“I love you too.”
The morningafter Xai’s heart wrenching confession, nothing was figured out. Something that’s been this heavy for so long couldn’t be figured out in a matter of hours. I know that and I’m sure he does too but it was what he needed to say to get some sleep, which we did.
It was almost four by the time we went to sleep and we did not wake until Romi called me around ten. She and Averi were at Seasonal Sweets baking cookies with MeeMee and she was so excited and wanted me to see. My babies were good so I was in no hurry to pick them up. Instead, I lay in bed with the man who loves me and listened while he actually tried to figure things out.
His love for his brother is admirable and endearing and Xai’s heart won’t let him completely disregard Kadean. That Monday, he contacted his attorney here in Crescent Falls and he referred Xai to a criminal lawyer in Florida. Although he refused to post bail and risk his home or businesses, he paid the retainer and is covering the costs of Kadean’s defense. All of that happened two weeks ago and Kadean is still in Florida. His first preliminary hearing is next week.
It's early May, and for the first time in months, we have a beautiful sunny day and the temperature is in the low eighties. It’s Saturday and the girls and I are spending the day in Crescent Cove on Emerald Beach. Xai is at his new location. With just three and a half weeks until its grand opening, he has a lot to do. He’s stopping by the house later for dinner.
Crescent Cove is located about thirty miles outside of the city between Crescent Falls and Diamond Falls. It’s twenty-eight miles of beaches, beautiful homes, rental properties, shops, and beachfront restaurants. Most of it is privately owned and gated,but on the east shore, there’s a mile of open to the public, family-friendly, beautiful, blue salt water, Emerald Beach.
Crescent Cove has a pier that separates Emerald Beach from the private beaches. Aside from the carnival-style rides on the pier, the actual beach has trained lifeguards, concession stands, restrooms with showers, lounge chairs, and umbrella and cabana rentals. The girls and I have two large lounge chairs and a huge umbrella close to the shoreline. We just spent the last thirty minutes attempting to build a sandcastle. The attempt was a disaster and the little lopsided shack we managed to construct just washed away with the waves.
“We gotta do another one,” Averi says.
“Yeah and make a pool around it,” Romi adds, her faith in our abilities and skillset obviously higher than mine.
“We can try. Y’all hungry yet?” I ask.
“Yes,” they sing as we carry our plastic shovels and buckets back to our umbrella and chairs.
As soon as we are under the umbrella, Averi removes her arm floaties and Romi tries to take hers off. I assist her with them and remove her swim trainer. I unhook Averi’s swim trainer next and they remove their own swimming caps. Together, we clean our hands using a bottle of water to remove the sand then wipes to clean and sanitize.
For the beach, I always overpack.I can never be too prepared.I have toiletries, a change of clothes, and a small cooler with mini chicken salad croissants, frozen grapes, and Cuties. We also have chips and cookies for snacks. I love the beauty and simplicity of the beach and its natural ability to calm me, but something about being around this blue water and white sand makes me hungry. I ate a croissant the moment we’d gotten here and there’s two on my tray now.
As the girls eat, they have their own little conversation about school, their upcoming summer break, our new sandcastle, andXai. They enjoy their time with him as much as I do. He’s so attentive with them and they talk his head off. Averi tells him the most random stories and Romi asks a thousand questions. It makes me realize how much they’ve missed a male figure in their lives.
Watching them with Xai reaffirms my decision to cut toxic ass Rush out of their lives. With him, it was never about them. They were a means for access and him to control me. I swear he’s an idiot. His selfish, narcissistic ways cause him to miss out on truly knowing two very special little girls.
“Mommie, your phone,” Romi says, pulling me from my thoughts.
It’s chiming so I pull it from under the stack of towels. It’s a text from Xai. Earlier, I’d texted him an ussie of me and the girls before we got into the water. As soon as I read it, I smile.
Xai: 3 beauties. My queen and the princesses.
Me: Thank you, baby. Wyd
Xai: Waiting. The vacuums haven’t come yet. Delivery was supposed to be at 12. They late as fuck.
Me: Damn, two hours. Sorry. Hopefully they’ll get there soon.
Xai: I’m cool. I got plenty to do until I see you tonight.
Me: Can’t wait.
“That’s Xai, Mommie?” Averi asks when I look up.
“Yes.”
“Is he coming now?” she asks.
“No. He’s still at work but he’s coming later for dinner,” I tell her.
“For breakfast,” Romi corrects.
“Right, sweetheart. Breakfast,” I say.
I promised them breakfast for dinner tonight. I’m going to make another attempt at my mother’s cinnamon toast. My first had been a bust, and according to Averi, nothing like my mother’s. I wasn’t sure where I went wrong but I’m determined to get it right tonight for my babies. They miss their nana’s toast.
