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I rush inside and prepare some drinks, snacks and make a quick call to Dan.
“Cam already reminded me to bring extra deck chairs!” Dan laughs.
“It’s not that,” I say in a rush. “We just bumped into his parents.”
“Fuck!”
“Swear jar!” Grace hollers in the background.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Don’t call him, but I wanted to let you know before you arrived.” I chew my lip.
“How is he?”
“Okay. They noticed me first, then Cam. It could have been worse,” I mutter. “He has taken the kids down to the beach.”
“I’ll make sure to go for a beer with him tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dan, I just don’t want this to set him back. We came away to avoid being in Richmond at this time of year.” I sigh. Cameron always goes a little quiet when the anniversary of the incident arises. He never talks about it, but we notice the shift in him. When Dan suggested going to Cornwall for two weeks, Cam practically loaded the car on the spot. We arrived two nights earlier than everyone else. Brant and Cole are joining with their families too.
“It won’t. If anything, this will only solidify how far he has come. How lucky he is to have you all. It was always going to be a shock, Holly.”
“I know. Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hear Emily call goodbye in the background. I remind myself how many people he has around him who love him. How much support he has. We both have. Our family is growing. Our lives progressing, as we succeed in our chosen careers. We have everything and more we dreamt of.
Dan is right; this only solidifies how lucky we are.
CAMERON
Beau takesmy hand and flicks glances my way as we head down to the beach. Noah is a deadweight in my right arm. “Are you okay, Dad?” She’s so bloody grownup that my heart aches when she calls me that. I tug her to me and drop a kiss on her hair.
“I’m fine, kiddo, just a strange afternoon.”
“Promise?” She tilts her head to look up at me, big blue eyes wary.
“Boo, I’m perfect.” I let go of the anger that seeing my parents caused to fire up in me. “I’m here with my favourite people, in our favourite spot.”
“Mum’s coming now!” I twist, seeing Holly fight with the sand as she sinks into the golden dunes.
“Go and help her, please.” I nudge Beau back and she races off to help her mum. I drop my gaze to Noah; his chubby cheeks and pouty lips make me smile. He has my eyes and Holly’s hair. I pull him closer and kiss the crown of his head. Emotion swells in my chest and it’s nothing of what I expected. No hatred or shame. The anger is gone. I’m just grateful and so fucking blessed.
Holly is laughing when she reaches me. “Phew, I thought I was going to disappear in that sand.”
I thread my fingers with hers, and we follow Beau running up the beach, the blanket billowing behind her. She drops it down and Holly finds several rocks to hold it in place. I lower with Noah, and Holly slots herself next to me as Beau begins digging at the ground.
“You called Dan, didn’t you?” I lift my brow, my lips twisting lovingly. She has always got my back, anticipating my needs.
Her cheeks flush. “Are you mad?”
I frown, perplexed by her thought process. I shake my head. “But I don’t need Dan, baby. I need you. Our beautiful kids, and I have that.” I lift her hands and kiss them.
“Okay. Anything else?” She smiles softly, twisting to watch Beau.
“We need a dog.”
“What?” Holly says.
