"These are so pretty," Mila said, as she had done every time she had seen the white flowers along the trail the four of them were on.

"They're Mountain Laurels," Buck had told her. "Early this year. We lucked out."

They were stunning, little white puffs and soft to the touch.

She had never been hiking before, but it was fun. It was quiet and peaceful.

"Do you hear that?" Audrey asked, stopping in her tracks.

"It sounds like water," Mila said, glancing up at Buck.

"It's still far," Jackson noted. "We need to head back before it starts to get dark."

Audrey whined and he swatted her butt playfully.

Buck took a drink of water, passing it to Mila who drank gratefully. She knew she was in a bit of trouble for earlier, even if not, she would be when she brought up the tent situation.

"Are we having hot dogs?" Mila asked Buck who nodded.

"I'll show you how to cook them over the fire," he said.

She couldn't wait.

They arrived back at their spot just before the sun disappeared completely. Buck worked on the fire, while Jackson took a handsaw to some of the bigger branches they had found.

"Not totally rustic," Mila giggled as she pulled out their little propane camp stove. She had some baked beans to warm.

"Today was fun," Audrey said. "I kind of want to get drunk though. Would that be okay? You can say no. I totally understand."

Mila smiled gratefully. "Thank you for being so understanding Audrey, but I don't care what you do. Just don't get in trouble."

"Daddy, can I get drunk?" Audrey yelled. "Mila is okay with it."

Mila blushed at the nickname, having never heard her say out loud.

Buck caught her eye and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Come over here," Jackson demanded to her. She winked at Mila.

"Sometimes, if you really want something, a few kisses and choice words will go a long way."

Mila didn't know there was this side to Audrey, but it was honestly so much fun, and she was having a great time.

Buck came her way.

"You smell like smoke," she giggled.

"Yeah, we all will, and our clothes will forever," he said. "Mila, are you okay with us drinking? I'm not getting drunk like them. Do not lie to me." His words were deep and stern, and he kept a firm grip on her chin to keep her from looking away.

"I am okay," she said honestly. "It brought some uncomfortable flashbacks at first, but I trust them, and I am having a lot of fun."

"Alright, I'm glad to hear that," he said, leaning down to kiss her lips. "Were you lying earlier when you told Jackson you were okay earlier?"

She hesitated, only because she didn't really know. "Maybe a little. It was only a brief moment." Her eyes moved away from him and to the flicker of the flames. "There's something else, too."

"What?" he asked. "Look at me."

"The tent. I was nervous at first, not because of you, but because-"

He pulled away, a bit aggressively, startling her a bit.

"Shit, Mila. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He was upset, mostly with himself. He should've thought this through. He should've known better. They had separate bedrooms, so of course she needed her own space.

"Buck, please," she pleaded, reaching for him. He was moving too far away and wasn't listening to her, and that scared her more than anything. She never wanted any space between them ever again. "Wait."

She caught his arm, wrapping her arms around his waist so he couldn't go anywhere. "I was only worried because of something silly, like if I drool. What if I talk in my sleep or sleep walk? I would've told you if I had a real problem."

His eyes moved over to Audrey and Jackson who were sitting around the fire not paying any attention to them.

"You keep saying that, but then you don't. If there is a big problem, a little problem, a fake or real problem, I don't care. I have to know about it. I can't read your mind."

"I know you can't, but I can work through some things on my own," she mumbled, immediately wishing she had said it differently at the hurt that crossed his features.

"If you want to work through it on your own, then why do you want rules? Why do you need me?"

He moved away from her grip, going to one of the coolers to dig around for the hot dogs.

She frowned, a tear falling on her cheek that she brushed away with her sleeve. This was her fault. He was right. She wasn't good at communicating, and she had to get better at it, otherwise their relationship couldn't go anywhere. They couldn't grow.

"What can I help you with?" Audrey asked and she jumped a bit.

She rubbed her eyes, "The beans are warm if you want to get the condiments out."

"Okay. I brought chips and dip and carrots."

Mila nodded, and Audrey's hand skimmed her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" she asked, shielding Mila from the boys' view.

"I'm not very good at this," she admitted.

"You're still figuring things out. Things will happen. It's normal," she said, setting the stuff out. "Fighting can be fun though, especially the make up part."

Mila rolled her eyes, following her to the fire. This wasn't a fight, was it? Neither one of them had yelled, it was a mutual hurt. She wished he hadn't walked away. She wished she knew what to say.