Let's Be Crazy (Oh Captain, My Captain 4)

Ashton

“I’m not so sure about this, Ashton,” Lexie says for the third time.

“It’s a playdate for the kids where I happen to be there instead of Brooke. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m about to pick Reed up and then I’ll be there, so be ready.” I pause and add, “My son will be there too. We’re in the same boat, remember? I’m not going to make out with you in front of the children, Lexie. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“You’re right. Sorry. We’ll be ready.”

“Good.” I hang up as I park the truck. Reed comes running out of the house with Brooke close behind him, both smiling. He jumps into my arms when I step out of the truck. “Hey, little man. Ready to go?”

“Yep! Sadie is coming too, right?” He looks worried for a second before I nod.

“Have fun,” Brooke tells him. He leans over to kiss her cheek, exchanging an ‘I love you’, and Brooke faces me. “No fast food.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, we know.”

“Both of you behave.” Brooke gives me a look. What is it with these women?

“We will, Momma,” Reed promises. “Can we go now?”

“Of course.”

We get all buckled in, Reed going on and on about Sadie and all the fish we’ll see at the aquarium. When we arrive at Lexie’s, he breaks away from me once we get close to their door. He knocks repeatedly.

“Reed, stop. Three knocks is enough.”

The door opens and Sadie is standing on the other side. “Reed, we’re going to see fish today!” she squeals with excitement, even jumping up and down.

“I know. Let’s go.” He reaches for her hand and turns, but I stop him.

“Wait just a second, you two. Lexie is coming too. Where’s your mom, Sadie?”

Sadie sighs. “She keeps changing clothes.”

“Sadie,” Lexie hisses, coming up behind her. “I’m ready. Get your coat on.”

I grin. “Are you sure? Do you want to change again before we go?”

“Hush,” she waves me away. “Let’s go.”

Things are quiet between us as the kids ramble in the back seat. I keep hold of Reed’s hand and Lexie does the same for Sadie until we reach the admissions counter. Lexie gives me a look after I pay for all of our tickets, but I ignore it. Sadie and Reed start oohing and aahing immediately. They press their hands against the glass as the peer at all the fish, Lexie and I following close behind them.

We walk up to a tank that has a bunch of seahorses and smaller fish inside. A group of kids surround it, all excited and mesmerized.

Sadie stops her foot and whines, “I can’t see anything.” She crosses her arms in a pout.

“Here, I’ll help.” I bend down to pick her up, but as soon as I do, Reed pipes up too.

“I can’t see either.”

“Maybe if you eat something other than chicken nuggets, you’ll start growing. Might want to try those veggies next time. C’mon.” I crouch down a little to lift him up as well, a kid on each hip. They are heavy too. Reed and Sadie lean forward a little to see even better and I look at Lexie. “Can you see?”

She giggles. “I’m fine, thank you.”

I smile at her. Once the kids are done looking, I put them back down and ask, “Who is ready to see the sharks?”

Sadie looks up at me, then glances at Lexie and Reed. “Like…like real sharks? I thought we were just going to see the fish.”

“Duh, they’re real sharks. Sharks are fish too, Sadie.” Reed rolls his eyes at her, and I poke his shoulder in warning.