This story is solely my property and may not be reproduced or published without my express permission. Names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent. Any resemblance to people living or dead is merely a coincidence.
This is the long delayed second chapter to "The Dock". I hope it's as well received as the first chapter was.
A deep thank you to all of my readers. You make it all worthwhile.
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Nick looked at Jerri and asked her the obvious question, "So how much did you see Aunt Jerri?"
Jerri grinned as Nick and Kelly got dressed, "I saw enough guys, and god was it hot. And for crying out loud just call me Jerri, we're all about the same age."
Kelly watched Jerri suspiciously, "So why aren't you freaked out Jerri?"
"Let's just say I have an understanding of your situation. Your Uncle Joe and I will explain over lunch okay?"
Once Kelly and Nick were presentable the three of them walked back to the cottage. When they got closer to the house Jerri called out that she'd found them plotting their next evil scheme on the dock. Everyone laughed and started getting their food. Joe and the kids got their plates and sat down. Nick, Kelly and Jerri joined them a few minutes later.
Jerri looked over at Joe with a little smirk, "You were right daddy, I caught them red-handed."
Nick looked shocked and Kelly looked scared.
Joe smiled reassuringly at them, "Don't worry guys we won't tell anyone else." He gave their kids Max and Zoey a stern look, "That includes you two too."
Jerri smiled warmly at Nick and Kelly, "How do you think Joe and I really met?"
Kelly grinned, "That's a trick question, I know you told us you met online."
"Sorry Kelly but you're wrong. That's just what we told everyone. I met Jerri when she was eight. She was my sister-in-law's step-daughter. I'm not exactly sure what the legal relationship is for us but I always thought of her as my niece. It was hard at first, accepting that I was sleeping with my niece, but Jerri kept hounding me that she was only my niece because I said she was. Well eventually it sank in and I've never been happier."
Nick shook his head in confusion, "So is Jerri your niece or isn't she? And your kids know what's going on?"
Jerri gave Joe a little grin, "There is no familial relationship between Joe and I, and yes the kids know. We felt it was better to tell them the truth than lie to them."
"So what's all this got to do with us?" Kelly asked.
Joe smiled, "I've been watching you two and as you've gotten older you've gotten cozier. So it doesn't surprise me you've gotten to this point in your relationship. Jerri and I have a little experience with it and would like to help where we can."
Jerri turned to Kelly, "I hear you're going to Unity in the fall. Do you have a place to stay yet? You can stay with us if you need to."
"Nicky's already offered his spare room to me. Would that be okay?" Kelly said, uncertain of herself.
"That would be fine sweetie, better to keep it under wraps for now where others can't see or judge you," Joe said with a chuckle.
"Dad? Are Nicky and Kelly going to be like you and mom?" Zoey asked innocently.
Joe smiled at Zoey, "Well Zozo that's up to them. We can only help them make the right decision for them by giving them the best advice we can."
Joe gave Kelly and Nick a serious look, "We're going to stop preaching now, just know that you can call either of us any time okay?"
Both Kelly and Nick looked relieved knowing that they had people on their side.
After lunch was through the games began, Nick and Kelly stuck close together. Very often with their arms around each other and hugging every chance they got.
"Cool it you two, your aunts and uncles are wondering what's going on," Joe said as he wandered up behind them.
Both Nick and Kelly took his advice to heart and eased up a bit, worried that they'd already blown it.
Kelly's mom and dad called them over from where they were sitting.
"So we hear from your Uncle Joe you're moving in with Nick while you're going to school. I trust you two will behave yourselves." Kelly's dad said from his chair.
Kelly grinned, "Don't worry daddy, Nicky's already laid down the house rules. He said I don't have to pay rent either."
Kelly's mom turned to Nick, "Well at least let us help out with her food."
Nick laughed, "Man I think I'll make more money off of her food than her rent. Mind you she does eat like a horse..."
Kelly elbowed him in the ribs and he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Nicky you're always so mean to me!"
"Aww you know I love you Kells."
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As it got later Nick got his fire ready to light. It was a four foot tall box style monster. Kelly and a few of the older cousins helped him lay it out. When he figured it was ready to light he called all of the kids over to witness the "Lighting of the Blaze". Parents drifted over too, always ready for a laugh from Nick's silly theatrics.
Nick stood next to his monstrosity and spread his arms wide, "Ladies and Gentlemen and children of all ages!" He said in a deep baritone voice.
"Prepare to be amazed by the pyrotechnic talents of the incredible Nicholas Curtis as he lights the sacrificial fire for weenies and 'shmallows!" With that he took a torch lighter and touched it to some kindling at the bottom of the tower.
The kindling smouldered for a minute then caught. Everyone waited with bated breath to see what would happen next. There was a sudden sucking sound like a vacuum then a WHOOSH like a jet engine as the flames shot ten feet from the top of the tower of wood.
Everyone ooohed and ahhed at the tremendous blaze. Nick began dancing wildly around the fire, grabbing the kids to join him and even getting Kelly up with him too.
Eventually the dancers tired and fell to the ground, sweat on their brows from the fire. Nick and Kelly fell together and Kelly landed with her head on Nick's shoulder laughing.
"You are an idiot Nicky." Kelly murmured in his ear.
After the fire died down a bit Nick and the kids roasted weiners and marshmallows at the fire. Most of the adults were busy tearing down so it was handy that Nick was keeping the kids occupied.
Everyone started to slowly filter off and head for home. Soon it was just Nick, Kelly, their uncle Joe and his family and their grandparents.
Nick and Kelly drifted off towards the dock again. Once they were out of sight they held hands as they walked. When they got to the dock they sat back down on the couch.
"Hey Nicky, whose idea was it to put a couch down here?"
"I think it was granny's idea. She liked coming down here to listen to the loons, but never had a comfortable place to sit, so pops brought an old couch down here. I think this is the third or fourth one now. Hey Kells?"
"Yeah Nicky?"
"Do you regret what we did earlier? Do you think maybe what we did was wrong?"
