“We’re gonna have the best vacation ever!” Everly announced.
Everly was proclaiming their vacation was going to be great was a huge step in the right direction. Her word was pretty close to gospel when it came to taking a sneak peak into the near future.
Ronan watched Ten’s reaction. To his dismay, there wasn’t one. Ten looked as if he could drop off to sleep at any second. He’d have to make sure Tennyson had plenty of downtime to rest and recharge his batteries.
Memorial Day was the unofficial start to summer. Ronan would do everything in his power to make sure his family had the time of their lives enjoying the sun, sand, and sea.
2
Tennyson
Ten had stayed mostly silent during the ride to New Hampshire. It was supposed to have taken about an hour to get there, but thanks to traffic getting out of Salem and a two-mile back up at the Hampton Toll Booth, it had taken close to two. The kids had spent the time watching movies and eating snacks. Ronan, Jude, and Fitz chatted about work, while Jace and Cope sat in the middle row quietly reading books. It had crossed Ten’s mind to grab his own novel, the latest by Sally Hempworth, but had been too tired to reach into his tote bag.
“Look at the ocean!” Aurora said from the backseat.
Ten looked up in time to see a tall bridge and a sign that said, “Welcome to Hampton Beach.” He could see the bright blue ocean and a large jetty made of dark rocks. Waves splashed against it, sending up a shower of spray. “Wow, this place is gorgeous.”
“So are you,” Ronan whispered in Ten’s ear.
On the other side of the bridge was a campground filled with travel trailers and tents. Several colorful kites flew above, fluttering against the bright blue sky. One turn later and they were on the strip, which was filled with arcades, restaurants, the large Seashell Pavillion, and of course the main attraction, the beach. Miles of golden sand stretched as far as the eye could see. Ten felt something in his chest loosen.
Getting back to work after the Autumn Miller incident had been what Ten thought he needed to get his life back on track after his violent arrest on trumped up charges and nearly being killed by Autumn and her cop boyfriend. It hadn’t worked. Ten had only been brave enough to admit the truth to himself. Part of his plan for the long weekend was to pull Ronan aside and tell him what was going on in his mind. He needed help, but wasn’t quite sure from where or with whom.
“This is it, here on the left,” Ronan pointed to a large grey house with shake shingles and a crushed shell driveway that looked big enough for several more cars. Beyond the house, Ten could see the beach and the ocean. Both were calling his name like a siren’s song.
“Everyone listen up,” Fitz said, sounding every bit the captain he was. “When we get out of the van, you’re going to get your suitcase and go into the house. No one goes to the beach until we’re settled in and unpacked. When that’s done, We’ll run out to grab sandwiches for a picnic on the beach. Got it?”
Some of the adults nodded, while Everly and Auora rolled their eyes.
“I said,got it?” Fitz said again. “I can just as easily turn the van around and go home.”
“Got it!” the entire van chorused.
Ten found a smile. “You sound like my father. He was always three or four seconds away from packing up and going home no matter where we were.” Thinking of his father made Ten’s heart hurt. The two of them hadn’t spoken since that last blow up fight when Ten learned he had an older brother David had never bothered to mention. Maybe it was time to put that old wound to rest.
Climbing out of the van. Ten did what Fitzgibbon asked. He grabbed his and Ezra’s suitcases. “Come on, buddy, let’s go find your bedroom.”
“My woom!” Ezra took his suitcase from Ten and banged it up the front stairs into the house.
The adults had studied the pictures of the house the night before to figure out where everyone would sleep. There were five bedrooms; one for each couple, a room with twin beds painted navy blue, and the last with two double beds in an aqua color scheme.
Ezra was halfway up the stairs before Ten had taken one step. He followed behind, lugging his suitcase and wished he hadn’t packed so many clothes. It was no wonder Everly wanted to bring her entire summer wardrobe on this holiday weekend getaway.
“MINE!” Ezra shouted.
It was his new favorite word. Ten knew he should correct his son and teach him the merits of sharing, but at the moment, he was too tired. Not to mention the fact that adults didn’t share their toys. He couldn’t just grab the keys to Jace’s Porsche, so why the hell should Ten make his son share with germy kids?
Finally catching up with his son, Ten poked his head into the room Ezzie had declared was his. Thankfully, it was the navyblue room. “Yup, this is yours, buddy, but remember what we told you about it?”
“Woofie seep me.” Ezra said, his dark eyes glittering. “Me wuv Woofie.” The little boy ran to Ten and hugged his legs. “Me wuv you, Dada!”
Ten sank to the floor and wrapped his arms around his son. He felt like he could burst into tears at any second. “I love you too, big guy.”
“We go beach!”
“In a few minutes. Let’s unpack a little bit and then I’ll take you down there, okay?” Ten prayed Ezra wouldn’t pitch a fit. “Grab Mr. Moo out of your tote bag and set him on the bed you want to sleep in.”
“Okay!” Ezra did exactly what Ten asked.
