Three Years Later—July 2018
The wind felt good on his face. Barney nudged his sunglasses back up as he looked across the water. The dock beneath his feet rocked side to side from the motion of everyone behind him hauling stuff from the cars.
"I can't feel my feet," Caesar complained.
"Not this again," Toll groaned. "Man, didn't you learn from last time?!"
"Am I the only one who cares about fuel mileage? It's expensive!"
"Oye," Lee muttered as he set a box down. He met Barney's eyes, and they both smirked. Some things just never changed.
"Hold up, hold up! Wyatt!" Emily was calling, collaring the excited little boy who was trying to get to the end of the dock. "Lee! Some assistance!"
Barney chuckled as he turned to watch Lee go pick up his son, a spitting image of both him and Emily, but he had Lee's eyes this time. His brown hair was stuck straight up as if shocked, and his smile was wide and happy; he bore his uncle's name with pride. Maya, 11 going on 12, walked past and tousled her brother's hair on the way by. Louis was right behind her, talking about some math problem of all things. Rena was on her phone, hair draped around her face as she texted and walked. At 15, she was definitely giving Toll and Cheryl a run for their money.
"Hey! Eyes up!" Toll called now, seeing her as she expertly dodged Gunner without even looking as he hauled some luggage around her. Cheryl ended up putting a hand on Rena's shoulder and saying something to her, which made Rena put her phone away finally and help out.
"I'm glad we got past it," Tia said to Barney as she came up to him. He smiled, knowing what she meant. The trauma of that summer was behind them now; they'd all gotten closure and started fresh. Barney had spent the last two summers working on the cottage and spiffing it up. He left out internet, though, much to the kids' dismay, but only because he wanted this place to remain an escape and not just another place to numb out with real life stuff.
Doc had sent his regrets, having decided to hang back with Tool and help Galgo out with a job. Barney had to be honest—he didn't miss it, the jobs. He thought he would, but he'd dove right into woodworking and selling his canoes and things that it was as if he'd done it his whole life, and it was fulfilling and made him happy.
Once loaded up, he headed across with the luggage and Maya, who was going to go back for everyone while he opened the place up. He'd bought the cottage on the one side of him, and Caesar and Toll shared it while Lee and Emily had the cottage on the other side, which he was still surprised to know that it was originally her parents' place. Gunner always crashed with Barney. He knew that Lee and Emily initially struggled being in the place where so much bad had happened, but they had insisted they wanted to see past it and make it their own, which they did, and it looked entirely different now...perfect for a fresh start. After all, it wasn't the building's fault, and Emily had good memories there, too, with her brother and parents.
"Thanks, darlin'," Barney said when Maya helped him unload the last bag at the last place. She smiled and high fived him. He hoped puberty would be kind to her and not make her go crazy like it did some kids. He had noticed her and Louis looking at each other a bit differently, so he had an idea that something was going to come up there eventually.
She left, and he stood there with his hands on his hips thinking about his aunt and uncle. His cousin still used the place but had been glad to let Barney take it over. As much as he'd tried to run away from here, he kept coming back, and it was time he embraced it.
Which he was pretty sure he'd done and with open arms.
...
Lee carried Wyatt under his arm like a football, making the little boy giggle and try to get free. His son was very energetic, and he longed for the days of calm, quiet Maya. He guessed maybe the boy got the energy from him. He got his smarts from his mother.
"I would like to be put down now, please, Daddy," Wyatt said politely. It was so cute, and Lee almost laughed, but he didn't want Wyatt to think he was making fun of him.
"There we go," Lee said, setting him on his feet. Lee stood there and breathed, feeling glad this place didn't affect him so much anymore. He'd never wanted it to have this much power over him, and he knew if they made it their own, it would give them power back. It helped that Emily's family had it first, so there were lots of other, happier memories here before that summer.
It also was the first place he'd been intimate with Emily, so there was that. He preferred to focus on that than the rest of it.
"Ow," he said as a finger poked the back of his neck. He looked to see Emily smirking at him as she balanced a box on her hip.
"Just checking," she said.
"For what?"
"That you're still able bodied and can help carry things."
He made a face at her. "Smart ass."
"Would rather be smart than dumb," she countered, and he chuckled. Then he moved to pick her up in his arms, box and all, and she exclaimed in surprise.
"Is this proof enough that I'm able?" he asked, carrying her to the other room.
"Oh, I suppose," she drawled. He set her on the kitchen table, and she set the box down next to her. He leaned his hands on the table on either side of her, half smiling as she rested a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay?" she asked him.
"Yea. Just thinking."
"Still gets to you, huh," she said. He shook his head.
"It's not that."
"Then what are you thinking about?"
"It's stupid," he said, feeling embarrassed now.
"No! Tell me," she urged. "It won't be stupid; I promise." He sighed.
"Alright. I guess I'm just thinking about how precious life is and how the good moments get forgotten so easily when there's so much bad. I guess I just want to focus more on the moment and appreciate it more."
"That's sweet," Emily said, pulling him into her to kiss him. She rested her face against his after. "See? Not stupid."
"Don't tell the boys," he said.
"Why? Cos they might see you have a heart?"
"I don't feel like getting mocked."
"I don't think you will, but your secret is safe with me," she promised. He smiled again, and she gripped his chin to kiss him one last time before Wyatt came running back.
"Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!" he called.
"He does know, 'Daddy,' right?" Emily asked Lee.
"Not today," he answered with a smirk and pushed himself off the table and went to finish putting things away.
"What is it, my love?" Emily asked behind him.
"I found this pretty bug, and I want to keep it."
"Oh, I think the bug would prefer to be outside with his friends," Emily said, following Wyatt as he led her to where it was.
"I can feed it! And keep it safe," Wyatt insisted. Lee laughed softly to himself. His son also got his empathy from his mother. Well, maybe some from him too. He went to take a second box to it's rightful place, and he caught the sound of Maya singing to herself. He paused, listening. His daughter had a beautiful voice, one that he thought might captivate the world someday, and the lyrics she came up with for herself were quite entertaining. He kept moving, setting the box down and pulling stuff from it.
"Dad?" Maya asked, appearing next to him a moment later.
"Yea?"
"I'm finished tidying up. Can I go hang out with Louis?"
"Sure."
She hurried away, and he lamented on how fast she was growing up. He went back to what he was doing when:
"ARGH!"
"Gotcha!" Wyatt exclaimed, giggling full blast. He'd snuck up on Lee and launched himself onto his back but only managed to reach his waist.
"Oye, what is this?!" Lee asked, turning around and trying to see him. Wyatt laughed harder as Lee went in circles trying to see him until he let go and fell onto his knees, still giggling.
"Mummy said it'd be funny," Wyatt advised.
"Did she now?" Lee asked, lifting a brow and looking at Emily watching from around the corner.
"Yep!"
"Well, you tell Mummy that scaring me comes with a price."
"But I did it..."
"Because she told you to. The mastermind is the one who gets in trouble the most," Lee told him. "Go on, now, wash up for supper."
"Okay."
Lee put his hands on his hips and gave Emily a look as she walked by like nothing had happened. She even held his gaze all serious-like until suddenly she couldn't hold her composure anymore, and she burst out laughing. Lee cornered her against the wall so she couldn't escape.
"It's just a prank," she tried, but he silenced her with his mouth on hers. Her hands moved to hold his back and neck and bring him in closer. When he stopped, he stayed close to her, taking her left hand and running his thumb over her rings. The day she married him was one of the best days of his life.
"What trouble am I going to get in?" she asked.
"You'll just have to wait and see."
"Hmm. If I have to." She smiled. It hurt almost, how much he loved her.
"Don't ever change," he told her.
"I won't," she promised. He touched his lips to hers again, intending to fire her up a little when:
"I wanna hug too," Wyatt said now, squeezing in between them and looking up at them, effectively ending the moment but presenting a different one, one that Lee also loved. Emily reached to pick him up, and he hummed happily from getting a hug from both of his parents at the same time.
"Spoiled," Lee said, kissing the back of his son's head before tousling his hair.
"Yay!" Wyatt exclaimed, delighted.
"You cleaned up for supper?" Emily asked him as she carried him to the other room now.
"Yes."
"Good boy." She threw her head back to give Lee a look that very much said she'd be finishing that kiss later, and he smiled.
He was looking forward to it.
...
Toll looked at Rena and wondered what she was thinking. Lately, she'd been quieter than usual and isolating herself. He hoped nothing had happened to her at school, but Cheryl had promised she'd asked and looked into it. Toll just didn't know what was going on and tried not to feel worried.
"What?" Rena asked, seeing him watching her. He decided to just go for it.
"You okay?" he questioned. "You haven't seemed like yourself lately."
At first, it looked like she was going to either dismiss it, walk away, or get mad about it, but instead, she let out a heavy sigh.
"It's Caleb," she answered.
"Caleb?" he repeated.
"This guy I'm crazy about, but he's messing with my head," Rena said, lowering the hand holding her phone and closing her eyes briefly.
"Messing with it how?"
"Just...saying he's into me but then making out with another girl. I don't get it," she said, sounding a little sad.
"Sounds to me like he's not worthy of you," Toll advised, treading carefully. He was stunned she was even telling him this information. He wondered if Cheryl knew.
"That's what Stacy says, but when we talk and hang out or whatever, he just really gets me, you know?"
Toll was trying not to get hung up on the "whatever" part of that sentence, and he cleared his throat.
"Well, there's having a good connection and then there's the right person."
"What do you mean?"
"You might be able to connect with someone who is extremely unhealthy for you, but it doesn't mean they're the right person for you."
"Oh."
"If someone really cares about you, they don't mess around," Toll added, daring to put a hand on her shoulder. "Because a smart person knows that messing around can cost them the best thing that would ever happen to them."
"Are you saying Caleb is dumb?"
"He's acting like it," Toll confirmed. "I'd say put him back and fish out a different one."
"Oh my God," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "That's the worst metaphor ever."
"Hey, it works."
"No, it doesn't."
"That being said, can you hear what I'm saying?" he asked.
"I hear you."
"Don't let a guy mess with your head. Your head is yours," he finished, and she finally smiled.
"Got it."
"Rena! Come on!" Maya called, and they both looked to see her and Louis outside waiting for her.
"Go have fun," Toll said. "Supper'll be ready soon."
"Okay." She gave him a hug, and even though he felt like he'd fumbled the ball, he realized she still cared about what he had to say and would hopefully listen to it.
"That was nice," Cheryl said, coming to hug him after.
"Yea?"
"Yea. I love that she can talk to you."
"It was a shot in the dark," he joked. "I got lucky."
"But still...she obviously trusts your opinion. That's good."
"Did you know about her liking Caleb?" he asked after she kissed him. She pushed her lips into a twist and started to walk away. "Honey? Cheryl? Hey!" She scooted away faster, laughing, and he sighed heavily.
Girls.
...
Caesar was flipping burgers and swatting away Gunner, who was trying to steal pieces of lettuce or tomato or whatever else his fingers were after.
"Leave it, man!" he ordered, exasperated. "Go raid the damn fridge if you're hungry!"
"Stolen tastes better," Gunner answered, smirking. Caesar let out an aggravated growl and glared until Gunner slunk off. Barney was chortling as he came out with paper plates and such.
"It's because you let it bother you so much is why he keeps doing it," he stated.
"He'll stop when he gets a fork in his hand," Caesar grouched.
"We'll see."
Caesar kept working, and he looked around at Tia and the others talking and laughing. He smiled then. Five years ago, he and Tia had been in a rocky place, but now...now they were stronger than ever. His son was growing up. He wasn't get shot at all the time. Things were definitely much better.
"Looks good, mate," Lee said, coming up beside him.
"Thanks."
"According to Wyatt, he wants to be a chef," Lee went on.
"Aww, well he can always cook with his Uncle Caesar!"
Lee smiled and leaned his hip against the side of the structure the barbecue was under, his arms crossed. He looked almost pensive.
"You okay?" Caesar asked.
"Yea. Just thinking about some things, you know?"
"I know."
It wasn't their first summer back, but the memories were still there. Caesar had to work through the pain from where Tia had gotten shot, they both had, but they did. They didn't let it stop them.
"It's funny," Lee said now, looking at everyone. "I never thought I'd get here."
"What? Married with a beautiful daughter and a mini-you running around? I saw it," Caesar replied.
"It feels surreal at times."
"I hear that, but...you got it," Caesar said, looking at him. "You got it, man. All of it. You're livin' the dream now."
"Yea, I am," Lee agreed. He chuckled happily as Caesar clapped his shoulder fondly.
"Alright, round up the animals," Caesar said now. "It's chow time!"
"I don't appreciate being called an animal," Toll commented, having come within earshot. He waved a hand at the kids to get their attention.
"I've seen you eat," Caesar retorted. "You practically stick your head into your plate like a trough."
"Ouch," Lee snickered as Toll laughed but flipped off Caesar behind his back. It made Caesar grin and feel right at home with his brothers. Then he caught the eye of his wife, and when Tia smiled at him secretly, it warmed his heart.
He smiled back.
"Hey, Toll," Gunner said now as he came back around. "You wanna start up that fishing bet again? It's been a while."
"Sure! You know I'll beat your rear end!"
"I'm almost 12, you can say ass," Maya advised.
"Maya," Emily chastised.
"What?" Maya asked, making her mother roll her eyes.
"It's your rear that will be so black and blue that you won't get to sit for a month," Gunner shot back at Toll, who burst out laughing and advised he highly doubted it. Chatter between the kids started as Louis and Maya told Rena all about the fishing wars. As Caesar handed out plates, he'd never felt happier.
...
Emily excused herself from the noisy dining area on the deck and made her way down to the lake. She suddenly just didn't feel well and wanted a moment of peace. Trying to follow so many people talking was hard sometimes.
"Hey, you," Lee said, coming up behind her. "Everything okay?"
"Mhmm," she answered nonverbally, and he slid his arms around her from behind and kissed the back of her neck gently.
"You sure? You look a bit peaky."
It was now or never. She'd only been holding onto the information since the gas station earlier that day, waiting for the right moment.
"I'm late," she told him, and she felt him pause.
"Late?" he repeated. "For what?"
"Late for my usual hormone madness," she answered, turning her head to look at him. She saw the gears clicking, and then it hit him.
"Oh," he said. "That late? Really?" His face didn't hide his hope and excitement very well. She smiled.
"Really," she confirmed. "Took the test this morning."
"And?"
"It said yes," she answered. "I mean, I'll have to do bloodwork just to make sure..." Lee was already catching her face with his hands and kissing her, though, and she sank into it, putting her arms around him.
"Chew, chew, chew!" voices chanted from the deck, and Emily and Lee broke apart with a laugh, turning their heads to see the men smacking and shoving each other to get ahead while eating. Lee just shook his head and looked at her again.
"Are you happy?" Emily asked him. He touched her cheek with the crook of his finger, smiling.
"You know I am," he answered. "Are you?"
"More than I thought I could ever be," she replied. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he pressed his lips into her forehead briefly before resting his cheek against it. She put her hands on the arm he had around her.
"I love you," he said quietly.
"Not as much as I love you," she countered. She felt him smile.
"Not possible."
She let him have it. She looked out at the water now, so glad to not be feeling afraid, to have a life with the man she would have never forgotten about or gotten over even if things hadn't worked out.
"Mummy! Uncle Toll is gonna do shmores!" Wyatt called, rushing to them. Emily reached out to steady him and prevent him from falling headfirst into the water.
"It's s'mores, baby," she corrected.
"Shmores," Wyatt tried. Emily felt Lee laugh against her silently a bit.
"Try again. Sss'mores."
"Shhhhmores," Wyatt repeated.
"Next time," Emily said, and her little boy raced off to find his big sister. She was glad for how much Maya loved her brother. She'd never forget how excited she got after finding out she was going to be a big sister. She hoped that enthusiasm was there again for this unborn baby.
"Want some shmores?" Lee asked her, his lips against her ear now.
"Not you too," she groaned.
"I like it. Sounds way better."
"No, it doesn't."
"Ooh, what about shamores? As in 'you want shamore?'"
"Please don't," Emily said, shaking her head. "Just don't." He laughed and held her close for a moment before reluctantly letting her go since their son was hollering for him.
"You and me," he said, pointing a finger at her.
"Me and you," she replied, pointing back. He smiled and went up the hill, catching Wyatt on his way by, who shrieked and squealed to be put down right this minute. Lee caught the marshmallow bag Toll tossed at him with his free hand and commenced running away with it as Louis, Maya, and even Rena chased him for it. Emily hugged herself as she watched, smiling. It almost felt like a full circle, and she was so glad she finally got here.
She was never going to let it go.
The End
Thank you to those who followed and favorited! Thank you to those who left feedback :) it meant so much and really helped keep me motivated with writing. I'm not sure if I'm going to post any new stories moving forward, but only time will tell :) Take care, everyone!
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