and back again, “And apparently she wants to go out.”

“Bad timing, Queenie,” he stated, looking back to the dog, who quickly got up, wagging her tail.

Wiggling, she pushed up to pull her dress back in place. Cameron’s hand quickly covered hers, stopping her action. Her questioning eyes went to his, no words parting her lips.

“I’ll take her out,” Cameron offered.

“No, she’s my dog. I can’t let you always take care of her,” she argued, pulling up the strap his fingers did not block.

“Summer…” he groaned as she covered her breasts again.

Sitting up, she kissed him while quickly buttoning his jeans once more, “We can pick right back up here, Cameron.”

“Summer,” he repeated.

Her lips brushed his again, “It’ll be real quick. And she’ll be done for the night. Promise.”

“I know, but…”

“Don’t worry, sweetie,” she kissed him once more, before untangling herself from him, pivoting out of the couch and standing.

Groaning, Cameron snatched his shirt from the floor as Summer searched for her sandals. Queenie instantly snapped at his shirt and began to tug and growl. Sighing, he released the shirt and threw his hands up in the air. Prior to about two minutes ago, he loved the little dog. But now…

Lips pressed to his interrupted his darkening thoughts, halting his annoyed frustration. She quickly pressed his shirt into his hands before turning around to snap the purple leash on the royal dog. Cameron pulled his shirt back on, trying to ignoring the dog slobber on one sleeve, and slipped his tennis shoes back on. Deciding to deal with another minor annoyance at the same time, he gathered up the remnants of their takeout into a paper bag before slipping his arm in Summer’s and heading from the hotel suite.

Under the city lights, the pair headed into the park. Queenie yipped and pulled on the leash, chasing shadows even in the darkness. Snatching the leash from Summer, Cameron quickly kissed her cheek before running through the grass with the pup. If she was going to interrupt his intimate moments with Summer, he was going to make certain she was so very exhausted that her legs would twitch in puppy dreams all night.

Finding a bench nearby, Summer sat down and watched Cameron and her dog run around in the darkness. Her eyes drifted away, focusing on the different shapes and forms the trees and leaves made against the backdrop of lit-up skyscrapers. Glancing up at the sky, a frown touched her features. She could not see the stars, not even in the park. As much as she was trying, she did not like New York. She longed to be back in California, back where there was space and nature. She supposed she longed for home, though it no longer existed.

Plopping down next to her a few minutes later, Cameron instantly noticed Summer’s change in mood. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Her eyes left the empty sky and looked to his face. She searched the planes of his visage, searching for whatever she was lacking in the cold city. Catching the smallest spark visible in the darkness in his eyes, she smiled slightly and leaned in for a kiss. With one arm behind him as the dog pulled to the end of her leash while sniffing the ground, Cameron tightened his arm around Summer, holding her close. Her lips parted and their kiss deepened. Each second clinging to Cameron was a second further from darkness.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” she whispered.

“Okay,” he quickly agreed.

Whistling for the dog, Cameron stood, offering his hand to Summer. While the couple walked with as much speed back to the hotel as they had from it, the dog lagged behind. Her spent energy at the late hour caused her to refuse to cross the street. Instead, Queenie laid down, placing her head on her paws. Chuckling, Cameron stopped and picked her up and carried her the remaining distance to the hotel suite.

Back in the room, Queenie was released from her leash. She wagged her tail lazily for only a moment before slowly finding her posh bed by the French doors to the balcony and curling up in it. Summer waited while Cameron kicked of his shoes once more before slipping her arms around his neck and kissing him softly.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered as his arms settled around her waist.

“For what?”

“Queenie.”

“You have no need to apologize for your dog, Summer. She was just doing dog things,” he responded. “It’s okay.”

“I feel like she… ruined things.”

“Not at all,” he smiled reassuringly. “We’re both still here, aren’t we?”

“I guess…”

Cameron quickly kissed her, “Why don’t you go change into your PJ’s and—”

“Why don’t you just come to my room with me?” Summer quickly countered.

A flush filled his face quickly, “Uh… if you want.”

She kissed him again, “We can just… cuddle and sleep together.”

Slowly the two headed to Summer's room, her hand wrapped around his. His fingers tightened slightly as they stepped into the room. Feeling his nerves increase, she turned and kissed him softly a few feet from the bed. Her lips touched his eyelids before she pulled him towards the king-sized bed. She stopped again, turning to face him. Her fingers danced down his chest, found the hem of his shirt and quickly pulled it off. Before he could say anything, she leaned forward and kissed his chest, holding it long enough to feel his heartbeat thumb against her lips.

“Summer...”

She stood fully up, her hands reaching behind her back. Smiling at the teen boy, she unzipped her dress and quickly pulled it over her head. Cameron quickly gasped, his eyes focusing on her small breasts, lit by the single lamp still lit in the living room. He did not even consider allowing his eyes to dip any further down, just knowing she wore nothing else. Slowly he reached up and cupped both breasts. A very soft moan breathed pass her lips.

“Cameron,” she muttered, her fingers resting on the waistband of his pants.

“You are so... beautiful,” he breathed, his hands still holding her pale globes.

Her cheeks instantly flushed a dark pink, “Cameron... I thought... we weren't going to...”

“Oh, right,” his hands dropped from her breasts.

“I'm going to put my shirt on now,” she stepped away, located the Led Zeppelin tour shirt she slept in, and quickly pulled it over her nude body.

Turning around, she smiled at the fact he still stood where she left him, apparently completely frozen in place. Approaching him, her fingers touched his shoulder, tracing over as she walked around. Her hand dropped from his skin and she reached for the bed, pulling the covers back. Cameron suddenly snapped to attention and moved to the other side of the bed, mimicking her movements. He stuttered as she crawled into the bed, hesitating to do so himself.

“Are you sure about this? I can just go to the other room,” he stated.

“Well I am sure that you can't sleep in your jeans,” Summer stated, crawling into the bed. “But yes, I want to cuddle with you. I... hate sleeping alone. The nightmares...”

His eyes widened slightly, “I'll stay.”

“Close the door?” she requested softly, tucking a pillow under her head.

Cameron nodded and closed the door. Covered by the darkness, he pulled his jeans off and headed towards the bed in his briefs and socks. He felt a bit awkward in so few articles of clothing, but he thought it even more foolish to hurry back to his room for pajamas. Lost in thought, he paid no attention to where he was and ran directly into the foot board, stubbing his toe on the leg. Summer bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling as Cameron hobbled around the bed and quickly sat down.

“You okay?” she managed to corral her giggles enough to utter.

“F-fine,” he responded, lying down but keeping his foot out from under the covers.

She wiggled closer to him, moving his arm into position to best hold her. Kissing his shoulder, her arm snaked across his bare chest as her head nestled on his shoulder. He smiled slightly to himself, his fingers reaching up to gather her long hair in the center of her back. Despite the fact his body still desired her, Cameron felt far more content just as they were than he expected. She fit perfectly in his arms. That was too good to be true, but everything was already surreal. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.



It was surreal, waking up in a house he owned, with a lithe woman cuddled against him. He could hardly process that he was not in some hotel, waking up with some groupie, waiting until the next city. He was home. It was such an odd feeling; Robert did not know quite what he should be thinking.

Or really, why he was even there. Logically he knew his place was by his wife's side, in his house, raising his children, but it all seemed contrived. Just the day before, he was wanting legal separation. Now, he woke next to his nude wife, having spent most of the night remembering how they fell in love.

It was not how it was planned at all. He returned to England to divorce Maureen so he could be with Summer. Who was he kidding? It had been eight weeks since he last saw Summer. She had moved on – with Jimmy even – so he needed to figure out his life without her. The logical solution was to keep his life as it had been before her. And convince himself that she was just a really good shag on tour.

Only he did not think he would ever believe that. If it had just been all about sex, he would not be mesmerized still by her smile and eyes. Two months apart and he could still see them when he closed his eyes. The only difference now is it was his wife sharing his bed, not his golden goddess. Summer was merely a memory; Maureen was his reality. He needed to release the dream.

He sighed and pulled away from his wife, rolling out of the bed. He glanced over his shoulder at his wife, amazed and confused. He was amazed at how well they fit together and confused because he was supposed to be separating from her. He supposed... he should be resigned to his fate. His destiny was with his wife and family; nowhere else. It was not a bad destiny. Maureen clearly loved him and was devoted to their life and children. He was not settling with Maureen; he was embracing the gift that life with her could be.

Or at least that's what he told himself as he pulled his pants on and reached for a shirt. Ignoring the memories of a petite, blonde girl pulling that very shirt off him a few months before, Robert slipped silently from the master bedroom, heading down to the kitchen. He barely managed to get a pot of tea started before his young children burst into the kitchen. As he scooped up his young son, kissing his forehead to subtly check his fever, Robert grinned. They were the light of his life.

“Daddy?” Carmen asked, her large eyes turned up to him.

“Yes, sweetie,” he glanced at her, setting Karac on the counter.

“Are you going to stay forever now?”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead, “I'm going to stay as long as I can.”

“Can we go with you when you leave?”

He smiled slightly, “We'll have to see what your mother thinks about that.”

“Is Mum okay? Normally she makes breakfast.”

Robert smirked, “Mum is sleeping in a bit this morning. How about we make breakfast together?”

“Can we make French Toast?”

“Pamcakes!” Karac shouted.

His blue eyes looked between the two children, “Let's make both!”

“Yay!” they cheered.

Focused on making breakfast with the children, Robert once more suppressed all thoughts about Summer. Though it was not really what he desired, it was the choice he made upon returning to the house the day before. His family, his happy children, superseded everything else in life. He knew that it would not be easy, especially with the band. However, he had already declared he was leaving the band after Earls Court – albeit for Summer. It would be simple to leave the band, for his family. Yes, that was what he would do. It was time to live life off the tour circuit and out of the recording studio. It was time to really live life.



Waking from a dream involving frolicking in some lush forest with Summer as a beautiful nymph, Cameron rolled to his side. He barely concealed a gasp upon remembering the warm body next to his was the very girl he dreamt about. His body instantly jumped with arousal. He quickly flipped over, facing his back towards the sleeping girl. His mind raced for any number of unattractive thoughts he could find. Every single one morphed into another image of the pretty girl – and always nude. He could not let her wake and find him in such a strong state of arousal. It would embarrass him to no end. However, it seemed that the only way he would actually get his erection to deflate was to orgasm. He was not going to do that in bed next to her. Nor did he think it a wise decision to slip into her bathroom, especially if she woke with a touch of morning sickness.

Groaning ever so softly, Cameron shifted out of the bed, careful to not wake Summer. He awkwardly tiptoed over to the door and slipped out of the master bedroom. Glancing once at the dog who blissfully still slept in her bed, he silently made it across the living space to his smaller bedroom. Making his way into his attached bathroom, Cameron quickly dropped his briefs and groaned.

Turning over, Summer instinctively reached to snuggle against Cameron. Finding the bed empty, but still warm, she did not bolt up in a panic. Instead, she smiled and shifted into the warm imprint of his body. She could not remember sleeping so soundly through the night – at least not since Jimmy left.

“Fuck!” Summer sat up quickly.

Throwing the covers off, she stumbled out of the bed. Not thinking her actions through, her stomach instantly lurched. She barely managed to change directions and make it into the bathroom before beginning to dry-heave. Struggling to make it to the toilet, she flipped up the lid and collapsed against the cool, white porcelain. As her head spun and her stomach clenched, Summer could only focus on one thought: she never called Jimmy back last night. He had to be worried – or at least she hoped he was.

Returning to the bedroom, hoping to slip back into the bed with Summer unnoticed, Cameron froze in the entrance, his brown eyes focused on the bed, the very empty bed. Pausing for a minute, he heard Summer's location and instantly frowned. Heading into the bathroom, he knelt on the tile next to her, his fingers reaching for her long hair. As she continued to retch, he gently rubbed her back, hoping that his presence would somehow make her feel better.

With her body giving up, she leaned back, slumping against Cameron. His arms quickly circled around her, supporting her weight. She softly began to sob, her tears dampening his bare shoulder. Feeling a bit awkward, but glad that he had thought to pull on his PJ pants after... taking care of things in his bathroom... Cameron kissed her forehead, hoping that would calm her. Eventually her sobs stopped and she pulled back, wiping her tears.

“I'm sorry,” she muttered. “I don't know what came over me.”

“It's okay. You're... pregnant and all.”

“Do you think... do you think the baby hates me?” she whispered.

“Why, sweetheart?”

“Because I get so sick like this.”

“Summer, sweetie, morning sickness is normal.”

“But it was going away,” she complained.

“Well, um... do you want to go to the doctor?”

Summer thought about it for a minute before nodding, “I do.”

“Do you know what doctor you went to before?”

She nodded again.

“Okay. We'll go call him and get you an appointment for today,” he declared.

Feeling much better three hours later after visiting with the doctor, Summer followed Cameron into a bookstore. At the suggestion of the doctor, the teens were in search of baby books to help Summer understand what was happening to her and what to expect. Though her reading level was primary at best, both agreed it was a good idea. Perhaps the subject matter would help encourage her to read as well. They located a couple of pregnancy, health, and baby name books and headed up to the register. Saying little to the clerk, Summer paid for the books before Cameron could even consider reaching for his wallet.

After stopping for burgers, fries, and milkshakes, they returned to the hotel suite. Cameron quickly headed out to walk the dog before Summer could protest, kissing her quickly to silence her words. When he returned a few minutes later, she sat frowning by the telephone. Filling the dog's water dish before heading over to the pretty blonde, he suddenly realized the reason behind her frown and it suddenly made him sad and jealous all at once.

“Did he call?” he sat on the nearby sofa.

“No... I was supposed to call him back last night. But... I didn't write down the correct number,” she muttered.

“Well I'm sure that he'll call soon, Summer,” Cameron stated, patting the cushion next to him. “Come read with me?”

Nodding she got to her feet and joined him on the couch, one of the baby books in hand. Cameron instantly slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She smiled slightly and shifted closer. Setting the book on their legs, she cracked it open.

With her finger below the first sentence, Summer slowly read, “Wh-when b-babies grow up to be win-ners of...”