The Long Ride part 4
By
Soul71
Thanks to WAA01 for the edits.
******
Chapter Twelve
.
"Hello?" Callum answered his phone as he stepped onto the beach.
"
Cal
?" Callum sighed at the sound of Vanessa's voice. Watching how the waves crashed onto the shore, the foam rolling back into the ocean from whence it was formed. "
Cal where are you
?" Vanessa asked, as the sounds of the shore birds and the waves echoed over the line.
"Itzel's parents took us to this rather private beach, so some reason you're calling?"
"
I know I said I'd try not to disturb you on your trip... but it's been three days and I just like to speak to Shari... I miss her
," Vanessa said, weakly.
"Uh-huh..." Callum turned to his right, his Adams Apple bobbed as Itzel walked out in this light blue bikini holding the bag that contained their clothes in her free hand, while Shari wore a matching one piece suit with a diamond-shaped opening that showed off Shari's navel once they exited the building they used to change into their suits. He was so glad he was still wearing his jeans and not the bathing suit he brought along. Callum didn't know how he would be able to hide the erection he felt forming as his eyes ran down Itzel's body who had a confident smirk on her lips.
"
Cal would you mind if I spoke to Shari, I promise it won't take long
." Watching how Shari danced as the hot sand burned the soles of her feet before burying them in the sand and wiggling her toes.
"Alright, I got to change anyway," Callum said, as he walked towards his daughter. "Shari your mother wants to talk to you," he said, seeing how big her eyes got at the mention of Vanessa. Remembering what Dr. Rotter said after her talk with Shari in private after his and Vanessa's second session. Telling him Shari had underlying abandonment issues due to the constant questions the kids levied at her. Why she was wanting a mother so she could feel normal like everyone else. It was why he was allowing this to continue for his daughter's mental wellbeing; that's what really mattered. Not what Vanessa or anyone else thought about mending their friendship, but the fact that his daughter was getting what she needed.
"I'll keep an eye on her," Itzel said sweetly, as Shari chatted away telling her mother everything that's happened up to that point.
"Cal! Look over here," Itzel called out as she filmed him and Shari playing in the surf. Feeling her cheeks heat at the way he looked at her. Giggling behind the camera as Callum and Shari frolicked in the surf. It warmed her heart that she could give Callum something that he might have missed in his life in his care for Shari, also so very pleased that she could make Shari's smile stretch from ear to ear. Watching how the sun glinted along the droplets of water that clung to Callum's bare chest. Biting her lip as Callum held Shari aloft above him, and how Shari giggled as she held out her arms like she was flying.
"Nicely done," Elena said, peering over her daughter's shoulder as she eyed the photo Itzel had just taken. There was no mistaking the love the two of them shared for one another as the sun bathed the two of them. "He's almost like a little kid," she mused stepping to her daughter's side.
"Well... Cal has given up a lot to be Shari's father. I'm just glad I can give him something that would make up for all that time lost," Itzel stated not caring if her mother saw her blushing cheeks.
"You really do love him?" It wasn't a question more like a statement of the facts presented before her.
"Of course, I do. I wouldn't have said yes, if I didn't," Itzel said, peering out of the corner of her right eye at her mother.
"Come, we need to have a talk in private," Elena said, motherly. Taking her daughter by the arm and leading her away from Callum so he wouldn't overhear. "Does he know about your trust fund? Is that why he's marrying you?"
"No, well yes, he knows about it now. Only after he agreed to marry me, but that's not why he's marrying me, mother," Itzel said heatedly, as she crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry Itzel, I had to ask. That amount of money is a very good carrot," Elena sighed.
"I haven't even told him how much is in there, just that I have a trust fund," Itzel huffed.
"Oh?! I see, well, get him to sign a prenup. That is the only way your father and I will agree to this wedding."
"If I don't?" Itzel asked, arching an eyebrow.
"What if this doesn't work out honey? What if Cal, I'm not saying he isn't, but what if Cal isn't the man he claims to be? What if a year down the road you find out he has a string of women he's been sleeping around with," Elena said, playing devil's advocate. Noting the anger in her daughter's eyes.
"Callum... isn't that kind of man," Itzel said, keeping her voice low so her anger wouldn't spoil Callum's and Shari's day. "Where are we Mom? We're on one of the most private beaches where models and movie stars come to hang out and yet Callum's eyes haven't wandered once. Do you want to know why? Because he loves me, and only me, don't ever insinuate that Cal is a cheater like all the others," she said, defending Callum fiercely. A little taken aback by her mother's smile.
"Good. A wife should be protective of her husband; however, it wouldn't hurt to get the prenup honey. Just to protect yourself in case something happens years down the road. We are only looking out for you and your best interests," Elena said lovingly, as she placed a gentle hand on Itzel's upper right arm. "If Callum loves you as you say he does, he wouldn't hesitate to sign it. If he doesn't then you know he's only after your money."
"I'm not by the way." Callum's voice startled the two of them. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Shari wanted to get some ice cream and eat it by the water and she was wondering if you wanted to come with," Callum said, noting the embarrassment on Elena's face. He couldn't blame them for protecting their daughter, if he was as rich as they were he'd probably do the same thing if Itzel was his daughter. "You get it made I'll sign it if that will relieve your fears," he said, looking right at Elena.
"Cal you don't..." Her words stilled in her throat as Callum raised his hand.
"It's okay Itzel, they're only looking out for you. I would do the same if you were my daughter and we lived like this," Callum said, gesturing to their surroundings. "I might not be all that worldly, but I do know when I'm in a place I really don't belong in. So... about that ice cream?" he uttered with a coy smile.
"Umm... the only place close to here is a gelato store." Itzel suppressed her giggle at his and Shari's confused looks. "It's Italian-style ice cream."
"No way!" Shari said, in shock.
"Yes way!" Itzel shot back with a playful smile. "Let me get my..."
"No, let me, after all you three are on vacation here," Elena said, cutting in. "I didn't mean for you to hear that Cal. It's just she's..."
"I understand," Callum nodded when Elena whispered to him as she stood at his side. "So the folks are worried about my money grubbing ways huh?" he asked, teasingly, slowly drifting away from Elena with their conversation.
"Don't be too hard on them," Itzel said low, as she slipped her arms around his waist. "I did sort of warn you this might happened."
"True," Callum mused as he rested his hand on her right ass cheek. Loving how it always felt in his hand, especially when there wasn't any or in this case minimal cloth between it and his hand.
"So I hear someone wants ice cream," Asher said, walking up hand in hand with his wife, his very thin blue button down shirt was open down to the fifth button showing off his smooth tan chest. His white, ten inch Nautica deck shorts matched the white trim of his blue and white beach shoes.
"Yeah, but its gelato," Shari said, casting Itzel a skeptical glance.
