Only You

Alex, Alyse and Brock sat quietly behind the dune watching a flock of gulls. “We have to be very quiet, so Mommy can take pictures of the pretty birds.” Alex had stopped writing her novels but still needed a creative outlet, so she took up photography and found she had a knack for it. She was debating at the moment, whether or not it had been a good idea to take the twins on her quest.

Brock clapped his hands and squealed. “Birdies.” Then he went stiff as a board and threw himself down the dune. Rolling like a lopsided ball until he hit the bottom.

“Brock, no,” she whispered. “You stay where you are young lady,” she said to Alyse as she ran down the hill after Brock. Alex picked up Brock and headed back up to his sister. She saw the look on her daughter’s face as she approached and knew it meant trouble. Alyse giggled and headed over the dune towards the gulls with Brock hot on her heels.

“Great,” she muttered. Alex grabbed the camera and snapped pictures of the kids and the gulls taking flight. It wasn’t the shot she wanted, but any pictures with her precious babies would be good ones.

“What are my 3 trouble makers up to?” Rick asked.

Alex rose and brushed the sand from her jeans. “Being out numbered as usual, but check this picture out.”

“The kids and the birds, it’s fantastic!” Rick said proudly.

“They weren’t supposed to be in the picture.” Alex shrugged.

“Writer, photographer, mother, is there anything you can’t do?” Rick pulled her close and nuzzled her neck.

Alex furrowed her brow. “Yes, control our children.”

“That’s not possible. We were doomed from the get go.” They turned to watch their children wrestle in the sand. Alyse, as usual had won the battle and was attempting to bury brother in the sand.

“Let’s go get them. There are two of us now,” Alex said.

"We're going to need to vacuum them off before we let them in the house."

Rick couldn't help but laugh at the thought. I'm sure it won't be the last time we do that."

The two walked arm and arm towards the children.

“Daddy, daddy,” the twins yelled in unison. Rick let the kids pull him down onto the beach and the three rolled around laughing. They seemed to love their dad more everyday if that was possible. Despite her protest, Alex ended up in the sand with the rest of them. They played and giggled, and then stopped to watch cotton ball clouds and lazy gulls drift slowly by.

Alex couldn't help but smile, her life was so perfect, so complete. She had two beautiful, albeit rambunctious children and the man of her dreams.

Only You

Alex Martinson looked around the room and shook her head. She’d only been gone a few hours, the room looked like a bomb had gone off and the house was eerily quiet. She put her bags down and picked her way through the debris. All the rooms were empty and she carefully pushed open the door to the master suite. Alex gasped and ran for her camera; this was a shot of a lifetime. She inched her way into the room trying to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to disturb the scene. She snapped picture after picture and when she couldn’t resist any longer, she walked closer to the bed. She reached out a hand to touch, but shrieked when she was grabbed by the wrist.

“Don’t you dare wake them up,” Rick whispered. He untangled himself from his sleeping son and carefully slid from the bed. He ushered Alex quickly out of the room.

“I can see you three had fun while I was gone.”

“Fun … no … well, yes but it was a necessary sacrifice to save myself.” Rick grabbed Alex and kissed her passionately.

“Uh, that’s not going to work. This time you clean up the mess.”

Rick shrugged “I guess I’m losing my charm,” he sighed and looked as pathetic as possible.

“No you haven’t. I’m just wise to your scheme now.” Alex snuggled into his embrace. “They are so beautiful. Like little angels.”

“Yeah, but only when they are sleeping. What are we going to do, honey. They’ll be three next week, does that mean the terrible twos are going to end?”

“I have a feeling this is going to last for eighteen years.”

The two headed back to the family room and the mess that awaited them. They picked up toys, put cushions back and straightened out lampshades. When they were finished, Rick and Alex collapsed back onto the couch.

Rick kissed her forehead. “Promise you’ll never leave me alone again.”

“I promise I will never leave you alone.” Alex crawled into his lap, unbuttoned her favorite flannel shirt and kissed his chest.

“That works, too. I accept your apology.”

Alex made and indignant grunt and left the couch.

“Wait, what did I say?”

Alex looked at him over her shoulder and rolled her eyes. She returned with the bags from her shopping trip.

“Great, I could use some presents about now.”

“I got some stuff for the birthday party. I just wish they had more friends to invite.”

“Honey, they’re three and we are pretty isolated out here. My parents are inviting the grandkids of everyone they know and we have little Alex and Rose coming. I can’t believe Thane and Elena had Rose so quickly after Alexander,” Rick said.

Alex leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Can you keep a secret?” She asked.

“You know me.”

“Yes, I do blabber mouth. Elena may be pregnant again and if you say a word I will hurt you.” She pointed an angry finger at him. Last time, he had told Thane about the pregnancy before Elena had.

“Well, we need to be informed of these things, too and sooner better than later. Uh oh, I think I hear trouble.” Rick bolted from the couch and ran towards the bedroom.

Alex put her feet up and closed her eyes. Her life the last four years had been a whirlwind of emotions and events. She had rediscovered the love of her life, her soul mate in Rick and together they had produced beautiful, fraternal twins, Alyse and Brock. They had battled through potty training and were trying to survive the terrible twos. Even though there were two adults and two children they still felt outnumbered most of the time. Maybe that’s what it felt like having kids in your forties. Alex sighed and drifted off to sleep, content in the fact she had faced her fears and conquered most of them.