Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 49189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
I think he’s talking about all our gear, and let him know I’ll be fine to walk up, passing him little Samuel as I peel myself out of my deck chair.
“I didn’t mean all our things,” he smiles, pecking my cheek.
“I meant how much I learn from these guys,” he says, shifting his eyes over our babies until he notices one missing.
My heart gives a little start when I notice Holly’s disappeared, but a quick glance towards the rock pool shows her setting her little crab friend free again. And all by herself.
“All done,” she proclaims, puffing her cheeks out after running back over to us. The tide is already starting to lap at the twins’ sandcastle.
“I think it’s takeout tonight?” Michael tells me, and I don’t argue with that idea. The kids all cheer and start to call out what they want.
This is the only time the twins disagree, but they’re waiting patiently by the stone steps leading back up to the house.
Holly holds her Dad’s free hand as he somehow manages to carry everything else in his huge arms. And with baby Samuel in mine means we’re good to go.
Side by side with my man, Holly runs up ahead, and counting each step as she goes, I feel Michael’s hand slip into mine.
Both of us are watching our kids go on ahead of us.
“We did good, Mrs. Hart,” he says. His voice calm and even.
That tone in his voice and the look he gets when we have a perfect day out together as a family.
“We did,” I agree, my heart bursting when he squeezes my hand.
Silently telling me everything he feels with a single touch, which I know he feels from me too.
And once everything’s packed away in the garage at home, we wait for three types of take-out so that everyone gets just what they want.
The twin's spy on their hard work from their bedroom balcony through the telescope Michael bought them.
Holly busies herself with researching how crabs have babies online, and little Samuel just needed a quick change before getting ready for his own sleep.
“I’ve got an extra half hour, remember Dad?” Holly calls out once the sun dips below the horizon.
Forks of lightning dance across the horizon, making the twins gasp loud enough for us both to hear.
“Yes, you do, sweetie,” Michael affirms, and he sits back down next to me on the sofa, both of us watching the curtains dance in the breeze.
“And we’ve got all the time in the world,” he whispers in my ear, stretching his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.
I shiver a little, but not from the cold.
It’s the shiver of excitement I still get when he’s this close.
The shiver of living my dream life, with the most valuable things we have, chatting and thumping around for as long as they can before bedtime.
“I’m just glad it’s with you,” I tell Michael, looking up at him. Loving him more each minute. Loving him more than I thought possible.
“I love you, Vanessa,” he murmurs, resting his head on top of mine after pecking a kiss.
I grip at his perfectly toned body.
My rock.
My man.
“With all my heart,” he adds.
“With all mine too. All of you.”
“Our family.”