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“I got the whole thing on video!” she says, jogging over. “Hopefully, this will make up for not getting any courthouse pictures.”
Willow glances at me, adoration in her gaze, before turning to her best friend. “Turns out, you’ll be getting a second chance at wedding pictures—or rather, a photographer will do that because you’ll be too busy being a bridesmaid.”
Delilah squeals again and squeezes us both. “This is all I’ve ever wanted for you two.”
When her best friend demands details we don’t yet have, Willow distracts her by opening one of the bags and pulling out the sandcastle buckets.
“Let’s build a castle for Piper to wreck.”
Apparently, Willow’s niece has a penchant for dinosaur-inspired destruction when at the beach. It’s something she’s been doing since she was five.
I drop to my knees, temporarily submitting to the sand, and pack buckets for Willow. After a few minutes of work, we have a respectable structure. That’s about the time a sopping-wet Piper tumbles out of the sea with Adam in tow. Piper’s eyes as she sees the castle can only be described as gleefully wicked.
“Want to help me stomp it, Uncle Shane?”
“Are you sure?”
Piper nods. “But you have to growl at the same time.”
“Shane’s good at growling,” Willow says, leaning against me with a teasing wink.
“Let’s do this!” Piper’s voice dropping two octaves pulls a surprised chuckle from me.
I stand, following her lead in bending my arms to look like a reptilian predator before we annihilate the structure. On some level, it feels like vengeance on the sand itself, so I really get into it. Then, when it’s completely flat, Adam taps his elbow and then falls upon the decimated castle like a wrestler going in for the kill.
The five of us laugh until our sides hurt.
While our friends argue over which activity to do next, playing catch or kite flying, Willow glances at me.
“I love you,” she mouths.
I smile, mouthing, “I love you too.”
As the ocean breeze ruffles her hair, something turns over in my chest. Being with Willow has helped me realize that, deep down, I’d always been enough. I’d just spent my entire life surrounded by people who convinced me otherwise.
Then this vivacious, incredibly determined woman came along and refused to take no for an answer.
This woman who I’d very much like to kiss.
Almost as if she can read my mind, Willow strides over, sliding her hands into my hair and dragging my lips to hers.
I hear general grumbling in the background but can’t seem to care. When we both come up from the passionate kiss, the family of three are on a walk along the shoreline.
Willow’s cheeks flush the perfect shade of pink. “Should we join them?”
“Sure,” I say, intertwining her fingers with mine.
I’m half a second from kissing her knuckles before I remember. “Stupid sunscreen.”
Her laugh feels like it’s brightening every dark crevice left in my soul. As we rush to catch up, there’s no doubt that Willow’s first beach day will be one I’ll remember forever.
Epilogue - Willow
Five years later
My widow’s robe shushes over the hardwood as I walk from the kitchen to the bedroom I recently repainted. One side of the large room has scattered stars and a gibbous moon among the fluffy night clouds while the other has the very beginnings of a sunrise—pinks, oranges, and gentle purples.
I pause in the doorway, a smile lighting my face.
