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.