Only One Regret (Only One 5)

Slipping on my beige linen pants that cuff at the ankle, I look at myself in the mirror. "They have kids together," I remind myself. I shake my head and walk over to the lace bra, putting it on and slipping on the white V-neck short-sleeve shirt.

I let my hair air dry, and when I walk out of my bathroom, the girls are in the bath, and Cooper is sticking his head out of the bathroom. "You look beautiful," he compliments, coming out and kissing my lips like we’ve done this forever. "You smell like coconut," he says, kissing my neck.

"It’s after-sun cream," I reply. "Why don’t you go get a shower and I’ll watch the girls?”

He smiles at me, his eyes so fucking crystal blue I can get lost in them. I think I am lost in them. He kisses me once and then walks away, smacking my ass. "Hey, that almost got you in trouble today." I point at him. We were at the beach, and I was standing up watching the girls, and he was going to grab me something to drink when he walked away and smacked my ass. He knew the minute he did it that he fucked up. Luckily, no one was looking, or at least no one said anything.

Walking into the bathroom, I get Mia out first, and she wants me to do her hair in a braid, and then Emma gets out after. "My mommy does French braids," she says, and I smile at her, ignoring the pull in my chest. "Do you know how to do French braids?"

"I do," I affirm as she wraps herself in a towel. "Do you want me to do your hair like that?"

She nods her head and gets dressed in a floral sundress, and Mia wears the same one. Cooper comes into the room, and I look up at him. He’s wearing beige shorts and a white polo short-sleeve shirt. His hair is wet from the shower, and his scruff gets thicker as the days go on. "Are we ready?" he asks, and I get up to go to him. "Go put your shoes on," he tells the girls and they run downstairs.

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him, and the pain or whatever it is settles in my chest. "I’m starving," I state, and he kisses me, and we walk downstairs together. We walk out with the girls, and I’m not sure why I’m surprised when I see six picnic tables on the beach and a large grill in the middle. The smell of barbecue fills the air. The girls walk down the stairs, and he puts his arm around my shoulder as we walk to dinner.

The girls run over to his mother, who bends down to hug them.

"But did you get insurance with the grill?" Max stands beside Matthew as he puts ribs on the barbecue.

"Why the fuck would I need insurance?" He looks at him.

"You aren’t used to handling big things," Max says, bringing the bottle of beer to his mouth to hide the smirk. "So in case it blows up."

"Jesus," Evan, Candace’s brother and Cooper’s uncle, says. "I’d really like to eat tonight," he adds, and I notice all the men are dressed the same. Shorts and a polo. "And if you piss him off.” He points at Matthew. "Then he’s going to get all hot and bothered, and he’s going to burn stuff."

"One," Matthew says, pointing the tongs at him. "I only get hot and bothered for my wife." I laugh and then bury my face in Cooper's shoulder when he groans. "And two, this buffoon is in my bubble."

Max laughs. "Good to know I still get under your skin twenty years later."

He turns and walks away from Matthew, who looks around. "Dad!" he shouts. "I need help."

Cooper Sr. comes over and the two of them discuss what to cook when. "Want to go for a walk?" Cooper asks me, and I smile and nod. He walks toward the girls and tells them we are going for a walk. Emma skips over to me and says she wants to come. Mia calls over to Cooper.

"Family walk," Cooper says, pulling my hand down the beach. He doesn’t let it go as we walk down the beach. "Don’t get your feet wet," he tells the girls, who pretend they don’t mean to when the water runs over their feet.

We turn and walk back toward the barbecue, and we can see people sitting down. Mia and Emma run to Alex, and she sets them between her and Dylan, who holds out his burger for Emma to take a bite of. "Alex!” Cooper yells. "You got them?" And she nods her head.

"I’m here, too, you know," Dylan says, and I roll my lips as he hands Emma a french fry.