Chapter 14

May 24

Nathan and Haley were lying down on the couch in each other's arms.

"I can't believe Lydia went to Europe with Lily," Nathan said.

"Yeah," Haley said. "And Jamie's gone for the summer with Lucas."

"It's just us and baby Keith," Nathan said.

"Yeah," Haley replied.

"I can't believe we have 3 children," Nathan said.

"Want 4?" Haley asked.

"No," Nathan said. "I'm fine."

"Just joking," Haley said.

"So how's the ocean front property coming?" Nathan asked.

"Chris and I are hoping to open by October," Haley said. "There's still a lot to be done. We don't even have a name for it yet."

"Do you have any choices?" Nathan asked.

"None that I'm going to use," Haley replied. "Chris suggested 'Haley's Got Crabs' and 'Got Crabs? We Do'."

"That's awful," Nathan said.

"Yeah," Haley said. "I slapped him. He cried."

"That's so funny," Nathan laughed.

"What time is it?" Haley asked.

"It's cuddle time," Nathan replied.

"No seriously," Haley said. "What time is it?"

"It's 6:30 PM," Nathan replied looking at the clock on the side table.

"We need to wake up Keith," Haley said. "If we don't, he'll be awake all night."

"I'll do it," Nathan said getting up. "You just relax."

"Thank you," Haley said.

Meanwhile at the Evans's beach house, Logan was sitting on the bottom outside steps watching the ocean. Clay walked out of the house, walked down the steps, and sat next to his son.

"It's such a nice evening isn't it?" Clay asked.

"It really is," Logan said.

"So your mother and your sister are over at your Aunt Brooke's and Uncle Julian's house making a quilt for Brooke's baby," Clay said. "They're going to stay all night and your Aunt Brooke said you were invited."

"No thank you," Logan said. "I'd rather stay here with you."

Clay smiled at his son.

"I'd like that too," Clay said patting his son on the back.

"I can't believe how fast this school year went by," Logan said.

"Yeah," Clay said. "You've had quite a year. You went to London, you graduated from middle school, and you have a baby sister."

"Yeah," Logan said.

"Are you excited for high school?" Clay asked.

"No," Logan said.

"No?" Clay asked.

"What's there to be excited about?" Logan asked. "It's just a new school."

"I wish I'd had that attitude," Clay said. "You need to know this and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. High school can be very hard. There will be times when you'll feel like you're on the verge of a breakdown. But don't worry, you can always talk to me."

"Thanks Daddy," Logan said.

"Come here," Clay said.

Clay and Logan shared a hug.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Clay asked.

"Last one in the ocean is a rotten egg!" Logan shouted.

Logan got up and began running down the beach toward the ocean. Clay chased after him.

"No fair!" Clay shouted. "You got a head start!"

That's the end of this one. The next entry will be about the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year.