“He’ll be perfectly fine. A little embarrassed probably, but just fine.”
“He’s too young to be having sex.” She relaxes into my cuddle, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I agree, but he’s a smart boy. When the time’s right, he’ll know, and we have to trust him to make good choices.” I rub my hand up and down her back, which always calms her.
“I hope so,” she murmurs, just loud enough for me to hear.
Chapter Four
MIA
Besides the whole discussion about my little boy no longer being my baby and on the verge of becoming a man over the next few years, the rest of the night has been something from a magical dream.
During the night, Lex told everyone he had an idea for us to start a new tradition, but still keeping up what we have already started with our New Year’s Eve getaway together.
He suggested that every summer we all take a short vacation at our lake house. The whole framily, including the kids and their future families. I think we have all come to the realization this week that our kids are growing up fast, and it won’t be long before they are all off in different directions, living their lives.
Of course, there will be some years not all the kids can make it to this get-together, and that’s okay. But if we all commit to it being a thing, then hopefully, at least every few years we might be lucky enough to have everyone together, even if it’s only for a few days.
I absolutely love the idea and the others do too. At first, I had no idea how this would work, but of course it then dawned on me. I knew last summer Lex was up to something when he had builders out at the lake house extending the barn. Now I know it’s so they can convert it to a guest accommodation with rooms for all the kids to stay in whenever they want to visit.
My husband may have grown up as an only child, but the deep love and attachment he has for his found family is immense. And his constant need to have them near is adorable.
We should never have doubted that Lex would pull off something spectacular. He’s the quiet achiever of the group. A deep thinker, but also someone who likes to make sure he has every single detail covered in anything he tackles in life. I think that’s why his writing has been so good for him. It gives him the creative outlet to pour all his micromanaging tendencies into the next book. He’s now so busy building worlds of make-believe that he is no longer hovering over my shoulder or the staff at the charity who are brilliant at their jobs and don’t need him questioning every little decision they are making. We hired the best for a reason, so when he isn’t writing, Lex can use his time to just concentrate on the big picture of the charity.
Once Tate and Bella declared they were done for the night, all the others have headed downstairs to their bedrooms on the boat too, and it’s just Lex and me now lying on cushions on the very top deck, looking up at the stars. The weather tonight has been so mild, not too hot, with just a slight cool breeze that you always get when you’re out on the water.
It’s so blissful.
“What are you thinking about over there?” Lex asks, squeezing my hand that is intertwined with his.
“Nothing… everything… you.” Which makes no sense, but it’s the truth. “How about you?” I inquire.
“Same,” he replies so peacefully.
“Can we sleep out here?” I ask quietly. There’s just something so serene about being here, just the two of us in the quiet.
“Let’s nap and later I’ll carry you to bed. Come here.” Lex lets go of my hands, and I roll onto my side, resting my head on his chest like I always do when I go to sleep at night.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m so grateful I found you. I never knew life could be like this, and I don’t mean the money and lifestyle.” Listening to his steady heartbeat through his chest has always been my safe place.
“I know.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I love you more than words, and every day you give me a reason for that love to grow even greater.” I squeeze my arms tighter around his chest.
“You brought me to life the day I met you, and looking back, it feels like it was the day I was born, because nothing before then mattered.” His words really resonate with me. I feel the same, and in a way, the kids are blessed they were so little that they don’t remember anything before Lex either.
“We were just meant to be.” And after all these years, I know how true that is.
“Absolutely. I love you, baby. Now look up, wish upon your star, and then close your eyes. Morning will be here before we know it.”
I look for the star I’m choosing tonight. It’s not the biggest, or the brightest, just one that is happy to be up there in the middle of all the other stars and being who it is meant to be.
Making my wish, I then kiss Lex on his chest over the top of his heart and wriggle back into my comfortable spot.
Home is where your heart is, and mine is right where it was always meant to be.
“I can’t believe our trip is almost over.” I look around at our friends as we all stand on the balcony of the house that has been our home for the last seven days, and now we’re off for a couple of days in Hawaii on the way home. Lex booked the stopover hoping it will help with the jetlag for everybody.
