Beckett looks down at his arms, and then pulls up his shirt, exposing…
Abs.
“I don’t see a tattoo. Do you see a tattoo?”
“IS IT ON YOUR BUTT?!” Max. Oh, my dear little Max.
Blakey cackles. “It’s on his butt!”
Beckett coughs, flustered. “Nobody’s butt is involved, okay? And hey—did you guys tell me about the kids’ club yet? What was the name of the game you played yesterday? The treasure one?”
Max is instantly distracted. “Pirate Quest Adventure! I found five gold coins!”
“And I built a ship out of foam blocks,” Blakey adds proudly.
Beckett grins at them—the soft one reserved especially for our boys.
I can’t control the way my heart swells up.
I kneel beside Blakey, helping him smooth sunscreen along his cheeks. “Did you tell Dad about the magician? And the balloon swords?”
Blakey nods vigorously. “We battled a dragon. Max cheated.”
“I did not!”
“You so did!”
Their bickering fills the room, familiar and warm. And it almost feels like a gut check, a reminder to move slowly, carefully.
Regardless of whichever direction I take.
Beckett grabs their water bottles, double-checks the name labels, then hands Max his sandals.
And when he looks at me, I hold his gaze, but only for a second.
We finish getting them dressed—me tugging Blakey’s shirt straight, Beckett fixing the Velcro on Max’s sandals—moving around each other without touching.
But the awareness is there.
“Ready, guys?” he asks.
They yell, “YES!” in unison.
We usher the boys toward the door, Max already rattling off his official pirate nickname, Blakey sliding both arms into his backpack.
I catch Beckett watching me, but I don’t hold his gaze for long.
Last night meant nothing. Because nothing happened. And nothing else is going to happen.
“Okay! Let’s go, then!” All my focus is on the boys again.
We have a big day ahead of us. Look forward, not back.
Forward, Ashley.
Half an hour later,the four of us climb into the tender boat. The sun is already high, the water brilliant blue, and the boys are vibrating with excitement as the motor starts up. Beckett’s hand brushes mine as we steady the twins between us.
Just a touch.
