The Bargaining Chip
One Big Happy
Judith wouldn't let go of her grip around Rick's neck, and Rick didn't mind one bit. He hugged his daughter, wrapped one arm Lori and gave her a deep kiss. They started to walk forward, but he stopped her and pushed her hair back, exposing the red mark in her face.
"Baby...what happened? Who did this?"
She looked around nervously, and said "not now...please." Rick nodded, but watched her as they walked together.
Everyone else came out to say hello. Amy and Andrea locked eyes for the first time in five years, since the wedding reception. Andrea was holding the hand of her son, who had Shane's nose. Amy walked over to Andrea, her sister, and just asked "why?" Andrea just walked away, without a word.
Everyone was sitting around the campfire. Rick had Judith on one leg, and Lori on the other, Carl didn't feel comfortable cuddling with his dad, so he settled for sitting next to him. Judith curled up and fell asleep on his chest. Lori had Mika in one arm and Luke in the other. Rick was telling everyone about his coma. He said the best way to describe it was disoriented. He knew what was going on. He could hear people talking, and could feel everything. He grabbed Lori's hand, and told her that he knew she was there. She teared up, and he gave her a quick kiss. He looked directly at Shane and said he could hear everything.
Sindy was also looking at Shane. She knew him from somewhere.
Earlier, Lori and Amy had filled everyone in on the Amy-Andrea-Shane mess. Sindy asked what everyone did.
Lori and Amy were schoolteachers, Rick and Shane were cops, Andrea was an attorney, Dale was a retired engineer, Carol a homemaker, Jacqui and Morgan are doctors...
Sindy interrupted everyone, "Now I remember where I know you from. Five years ago you had a bachelor party. Me and Amber were your strippers. You," she said pointing to Rick, "didn't want a lap dance because you were married." When the party ended we went home with you," pointing to Shane. "Best threesome of my fucking life. You have the biggest cock I've ever fucked. You made me come like five times. It's a long shot, but I think you're Alex's father. When we fucked in the woods earlier today I recognized your tattoo. I know you! I fucked you the night before you got married!"
Everyone sat in stunned silence. Amy got up and walked away, into the RV, slamming the door behind her.
Rick could feel the tension escalate, and didn't want his family involved. He stood up, and held a sleeping Judith in his arms. Her small arms were wrapped around his neck, and her legs were around his torso. When he returned earlier, and Dale could see Lori's family was back together, he offered up his RV for them for the night.
The family of six went in, and Lori sat with a crying Amy. There was a full size mattress on the floor of the RV's bedroom. Carl wanted to be with his family. He didn't care if he was a teenager, He missed his dad and missed seeing his mom smile. The four lay together, Judith's arms still holding onto Rick, and Carl soon fell asleep. Rick could hear Lori say "goodnight" to Amy, and got in bed, close to Rick. They talked for a while. Lori had tears in her eyes when she said she thought she'd never see him again. He sat up on his elbows and she leaned over and they kissed deeply. They wanted to stay awake until Carl, Luke and Mika fell asleep, then they could slip into the bathroom for some quiet time.