Chapter 45

"Why do we have all these bags, Dad?" Sasha asked Robbie as he loaded the bags in the trunk of a four wheeler drive. "Are we going camping?"

Robbie turned to her daughter who had her small pink sparkly backpack on. The dyed shirt and shorts paired with rubber shoes that her daughter was wearing made him remember his childhood days with Alex. They used to go camping together almost every year... until Marife, Alex's mom, passed away with breast cancer.

Everything changed after that..

Ever since then, he never went back camping again and resorted to staying with Alex most often during summer. Sometimes, he watched her play in the ball field, trying hard to be in the softball team of their school. He was surprised that her family did not move at all, but somehow, he was grateful since he was able to keep his friendship with Alex for years.

Now, taking her daughter and wife-to-be to a familiar place such as the woods, was the perfect trip he had been looking forward to for a long time. He might not be able to remember everything he learned from camping when he was younger, but at least, he would have the same amount of fun he had when they were kids.

And he hoped Sasha would loved it, too.

"So, Daddy, tell me, are we going camping?" Sasha asked again that made him snapped back to the present.

Robbie grinned.

"You guessed it right, my princess," he said.

Sasha jumped in glee and Alex walked over to them laughing.

"You ready?" he asked her.

"Yes," she replied and Robbie swept his eyes on her.

With her hiking boots, moss green fitted pants and beige fitted v-neck shirt, her curves were accentuated once again. He just loved her body. Compared to the current models they had, Alex had more flesh than most of them. It was filled in the right places that any man would truly had a second look as she passed by them.

Alex smiled as a kiss landed on her cheek.

"What's that for?" she asked him.

"For being amazingly beautiful," Robbie replied and it sent heat through her cheeks.

Robbie then closed the trunk and Sasha opened the back door. Settling herself, she buckled up.

"You're sitting in the front," he told Alex as the latter knitted her eyebrows.

"Mang Felipe is not coming?"

"No. I'm driving."

"Where exactly are we going?"

"Camping."

"Wait! You didn't tell me that."

"Why do you think I asked you to change into pants?"

"Well, I thought we will just hike or something. I didn't expect us to go camping for what seems to be a week with the amount of bags you put in the car."

"Don't you miss camping, Alex?"

"It's been years, Robbie. I don't think I still remember any skill I learned from camp."

"Don't worry. We will have a small cabin. All we need to do is cook our meals for the week."

"Cook?"

"Yes. How do you suppose we eat?"

Alex rolled her eyes and Robbie laughed. He took her hand and kissed it before walking over to open the passenger door to Alex.

*************

WELCOME TO CAMP GRIZZLY!

The sign board read outside as the car drove inside the campsite slowly. The road was a little rocky as they drove though acres of brown and green land. An area was filled with small tents as others had a small log cabin. They stopped in front of a log cabin with a small sign that read "Office".

Robbie took a spot right in front of the office and turned off the engine.

"Stay right here. I'm just going to get the keys to our cabin," and he opened the door. Alex watched him as he walked over to the office.

Robbie donned a simple khaki shorts and blue collared polo shirt but his well-built body just filled it up completely especially his buttocks.

Her eyes continued to check him out as he walked up the steps to the office. She suddenly remembered how that body fit perfectly on top of her, moving rhythmically in harmony with hers. She bit her lip as she suddenly felt the heat again.

"Mommy, is this where you and daddy camped before?" her daughter suddenly spoke, and she turned to her, abandoning her thoughts suddenly.

"Yes, honey. But we were still young that time. I often spend my summers here with your dad until..." and she stopped, remembering the sweet face of her mother.

"I love you, my sweet little bunny....." her mother used to tell her.

"I love you, too, Mommy bunny..." and she would smile at her mother.

This campsite truly brought back some good memories that she thought would never return.

"Mom, are you okay?" Sasha asked, concerned.

"Y-Yes, honey. Why do you ask?" Alex replied, glancing at the rearview mirror.

"You were saying something then you stopped."

"Oh... it's just... I remember my mom. If she met you, you and her will be best buddies."

"I bet, Mom. I'm sure she will be as cool as you."

"Yes, but you still have one more grandma."

"Grandma Laura.... Was she really like that, Mom?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know... she looked strict and I feel like she does not like you, Mom."

Alex did not say anything and just stared out the window.

"Mom, did you and Grandma had a fight?"

"Why did you say that?"

"Why is she ignoring you a lot? Also, I saw her raising an eyebrow sometimes whenever Dad gives you a kiss."

"Really?"

"Yes, Mom. That's why I don't know if I will ever like her."

Alex turned her body to face Sasha.

"Honey, you only know her for a day. I think you should give her a chance."

"But why is she like that to you? Why is she mean?"

Alex let out a deep sigh.

"You see, there is a reason why she was like that."

"What, Mom?"

"I said some things that hurt her."

"Like what?"

Alex was about to say something when Robbie came back and tap the glass. She turned to him and saw him dangling the key.

"We're all set," Robbie said as soon as Alex rolled down the window. "Ready?"

She nodded.

"But before that, there is someone you need to see," he told her and opened the car for Alex. "Come out too, Sasha."

"Okay, Dad," and Sasha unbuckled from her seat. As soon as Alex came out of the car, Sasha followed and they all walked together up the steps.

As soon as they opened the glass door, someone greeted them.

"Well, well, look who's here?"

A woman, about five feet tall, with short bobcut black hair and brown eyes greeted them with a huge smile.

Alex's eyes grew wide as the woman ran towards her and gave her a big embrace.

It took her awhile to realize what was happening as she gave the woman a hug as well.

They were so young when they last saw each other. She was one of the first few friends she made in camp aside from Robbie and Michael.

"Toni?" Alex uttered, quite shocked.

And now she could not believe Toni was here wearing a red collared shirt with a logo patch of Camp Grizzly, and khaki shorts.

The woman slightly pushed her away to look at her closely.

"How are you, Alex?" Toni asked.

"I-It's been a long time," Alex replied. "How are you? You work here."

"Well, actually, WE own it," and she showed her sparkling diamond ring to Alex.

"Oh my god! You're engaged," and she took Toni's hand, examining her ring.

Somehow she suddenly wished Robbie would give her a ring, too.

If only....

"So who's the lucky guy?"

"Me," a male voice replied and they all looked. There, standing by the door, was a brown-haired man with green eyes wearing the same pair of clothes, staring at them.

"Nice to see you again, Long Legs," the man said, grinning.

"Ohmigod, Michael! Is that you?" Alex exclaimed.

"You guessed it. Come here."

Michael opened his arms wide and Alex embraced him.

"Daddy, what's happening?" Sasha asked her father.

"Daddy?" asked Toni. "She's your daughter? Wait! You two-" her eyes grew wide.

Robbie grinned and nodded.

Toni gasped and looked at Alex.

"What is it, babe?" Michael asked as he pushed Alex away.

Alex in turn placed her hands on her hips.

"So you're the fiancé?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, unfortunately," Michael replied, smiling cockily.

"Daddy, who are they?" Sasha asked. "Are they your friends?"

"Yes, honey."

"Dude, wait! You guys got busy?" and Michael's eyes grew wide. "You bred together?"

Alex and Robbie laughed. Michael had always been the fun in their group. He would always come up with the funniest jokes and everyone would laugh.

Michael walked towards the girl and bent down.

"Hello, beautiful! What's your name?" Michael asked.

Sasha looked at her mom first before answering.

"Sasha," she replied.

Michael laid his hand to her and she took it.

"Nice to meet you, Sasha."

Sasha just smiled.

"Anyway, I would like to invite you to tonight's bonfire."

Sasha's eyes lit up.

"Bonfire?"

"Yes. We get to meet new campers and other families. Sing songs and eat smores."

"Smores?!" The girl beamed from ear to ear at the mention of the sweet delicacy.

Michael turned to Alex then to Robbie. He stood up and smiled.

"Now I know that this girl is really your daughter, Alex," he commented. "She had the same sweet tooth you had when we were kids."

Alex chuckled.

"Anyway, let us lead you to your cabin," Toni said as Michael opened the door for her. "Thank you, babe."

Soon, Robbie and his family followed.