She turned her head up at me, giving me those low eyes with a sly grin. I snorted at Olive playing her hand at flirting with me.
She grumbled, “No I’m not. I promise. It’s the first day, we gotta hit the beach. I just gotta get all my kids together, girl. Calm the hell down please.” Olive tossed her cup up as she mouthed “thank you”, right before she took her first sip with her eyes closing in the process. I knew it was strong but that was my plan to get Olive feeling good and relaxed.
I kissed her temple then headed to get the kids together for the beach. By the time Olive made it upstairs, I already had the kids and myself together as I started grabbing beach towels andthe sunscreen Olive brought with her. I chuckled at the princess ones she brought for the girls.
“Baby, I swear I was coming to do this, thank you.”
“Olive, why would you be thanking me? These ain’t just your kids alone, woman. Now, we’ll be waiting for you downstairs. I got our towels; I’ma pack the cooler. Besides your drink, is there anything else you want inside?”
“Wait we’ll? Does this mean you’re coming to the beach with us? Is Mr. Kelvin coming too?”
I snorted at Kelvin on the beach. “Naw, I don’t think Kelvin is making it out today. But, of course I’m coming. I don’t have the same number of off days as you, but I planned on spending as much time with y’all as possible, Olive. Now, again, besides your drink, any special snacks you want in the cooler?” I asked again.
“And special snacks? I’ll take whatever you pick for me. Captain, let me find out I’m getting top tier service on vacation.”
“For you, hell yeah, and every fucking day too. I want you relaxed and enjoying the rest of summer. You’ve been giving our kids their best one, let your man give you yours now.” I spun and tapped her ass as a proper send off.
“Eww, Daddy, don’t hit my Mommy’s booty,” Neela said as she stepped between us with her hands trying to cover Olive’s butt.
“Damn cock-blockers,” I mumbled low enough so only Olive heard me which caused her to smirk as she held Neela close. I snatched her up, sending her into a fit of laughter as she reached for Olive.
“Be nice, Highland, and put my baby down.”
“No. I can do whatever I want, little girl. She may be your mommy, but she’s my woman. You got that, huh? Or do you need the tickle monster to come out?” Neela’s “no daddy” pushed through her laughter as I put her back down. Of course,my own seed ran to her Olive who wasted no time in comforting her.
“Don’t be doing my baby any kind of way, Highland. Come on my pretty minis, come use the bathroom before we leave,” she called out to them and they fell in line, Neela even sticking her tongue out at me.
“I swear it be yo’ own people. C’mon, Jo-Jo, you can use the one downstairs while we finish backing up.”
“Okay, Daddy.” I grinned widely as I tossed my arm over his shoulder and we headed downstairs with me carrying the bag of towels and sunscreen. I would never get used to hearing my son call me Dad.
The sun wasat its peak as it shone down on us with the heat blazing my skin. I scooped water into the bucket I’d taken from one of the kids. They weren’t playing with it any way. Jo-Jo was with Troy and Darius practicing karate moves in the water. While the girls were hanging close, building a sandcastle near Olive. I tracked my way back over to her and Byrdie who were both laid out in the sun, the only difference was Byrdie took the option for the umbrellas. I dipped my hand in the bucket of water next to me, sprinkling the droplets on her back. Olive’s skin was hot as hell to the touch.
Sweet moans escaped her mouth as she squirmed a little bit from the few drops I laid across her back.
“That feels good, Captain.” I repeated the process, this time rubbing my hand up and down.
“Come take a dip with me, baby. You need to cool down. You’ve been laying in the same spot for the last half hour.” I leaned down, planting kisses on her back.
“Okay, let me see if Byrdie is up so she can keep an eye on the girls.” Olive didn’t even get a chance to ask before Byrdie answered the unasked question.
“Girl, I’m up, I got them. Go take a dip in the ocean with your man.” Olive kissed her teeth, which had me smirking. I stood up, holding out my hand for Olive. The moment she went to place it in mine, I bent down, tossing her over my shoulder as I began to make my way back to the water with Olive protesting the entire time.
“Wait, Captain, no. Baby, my hair,” she said as I walked us in.
“Shh…baby, I got you.” I wasn’t worried about her hair. I knew her braids were a protective style and that dunking her in the water would be okay.
“No. Highland, put me down,” she yelled with giggles following.
“Put you down?’ I asked as I began to maneuver her around so I could execute my plan.
“Yes…wait, no. Never—” Olive’s words were cut short as I sent her flying into the water. Not even a second later, her head popped up, her wiping the dripping water.
“Oh my gosh, how is the water this cold? I can’t believe I keep falling for that, Captain.” Olive was making her way over to me, still trying to catch her breath.
“I don’t know why either, because if we’re in the water together, I’m sending you under,” I said as I snatched Olive up again, causing the sweet mixture of laughter and noes.
This time, I took us both under, where Olive instinctively locked her arms and legs around me just like the first time we were in this situation. And just like before, I felt it. The binding of us together. There was no way Olive and I weren’t meant for each other. My soul felt it, our love. I brought us up, with Olive still attached.
