Post by Tammy on Aug 17, 2006 12:07:10 GMT -5
The BBQ is in full swing. It has been so much fun just hanging out with everyone. I found it odd that John and I have so many friends in common, since I have never really hung out with him until recently. I guess that is my own fault since I never take the time to get to know people. But everyone that I DO know is here: Caroline, Shawn, Bo , Hope, Abe and Lexi and a few other assorted people that I have never met. Everyone is finished eating now. To my surprise John cooked all the food himself. I really have to get over this stereotype that I have seemed to attach to John just because he has a lot of money. Apparently not all people who have money grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth…I have come to realize that despite the fact that John has money…he is very down to earth. We are all just chatting and having a good time. The kids are in seventh heaven…running around and swimming in the pool. John is swimming with them…chasing them around and throwing them in the air. He is so good with the kids…so attentive and fun loving. I see Maria climb out of the pool in her little purple bikini and come running over to me. “Mimi… come swimming with us!” She is so adorable, “Aww…that is very sweet Maria but it is a little too chilly for me.” She started laughing, “That’s okay Mimi… the pool is heated…you won’t be cold.” I can tell that John put her up to this. She is going to come up with a counter for every excuse I give her. I have to be clever…I simply can’t tell her that I don’t want to get my hair wet. “Well…I am afraid that I didn’t bring a bathing suit sweet pea.” “Uh Huh… JJ and Chris said that they brought one for you.” I started giggling nervously. Just then I see John and the boys get out of the pool and head in my direction. I look at John who has that wicked gleam in his eye yet again. I stand up out of my chair and start backing away from him. John looks at me and smiles, “What’s the matter Doc?” “Uh…nothing is the matter.” I continue to back away from him as he approaches. I see the boys run all the way around the pool and come up on the other side of me. I look back at John and he is continuing his approach backing me up closer and closer to the pool. I look at him with a smirk on my face, “John…if you are thinking what I THINK you are thinking… you just better forget it!” That wicked smile spreads further across his face, “I have no idea what you mean Doc.” I laugh, “Oh…you know exactly what I mean mister. Don’t even THINK about throwing me into that pool.” He laughs and grabs his chest as though I have wounded him, “Who me? Doc I am hurt. I wouldn’t dream of messing up your perfect hairdo.” I try my best to give him an angry glare but I can’t help myself and I begin smirking. I turn around slightly and see that I am near the edge of the pool. When I turn back towards John I notice that all three children are standing there blocking me from escaping. “Okay…now…lets be fair here! If you all back away and let me go I will get into the pool.” I look at them as they glance at each other and John. Then I see them all nod their heads in unison. All four of them turn back towards me and smile. They pretend to walk away but at the last minute they turn back toward me and act as though they are going to push me in. I get startled and jump back slightly…forgetting that I am standing at the edge of the in ground pool. Before I can stop myself I loose my footing and fall in. I come back above water looking like a drowned rat and notice that all four of them are standing there laughing. I try my best to put on an angry face…but I am loosing the battle. It is taking everything in me not to laugh. As I wipe the water from my eyes I see John, JJ, Christian and Maria all giving each other high fives. Then John looks over at the kids, “Okay kids…what do you say we go play some baseball?” My jaw drops and I look at John in shock, “Excuse me? You got me into this water…now you ALL better get back in here and swim.” John tries to look at me with a serious face, “Excuse me missy…but it isn’t our fault that you FELL into the water. Besides we are tired of swimming.” Oh…he thinks he is so cleaver. I put on my best serious face, “Fine…then can you at least give me a hand getting out of here?” John smiles at me and extends his hand. He grabs my hand and begins to lift me out of the pool. As he lifts me out I put my foot on the edge of the pool and yank on his arm with all my might…this sends him and me flying right back into the water. Before he can come up for air I take off swimming to the other side of the pool. He comes up and wipes the water from his eyes and searches for me. He sees me swimming away and races to catch me. Before I know it he comes up and yanks my leg pulling me under water with him. He grabs me about the waist and lunges us up above the water. He looks at me and smiles, “So…you think you are pretty cleaver huh?” I smile back at him and I start laughing, “Well…I got you back into this pool…didn’t I?” He stares at me for a moment and wipes my soaked hair from my face, ”Well… you know what they say…he who laughs last…” With that said he let go of me and dunked me under again and swam away. When I came up I looked for him, he was standing in the middle of the pool sticking his tongue out at me. I just smiled at him. I looked past him and saw the kids sitting at the edge of the pool watching us with smiles plastered on their faces. I look back at John and stuck my tongue out and then I shouted, “Kids… GET HIM!” Just then they jumped into the water and we all swam after John.
~~~~
We swam and played in the water for another hour or so. The sun is starting to go down as the kids are out playing on Maria’s jungle gym. I glace over at John who is talking and laughing with Bo and Abe. Before I can look away I see John glance over at me. I give him a brief smile and then I turn back to Hope and Lexi. Suddenly I feel Hope tap me on the shoulder, “Marlena…did you hear me?” “Umm no Hope…what did you say?” They both begin to laugh, “What? What is so funny.” Lexi turns to me, “Nothing is exactly funny. It’s just that you are so enamored with John…you are tuning everyone else out.” I shake my head at her and roll my eyes, “That is ridicules Lexi. So what was it that you were saying Hope?” She continues to laugh, “I said that you should probably go and change your clothes…you are shivering.” I run my hand along my arm and notice that my skin is cold and that I am starting to get goose bumps, “Oh…I guess your right. Did either one of you happen to bring a second set of clothes?” They both shake their heads no. “Maybe Bo has some clothes in the car. He usually carries an extra set for when he gets off work late.” We all walk over towards Bo, Abe and John. I look briefly at John and then turn to Bo, “Excuse me…sorry for interrupting…Bo I was wondering if you had an extra set of clothes with you. I am freezing and I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” Bo shakes his head, “Nope sorry sis…I didn’t work today…so I didn’t bring anything with me.” John taps me on the shoulder, “Marlena…I am sure I have a sweat outfit or something up stairs that will fit you.” I shook my head no, “That’s okay…it’s no big deal.” John lays his hand on my shoulder, “It is a big deal you are shivering. Please…besides it is my fault that you are all wet.” He continues to smile at me which melts my defenses, “Well that is true. Okay…just tell me where they are.” John offers his arm to me, “Follow me.” John leads me off into the house while the other continue talking. Hope turns to Bo, “I think they look cute together.” Lexi joins in, “Well…I defiantly think that John is sweet on Marlena.” Bo grunts, “Hold it right there you two match makers. Don’t get your hopes up. This is Marlena we are talking about… she doesn’t do trust, or love or relationships remember?” Abe pats Bo on the back, “Well partner…there is a first time for everything.” Hope looks at Bo and smile, “Yeah who knows. Maybe John will be the one to change Marlena’s mind about all of that. Maybe…just maybe…John will be the one to change Marlena’s life…for the better!”
~~~~
We swam and played in the water for another hour or so. The sun is starting to go down as the kids are out playing on Maria’s jungle gym. I glace over at John who is talking and laughing with Bo and Abe. Before I can look away I see John glance over at me. I give him a brief smile and then I turn back to Hope and Lexi. Suddenly I feel Hope tap me on the shoulder, “Marlena…did you hear me?” “Umm no Hope…what did you say?” They both begin to laugh, “What? What is so funny.” Lexi turns to me, “Nothing is exactly funny. It’s just that you are so enamored with John…you are tuning everyone else out.” I shake my head at her and roll my eyes, “That is ridicules Lexi. So what was it that you were saying Hope?” She continues to laugh, “I said that you should probably go and change your clothes…you are shivering.” I run my hand along my arm and notice that my skin is cold and that I am starting to get goose bumps, “Oh…I guess your right. Did either one of you happen to bring a second set of clothes?” They both shake their heads no. “Maybe Bo has some clothes in the car. He usually carries an extra set for when he gets off work late.” We all walk over towards Bo, Abe and John. I look briefly at John and then turn to Bo, “Excuse me…sorry for interrupting…Bo I was wondering if you had an extra set of clothes with you. I am freezing and I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” Bo shakes his head, “Nope sorry sis…I didn’t work today…so I didn’t bring anything with me.” John taps me on the shoulder, “Marlena…I am sure I have a sweat outfit or something up stairs that will fit you.” I shook my head no, “That’s okay…it’s no big deal.” John lays his hand on my shoulder, “It is a big deal you are shivering. Please…besides it is my fault that you are all wet.” He continues to smile at me which melts my defenses, “Well that is true. Okay…just tell me where they are.” John offers his arm to me, “Follow me.” John leads me off into the house while the other continue talking. Hope turns to Bo, “I think they look cute together.” Lexi joins in, “Well…I defiantly think that John is sweet on Marlena.” Bo grunts, “Hold it right there you two match makers. Don’t get your hopes up. This is Marlena we are talking about… she doesn’t do trust, or love or relationships remember?” Abe pats Bo on the back, “Well partner…there is a first time for everything.” Hope looks at Bo and smile, “Yeah who knows. Maybe John will be the one to change Marlena’s mind about all of that. Maybe…just maybe…John will be the one to change Marlena’s life…for the better!”
