hapter 88
Bonus Story 2–Leah’s Concerns
Leah
The warm sand tickles my feet as I walk over. I’m wearing yellow flip–flops, but the sand isn’t staying outside the shoes. It’s hot, and the little corn digging into my skin hurts, but that’s okay, I can endure a little pain since I’ve been waiting to be at this beach since…forever. I’m so glad the kids are finally off school to make this trip!
And what a start to the trip we are having! The sun is smiling down on me and my family as we set up two umbrellas and spread our hastily bought Disney towels on the sand. It’s a perfect day to get a tan, but my smile drops a little when Ethan and Maddox start racing each other with surfing boards under their arms.
“Slow down!” I call out, watching as Ethan and Maddox sprint towards the waves. At thirteen, they think they’re invincible “Wait for your father and me to keep watch!”
Jessie, now nine, stays close by my side. She’s more cautious around the water, preferring to build elaborate sandcastles rather than ride the waves.
Caleb chuckles beside me, his muscled arms laden with chairs and coolers. Even at 52, he’s still as handsome as ever, his salt- and–pepper hair giving him a distinguished look that makes my heart flutter.
“Let them go, Leah,” he says with a grin. “They’ll be fine. There is a lifeguard on duty right over there.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right but unable to turn off my motherly instincts. “I know, I just worry.”
“That’s a waste of time,” Caleb points at his hair. “Makes your hair turn gray.”
I snort. “You say that like it’s a bad thing
“It IS a bad thing
I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts. “Honey, please. You’re aging like a fine wine and almost get more attention now when younger women think they stand a chance with their pumped–up lips and glittery nails.”
“You have glittery nails too!”
“That’s different,” I say with a laugh.
“How so?”
“I’m not trying to seduce you with these nails. I had them made for my own eyes to enjoy.”
Caleb raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh, so you’re not trying to look pretty for me, your husband? Gosh. Starting to take me for granted, are we, Mrs. Steele?”
“We have been married for a billion years, so yes.”
“And? Divorces happen all the time.”
Hearing that actually makes me nervous, I know Caleb is just messing around with me like usual, but I’ve actually been thinking a lot about our future lately. The boys are soon old enough to move out–Jessie isn’t a little kid anymore either- and once our kids are gone, will Caleb be fine with just me? What if I bore him? Does he even like spending time alone with
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Chapter 88
me? Shit. When was the last time we had a date
A single tear runs down my check, causing Jessie to gap and swa at her father’s arm. “Thad! Look at what you’ve for. You made mommy cry!”
Caleb’s teasing expression instantly shifts to one of concem. He quickly vet down the beach gear and moves to wrap an arm around me.
“Hey, hey, I was just kidding,” he says softly, wiping away my team with his thumb “You know I’d never leave you, right? You and the kids are my whole world”
“I know, I’m sorry. I just… I guess I’ve been worrying about what will happen when the kids are grown. Will we still have things to talk about? Will you still want to be with just me?
Caleb’s eyes soften. He might be a mischievous guy with a young heart always looking for fun, but he is also kind and knows when things are serious. Like now.
He looks at our daughter. “Jessie, why don’t you go and buy yourself an ice cream? Your mom and I need to talk”
Jessie, who isn’t stupid, smiles. “Make sure to buy her flowers later.
Caleb chuckles as Jessie skips off towards the ice cream stand. Then he turns back to me, his expression serious but tender
“Leah, my sexy, talented author of a wife,” he says, taking both my hands in his large ones. “I want you to listen to me very carefully. You are not just the mother of my children, but my soulmate and the person that I trust the most in this fucked but still beautiful world. And that means that I’m not just going to leave once the kids move out. Thinking that is just stop
I feel my lower lip trembling as I look into his sincere blue eyes. Really? You’re not plotting to leave?”
“Not at all”
When I still don’t look convinced, Caleb sighs. “Leah, do you seriously think I’m going to leave you when we have been through so much together? I was your boss, then I became your lover. I suffered amnesia, we lost a daughter then you became pregnant again with the twins. We got married and had another kid. Now we are raising three kids while trying not to get overwhelmed by my job and your job, Mrs. Talented Author, and What can I say? Through it all you’ve been my rock. You’re my safe place, the person who is always there to make me smile in the morning. And believe it or not, but as the kids grow up and leave, I’m looking forward to having more time just for us.”
I’ve turned into such a sap that I’m actually teary–eyed. My lips are trembling, and I release a little laugh before asking in an emotional voice, “What would we even do with all that free timer
Caleb grins mischievously. “Well, for starters, we could finally go on that world tour we’ve been talking about for years. Maybe we get a dog, or two, or three. You said you wanted plenty, Or…” he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “we could spend whole days in bed without any interruptions.”
I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks, but I’m grinning too. “Mr. Steele, are you propositioning me?”
“Always, Mrs. Steele,” he winks, then grows serious again. “But let’s go back to being serious for a second because, Leah, if there’s something you need to understand, it’s that I fall more in love with you every single day.”
That’s such bullshit!”
“It’s not! I’ve loved seeing you age and mature,” he gives me a dimpled smile. “In all honesty, you were such an immature brat when we first met, but look at you now–you’re raising three kids and writing books. You’re amazing!”
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He sounds so sincere that I blush. “You think so?” I ask to fish for more compliments.
“I know so!” Caleb’s face grows soft. “Do you want proof?”
“Please.”
“The proof is that when I wake up, every single morning your face is the
first thing I want to see,”
“Even if I snore?”
“Yes, I still love you even when you sound like Barney from The Simpsons every single night”
Tears are welling up in my eyes again, but this time, they’re happy tears. I throw my arms around Caleb, not caring who might be watching when I kiss his chest. “I love you so much!”
Caleb holds me tight, pressing a kiss to the top of my head while slowly swinging from side to side in the hot sand. “I love you too, sweetheart. Always have, always will.”
We stay like that for a moment, just holding each other as the waves crash in the background. It’s rather romantic…until I hear Jessie’s voice.
“Mom! Dad! Look what I found!”
-We break apart, but before we turn around, Caleb brushes away a wild hair from my mouth and says, “How about we go out
tonight? Just you and I?”
“But the kids?”
He winks at me. “I will get someone to watch them. I have friend in this city. All you need to do is say yes.”
1 beam up at him. “Yes!”
E
