Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

All of the Above	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 3262 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
January 3, 2017 Lennox Head, NSW, AUS

Michael sat down on the front step with Harry in his arms and took a minute just to cuddle his son. He wasn’t surprised that one of the kids would act out; they’d left Brisbane at 5:50 AM, and none of the children were quite up to par, but having Harry suddenly drop to the floor and refuse to move was unexpected. “What’s up, buddy?”

“Nothing. I’m bored; can we go to the beach?”

“Not here, but we’ll be stopping in Ballina next, and we’ll go swimming after we check into the hotel.”

“On the beach?”

“Yes, on the beach.”

“Is Ballina far away?”

“It’s the next town down the road, I think.” Michael replied, reaching into his pocket for the copy of today’s map that Ian had provided. “Look, we’re right here in Lennox Head and right down here is Ballina.”

Harry bent over, squinting a bit, “What’s the red star mean?”

“That’s our hotel, and it’s on Norton Street.” Michael flipped the page over and read Ian’s beach recommendation. “Ah, Papa says we’re going to swim at Shelly Beach. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

“Uh huh. This place has funny names.” Harry commented, laying his head on Michael’s shoulder.

“It does?”

“Yep. They sound funny in your mouth when you say them.”

“Oh. Like Woolawayah?”

“Woolawayah.” Harry repeated through his giggles. “That makes my tummy fluffy.”

“It does? Hm. How about Booyong? What’s Booyong feel like?”

“Booyong. Feels like a boomer, boomer – Daddy, what was that boomer thing the man showed us?”

“Boomerang.”

“Feels like a boomerang. Are we going to live in this house?”

Michael, well used to sudden subject changes when talking to the children, shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a nice house, but it looks too small to me.”

“But I don’t wanna live here.”

“Why not?”

Harry shrugged and looked away, tears suddenly forming in his eyes, “’Cause I’d miss the dogs and my bed and our tree and Amy and my bike. Daddy, I don’t wanna move.” Harry ended up on a wail of despair and suddenly, the tantrum and the moping over the last few days made sense.

“Aw, Harry. We’re not moving like that. We’re still going to live in Philadelphia with the dogs and our house and the tree and Amy and all the bikes.”

Sniffing, Harry wiped his face into Michael’s shirt. “Then why we looking at houses here?”

Michael dug around in his pocket for a clean tissue and held it up to Harry’s face. “Blow.” Once that was accomplished, Michael rubbed Harry’s back and gave him a chance to calm down. “Harry, we’re here to look for a vacation house. We’ll be here a couple of times a year, but we’ll always go back to our house.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Is we always gonna have to take the big plane? Why we coming here?”

“Are we always going to take’ and ‘why are we coming here.’” Michael gently corrected, knowing Harry’s vocabulary diminished when he was upset. “You know, Papa grew up here in Australia, and sometimes he misses being here.”

“Thought Papa was from Sydney.”

“And Sydney’s in Australia. Remember, it’s where the plane landed, and we stayed in the hotel next to the big bridge.”

“That’s where Papa lived?”

“Well, not right there but close to it. Maybe we can see where Papa grew up when we get back to Sydney; would you like that?”

“But then we’re going home? I think Giz is missing me.”

“Yes, then we’ll go home, and I’m sure Giz does since you give the best ear scratches. Do you feel better now?”

“Uh huh. Daddy, if Papa’s from here, does that mean he’s an ozzie? Are ozzies bad?”

Hiding a smile at Harry’s attempt of the accent, Michael nodded then looked at the dampish sandy soil and got an idea. He stood up and took Harry over to a flat bare spot, picking up a long twig along the way. With the stick, he spelled out ‘Australia’, sounding out the letters for Harry. “That’s Australia, where we’re at right now. People from here call themselves ‘Aussies’, see the A-U-S? It sounds like Ozzie but really, it’s Aussie.” Michael explained, skipping the whole ‘Land of Oz’ business for now. “And it’s not a bad thing at all. You’re half Aussie you know.”

“I am?”

“Yep. You and your brothers and sisters and Lenora and her brothers and sisters because Uncle Grant is from Australia too. You know, I thought Papa and I told you all about this last year.”

“Maybe but I was littler then, and I don’t member so well when I was little.” Harry said absently having picked up his own stick and was now happily drawing away in the dirt. Michael made a mental note to get out the crayons for Harry as the front door opened and the rest of the kids came flooding out.

Ian brought up the rear, talking to Ned, their real estate agent, and holding a sleepy Marah. He looked over at Michael and nodded towards Harry in a silent inquiry. Michael replied with a shrug and a look that said, ‘we’ll talk later.’

“Ready to go, love?”

“Sure, we’re ready.”

Harry immediately dropped his stick and ran for the bus, “Swimming! We’re gonna go swimming!”

Ian winced when the older kids took up the chant.

“I thought we weren’t going to tell them until we got to Ballina?” he asked softly, stepping aside to avoid getting trampled in the mad rush.

“Harry was worried that we were moving here permanently, without the dogs or that little tramp, Amy.”

“Ah. I thought it was odd for him to act out like that. And Amy is five, love.”

“She’s always hugging on the boys. I don’t like it.” Michael said, sticking out his lip.

Snorting with amusement, Ian patted Michael on the back. “I’m glad that your parental irrationality is going to be equal opportunity. And here I thought I was only going to have to talk you down off the ledge over Chloe and Marah.”

“Ha ha. I’m not irrational, I’m protective. There’s a difference.”

Pieter, who had come up behind them, shook his head. “If that’s what it takes for you to make it through the day, Michael, then you keep on thinking that. Just warn Grant and me the night Chloe brings her boyfriend home; we want to be there when you pull out the shotgun.”

“Hey! That’s – what do you mean, Chloe’s boyfriend?” Michael stopped then ran for the bus. “Chloe? What boyfriend? Chloe!”

“Pieter, that was cruel. Funny but cruel. You know he’s going to spend the rest of the day pestering her.”

“It serves her right. Asking someone when they’re going to lose their pregnancy weight, even as a joke, isn’t nice.”

“That was months ago, Pieter!”

“Yes, but I am twice her age and twice as patient,” Pieter said smugly.

Ian shook his head and walked towards the bus then stopped when he spotted Grant and Jack, a former coworker of Neville’s and their driver for the trip south, opening the vehicle’s hood. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. We’re just looking,” Grant said, quickly.

“Can you ‘just look’ a little closer to the hotel? If you break us down out here, Grant, you’re pushing the bus back to Sydney.”

“Me? What about Jack?”

“Jack has handcuffs and knows how to use them in ways I probably wouldn’t find exciting. The blame defaults to you,” Ian said, as he turned to enter the bus.

“He didn’t mean it, about the handcuffs,” Grant said a little nervously, as he closed the hood. He’d known Jack for years but only as his father’s friend. He wasn’t sure how the burly former police officer turned security consultant would react.

“Oh, yes he did.” Jack said, with a smirk, “I’m half tempted to dink up the engine just to see if he does make you push this behemoth.”

&&

January 6, 2016 Sydney, Australia

Ian stood in the lobby of the Quay West, trying to be patient with the disorganized couple in front of him. The trip back to Sydney had been interesting, and he’d had to admit that Pieter was right; the extra travel, winter weather and remodeling needed would not be worth it. Ned had taken the news well and had already set up appointments to see Pieter’s two Sydney area properties along with several others that might fit the bill.

He had hoped that they would find a place and at least make an offer on it while they were here but that didn’t look likely now. Well, he’d waited three years, so he could wait a little more. The couple finally moved on, and he stepped up to the counter. The desk clerk quickly found the reservation for eight suites and while Ian was dealing with the paperwork, the rest of the adults brought the children in, while the staff handled their baggage and even agreed to store their three large six seater baby buggies downstairs.

It took two trips in the elevator to get them all onto the fifth floor and into their harbor-side suites. The children were used to the routine by now, but the bridge looming outside the windows was a prime attraction, and they did a bit of exploring before discovering which suite had the best view. Ian had purposefully booked an extra suite so they’d have space to gather without imposing on each other so the suite with a view was dubbed their headquarters. While Koos, Gail and Sheila watched the kids, the other adults took care of the unpacking, arranging and discussed dinner plans.

“You know, I’d rather find a grocery and make something simple for dinner. We’ve been eating out for the last week.” Grant said after they’d kicked around their options.

“Sounds good to me.” Michael confessed. “I’d be happy with some tomato soup and a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches. Sheila, Gail, Koos and Jack could do with a night off too.”

Pieter agreed, so Ian volunteered himself, Grant and Chloe for shopping duty and set off on foot to a nearby grocery with empty backpacks.

“So Chloe, did you have fun on our road trip?” Ian asked as they walked.

“Yes. I was sort of surprised that there really was a giant prawn; I thought Liam was making it up.”

“I was surprised he knew the word ‘prawn.’ Oh, wait – he’s Michael’s kid. Of course he knows all the food words.”

Ian reached over and bonked Grant on the head. “And who was teaching all the children to say ‘wasabi’, hm?”

“That’s different.”

“Pop, Uncle Grant – please don’t start.” Chloe said, hurrying ahead with teenager’s typical ‘I don’t want to be seen with my parent’ walk. “I know embarrassing your children is part of the Thorpe code of conduct, but really, Liam and Jamey act better than you in public.”

Ian and Grant dropped back slightly and Grant arched an eyebrow at his friend. “I’m getting that feeling again.”

“Which one is that?”

“Like I’ve been spanked and put to bed without dinner.”

“I guess we’ll have to agree to behave. Truce?”

“Temporary?”

“But of course. How was your training session with Tracey, Chloe?”

His daughter rolled her eyes, “I already told you it went fine, Pop.”

“Right. Did you have fun or was it work, work, work?”

“It was mostly work, but some of the older swimmers took me to down to the pub a couple of times. Tracey kept a close eye on me.” Chloe said, sounding faintly disgusted.

“Well, that was hardly necessary. You’re not some wild child and we trust you.”

Grant was surprised at the guilty look that crossed Chloe’s face and wondered what Ian knew that Chloe didn’t think he knew. He kept silent so he could see where this was going, resisting the urge to take notes for when Lenora did whatever Ian thought Chloe did.

“Pop . . . uh.” Chloe stuttered.

“I suppose you didn’t realize that you have to be eighteen here, too? You may be tall for your age, but you aren’t able to pass for eighteen just yet.”

Chloe stuck her lip out, “Well, I didn’t get it, so what’s the big deal?”

“It’s a big deal because if you’d managed to fool the artist and actually get a tattoo, he or she could have gotten into a lot of trouble. And I’m not even going to go into the fact that you should have talked to us first.”

“Oh right, like you and Dad would have let me?”

“Yes, we would once you were sixteen. You’ll be legal in Arizona then, so we planned a little trip to visit Amanda and Craig. We both have tattoos, and your dad got his first one when he was just a little older than you are now. You did want to get the rings, right?”

“Right.” Chloe said, looking dazed as she came to a complete stop. “Wait. You’re telling me that you’d be okay with me getting a tattoo in a year?”

“Right.”

“And that Dad has more than one tattoo, and even more shockingly, you have at least one of your own?”

“Right. Why are you shocked?” Ian asked with a sly grin on his lips.

“You – you’re my Papa! You’re not supposed to have a tattoo! I thought you thought they were tacky and common!”

Ian looped his arm across Chloe’s shoulders and got her moving again. “When did I ever say that?”

“But – well, I guess you never have. You really have a tattoo?”

“Yes, I got it while Dad and I were in college, and we weren’t even drunk.”

They’d reached the small grocery store and Grant leaned down as he opened the door for them to whisper in her ear. “It’s true; I’ve seen it.”

Looking a bit spooked, Chloe followed Ian in and automatically took the cart he rolled at her. They were down in the deli section before she finally gathered the nerve to ask. “Where is it?”

“What? Oh, my tattoo? It’s on my hip. I’ll be happy to show it to you later. Grant, should we get turkey or roast beef?”

“Why not both? Unless it’s that smoked turkey; Pieter doesn’t like it.”

“There’s oven roasted. I’ll get three packs tonight, and we can do a proper shopping trip tomorrow to see us through until we leave. Chloe, will you get some Swiss?”

“How many packs?”

“Four should do it, and pick out a couple of different packs of whatever looks interesting.”

Chloe nodded and looked over the variety before deciding on Mango & Melon, Cheddar and a Blue Vein. Grant reached over her shoulder and picked up a cheese named Cyprus Haloumi to toss in the cart with a wink, giving her a quick hug. Chloe was rather quiet as they moved through the aisles, but her father and uncle could tell she was thinking things over. The check out line moved quickly and after a few minutes of sorting and giving the cashier and a couple of other customers their autographs, they were on their way back to the hotel.

“So what’s your tattoo, Pops?”

“It’s a stylized dolphin, it looks rather tribal. Dad’s matches it. Where were you planning to get yours?”

“I don’t know. I thought about getting it on my arm but then I couldn’t wear strapless dresses. Why did you get yours on your hip?”

“Good question. First off, I didn’t want just anyone to be able to see it. Not that I’m ashamed of getting a tattoo, but it was a private gesture between your Dad and me. I also didn’t want it to hurt. There’s a bit of flesh – shut up, Grant – in that area so it didn’t hurt as much as it could have.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Grant protested.

“Consider it a preventative measure. Anyway, you also have to consider the fade factor. Mine is covered by all but the skimpiest suits, and it looks as good today as it did the day I got it because I’ve kept it out of the sun.”

“Oh. That would rule out the arm or ankle. I guess it’s a good thing I backed out of going if I’m not sure where to put it.”

“Yes it was. Don’t get inked unless you’re committed to wearing it for the rest of your life. Laser treatment is an option, but it’s not a guarantee. And there ends my fatherly lecture of the night.”

“Thanks Pops. And how did you know?”

“You had two weeks without the parents, you’ve been to the Olympics, and it was a big topic at training camp. Two of your teammates got one while you were in Hawaii. The fact that you won three medals means you’d want a tattoo even more; getting your rings would be part of the experience.” Ian replied, ticking off the reasons on his fingers.

“Are you mad that I tried to go behind your back?” Chloe asked tentatively.

Ian hugged her quickly and smacked a kiss on her forehead, “If I was, I wouldn’t have brought it up in front of Grant.”

“But you’re disappointed.”

“Chloe, why didn’t you get a tattoo?”

“Because I felt bad that I hadn’t talked to you, I was worried about what you’d do if you found out, and the sign said I couldn’t swim for ten days afterwards.”

“Then I’m not disappointed. You were faced with a decision, and you reasoned it through until you found the best solution for you.”

“That’s it? You aren’t going to punish me?” Chloe asked, amazed.

“For what?”

“For going to a tattoo place.”

“Do you want me to punish you?”

Chloe shook her head uncertainly, “Well, no, but maybe you should.”

“I guess I could, but I think your own sense of guilt is going to be enough for now.”

“Are you going to tell Dad?” Chloe asked anxiously.

“No.” Ian answered to her relief as he opened the lobby doors and dashed all her hopes with a grin that was only slightly evil. “You get to do that.”

&&

“Nicely played, that.” Grant said after Chloe gathered her nerves and went off to find Michael.

“Thank you.” Ian replied as they unloaded the bags.

“So how did you know? Fatherly intuition?”

“As much as I’d like to claim to be all knowing, I found out she was looking for a tattoo shop by checking the history on the computer at home before we left.”

“That’s very sneaky of you.”

“I know, but Chloe’s aware of the fact that we check her usage, and I think she wanted one of us to find out.”

“She probably did. Would you really allow her to get a tattoo?”

“Yes. She’ll need to have her design and location set for at least a year before we go, but I have no objection.”

“You didn’t say that to her. You were blathering on about her turning sixteen.”

“Which is a year or so from now, and we did discuss location if you’ll recall. Chloe can figure it out from there. Why, do you disapprove?”

Grant shook his head and started laying out bread for their sandwiches. “No, she earned the right to wear them. Does Michael already know?”

“Of course, but she didn’t need to know that. Confession is good for the soul.” Ian said slyly.

Chuckling, Grant clapped Ian on the shoulder. “What would you have done if she’d pulled it off?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like a puppy that I could make her take back, but thankfully, she made the right decision.”

**

Chloe found her other father on the floor in his suite, playing blocks with Nick and Xander.

“Dad? Do you have a minute?”

Michael handed off a block to Xander who promptly tossed it down. “Sure honey, what’s up?”

“I just want to talk.” Chloe said, sitting down on the floor next to Nick and started helping him build a tower. “Where’s Marah?”

“She’s over with the girls and Pieter; Lenora talked him into a braiding session.”

Chloe ran a hand through her short hair, momentarily regretting that she’d cut it. “Oh. Where are the other boys?”

“Up at the observation window with Sheila, Gail and Koos. There’s a cruise ship in the Harbour and they had to investigate.”

“Are they still planning on going out to dinner?”

“I don’t know. I suppose so.” Michael reached over and took the block out of Xander’s mouth and handed over a pacifier. “There you go, beetle bug.” Xander smiled, exposing his gums and popped the pacifier in. “So what’s on your mind, Chloe?”

“I-was-gonna-get-a-tattoo-but-I-chickened-out.” Chloe said in a rush.

Michael tried to figure out what she said but she’d spoken too fast, “Pardon?”

“I was going to get a tattoo here in Sydney.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you?”

“Because I chickened out.”

“Did you find someone who’d actually give you a tattoo here? You don’t look your age, but you’d still need to show some ID.”

“Pop said the same thing, and I didn’t get that far.” Chloe admitted as Nick crawled into her lap.

“Did you actually get to a shop?”

“Yes, and then I read the sign about swimming.”

“You mean, you didn’t read up on it first?”

“No, uh, Cheryl and Eddie got tattoos at training camp so I figured it was okay.”

“Cheryl and Eddie were alternates. They barely made the team.”

“What does that have to do with anything? I wasn’t supposed to make the team either.”

“You’re fourteen, and if you hadn’t made the team this time, you had an excellent chance for Cape Town and beyond. Bangkok was Eddie and Cheryl’s last chance; of course they’re going to get the tat during training.”

“Oh. Papa said you would let me get one when I turn sixteen.”

“Well sure. I was hoping that you’d want us to go with you. Getting a tattoo isn’t all fun and games, and it’s good to have support.” Michael noted, leaning back as Xander tried to climb him. “Where were you going to put it?”

“Uh. I’m not sure. I thought on my arm?”

“That’s a good place but you’ll have to be careful with the sunscreen, not that you shouldn’t be anyway. Were you just going to get the five rings or something more elaborate?”

“Just the rings. Did yours hurt? Regan got hers on her hip and she said it hurt a lot.”

“Ouch, right on the bone?” Michael asked then continued when Chloe nodded. “My rings hurt, and they’re right above the bone so I can’t imagine the pain if it had been lower. The dolphin didn’t hurt as much.”

“Pops said he’s show me his dolphin.”

“He did? Well I guess I’ll have to show you mine too. Wanna see it?”

“Uh, sure.”

Michael twisted around on the carpet, causing Xander to giggle, and pulled down the band of his sweats. “Can you see it or am I exposing too much?”

Chloe leaned over and peered at her dad’s rump, trying not to think about how weird this was as she looked at the dolphin burned into his skin. “Oh. It’s pretty.”

“Thanks.” Michael pulled his pants up and turned back around, swinging Xander into his arms and finishing up with a raspberry on his son’s stomach. “Oh, giggly baby likes that?”

“Da! No tiggies!” Xander yelled, squirming away then turning to jump on him.

Nick jumped out of Chloe’s lap and piled on too, “Gota ya!”

Michael slumped down onto the floor and let his littlest boys try to wrestle him for a while, making sure to protect his crotch as they jumped about. “Oh, help! Help!”

Xander, pushed his face into Michael’s stomach and blew, trying to do the raspberry thing but mostly just spraying spit around. “Tiggie, Dad!”

“Oh, no tickles! Hee hee hee! No tickles!” Michael said as he gently rolled back and forth. The boys’ hands weren’t large enough to actually tickle, but they certainly found it funny when Michael squirmed.

Nick was the first one to quit, flopping on the floor with a “No mo!”

Chloe stopped laughing long enough to pick him up and cuddle him. “Little brother, you almost had him.”

“Coee, gimme dink?”

“Sure, Sport. Dad, are there bottles in here?”

“I think there’s some bottles of water in the fridge. Hey, did you guys find a store? I think we could all use a snack.”

“Yes, we found one, and I think Pops and Grant were going to make sandwiches. Do you want me to go over and bring something back?”

“Nah, why don’t we all go over? Unless you wanted to talk more?”

“I’m done, and thanks.”

“Anytime, Chloe.”
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

All of the Above