Some Kind Of Wonderful

Chapter Five: Callaway's go Camping.

2 Weeks Later...

"Isabelle, don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you." Jordan growled angrily walking through the front door of their house following after his five foot wife.

Isabelle stomped through the house fuming with Jordan. "I don't wanna talk to you right now, Jordan." she spat making it up the stairs before Jordan caught up with her in the hallway.

He caught her arm and pulled her back to him, his brown eyes glaring into a pair of stormy blue ones. "Well, too bad because you're going too. What the hell were you playing at?" he asked hotly.

"What was I playing at?" she asked fuming. "It's our anniversary, Jordan. I wanted to spend it alone with my husband not with his fucking office buddies. Who are a bunch of creeps, might I add."

"We were together weren't we?" he asked with a frown.

"No Jordan, we were not together. Being together isn't me being in one corner of the room and you in another. Do you know how fucking annoying it was listening to all those women ramble on and on about things I just don’t give a shit about?"

"It was an annual work do; I'm the boss I had to make an appearance. I brought you along so we could spend time together." Jordan said gazing into her eyes.

"Oh, so the five minutes I actually got to see you was in fact us spending time together, was it?" she asked sarcastically ripping her arm out of his grasp and stomping off into their bedroom.

Jordan sighed heavily and followed her and agitatedly began pulling off his tie. "Isabelle, I'm sorry what more do you want me to say?" he said tiredly. "I'm sorry we never got to spend our anniversary together. I forgot okay. There are you happy now?"

Isabelle shot him a hurt filled look. "I know you forgot, and the fact that you lied and tried to cover up your mistake by taking me to that stupid office party is what hurt the most." Isabelle said shaking her head and pulling her night gown out of the wardrobe and changing into it. "If you were honest with me in the first place I would have understood. I am not one those wives that demand attention from their husbands all the time, but I thought that you would actually remember the one day that is about us." she said walking into her wardrobe and coming back out with a packet in her hands.

"Isabelle..." she shook her head and handed him a package.

"Happy anniversary," she said quietly the apparent hurt she was feeling evident in her voice. "I'll be in the guest room." she said and brushed past him ready to leave the room.

"Isabelle, I'm sorry." he said his voice heavy. Isabelle stopped in the doorway and turned her head to look at him.

"Empty words won’t fix anything." She said and left the room.

Jordan watched his wife leave the room, his eyes dropping to look at the package she handed him, he sat at the edge of the bed and un-wrapped the gift delicately.

He held a long velvet box in between his fingers and flicked it open. He smiled when he saw a white gold custom made Versace bracelet he wanted. He turned it over and saw it was engraved with small writing. 'Twenty years is not nearly enough with you give me another lifetime and even then I might not be satisfied. I'll love you a million eternity's" he read and felt an ache in his heart where the guilt began to kick in.

How could he be so stupid? how could he forget their 20 year anniversary. He wanted to go to the guestroom and apologise to her profusely for his stupidity until she forgave him and came back to bed.

However, he knew Isabelle was stubborn as hell, and wouldn’t forgive him so easily. So it was best if he waits till morning at least that way she'll have cooled down.

If I had just one tear running down your cheek
Maybe I could cope maybe I'd get some sleep
If I had just one moment at your expense
Maybe all my misery would be well spent

Isabelle closed the door to the guestroom and leaned on it, her blue eyes looking around the empty room. The moonlight shining through the window gave a little light as she moved and sat on the bed; she gazed out the window at the star filled sky and fought back the tears that threatened to fall.

Yeah....Could you cry a little
Lie just a little
Pretend that you're feeling a little more pain
I gave, now I'm wanting
Something in return
So cry just a little for me

She sniffled and tears streamed down her cheeks, she raised her hand and wiped them away stubbornly and pulled her knees to her chest. How was it possible that after 20 years of marriage he was still able to make her cry like a little girl?

If your love could be caged, honey I would hold the key
And conceal it underneath the pile of lies you handed me
And you'd hunt those lies
They'd be all you'd ever find
And that'd be all you'd have to know
For me to be fine

Jordan lay back on the bed, one of his arms behind his head the other holding the bracelet Isabelle gave him not even an hour ago. He couldn't sleep, not without Isabelle beside him. He sighed and turned his head to look at a picture of him and Isabelle by his bedside table. She was smiling at the camera happily while he nuzzled her neck. He looked back to her side of the bed before pushing the covers back and getting out of bed.

Yeah....And you'd cry a little
And die just a little
and baby I would feel just a little less pain
I gave now I'm wanting
Something in return
So cry just a little for me

He opened the door to his bedroom quietly and stepped out, looking around the empty hallway and walked over to the guest bedroom, which was three doors down from his and Isabelle's room. He took a deep breath before turning the handle and stepping into the silent room.

Isabelle tried to swallow the lump growing rapidly in her throat, her eyes burned with fresh tears when she heard the door open and close from behind her. She knew it was Jordan from the way he shuffled his feet when he walked.

Give it up baby; I hear you're doing fine
Nothings gonna save me, I can see it in your eyes.
Some kind of heartache honey, give it a try.
I don’t want pity I just want what is mine. Yeah.

Jordan watched his wife as she looked out the window motionless, not even acknowledging his presence. He knew she was aware he was in the room but that was Isabelle, stubborn as a mule when she wants to be.

He moved over to the bed silently where Isabelle sat, her knees pulled to her chest and her back to him. Jordan stepped closer to her and sat behind her. The bed dipping under his weight and she still didn’t look back or even move.

Yeah....And you'd cry a little
And die just a little
and baby I would feel just a little less pain
I gave now I'm wanting
Something in return
So cry just a little for me

Jordan reached out and placed a strong hand on her shoulder praying she wouldn’t shrug him off. He felt her tremble under his touch; he leaned down and pressed his mouth to where his hand was seconds ago before his fingers tangled in her hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." he whispered into her left ear making her quiver. "Please forgive me?" he pleaded quietly.

Isabelle closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Why was it so damn hard to resist him? She was mad at him, he hurt her and here she was melting into a puddle at his touch.

"Look at me angel?" he whispered into her shoulder. Isabelle turned her head and her blue eyes met her husbands chocolate brown ones.

Jordan frowned when he noticed how puffy and red her eyes were. She had pools of unshed tears in her eyes. He hated to see her cry; he hated being the one to make her cry even more. "I'm sorry honey, god I hate making you cry. I've been an idiot, please, please forgive me?" he said pulling her into his lap.

"You hurt me Jordan." she said dimly and Jordan closed his eyes and nodded in agreement.

"I know I've been a fool. I'm sorry I forgot our anniversary, baby. I've just had a lot on my mind. I'll make it up to you I swear."

Isabelle just looked at him and shook her head. "Jordan, I understand you're a busy man, but please don’t lie to me. We've been burned before and I don’t want us to be dishonest with each other. I'm not unreasonable; I realize you have other priorities. I'm not gonna lie and say it didn’t upset me to know you forgot about our anniversary, but I was willing to let it go. It just pissed me off that you felt the need to lie to me, that's all." she said while Jordan wiped her tears away.

I'm sorry I lied to you baby. I just didn’t wanna upset you. I know how important this anniversary was to you. I just felt like such a prat for forgetting something so important. But I promise I'll make it up to you." he told her leaning forward to place a kiss on her pouting lips.

Isabelle parted her lips as soon as she felt her husband's velvet tongue teasing her bottom lip. "Come back to bed, baby." he whispered into her mouth. She opened her eyes and looked at him a small smile pulled at her lips. "We've got an anniversary to celebrate." He mumbled after a beat.

"It's past midnight; it's not our anniversary anymore. And if you think you can make it up to me with sex, you have another thing coming." she asked incredulously.

Jordan smirked. "Oh baby, I fully intend to make it up to you in other ways. But right now, I think we ought to consummate this marriage...a good few times, you know in honour of our twenty wonderful years together." he said huskily.

Isabelle despite herself giggled. "You, Jordan Callaway are a very bad man." She said looping her arms around his neck. He grinned sexily back at her.

"Maybe so, but you still love me." Jordan responded cockily. Isabelle shook her head.

"Yeah, I'm guilty of that sin unfortunately." She said and laughed when Jordan lifted her and hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her to their bedroom.

"Jordan, I'm going to forget how to use my legs if you continue to carry me around all the time." she said as he walked through the door to their bedroom.

Jordan chuckled. "That’s okay baby, I'll carry you forever in my arms the view from here is just peachy." He said cheekily and gave her backside a slap.

Isabelle half yelped half laughed as he threw her on the bed and pounced on her. "Are you ever going to grow up?" she asked looking into his eyes.

Jordan pretended to ponder over that for a moment and shook his head. "I doubt it, would you like me to be boring and unexciting, baby?" he asked with an arched brow.

"I don't think those two words even exist in your vocabulary." She said tilting her head back with a sigh when he began kissing her throat delicately. Isabelle purred for him and he smiled.

"You got that right, now gimme some lovin you sexy thing you." Isabelle laughed heartily at her husband. How could she possibly not love this man?

*****

The following Week... (Saturday, 7.05am)

Jaiden yawned widely and plonked down at the table at the kitchen after pouring himself a bowl of cereal he rested his elbow on the table his head in his hand, his tired blue eyes drifting shut.

Dayne and Leila came into the kitchen together and stopped when they saw Jaiden asleep on the kitchen table. They both grinned at each other as three other figures appeared beside them.

"What are you guys doing?" Kelly asked looking at her niece and nephew grinning like maniacs first thing in the morning.

"Shhh," Dayne said looking back at his aunt, uncle and cousin.

"Don't shush me." Kelly said shoving Dayne lightly. Josh looked between the two and shrugged.

Leila smirked and moved over to the table Jaiden was now lowly snoring on. She raised her hand and smacked him at the back of the head. Jaiden's arm gave away and his face fell straight into the bowl of cereal.

The room erupted into laughter as Jaiden looked up dripping with milk and pieces of muesli stuck to parts of his face. Dayne, Leila and Kyle, Josh and Kelly's eldest son laughed so hard they were clutching their stomachs.

Jaiden scowled looking back at his siblings and cousin cackling annoyingly. "Damn it, Leila." He growled angrily grabbing the nearest towel and cleaning his face with it. "You are so going to pay for that." He said throwing the towel at her face.

"I told you I would get you back for that fog horn, I still can’t hear properly in one ear I'll have you know." she said with a smug grin. "Besides, milks good for the skin, muesli's a good look on you." she added with a laugh.

Everyone laughed again and Jaiden turned to look at them, "Oh shut up." He muttered and walked out of the kitchen muttering under his breath.

"Nice work Leila, I swear you never cease to amuse me." Kyle told his cousin with a chuckle.

Leila grinned brightly and sipped her orange juice. "Come's naturally, what can I say?" she said with a shrug.

"Hey, so, are we going on this camping trip or what?" Kelly asked going through the refrigerator.

"Yes sister dear we are, at least once you're done raiding my fridge." Jordan said with an amused grin Isabelle following close behind. Kelly wrinkled her nose at her brother and threw an olive at him before grinning when she saw Isabelle.

"Oh my god, I missed you guys. How was your vacation in Egypt?" Isabelle asked pulling Kelly into an embrace both girls squealing. Jordan and Josh shook their heads.

"Oh, Is, It was so beautiful. You and Jordan totally should have joined us. My goodness the mud baths were to die for." Kelly said excitedly.

"Yeah, be sure to try the body wrap." Josh chuckled. "Kelly thought it would be good to try the body wrap at a hundred and two degree's. She got stuck and turned bright red, it was hilarious." Josh explained and Kelly slapped her husband lightly on the arm.

"Well, you can't blame her really; it seems that I not only snatched up the good looks from the Callaway gene pool but the intellect too. Sorry sis." Jordan said with a smug grin.

Kelly narrowed her hazel eyes at him. "Oh shush you, you may be smarter but I'm younger, and will always look better, especially when you're old and wrinkly." Kelly said with a cackle.

"Alright, are we ready to go or what?" Isabelle asked packing her back with toiletries, ending the siblings banter.

"Actually, we're still waiting on Eyvah and Chase." Dayne informed her and she nodded understandingly.

Leila's blue eyes snapped to her brothers and glared at him. "Wait, Chase, why is he coming?" she asked edgily. Dayne smirked.

"Aside the fact that he always comes, he's the only one that actually knows how to build a tent without it collapsing halfway though the night." Dayne said throwing a pointed look at his brother. "And I really don’t see dad or Uncle Josh helping us this time."

Jaiden looked up from the table and shot his brother a dark look. "Damn straight." Jordan said flashing his teeth at his sons. "You guys know how it goes; each to their own. It's the boys against the girls; this weekend is all about living the simple life. No luxuries, got that?" Jordan said and all eyes in the room looked towards Leila whose eyes widened.

"Wha-why are you guys looking at me?" she whined.

"Because, honey, you're always the one that complains the most." Jordan said imitating her voice.

"Yeah, dad's right Lei. Remember last year we had to come back early because you wouldn't stop bitching about the mosquito's." Dayne said leaning on the counter.

Leila scowled at her brother. "Those things were feeding off of me. Beside's I wouldn’t have been bitching. But these idiots thought it would be funny to ambush me with cockroaches." She said glaring at Kyle, Jaiden and Dayne who chuckled.

"Yeah, well, that was after you let loose spiders in dad's tent. Thinking it was ours" Jaiden said pointing at Jordan who shot his son a look.

Isabelle and Kelly began laughing. "Oh god, I remember that. He screamed like a little girl." Kelly laughed. "Isabelle, kill 'em kill 'em."

Jordan scowled. "Hey those spiders were all over my face, they could have been poisonous." He defended his brown eyes wide.

Everyone laughed. "Oh honey, I think it was cute. Especially the way, you made me clean your face with disinfectant." Isabelle giggled and Jordan frowned and bumped his hip to hers to shove her out of his way.

"Oh shut up, it wasn’t that funny. I'll get my own back for that." He warned narrowing his eyes at the rest.

"Hey, I'm here and I found some girl staking out your house." Chase walked into the kitchen and said moving aside to show a crimson looking Eyvah. "Do we know her?" he asked the crowd.

"Yeah, she's with me. Everybody meet Eyvah Blake, a friend from school." He said gesturing to the brunette beside him. "Eyvah, you already know my parents and Jaiden. That’s my aunt Kelly, her husband Josh and their son Kyle. That’s my sister Leila and her best friend Chase, who we consider another brother. Well, J and I do anyway." He said shooting a pointed look at Leila who didn’t even look up from the table she's been staring at since he came.

"Um, it's a pleasure meeting you all. Dayne's told me so much about you." she said politely.

"Yeah, what a bunch of fruit baskets we all are." Jaiden said with a chuckle and Eyvah, blushed a deeper shade of red.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Eyvah. It's not often we get to meet one of Dayne's girlfriends." Kelly said with a warm smile.

"Um we're not dating. We're just good friends that’s all." Eyvah pointed out and Dayne chuckled.

"Aww that’s too bad, because you two look really cute together." Kelly said reaching up and squeezing Dayne's cheeks who blushed slightly.

"Aunt Kelllly." He groaned and slapped her hand away from his face. But Kelly continued to torture him.

"You won’t find someone as cute as our Daynie here." She cooed like she was talking to a five year old.

"Mo-om..." Dayne whined and Isabelle snickered.

"Kelly, stop embarrassing my son." She said feigning a glare. Kelly grinned and continued to bug her nephews who glared and smack her hands away.

Leila however continued to watch the same spot on the table she's been staring at since Chase walked in. Damn him for looking as gorgeous as ever. He was wearing a pair of dark green quarter length shorts and a white wife beater that showed off his naturally tan arms which were toned to perfection and the outline of his muscular chest. His dark hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail giving him a sexy look.

She missed him so much and it took every ounce of will power she had not to jump into his arms. She hadn’t seen or spoken to him since that day at his apartment. And it was absolute torture. Leila swallowed hard and visibly tensed when, Chase suddenly appeared next to her leaning into her slightly so their arms brushed.

Even without looking she knew it was him from the smell of his aftershave. That damned smell that drives her crazy everytime she smells it. "Leila..." he said quietly his voice deep and throaty.

Leila looked up and for the first time in weeks she met his gaze. His soft brown eyes were honey-like and he looked tired like he hadn’t had a good nights sleep. Chase looked her in the eyes and saw deep down how much he hurt her. "Can we talk?" he asked again his eyes pleading.

Leila sighed and dropped her eyes from his and in the other end of the room caught her brother's ocean blue ones looking back at her. Dayne nodded his head slowly encouraging her. She caught the meaning behind the nod and looked back up at Chase and indicated for him to follow her.

The pair slipped away from the rest and made their way outside to the front of the house where two SUV's were parked packed with the family's things. Leila leaned on one of the cars and looked down at her feet nervously chewing her bottom lip.
Chase slowly moved over to where she was and stood in front of her, his hands placed in his pockets. They both stood there silently until Chase broke the silence by clearing his throat.

"How long are you going to continue ignoring me, Leila?" He asked and watched as she raised her head slowly and looked at him.

"I haven’t been ignoring you, I've just been busy." She said with a shrug.

Chase gave her a stern look. "You're lying. No one's constantly busy for two and a half weeks. I called you so many times but you didn’t answer." he said crossing his arms over his chest.

"I assumed you were busy, with Nicole." She said quietly.

"Leila I miss you, I miss our long talks over the phone. I miss watching movies with you." he said moving closer and taking her hands into his. "I miss your smile."

Leila sighed and bit her bottom lip. "I miss you too, I'm sorry. I know I've been acting like a spoilt bitch. I know it's none of my business who you date. Even if, that person is Nicole, I want you to be happy Chase. And if Nicole makes you happy then I'm happy for you." She said earnestly.

"Nicole's not as bad as you seem to think, Leila. She's only bitchy when she's around you. Why I don’t know but I guess that’s between you two." Leila nodded.

"Yeah, well. I'm sorry anyway." She said with a shrug. Chase smiled and tugged on her hands until she was pressed up against his chest.

"You don't have to be sorry, sweet's. It's always been just the two of us. I understand why it would upset you. But I promise no who I date, you will always be my number one girl." he said raising his hand tweaking her nose affectionately.

Leila couldn’t help but smile at him, Chase pouted his lips. "Come on princess, you can do better than that. Show me some teeth." He said and chuckled when Leila smiled brightly. "There it is." He said and placed a kiss on her forehead before hugging her tightly.

"Oh, quick come with me." Leila said taking his hand and dragging him back through the house and up the stairs to her room.

Chase regarded his best friend curiously while she moved around her bedroom in search for something. Leila smiled brightly when she found what she was looking for. She held out a light blue envelope and he took it and looked at Leila with a confused expression on his face.

"I know it's early, and your birthday is on Monday, but I couldn’t wait." She said excitedly.

Chase grinned and opened the envelope and inside was a card. He smiled when he read the front. "A little bird told me it was your birthday..." he read aloud and opened the card and laughed "But don't worry he won't tell another, because I shot the fucker." Leila giggled.

The message inside was written in neat handwriting. "To my one and only, Adonis, Happy 24th birthday, you old fart. I know we have a tradition on our birthday's but, this year I thought we could change it and do something both of us would never forget. I hope you enjoy your gift... I love you, your ONE and ONLY Princess."

Chase looked up and saw her holding another envelope in between her fingers. He took it with a grin and ripped it open and his eyes widened into saucepans. "Oh my god, front row tickets to STAIND!" he said excitedly. He looked at Leila with a huge grin on his face. "How did you get these, I heard they were out a month ago?"

Leila shrugged. "I have my ways. I got them a few weeks ago for us but I guess now that you're dating Nicole, you would wanna take her with you." she said trying to hide the sadness in her voice.

"Leila." Chase said softly. "When have I ever spent my birthday with anyone other than you?" he asked with an arched brow.

"I know but you've never really been in a relationship in all those years either so I just thought maybe-"

"-Well you thought wrong. Nicole doesn’t share the same craze for Staind as you do sweets. So if anybody will be sitting beside me at the concert, it's going to be you." He said stepping closer and pulling her into his arms and lifting her off her feet before placing a kiss on her neck.

"Chase, Leila. LET'S GO!" Jaiden's voice echoed through the house. Leila and Chase pulled apart and laughed.

"Come on then Adonis; let's get this camping trip over with." Leila said taking his hand and pulling out of the room with her.

Four hours later...

"Jaiden," Dayne growled from beside the tent they we're trying to put up. "Pull up damn it, PULL!"

Jaiden looked up from the tent with his piercing blue eyes. "I'm pulling you jackass." He hollered back. Dayne huffed and pulled on the tent and watched as it collapsed for the third time.

"Damn it, Jaiden!" he growled angrily his blue eyes narrowed.

"Dayne, shut up or I swear I'm going to wrap this tent around your throat." Jaiden spat pointing accusingly at his older brother.

"Your so damn useless, how the hell you get out of bed in the morning still fascinates me." Dayne said shaking his head and looked to his left when he heard girly giggles.

"Ta-da...!" Eyvah chirped happily when their tent stood erect. She shot Dayne a teasing grin and high five-d Leila.

Chase looked up from behind the tent with a scowl. "Will you two knuckleheads pay attention I can't do this shit by myself." He scolded the two boys who were scowling at the two girls.

"Aww, is my wittle Chasey-poo getting frustrated?" Leila cooed with a smug grin. "It's okay Adonis, you can't be good at everything." She said with a sugary smile.

Chase sent Leila a frustrated look. "I wouldn’t get too happy there princess, it would be a real shame if someone 'accidentally' slipped and came crashing down on the whole thing." He said with a grin of his own.

Leila grinned. "You wouldn't dare..." Chase grinned evilly.

"You sure about that, sweetheart?" he asked twitching his brows suggestively at her.

"Now, now kids. We don’t want this to become a war like last year." Isabelle said looking at Josh and Jordan who had smug grins plastered on their faces. "Right boys...?"

The older men barely nodded but the glint in their eyes gave them away instantly. This was going to be one hell of a weekend.

"Well, it's almost nightfall, can you men get the fire going so we can cook those burgers." Isabelle said looking pointedly at Jordan.

"Jaiden, Dayne and Kyle you guys pack the food and toiletries in the bear bins."

"Leila and Eyvah, you girls come and help Kelly and I prepare the food once you guys are finished setting up your tent."

"And Chase...finished that tent already would you." Isabelle said with a chuckle and her best friend's son who looked beyond frustrated.

"Yeah, Chase. Hurry up would ya. I thought you were supposed to be the master at that. I could always give you a hand, you only have to ask." She drawled and Chase frowned and snorted.

"I can handle it thanks. But let's see how smart your mouth is when you find yourself mysteriously waking up in the woods in the middle of the night." He said with a devilish grin and Leila looked horrified.

"Don't make me start a feud with you Chase we all know how that ends." She threatened.

Chase laughed and stepped back from the tent that was now standing. "Bring it on baby. I'll dish out as well as I get. And you damn well know it." He said with a sexy grin.

Leila matched his smiled with one of her own. As the two stood there staring at each other Dayne, Jaiden and Kyle all smirked and shook their heads.

"And so the battle begins." Jaiden mumbled amused.

*****

Hi all hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews, you have no idea how happy they make me. Keep them coming and I'll deliver.