November 2088. Jordan Graham is 28, Maria Boone is 26, Johanna is 4, Jack Phoenix is 39, Nessa is 38, Sophie is 65.
warnings: just a peek of NSFW at the end 😘
As promised, Jordan brought his girls to San Sequoia to attend Thanksgiving with Jack’s family. “Bring the camper, stay a few days,” Jack told them. “Home on wheels, right? Why not?”
So they did.
“And this is their front yard,” Maria said, amused. “Their front yard is actually the whole San Sequoia Bay.”
“Holy cow,” JoJo shouted. “I see a boat! And another boat. And another boat!”
“How many boats does that make?” Jordan asked her.
“One, two, three!”
“Good, now tell your grandpa you learned math in homeschool.”
Jack waved to them from the driveway, beside the camper they’d parked where he told them to, and they went back over.
So, they come from a bit of money… Jordan had warned Maria. He wanted to make sure she knew that ahead of things. A modest amount of money. Comfortable old legacy money. Her family was richer than his ever was, even if still solidly middle class, so maybe she wouldn’t find this excessive at all. Jordan knew that it was entirely his own problem that he felt so constantly inferior, because the Phoenix family had been nothing but welcoming and kind to him. Even so, this was the first time he’d been to Jack’s coastal California home, and he’d honestly never stepped foot in a place like this. He’d never even been hired to plumb a toilet in a place like this.
JoJo looked at Jack suspiciously. “Aaron and Rowan said you have a whole treehouse here, is that true?”
“Sure is, and they’re playing in it right now. Let’s go see!”
The treehouse had more square footage than their entire camper, poised above a lovely pool house that was larger still, which sat behind the sprawling California ranch home, all that on a decent half acre of bayfront property which probably cost a fortune just on its own.
JoJo was quick up the ladder behind the boys while the adults talked about the neighborhood and its inhabitants. Names and occupations and children and dogs. They were doctors and lawyers and financial planners, which wasn’t surprising. They were the kinds of people doing the kinds of things that afforded a life like this. Like Nessa, who was still at work at her corporate finance job and rarely got an extra day off or an early evening.
With the children fully entertained in the treetops, Jack picked up the little one to bring inside and continue the little home tour. She was too little to play with the bigger kids, and too little to play outside on her own. Especially near a pool.
Inside, the first and biggest room was an open plan living-kitchen-dining room, with large windows that looked out on the bay.
Jordan shook his head. “Of course this is your kitchen.”
“Honestly, it’s for my mom. Nessa and I don’t cook.”
“Whoa, this is the biggest kitchen I’ve ever seen.” Maria’s mouth hung open in awe as she spun around to take in the entirety. “This is bigger than the kitchen I worked in at the hotel. And the appliances? All of them? I guess you’d need this much counter space if you wanted to own all of them.” Maria stopped and shook her head at herself. “Eeew, I sound like my mom.”
“Geez, dude, she won’t want to live in my camper anymore.”
And Jack chuckled mildly. “Good thing she likes you, huh?”
“Wow, is that Sophie Phoenix’s actual cookbook? Earthland Farm to Table. My mom is gonna die when she hears this. Hang on, I gotta text a picture.” Maria snickered as she sent the photo, reveling in the taunting. “She’s such a big fan. I think I grew up eating these dinners.”
“Oh, that old thing.” It was Sophie Phoenix in the flesh.
Sophie entered the kitchen with a warm smile on her face. “That was twenty years ago. Thank you for coming. Oh, look at you both. Jack and Nessa don’t stop talking about Jordan and Maria, and I just saw spunky little JoJo out back with the boys. I feel like I’m meeting a bunch of celebrities.”
That was charming, coming from an actual celebrity, even if it was twenty years ago.
“I hope you’ll let us help with the holiday dinner,” Maria said. “We really don’t want to be a burden here. But you know, make sure you hand him an apron, too. He cooks better than I do these days.”
“That is damn true,” Jack said. “I’ve had that barbecue, and I’d live in your camper, too, if I got to eat it every night.”
When Nessa came home from work, they all sat down to dinner. And no, this was not Thanksgiving dinner, but even a weeknight meal in this house was a generous spread of leftovers repurposed into something easy and delicious.
After dinner, the kids retreated to a magical movie setup in the backyard, while the adults lingered nearby at the backyard bar. A mist blew over the yard from the bay. It was days away from December now, but there wasn’t the same nighttime freeze they knew from Wisconsin, or even the northern desert where they camped most often. Only a mild evening chill, easily solved with a sweater.
Nessa was the most vivacious of the table, on top of all the latest politics and global news, peppered in with a little neighborhood gossip for interest. She was mindful not to lay too heavily on the financial topics, feeling that none of them were particularly interested in money as she was. Sophie offered up old family stories and celebrity drama. Then Jack and Jordan changed the topic to their daydreams of future adventures, of course, all of the highest mountains and the longest cross-country trails. While Maria asked everyone what kind of music they liked, happy to find that Sophie knew all of her favorite concertos. There wasn’t an awkward silence the whole night.
And In the midst of their conversations, occasionally Jordan would look over to Maria, to check in, to see: Is this okay? Only to find her glancing back at him with the same idea—how did we get here, and isn’t this wild and incredible and the most fun ever? Yes, it is. And, yes, I know.
Finally, the table had to disperse. Nessa picked up sleeping Harper from the movie tent and brought her inside. Sophie wanted to show Maria some tricks at the bar, leaving only Jack and Jordan at the table. Jack chattered on about everyone who was coming to Thanksgiving in a couple days. The house would be overflowing with more family and friends. Jack’s brother, Hayden, would come with his family, and his big girls would want to bring friends. Half of the climb clubbers were coming. Tyler and Maya had their own family gathering to attend, but Darren was coming, and Kristoff had finally answered yes, and he was bringing his wife. “Did you even know Kristoff had a wife!?!”
“No, I didn’t,” Jordan said. But nothing would surprise him about that guy. Jordan suspected he was up to some sketchy business, but they didn’t ask and he didn’t tell. Jack was a cop, and nobody wanted to bring it all out in the open and make the group ugly.
“Isn’t that too much?” Jordan asked, “You know, for your mom? After everything?”
“Nah, it’s what she wants,” Jack said. “I guess it’s her widowhood project. There’s a hole in her heart, so she needs more people to take care of. A whole house full. And you two, man,” Jack glanced over at his mother and Maria having an enthralling conversation about cocktail mixers. “You guys are practically adopted now, whether you like it or not.”
Adopted. Huh.
Jordan appreciated the sentiment, while at the same time it was only a hard kick in the memories—don’t forget, you’re a big fat orphan. Who was his family supposed to be? The dead father he missed dearly, the mother he never even got to know, or maybe the love of his life whom he might convince to marry him someday if he could stop being such a loser, or her wild little girl who never knew her own father—or here, whether he liked it or not, a grieving old woman who just wanted more people to love? What about the two whole little boys you left back in Wisconsin, your own flesh and blood. What about them? Why aren’t you here, you asshole?
But Jordan forced an appreciative smile, since the comment was meant in kindness. “Whatever helps is good.”
There were worse families to be part of, perhaps.
It had gotten late and they were all getting drowsy now. Time to call it a night.
When they told the kids it was bedtime, they were met with an onslaught of begging. “Can we have a sleepover? Please, please, please!”
“We’re not ready, monkey,” Maria said. “You don’t have your pajamas, and your unicorn, and your nighttime undies.” Maria whispered to the adults, “Because somebody is still hit or miss with the nighttime potty.”
That excuse was flimsy at best, since their entire home and all its contents were parked in the driveway. Really, Maria just wasn’t ready for her baby’s first sleepover with anyone who wasn’t her parents or sister.
“You know, it’s not a bad idea,” Jack said. “Maybe tomorrow night. Have you explored around yet? It’s hard not having family around. I bet the two of you haven’t been alone for weeks. Make it a date.”
True story. Johanna was a delightful child and their life was full of fun and adventure, but alone time was scarce.
Maria thought about it, and there was a pleading look on Jordan’s face that said, Please say yes! And Maria shrugged, and the children started to squeal, and it was a date.
———
These coastal mornings were a crisp fifty-five degrees in late November, but the heated pool water felt almost bath-like in contrast. Jordan loved his nomad life, and there wasn’t much about a sticks-and-bricks home that piqued Jordan’s interest…
But this pool.
Honestly, damn. What a way to wake up in the morning.
Nessa went off to work again. She would take Thanksgiving Day off, but not today. Jack’s work afforded him a little more leniency in his schedule, and that worked out well for their family. So Jack took them all out to show off the town. They toured gardens that would be lovely in another season, but now were dried husks of a brighter time. “It’s a few days until December,” he explained with a shrug.
They understood.
But were Jordan and Maria both aware of their growing permanency here? They had been settled down in the same campground for four weeks now. That wasn’t very long, honestly, but it was comfortable. It was nice. And maybe they had stayed in Sierra Nova long enough that their friends thought they had made a home there? Would they be here in the spring, still close enough to pop over for a weekend and see the gardens in full bloom and the splash park alive for the summer heat? They hadn’t decided that, exactly. But Jordan was mindful of the way life could manifest a decision for you if you didn’t make up your own mind.
Next, they enjoyed one of the many playgrounds. Aaron showed a growing interest in soccer, so Jordan helped him practice. And Maria put her all into playing a very passionate space monster.
After the playgrounds, they visited the rec center for activities and lunch. Jack’s boys were already signed up for scouts. Jack, of course, was the proud leader of Griffon Scouts Troop 101 in the Pacific District. “She’d love it,” Jack said of starry-eyed Johanna who was already sizing up a uniform of her own.
The scouts were a nation-wide network, so JoJo could pop in with a group in whichever state they happened to be visiting. She would have access to structured activities and socialization with her peers. And Maria made a mental note to mention all of this to her parents, who still had concerns about the whole homeschooling thing.
JoJo couldn’t stop talking about her first meetup, and who would take her? Maria shrugged at her outdoorsy boyfriend and said, “I think that’s definitely more your thing.”
Gladly, he would. He tried not to let it feel bittersweet that he always wanted to be a scouts dad when his own boys were little. They would have loved it, if Colette had let them.
So they all sat down to lunch, and by midday, little Harper was finished and crying for her nap. The big kids were spent, too, and they would also crash on the couches to rest up for their big sleepover tonight. And Maria and Jordan needed to freshen up for their date.
They headed back to the house.
She wouldn’t tell Jordan this, but one thing Maria really missed since living in the camper was really long, really hot showers. The kind you stand under while your skin blooms pink and you reflect on your whole life and plan out your entire future for the next twenty years, give or take. That, and to have a sink in the bathroom where she could brush her teeth and not have to spit where she also washed her dishes. The camper was great, but its water tank held about 10 minutes at 100 degrees, then it promptly went cold. And sometimes she just wanted to stand under the steaming water and get clean all the way to her bones.
Lou’s voice lectured in her head, You’re gonna dry out your skin.
And Maria thought, Don’t tell me what to do, Lou, because this is heavenly.
She should probably pay the Phoenixes back for the water bill, but somehow she figured they could probably afford it.
———
“Take me somewhere amazing,” she said, “I don’t mind where.”
And Jordan didn’t have anything specific in mind until Jack suggested, “Tartosa Beach, man, trust me. About a half an hour down the coast. Thank me later.”
And he may have to thank Jack later, because Maria was suitably wowed by the white sandy shores bathed in golden late afternoon sun. Jordan hadn’t been here before, either, and it was breathtaking.
They parked the truck and got out to walk where the very last road turned to foot-traffic only. Long stone paths wound between fragrant gardens, oozing with romance, which found him chasing after her through a charming hedge maze to the center where Jordan promptly realized, Oh, shit, this is a goddamn wedding venue. This is exactly the kind of place where you take a girl to propose.
There was no ring in Jordan’s pocket today.
He just about broke out in hives, watching a short glimmer of hope in her eyes quickly squash itself. Was she thinking that wasn’t happening for her today, or soon, or maybe ever?
He hadn’t said that exactly, but it was probable he told her, once upon a time, about his thoughts on marriage, how cage-like and suffocating it seemed. Never ever gonna happen to this man. No thanks, no way.
Did she remember that? Had she made accommodations in her hopes and dreams for that already? Traded them in for a cheaper model, less flashy but still just about getting the job done? And hadn’t that been the way they were since they began, her settling for less than what she really wanted? And fuck, he didn’t want to be the guy who got everything he wanted while she settled.
He felt the need to defend himself, That’s different, that was an entirely different lifetime ago!
But claiming that defense would require saying a lot of delicate newborn thoughts out loud. I want to marry you. I mean, someday, I think?
Why did Jack send them here? Thank me later? How about, thanks for nothing?
“You look constipated,” she said. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you seemed disappointed for a minute?”
“I’m… well, okay. So, it’s silly, but can we do cheesy selfies by that heart statue like everyone does and then post them all over social bunny?”
He laughed, feeling the weight of a thousand worries dissipate to be worried about again another day. “Is that all you want?”
She shrugged and smiled sweetly.
Oh, she could have anything she wanted. Anything.
So they went over to the iconic well-photographed plaza and took the same cheesy selfies everyone took there. There was even someone walking through to hold the camera for them.
And Maria was so happy.
He kissed her cheek and said, “Okay, but you should want more than just that.”
Maria giggled. “Be careful what you ask for, mister.”
Next, they enjoyed a candlelit dinner in a heart-themed restaurant which was washed pink by the vibrant sunset.
Next, they enjoyed a candlelit dinner in a heart-themed restaurant which was washed pink by the vibrant sunset.
Then, after, they took a walk down to the shore in bare feet.
“Wow. Do you see those? They’re glowing. What are they?”
“Bioluminescent plankton,” he answered.
“I guess you’ve seen them before.”
He shrugged. “Maybe once or twice.”
“And I guess you take girls to see the ocean all the time.”
“Heh, all the time is a bit much. But you’re the best girl I ever took to see an ocean.”
“You better say that, mister!”
Jordan carried her to the blanket so her wet feet wouldn’t get sandy.
She had called Nessa from the restaurant to check in on JoJo. Maria knew she couldn’t call all night long, but she’d probably send Nessa another text before bed, just to make sure. And hopefully she’d send over a picture or two of the kids having a great time. “I swear I’m not a helicopter mom,” Maria pleaded on her own behalf, although Jordan hadn’t tried to imply that she was.
“Don’t worry, I bet she’s having so much fun she forgot all about us. That’s some house, huh?” He was still probing, insecure. “You can say so. I’m even a little envious of that pool.”
“I would live with you in a cardboard box,” she said.
“I would never ask you to do that.”
“But imagine the mortgage payment on a place like that,” she said. “Whew, I bet you could put a kid through college on that mortgage payment. Imagine the stinky nine-to-five you’d have to work to pay for it all. I bet you’d have to wear a suit and tie. You hate ties.”
“You don’t have to do that for me. You know, plead the case. But… thank you.”
“It’s true, isn’t it?”
“I do really hate ties.” Then he chuckled and let the worries dissipate.
“But maybe…” she wondered out loud, “Is it possible to install a bigger hot water tank in the camper?”
He laughed. “There is no way you would ever survive in a cardboard box.”
“Okay, well, not literally, I guess.”
“But I’m gonna get you the biggest water heater that piece of junk can hold. And if it can’t, I’ll stand over your shower with a bucket of warm water.”
She giggled at the idea, knowing for certain he would absolutely do that for her.
“I’m having fun,” she said.
“Me, too.”
“But I mean, not just tonight. I’m having fun since we came out here, these past few weeks. It’s good. You didn’t think I would like it. I didn’t know if I would like it, but I do. You take care of us, and we’re always warm and cozy and full of adventure.”
“That was the plan.” He grinned. “Why did you never travel before? I mean, before JoJo even?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I guess I went straight from high school to college to motherhood. God, I was so young.”
He understood that, and she knew he understood. They had that in common, even if they had dealt with the problem in different ways.
“I was scared to do it alone, maybe. I was waiting for a travel buddy.”
Finally, here was something he could excel at. He dispelled the nagging feeling that he could fail at even the one thing he was made for. He gathered up all the conviction he could find, and he said, “I can be that guy.”
“You already are that guy.”
He kissed her cheek first, under her ear, the back of her neck. She giggled delightfully and forgot entirely to worry about her daughter. His kisses trailed down to a spot that made her purr, “Mmm. Well. I’m glad you brought this blanket. Can we wrap up in it?”
“Are you cold?”
“I’m not cold.” She giggled with her ideas, devilish ones, by the look of the playful grin on her lips. “I always wanted to try something… on the beach, but you know, not like on on the beach because the sand.”
He knew what she meant. They both surveyed the deserted beach, late on a chilly November night, two days before Thanksgiving. Nobody in sight. “This dress is perfect for that. I’ve been thinking about unwrapping it all night. Come here.”
She thought the blanket would help keep the sand out of sensitive areas, but by the end, there was sand all over anyway, in their disheveled clothes and ruffled hair all of their sensitive areas. The ride back home would be scratchy, but the effort was worth it.
Plan B then. She was going to get him home and into that lukewarm camper shower. His body heat would keep her plenty warm.
“Hey, did the water get too cold?”
“Mmmm, no way,” she purred. Because if the water was even lukewarm with him in it against her, she definitely didn’t notice.
gameplay & extras:
- oh, Jack and Nessa are doing just fine!
- Phoenix family home tour
- update on the future teen drama love triangle
- fear of failure
- you better absolutely smother that woman in hearts!
- social-bunny worthy
- the sleepover party
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