Chapter 49 - Life

Maria buzzed around the kitchen as Cam sat quietly reading from her tablet. She’d Googled the real-life woman that Michelle would be playing in the film if she took it. She sounded like a firecracker, and Cam could instantly see why they would choose Michelle for the part. It was a great story that needed to be told.

“You here all day?” Maria asked, sliding a plate of waffles across the counter for Cam to eat.

“Uh, yes…mostly,” Cam replied, placing the tablet down and picking up a bottle of maple syrup. She squeezed a good helping on top of the pile. “Kate’s popping round at some point, then I’ll fly back tonight and start organizing things.”

“Okay.” Maria wiped an invisible mark on the table. “So, you come back, then you go?”

Chewing quickly, Cam swallowed. “Yes, Michelle has to finish filming Medical Diaries. And it’s going to take some organizing. So, I think we will be here until Christmas. My mum’s going to stay at the lake though and be my right hand up there, so to speak.”

Maria seemed to lighten at that news; Christmas was weeks away. “Okay, good, then I need to stock up. When will those babies be home with their mama?”

“By the weekend? Michelle is packing up now. I’m flying back tonight because we’re driving back.”

“Coo-ee, anyone home?!” Kate called out, using her key to open the door and let herself in.

“In the kitchen,” Cam hollered, leaning back on her stool so she could peer down the hallway at her friend.

Kate looked hot and bothered. “Honestly, I’m barely pregnant and I’m already exhausted.” She chuckled as she reached the kitchen and Cam pulled out a stool for her to sit on.

“You need a drink. Keep hydrated, or that baby will give you trouble,” Maria warned, passing a glass of cold filtered water to both of them.

“Hey, I’m not pregnant,” Cam complained.

“No, but you make good example and then we see if you get anything better.” Maria flicked the tea towel at her and laughed as she walked away.

Cam giggled. “I actually pay her for this abuse.”

“You love it,” Kate returned, having gulped down half the glass.

“True, I do. So, what are you up to?”

Kate pushed the glass further away from the edge of the counter and stared at it for a moment. “Gavin and I, we talked about things recently. I mentioned that you and Michelle were planning on staying at the lake with the twins. I hope that was okay?”

Cam nodded. “Sure, I was planning to talk to him about it.”

“Yeah, I figured. I know that you all have an agreement, that you’re their parents, but Gavin does get to play a part in their lives, and we love them both obviously, what with this one coming too.” She rubbed her tummy, and Cam smiled at her friend’s happiness. “It’s just that, we don’t want to be so far away.”

“Well, we won’t be going until the new year, most likely,” Cam offered. She swigged her own drink and then got up to find something to add to it, grabbing the bottle of cherry and blackberry squash she had picked up at an international food market. She was forever surprised at how many things she missed from England.

“The thing is, Gavin and I both agreed that we love the lake too, so…”

“You’re coming with us?” Cam asked gleefully, her eyes wide and hopeful.

Kate nodded. “If you’re okay with that? We spoke with Lucy, and we’re going to rent her old cabin until we can find something of our own.”

Cam raced around the island and pulled Kate into a hug that almost yanked her off the stool. “That’s amazing. Our kids will get to be proper siblings. We can hang out. It’s going to be awesome!”

“I agree, and I’m so glad you’re this happy about it.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? When are you planning to move?” Cam took her seat back on the same stool she was in before.

“Well, firstly you need to find someone to replace me at the gym, and someone to replace Gavin at the bar.”

“Oh…of course, well that’s going to be some big shoes to fill, but I’ll manage.” She grinned. “Shit, I am so excited!!”