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hen we’re back from the beach.”
“Thank you.” She rolled to her tiptoes, Alyssa still cradled in her arms, as she pressed her lips against James’s. “I can’t wait to see it.” She pulled back and adjusted Alyssa’s hat. “And I was talking about Jacob. I said you’d tell Alyssa all about her big brother one day.”
His eyes met hers, the skin at the corners crinkling. “I will.” He nodded. “When she’s older.” He reached out and tickled Alyssa under her chin. “You all ready?” he asked Harper.
“Yep.” She nodded, still smiling at him. It was strange how excited she was about this outing. Not just because it was Alyssa’s first trip to the beach, although she couldn’t wait to see her daughter’s face when she got to experience the sand and sea. But because they were meeting all of her friends – the people who’d taken care of her during her pregnancy and made her feel so welcome after her move to Angel Sands. She’d arrived here afraid, alone, and with a tiny little life growing inside her.
And now she had a family she loved fiercely.
“Then let’s go.”
* * *
When they pulled into the parking lot behind Paxton’s Pier, it took them a few minutes to unclip Alyssa, make sure she was covered from head to toe in sunscreen, and unpack the trunk of all their equipment. As well as the bag Harper had packed, there was a blanket for the sand, an umbrella, and a little pop-up tent where Alyssa could snooze away from the glare of the sun.
“How long are we staying again?” James murmured. “We look like we’re moving to the beach for the month.”
Harper grinned. “We’ll probably stay for a couple of hours. I don’t want her tender skin to be outside for too long. She’s still only three months.”
James lifted Alyssa from her arms and pressed his lips to her chubby cheek. She smelled of sunscreen and baby shampoo. He breathed her in, feeling his body relax. He loved holding her, playing with her, making her smile. His current project was trying to make her laugh. She wasn’t there yet, but he wouldn’t give up until she did.
He passed the baby back to Harper and took the blanket, umbrella, and beach bag, flexing his muscles to keep them upright as he closed the trunk. “I’ll have to come back for the tent,” he told her. “I don’t have enough arms.”
“Story of my life. And no worries, we’ll get it if she gets sleepy.” Harper kissed him. “First of all, I want to take her in the water.”
They made their way along the sand, heading for their crowd of friends on their blankets alongside Paxton’s Pier. As they approached, they were greeted by loud hellos and lifted arms. Lucas stood and came over to take some of the equipment from James.”
“Thanks,” James said, as Lucas put the blanket down on the sand alongside the one he and Ember were using.
“No problem. Us dads have to stick together.” Lucas winked. “It took me three trips to get everything from the car.”
He didn’t look like he resented it one little bit. In fact, he was grinning from ear to ear. James recognized that look. It was one of contentment and pride, wrapped up in overwhelming happiness. Of everything finally falling into place.
And he loved it.
He looked down to where Harper was sitting on the blanket, adjusting Alyssa’s swim diaper and tiny pink sparkled swimsuit. She pulled the hat down a little firmer on her head, making Alyssa’s face wrinkle up in protest.
“I’m just looking after your skin,” Harper told their daughter. “You’ll thank me when you’re older.”
He loved watching the two of them together. The love for their child shone out of Harper, somehow making her even more beautiful than she’d been before. She lay Alyssa down gently on the blanket and pulled her own shorts and tank off, revealing a grey and white striped bikini that fit her perfectly.
He swallowed hard, trying to not ogle her body. It was tough, because she was perfect. Rounded breasts, curved hips, and a stomach that still had a little bump to it, crisscrossed in silvery stretch marks.
“You look beautiful,” he told her, pulling his own t-shirt off and throwing it onto the blanket.
“Thank you.” Her eyes sparkled. “It’s easy to feel beautiful when you look at me like that.” She reached out to trace his bicep. “And you don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Shall we go in?” he asked her, leaning down to pick up Alyssa. She nestled her warm body against his chest. With his free hand, he patted his pocket to check that the waterproof pouch was still there, smiling when he felt the outline.
“We’ll see you guys in a bit. Unless any of you want to join us?”
“Oh no,” Ember said loudly. “This is your special time.” She caught his eye with a grin, letting him know without words that Lucas had told her his secret. Not that James cared. He didn’t plan on it being a secret for very long.
“Ready?” he asked Harper.
“Yep. Let’s take our little girl for a swim.”
* * *
