"I've been around the world and never in my wildest dreams
Would I come running home to you
I've told a million lies but now I tell a single truth
There's you in everything I do"
8 years later....
"Mommy, does the baby have toys in there?" Andrew points at my growing six month pregnant belly.
I debate what to say and just agree "Yes honey."
"It has toys just like me!" He then giggles. He's just turned five years old but is excited to have a little sister soon. Nate and I still haven't decided on a name so we'll just wait until we meet her at the hospital. The only thing for certain is that her middle name will be Emma. Which she doesn't know about yet, so I'm sure she's going to freak out with excitment.
"Daddy, can we go play in the water and collect shells?" Andrew turns to ask Nate.
"Of course, but first we have to put on your floaties."
He pouts but reluctantly starts to pick up them up from the sand and puts them on as Nate tightens them.
"Okay, I'm ready!" Andrew beams. "Are you coming mommy?" He asks while grabbing onto his finding nemo bucket with his little hands.
"In a bit honey, I'm expecting a call from Aunt Emma soon." Right then my phone starts ringing. "I'll join you guys as soon as I'm done." I wink at him.
"Yay!" Nate and him start going closer to the shore and stop when it hits Andrew's knees.
"Hello?" I answer Emma.
"Hey! I feel like we haven't talked in forever!" She exclaims.
"We just talked two days ago." I chuckle.
"That's too long. Wait a sec- Elizabeth do not put that in your mouth! You too Josh!Matt, get that away from them."
She and Matt must be having trouble controlling their three year old twins.
"Anyway, how is it in California? It's been rainy all week here in Kemah." Emma asks me once she's back on the phone.
"Great. We are actually at the beach right now."
"I miss you so much! I can't wait to visit you up there soon! I want to go shopping again, I love the stores there!"
Once a year for the past four years, Emma and Matt have came here to visit us here during the summer to catch up. Nate and I moved here to San Francisco when his father decided to retire and make him CEO. By then we had been married one year and Andrew was about to turn one years old. I was excited to start a new chapter in our life at a new place. Well, new for me anyway, Nate had been born and raised here.
My mom and Kay come every holiday because they love it here. My mom is even thinking of moving here and Kay is in love with the idea. We'll see what happens.
"I'm sure Matt will be excited for that credit card bill." I deadpan.
"He can't say anything because our six year marriage anniversery is coming up so it can count as my present."
"I see you thought this out."
"Of course."
"How's work going?"
"Same. You know teaching high school teenagers history. How's your project coming along?"
"I'm almost done with it. It should be ready for me to present to the client at the meeting next week."
"Look at us being adults. Could you imagine that one day we would be married with kids? I'm a history teacher and you became a copywriter with your english degree."
"Yeah and Nate being a CEO and Matt becoming an engineer." I continue.
"Well, I mean we all knew Nate would eventually take over the company."
"I guess that's true."
"Yeah, I- Kids, stop that! Josh do not put candy in your sisters hair! Matt did you give them chocolate? Audrey, I'll call you later, the twins are trying to give me a heart attack or something. Love you."
"Love you too." I add before she hangs up. Poor Matt, he always spoils the twins by giving them candy, but it always comes back to bite him when they get hopped up on sugar.
I put my phone down and walk out to where my boys are. Andrew looks just like Nate when he was his age. The other day I found a young picture of Nate and had thought it was Andrew at first.
"Mommy is here! Mommy look at all the seashells daddy and I found!" Andrew sits on the sand and emptys his bucket to show me.
"They are so pretty, good job." I tell him while looking at the different colorful shells that shine in the light.
"How are Emma and Matt?" Nate asks as we both sit down with Andrew in the middle, between us.
"Good, twins giving them some trouble." I laugh.
"I bet Matt gave them candy."
"Yes! He can never say no to them. One time he told them not to tell Emma that he gave them candy, but she found the wrappers all over their room." They are both great parents but Matt is the softie and lets them get away with more.
"Mommy, how did you and daddy meet?" Andrew suddenly turns and asks me.
"Well, he dropped Aunt Kayden's ice cream when she was younger." I start to smile.
"It was an accident! I replaced it." Nate defends himself.
"Yes, he did. Then after some time we ended becoming friends and then we became boyfriend and girlfriend." I obviously don't mention all the obstacles we had to go though like Aimee trying to tear us apart or me getting kidnapped.
"She took a little convincing at first, but I knew we would end up together. Three years after that I proposed to mommy on this beach during a trip here to visit grandma, grandpa, and Aunt Lea." Nate finishes the story. His parents and sister still live here and I love them all as much as my own mom and sister.
"Mommy said yes!" Andrew adds.
"Yep, I couldn't say no to that face." I point to Nate who is beaming.
"Then you came along!" Nate tickles Andrew.
"Stop it daddy, it tickles!" He giggles.
I look at them and can't imagine my life without them. I look at the water and remember everything that brought us to where we are today and I don't regret it.
"What are you thinking about?" Nate interrupts my thoughts and touches my belly. Every night he talks to the baby about random things. He did that when I was pregnant with Andrew as well. It's really adorable.
"Just about how lucky we are and how much I love you." I kiss his lips.
"Ew, don't kiss, that's gross." Andrew sticks his tongue out at us while making a weird face.
Our response is for each of us to go kiss him on one cheek.
"Ew!"
The End