Chapter 17: a well earned vacation

At the end of summer break Rebecca's parents invite her, Zach and Natasha to go on a vacation with them to Yosemite national park.

After driving for several hours they arrive at the cabin and are greeted by Ryan and Charlotte.

Welcome! Good to see you again Zach.

You as well sir. Thank you for inviting us, this is my mom Natasha.

It's so nice to finally meet you both, you have a wonderful daughter.

We're fond of your son too... even Ryan, he's usually the stereotypical overprotective father.

All good parents are a bit overprotective, it's an expression of love.

Rebecca nudges Zach as their parents are getting acquainted with each other.

They seem to be hitting it off, let's go get our bags out of the car.

As they enter the cabin Ryan points to stairs towards the back of the cabin.

Your mom insisted that you two get the room in the attic so you have some privacy.

Rebecca giggles.

Don't worry dad, we'll behave ourselves... mostly.

Ryan mumbles something under his breath as he starts walking towards the kitchen while Charlotte does her best to hold herself back from laughing.

Don't worry about your dad, hell just have to get over the fact that you're an adult now. You two are in a committed relationship, not some fling.

Natasha nods in agreement;

I agree, Zach is very responsible so I doubt that they would have an "accident".

Zach immediately heads for the stairs.

There's no way I'm having that conversation.

Rebecca chases behind him and can't help but laugh a bit at his embarrassment.

Everybody has dinner together after getting settled in. The rest of the evening is spent talking and playing some board games.

Zach slowly wakes up as sunlight creeps through the curtains the next morning. He decides to open them up and lays back down next to Rebecca. He softly caresses her cheek until her eyes slowly start to open.

Good morning.

She sits up a bit and rests her head on his shoulder.

Good morning.

Once Rebecca gets adjusted to the light, she looks out the window that has a view over the valley with a river running through it.

That is quite the view.

Yes it is, lets stay here for a bit longer.

Gladly... my snugglebear.

For the love of God don't call me that, if Lisa were to ever hear that it would be the end of me.

Looks like I found something to blackmail you with, now I just have to figure out what I want to use it for.

Don't go too crazy now, our parents are downstairs.

Then I'll hold onto it until our anniversary.

Oh boy, that's going to be fun.

She playfully winks at him.

Sure... for me anyways.

After breakfast they decide to go on a hike to the river they saw from their bedroom window. Zach and Ryan decide to go explore around a bit while the women are enjoying the sun. Eventually they make their way through the brush and find a breathtaking sight of a mountain face.

People are climbing that?! That's insane, it's completely vertical with no place to rest.

That is the famous El Capitan, it's one of the toughest climbs in the world and a legend in the climbing community.

You have to be in incredible shape to even stand a chance of making that climb.

No doubt, people have to sleep along the way.

I don't think I could do that.

Do they even make tents big enough for somebody like you. None that could be anchored into the wall, that's for sure.

I'm certainly not going to test it! You seem to know a lot about this area.

We used to come here every year, went to big bear a couple times as well. Rebecca really likes nature.

She told me that when we visited the last time, she took me to her secret spot at the pond.

That means she really trusts you then, that place is a big deal to her.

She really can trust me, I want you to know that as well. This isn't some fling for me, I'm serious about us.

Me acting a bit... "rigid" at times is because I was raised that way myself, it has nothing to do with you. I'm truly happy that she found you, I didn't expect her to find a decent guy in college. I was wrong.

Thank you... does that mean I officially have your blessing?

Ryan shakes his head but a smile briefly appears on his face.

Don't get ahead of yourself, relationships take time and you don't want to go to fast.

I was just messing with you. But we're going to have this conversation again in the future, I promise you.

Ryan pats Zach on the back.

Looking forward to it, let's go see how the ladies are doing.

When they return the ladies are enjoying the cool water of the river. Zach starts taking his clothes off. Ryan looks at him in confusion.

What the hell are you doing?!

Relax, I'm keeping my shorts on.

That's not what I meant, perhaps you should explain why you are suddenly... stripping.

You'll see, just act as if you lost me somewhere in the brush.

Ryan nods, albeit with some apprehension and walks out of the bushes.

Have you three seen Zach?

Natasha is fairly alarmed.

No, isn't he with you?!

We lost track of each other, I thought he came back here.

Panic sets in and it can clearly be heard in Rebecca's voice.

We have to go look for him!

Rebecca starts making her way back to shore but stops abruptly, which doesn't go unnoticed by Charlotte.

What's wrong?

I'm not sure, I think I just felt something pulling my leg...

Suddenly Zach emerges from under the water behind Rebecca and grabs her around her waist. She lets out a scream and tries to break free.

There's no escape, you're mine!

Rebecca gasps and turns around when she recognizes his voice.

Jerk, I was worried about you!

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I promise to make it up to you.

She playfully punches Zach against his chest.

You better... that was pretty cruel.

When they get back to shore Natasha gives Zach a light slap against the back of his head.

What was that for?

I was worried too, what else?

Fair enough, you want to take a swing at me too Charlotte?

No, but your accomplice however...

Charlotte swiftly slaps Ryan before he has time to react.

What the hell...?

They all share a laugh at the shock on Ryan's face before drying themselves off. Once Rebecca is done Zach holds out his hand, instead of handing him her towel she starts patting his chest with it.

You owe me for scaring me like that, I'm not going to pass an opportunity like this down. All wet, your chest glistening under the sun....

Zach leans in next to her ear.

As much as I'm enjoying it, your dad is right there... maybe we should postpone it and have a shower together later?

Suddenly Ryan interrupts them.

You two ready to go?

Rebeccas head pops up from behind Zach.

Yup... ready!

She leans back in next to Zach.

I'm going to hold you to that shower.

On their way back Zach slows down and starts walking next to his mother.

How are you doing with all this exercise, not in any pain are you?

I'm doing fine, I got some rest when we were at the river. Don't worry, I'll take it easy once we get back to the cabin.

Rebecca can always take a look at you if you feel anything out of the ordinary, right?

Sure, but I doubt that I could do anything about her condition.

Natasha holds Zach's hand.

It's nice of you to worry so much, but Rebecca is right. All I can do is take my medicine and rest when my body tells me to. Moving around a bit every couple days actually helps, make me feel more "loose".

Charlotte joins in on their conversation.

I'm sorry for intruding, but we couldn't help but overhear... are you sick?

Not going to get technical, my muscles get tired more quickly is what it comes down to. So I can't do things like this every day, most of the time I feel fine so please don't worry.

Ok, but don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.

Thank you, I will.

After an active day everybody is tired so they decide to go to bed early. Rebecca is the first one to get up from the couch.

I'm tired, I'm going to go take a shower and go to bed.

She gives her parents and Natasha a kiss on the cheek before turning to Zach.

Are you coming?

Some not so subtle eyebrow movements towards him don't go unnoticed, serving as a reminder of Zach's promise from earlier today.

I have to hang up my swimming trunks so they can dry properly, I'll be right up.

When he finally makes it upstairs Rebecca is already in the shower. The room is filled with steam and the noise of the shower makes it so she doesn't hear him stepping inside the cabin with her. He walks up behind her and puts his arms around her waist.

I'm here to make up for earlier.

I was just kidding about that, you don't have to...

Before she can finish her sentence, his hands start wandering around her body.

Your body is telling me something different.

Zach... please, you know I can't resist when you start doing things like that.

Then don't resist.

But our parents...

Won't hear anything over the shower.

Maybe if we're quick...

Zach turns her around and kisses her which seals the deal and Rebecca can't stop herself from indulging her urges.

One very "thorough" shower later they're cuddling on the bed.

I was already tired before, now I'm definitely not going to have any trouble falling asleep.

Does that mean you forgive me?

That was just an emotional reaction, nothing to forgive. One thing that I was wondering about though, did you talk with my dad at all when you two went off on your own?

Why do you ask?

Something he said to me earlier this evening made it seem like he finally "accepted" our relationship.

We joked around about it a bit, but I essentially told him that I was very serious about you and he sort of gave me his blessing. We already got along before, still nice to hear him say it.

It is, I love you.

Love you too, goodnight.

Goodnight.

The next morning Zach decides to let Rebecca sleep in since she was so tired yesterday. He makes his way downstairs where his mom is already reading a book while enjoying her morning coffee.

Good morning!

Good morning, you're in a good mood.

Of course I am, we're having a great time here.

Absolutely... is that the only reason?

I think so... do you think there's another reason?

Well... you forgot your phone down here yesterday evening, so I brought it upstairs...

Zach suddenly realizes that she must have heard him and Rebecca while they were in the shower.

Thanks, did you...?

I sure did, you're lucky that it was just me and not Ryan... if he heard any of that the poor man would have fainted on the spot.

Sorry... we'll be more careful.

At least a couple more days.

Rebecca comes shuffling down the stairs with her eyes still half shut.

Here you are, I felt around and you were gone.

You were so tired yesterday so I thought I would let you sleep a bit longer.

She sits down on his lap and gives him a kiss.

You know I can't sleep without my snugglebear.

Natasha can't help but chuckle when she hears Rebecca's pet name for her son.

Snugglebear?

Not a word to Lisa! I'll never hear the end of it...

She won't hear it from me.

Rebecca pours herself a cup of coffee.

What were you talking about when I came down?

Zach forgot his phone down here yesterday so I brought it up to your room before going to bed myself.

Suddenly Rebecca's face goes pale.

Wait... no no no!

Natasha bursts out laughing.

You were saying the opposite last night.

Rebecca's face goes from white as a ghost to red like a tomato in less than a second.

I've never been so embarrassed in my life...

Why? You two love each other very much and were "enjoying" each other, there's nothing wrong with that.

Maybe not, but you hearing it was not something I had planned.

Don't think about it too much, we'll laugh about this in the future. Seeing you so in love with each other makes me happy. Relationships are difficult, especially when you're young. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

Did you have some struggles with dad?

In a way. At the beginning of our relationship he was a bit "wild", it was because of the fame early on in his career. It took him a while to mature. Actually... now that I think about it, your birth was the moment he started to finally calm down.

I never knew about that.

He was a great husband, but sometimes I had to put my foot down. I doubt you'll have moments like that in the future though, you have Rebecca to keep an eye on you so I'm not worried.

Rebecca puts her arms around Zach and playfully gives him a squeeze.

Looks like we both got our blessings from our parents this week.

After having a wonderful vacation together everybody returns home.

When Zach and Rebecca arrive back at ECU Lisa is waiting for them on the porch.

Welcome back! Did you have fun?

We had a great time, sorry for leaving you alone.

I wasn't alone, I went with Elle to go visit her grandma.

That's nice, what was she like?

She was really funny and a great cook.

Have you tried on your cheer outfit to see if it still fits?

Rebecca swiftly slaps him.

Zach! Not funny!

Don't worry Rebecca, I'm used to his messed up sense of humor.

Zach playfully hugs Lisa.

That's how we show that we care about each other.

Right... in all seriousness, I'm happy that you're back.

Now that you have a year under your belt, does that mean you'll get a bigger role with the cheerleaders?

I don't know, we haven't talked about it yet. Now that Nika has graduated Elle doesn't have a "second in command" anymore, so maybe I could take on some of the responsibilities that she had in the past. We'll see at the tryouts in a couple days I suppose.

I'm excited to see what the new recruits and transfers will be like.

All we can do is hope for the best.