Gravity

I pulled out the bikini that I bought at Justice yesterday for Sadie—it was lime green, white and black with polka dots. I knew she was going to love it and she will be even more excited that it was close to my own suit. The only difference is that mine was just black and white polka dots. Inside I also had a pair of white sunglasses, with an ‘S’ in sparkle-dots on the left eye. I set the empty bag next to my beach bag and the keys.

Grinning, I made my way into Sadie’s room where she was fast asleep—she had no idea that we were going to the beach today with my sister, Zack, and Jimmy. As far as I know, Chris has been saying she’s begging to go, and Chris just hasn’t had the time with all the new things going on with his company. Finally, on this horrible humid Friday he had the time.

Mel was a little worried about bringing a newborn to the beach, but I pulled out my umbrellas and I knew she had something for the baby to be in. In my beach back I also packed a lot of sunscreen, save for Jimmy to use.

I opened the door to reveal Sadie, who had taken up the entire twin sized bed. Her Little Mermaid blankets have fallen of her body, her nightgown had risen up so that you could see her blue underwear. I chucked quietly before setting the bikini on her vanity set before walking towards her, my flip flips making sounds. When I reached her bed side, I bend down so that I was hovering over her.

Grinning, I reached out and pushed her hair out of her face before I planted my lips on her forehead. “Sadie,” I whispered and I felt her stir and watched as she turned her head to face her purple walls. I laughed and sat down on the bed where there was room for me and placed my hand on her back before starting to rub it. “Sadie, it’s time to wake up.” I watched as she turned around so that she was on my back and I grinned down at her as she slowly opened her large blue eyes. “Morning, sweetie,” I said with a grin.

“Hi, Evie!” She said with a smile and a yawn before she wiped at the hair in her face. “Is Daddy up?” I grinned, knowing that Chris was passed out.

“I don’t think though,” I chuckled. “Want to go wake him up so we can get ready?”

She grinned and sat up now. “Where we goin?” She asked as she stretched out her legs before jumping out of bed.

“You’ll see, but let’s go wake daddy up.” Smirking to myself, I watched as she legs ran out of the room and towards his, where he was passed out. I knew his door was open because he didn’t want to make Sadie think she couldn’t come in and sleep with him—most of the time it was when I was spending the night, but since he’s been letting his ex-fiancée take Sadie, she’s been waking up at night crying and he’s barely been able to get any sleep. It worries Chris a lot, and many nights he’ll say in her room just to make sure she’s okay. It was sweet, honestly.

I heard her voice as I turned into the bedroom. When I stood in the door way, I saw Sadie getting onto the bed with her little stool before she started to jump on my side of the bed. I watched as Chris grunted and turned on his side before muttering ‘Go back to sleep, Sadie’ and putting a pillow over his head. I wondered if work was a hassle yesterday—he had asked me to stay and watch Sadie, but I was already babysitting for Mel. After the blow out yesterday at the mall that I was okay to take care of my nephew—it took some convincing, but I was allowed to leave with Jim.

Sadie huffed and jumped off the bed, sliding down off the edge as she ran towards me with a pout. “Daddy won’t wake up, Evie.” I laughed and pushed off the door and bent over.

“Okay, why don’t you go to the bathroom and wait for me in your bedroom when you’re done.” Sadie nodded and ran out from the room and I laughed—Jesus, this girl had a lot of energy in the morning. I straightened myself out, kicked my flip flips off by my side of the bed and got into the bed, crawling towards him on my hands and knees before I sighed and took my spot next to him. Hi was lying on his back now and I moved the pillow off his head, moved his arm before crawling in beside him. He was shirtless, only wearing a pair of his boxer briefs and I tangled my pair legs with his before I let my head come to rest on his chest, where I let my fingers tickle his abs.

I heard a grunt leave his lips and I looked up at him with a smirk. “Morning, sleepy head.” I murmured before I reached up to place my lips against his. His arms tightened around me and his foot played with mine before he spoke.

“This is something I can get used to.” He whispered before kissing my forehead quickly. I rolled my eyes and trailed my fingers playfully up to his chest, where I let my hand rest on one of his pectorals.

“Did you forget about the beach?” I murmured against his chest, his hand taking out my pony tail and began to run his fingers through the blond locks.

“I like this,” He murmured—it was odd as I listened to him talk with my ear pressed against his chest. “But if you cut it more, I’ll be angry.” I rolled my eyes.

“Sure, captain.” I said with a hint of a smile before slapping his chest and pulled away. “Now, before I end up defiling you get the hell up and get ready—Mel and Zack will meet us at IHOP around nine.”

Chris looked over at the clock and saw that it read 7:49. “I literally went to bed around four and a half hours ago.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why?” I said sitting up, the covers falling from me to reveal my lace-white tunic. His eyes went to my body and he could see where there was skin showing.

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer of corruption, baby.” I shouted in surprise as he grabbed me by my waist and pulled me down onto the mattress, my back hitting the dark sheets I just bought for him a couple days ago as his lips attached to me.



I watched as Sadie inhaled her two pancakes with ease—she was sitting across me next to, apparently, Auntie Mel who was rolling Jimmy in his stroller with her foot as she ate her vegetable omelet. Zacky was pigging out on the sampler and I laughed as she had a mouth full of scrambled eggs. “Geez,” I said as I finished my cup of coffee, “Do you feed Zack at all, Mel?”

Mel looked up from Sadie, who was talking her heart away about the beach. “He just doesn’t stop eating—and he is losing weight, Evelyn—how do you eve manage to do something like that?” I looked over at Zacky, who was drinking some water now.

“Dieting isn’t just about eating the right things, Mel.” Zack said as he wiped at his face, his hair not gelled back today so it was a little crazy—bed head. I chuckled and turned my attention back to Chris, whose eyes were on Sadie the whole time, his eyebrows knitted in worry. Clearing my throat, I reached across the table and tapped a finger on his hand. His eyes met mine across the table and he smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“What’s the matter, baby?” I asked out softly, just loud enough for the table to hear. I could hear that Mel and Zacky were still having a talk and that Sadie was sipping away happily on her cup of chocolate milk.

He grinned, took my hand in his and shook his head. “Don’t worry,” He said and winked at me. I felt the confusion and knew he will tell me later so I just nodded my head and gave him a quick smile before turning to Sadie.

“How were your pancakes, honey?”

“Can I have more, please?” Shocked, I laughed and looked at my phone for the time—it was only 9:45.

“Daddy,” I said turning my gaze onto him. “Can just have one more?” Chris looked at me and I pouted my lips and he groaned before turning to Sadie, who was also doing the same thing.

“Pretty please, daddy?”

“You two are going to be the death of me.” He muttered before getting the attention of our waitress and asked if he could just have one more pancake. Sadie grinned and blew her dad a kiss. I shook my head and chuckled at her before pouring myself some more coffee.



I sat back on my elbows as Chris picked up Sadie and swung her around him in the water, before dropping her into the water, keeping his hands on her because the current was a little strong today. She surfaced in his arms and grinned, wiping at the hair that fell from her braid and covered her face.

Zacky was sitting at the edge of the water with Jimmy in between his legs, the crashing waves hitting them both. Mel and I watched as Jimmy would occasionally move against his legs and Zacky’s back would move from his laughter. I grabbed my camera, pulled it out and took a picture of both men before settling back onto my elbows. “This feels amazing.” I murmured before sighing in content.

“Sure does,” Mel murmured in agreement. I looked over to her to see that she was gazing up into the sky, her eyes closed and letting the sun beat down on her face. Her hair shined in the light—we still have yet to get into the water.

I haven’t felt this at peace since before the kidnapping—and I am sure that Mel feels the same way. I know she’s been worried sick and that Marcus put a change in her set in motion, but I couldn’t help but think that because of this mess, my family and I have gotten so much closer. Ashley texts me a daily basis, Mom calls in to check up on and well my Dad is my Dad.

Grinning, I looked at Zacky to see he was splashing some water on Jimmy’s bare chest—he must’ve taken it off for a little. I chuckled and brought my eyes to Chris, who was now carrying Sadie on his back and playing in the waves.

“He’s a great man, Evelyn.” I looked over towards Mel with a questionable look. She was grinning, “I’m glad he you allowed him back into your life.” I rolled my eyes.

“I think I love him.” I said. Mel looked over at me with a sad look in her eyes.

“I know it hurt you yesterday, seeing Matt and Brandi.” I shrugged and sat up and stat Indian style, my eyes on Chris and Sadie. They were both grinning and laughing and I couldn’t help let the shit eating-grin take over my own lips.

“Yeah.” I said before looking at my sister. “But I’m really falling for Chris, Mel.” She grinned and copped me before she pushed me.

She laughed before getting serious. “I mean it, though—he’s a great man.”

I grinned cheekily. “Zacky is, too.” I murmured before grabbing onto her hand lacing my fingers with my sisters. “And Jimmy is going to have the best parents anyone could ask for.”

Before we knew it, we were grinning and walking down to our respected family. Chris was walking out of the water and Sadie was sitting next to Zack, who was grinning when Mel bent down to kiss his lips and settling down next to him. When I met Chris, I jumped onto him and he caught me. I let my legs settle around him as his hands went to my rear end, where he held me up and grinned. “Hi.” I murmured with a smile and I let my head rest on his.

“Hi, baby.” He grinned before I crashed my lips to his.