~My P.O.V.~
As we approached the house I noticed Taylor sitting on the porch swing. He looked somewhat upset. "Hey guys, go on in, I'm going to see what's wrong with Taylor."
"Okay" The both said as they headed towards the house. I stayed a little behind. I sat down quietly next to him and took his hand in mine. "Honey, what's wrong?"
He looked up at me and kinda smiled but in a confused kind of way. I smiled back then asked, "What?" He then told me the story of what happened with him and Isaac.
"I mean I just don't get it. Why did he have to make such a big deal out of it?"
"I don't know why but don't feel bad the same is kinda happening with me and the girls."
"What do you mean kinda?" Tay asked.
"Well, we talked about how there wasn't a lot of 'sexual energy' between Beth and Isaac."
"Yeah he said something about that. Why isn't there?"
"I don't know if I should say anything. It's pretty personal. Isaac doesn't even know. Once she tells him then I think the rest of us will find out. She has to be very comfortable before she tells you guys. It took her a year or so before she told me. I just hope Ike has the patience. Because she does love him. It would just kill her if he got mad because of this lack of 'sexual energy.' It's kinda confusing." I said as I looked at him.
"Ok, no need for the puppy eyes." He said as he took me sround my waist and kissed me softly. And we the made our way inside.
"OH MAN!!" Zac yelled as he looked through the cupboards.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"You'd think that with ten kids in the house we'd have some frickin marshmallows!!" He said angrily as he slammed the cupboard.
"ZACHARY!!" Mom yelled from the living room. "What have I told you about slamming those cupboards?"
"Not to do it." Zac stated simply. "But we're out of marshmallows." Zac said as he sat down on one of the kitchen stools.
"So." Mom said.
"SO!!?" Zac said shocked that mom would say such a thing. "It's a proven fact that in order to have a bon-fire, or any fire for that matter, you have to have at least four bags of marshmallows. It's like a law!"
"Well then run to the store and buy some genius." Jessica said.
"I don't want to walk." he pouted.
"I'll drive." I offered. "Now get in the car."
"YES!! Amy, I love it when you volunteer to drive us places. Come on Care!" Zac said as he made his way with Care to my Sunbird.
"Come on hon." I said. "Beth are you and Ike coming?" I asked. I was hoping she'd say no and talk to Ike about her grandpa.
"No, I have to talk to Ike." She said as she grabbed a Sprite out of the fridge, turned and gave me a "wish me luck" look. So I smiled and walked out of the door with Tay's arm wrapped tightly around me
~Beth's P.O.V.~
I made my way upstairs and to the guy's room. I knocked softly. "Yeah." Isaac called.
"Hi." I said as I opened the door and walked in. I found him laying on his bed. He smiled a little when he saw it was me. "Can I sit down?" I asked.
"Of course." He said as he scooted over. When I sat down he wrapped his strong arm around me. "What's up?" He asked.
"Well, I just got back from our walk and we discussed something that I think you should know." He was listening intently. "Amy told me that you were kinda concerned about our 'sexual energy.' Honey, you don't have to be. I love you, I want you. I've just been through a lot that has affected me and MY sexual energy." I paused. This was going to be hard. Isaac must have sensed that because he lovingly took my hand.
"Honey I'm here for you. Don't be afraid." he said. I knew I was going to cry.
"I don't now where to start. I want to make sure you know that you know I love you."
"Of course I know." he said quietly. "I love you too."
"Good because you know I wouldn't be living with you if I didn't." He was nodding his head obviously confused as to where I was going with this. Well hell even I was confused. "Okay, nevermind, I don't know how to tell you so I won't yet." I said as I started to get up.
"No, please." Isaac said as he broughtme back to him. "Please honey tell me."
He held me so close to him and I lost it. I began crying. "He molested me. I trusted him. My own God-damned grandfather. I didn't know what to do. I was so little." And I cried in my love's arms.
"Shh.....it's ok. I'm here baby, I'm here." Isaac whispered as he held me close to his chest. "You don't have to tell me. Not if it's too hard. Please don't put yourself through this."
I sat up, wiped my eyes and looked at this man that loved me no matter what. I cried a little more but managed to say, "No, Isaac, you need to hear this. And I need to tell you. He hurt me, for a long time. And nobody understood me. And that affected me. I've never been able to sexually give myself to anyone in anyway. But I want you to know that I WANT to give myself to you in every way possible." Isaac looked at me kinda shocked. "I do, just not now. Probably not for awhile. I just wanted you to know that I have plenty of 'sexual energy' for you. I just don't know how to show you."
"Honey, you show me all the time." He said sitting up next to me, lovingly stoking the top of my thumb with his.
"No, I don't, not like Amy shows Taylor. And I know that's what you want." I knew I was right because he looked down to avoid my gazing eyes. I felt horrible.
"I love you Bethany."
"I love you too. Now let me go to my room to freshen up then we'll go down and join everyone at the fire, ok?"
"Alright."
~Meanwhile-My P.O.V.~
Once I pulled into the parking lot and parked I turned around to face Zac. "Now, Zac, I expect you to behave. No climbing on the shelves or running through the aisles. And for the love of God, leave the walkie talkies in the car!!" By the end of my little speech we were all laughing. We got out of the car and walked through the monsterous parking lot towards Super Value.
"Hey Care, I'll race ya!!" Zac yelled as he ran towards the doors.
"Zac!" Care yelled. "Be careful!" She yelled as she ran after him. He stopped half way to the store. Care continued to run towards him. When she reached him he picked her up and spun her around as they hugged each other. I smiled to myself as I watched them. they were so happy and cute together. I then felt a familiar arm wrap around me.
"I love you." Taylor whispered. "Thank you for last night. And thank you for loving me."
I took his hand. "Anytime honey." I said as we met up with Zac and Care.
"How 'bout tonight?" I stopped, looked over at him and laughed a little.
"You'd have to ok it with everyone else but it's fine with me." I said and I reached my lips up to his.
Chapter Twenty-two: "The Fire" HOME!