Jack did so, looking at himself in the mirror with a serious eye on Matt, mimicking his strokes. They were just wiping themselves off with a towel when Abby stepped in.
She took in Jack’s half ‘shaven’ face. “Hi, my handsome boy. The cookies are ready.”
Matt swung Jack down off the counter before he could jump and watched him streak out, then turned to his wife.
“Hi, my handsome boy,” she said, grinning up at him.
“Hi. What’s that look?” He stepped toward her. He knew that look. It was Abby’s lowered lashes, sex kitten look, but he liked to ask, liked to hear her say it. He slipped his hands around her waist as her hands slid up his chest to cup his cheeks.
“You know I love your freshly shaven face.” She stretched up to place a kiss just there. “Mmmm. So smooth. And you know this smell makes me crazy.”
“Really? We could bring some of this shaving cream to bed.”
“Nah. I just need you.” She sniffed his neck then pressed a kiss there, then his chin, his lips.
He pulled her tighter against him, pressing her soft center between his legs and kissed her deeply. She broke away, laughing.
“If that made you laugh, I wasn’t doing it right.”
She laughed harder. “No. You were doing it right. If you did it any better we’d have a problem since you’re about to leave. I almost forgot what I was coming in here to tell you.”
She struggled not to laugh again and now he was damn curious. “I went into the girls’ room while you were in the shower and found Gracie staring into her closet, hands on her hips and she turns around and looks at me—” Abby mimicked her.
“Mommy this is a urgency! I have nothing to wear and my date will be here any minute. Then she turned back to her closet and said, Well, he can just wait. And that’s my last word.”
Matt laughed out loud. “That girl. Where does she get these things?”
“I have no idea. I swear I got a flash of her at sixteen.”
“Sixteen? Try twenty-six because that’s how old she’ll be before she’s waiting on any guy to pick her up. I better go start my lessons. Make sure she knows any man worth her time will love her no matter what she’s wearing.”
“Good luck with that. She’s all dressed now and I vetoed the purple tights but gave in to the pink cowgirl boots you gave her.”
“You’re sweet, you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen the girls so excited.”
Abby gazed up at him, love in her eyes. That also made his heart swell and squeeze. “I have ulterior motives.”
“Oh, yeah?” She raised one eyebrow.
“I figure it’s never too soon to teach them that Daddy is the only man they need in their life.”
“Ahh. Is that what you’re doing? I also think you’re setting the bar impossibly high for all the poor males that will cross your daughters’ paths.”
“That works, too.”
“You’ve already made one cry. Poor Devon was devastated when Gracie told him her daddy was stronger than him.”
“Poor Devon should think twice before he tries to pick up Gracie again.”
“He’s only four.”
He made a sound low in his throat that said age didn’t matter. “He won’t be the last one I make cry.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t pout. You’ve got a lot of years yet, plus you know you’ll have fun scaring them off.”
She brushed one delicate finger over his lips, linked her arms around his neck as his hands at her waist tightened. “I know I say it all the time,” she said. “But I love you. You are the absolute best man I’ve ever known. Best father.”
His heart expanded. He wanted to be the best man, the best father. For her and for them. “I love you, too. How in the hell did I get so lucky?”
“You picked a good time to go to the beach.”
He pressed his lips to hers, felt her smile just before her soft mouth opened under his and he slid his tongue in for a taste.
Her fingers slid through his hair at the nape of his neck. And God, he loved her and tried to show her just how much, deepening the kiss, pouring his heart into the kiss.
He often thought about the fate of it, meeting Abby like he did. He likely wouldn’t have even been in the country if not for his injury and his CO sidelining him. He wouldn’t have been at the beach if not for his cousin Rob’s insistence. And he wouldn’t have gone for a swim and then a run if not for the annoying women Rob had brought along.
Even with all that, putting him in the right place at the right time, it was Jack and his football that had led him to Abby, to his family.
6
The Plunge
Abby’s gaze moved over each of her children, checking them off, making sure they were still there. The first swim meet of the summer at their neighborhood swim club was half swim meet, half neighborhood block party. Also known as chaos.
Towels littered the pool deck like a patchwork quilt on this hot and humid evening. Dripping wet swimmers scurried to and from the starting line, darting through a sea of children, parents, and half eaten plates of food.
The sheer business of it all made her even more grateful Matt’s parents had offered to take Mary for a few hours. She smiled though, remembering Matt’s disgruntled “Mmm” when she’d told him. She teased him, as all his family did, at the way he constantly held eight-month-old Mary, telling him she was never going to learn to walk he kept it up.
His older brother, Tony, tortured him, saying he’d have to put her down when she went to kindergarten, when she started dating, for college. It only made Matt hold her more, which honestly was just about the cutest thing.
She straightened out the end of her own blue towel and gathered Charlie’s straying cars, trying not take up any more room than she had to. She checked the heat sheet, listing all of tonight’s races. Just nine more before Annie’s.
Matt had already said he’d be late, a problem at the current house he was building and he was waiting on a sub-contractor. Something about septic and easements and permits.
Mission critical he’d called it, which made her smile. He might not be an active duty Navy SEAL anymore, but it was a part of him and she loved all his parts.
She checked her phone again, hoping Matt had texted an update. No matter when he left, there was always the chance of traffic, an accident, anything, and she wanted to prepare Annie if he wasn’t going to make it in time for her first race ever.
Ah! She had missed a text, but who could hear anything over the lifeguard’s shrill whistle, the low pop of the starting gun. Added to it the screams of onlookers, both kids and adults. Mostly adults.
Tell Annie I’ll be there.
Abby texted him back, telling him not to rush, to be careful.
Having lost interest in his cars, Charlie dumped his bag of ‘guys’ from a mesh drawstring bag; a mixture of Lego men, army men, and a few random characters from fast food kid meals.
Gracie laid on her stomach with her friend Maren, drawing purple circles on notebook paper for their plastic ponies to stand in. Jack hovered over an older boy’s iPad, watching him build his Minecraft world.
And then there was Annie. She sat alone, a book in her lap, one long braid pulled around her face. She held the end, swiping it slowly over her lips as she lost herself in a story. Abby marveled at the intense level of concentration it had to take to read with all the noise going on around her.
She was still shocked her oldest had even signed for such an event, and as she watched her daughter, she saw she wasn’t so lost in the book after all. Not based on Annie’s frequent glances toward the parking lot or the swimmers as they lined up on the diving blocks and splashed their way to the other end.
“Annie, you know you don't have to race if you don’t want to.” Abby had no problem pulling Annie from the race at the last minute. Who cared? This was for fun, not Olympic qualifiers.
Annie immediately dropped her braid and turned her attention back to her book. “I know.�
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A few minutes later, Jules, a sweet college girl and the girls’ swim teacher, approached with three other girls Annie’s age. Gracie popped up and latched onto one of Jules’ arms since both of her hands were taken.
“Hey, Gracie,” Jules said with a bright smile. “Hey, Annie. You ready? You’re up.”
Annie put her book down and stood slowly, looking toward the parking lot again. She was a strong swimmer, Jules had said so more than once. But Abby knew Annie was nervous, knew she wanted Matt to be there. They’d come a long way, Matt and Annie. She didn’t think Annie would take it as a sign of abandonment if he didn’t make it in time. She hoped.
While the other girls bounced and chattered, Annie stood silently in front of Jules. Should she remind Annie again that she didn’t have to do it if she didn't want to? Was that the right Mom move?
Jules let go of one of the girls’ hands and held it out to Annie.
“Have fun,” Abby said.
Annie nodded solemnly and took Jules’ hand.
“Thanks, Jules.”
“Of course. And we’ve got some time to get lined up and all,” Jules added for Annie’s benefit.
Abby watched her daughter walk away. She looked so grown up in the team suit, solid black with criss cross straps in the back. She sighed. Nothing to do now but wait. She checked the heat sheet again, crossing off races she’d missed as Annie left.
When she looked to the parking lot again, she saw Matt. Even at thirty yards away, she still got that tummy flip feeling. Happened every time. That and the bone deep love that was so frightening, but so very worth it. He didn’t see her yet and she took a moment to admire him.
God, she loved him in his work clothes. Any clothes really, or no clothes, but something about him in his field work, straight from a home site. Faded jeans that outlined his muscular thighs and one very fine ass.
Add to that, the boots and a shirt rolled up at the elbows when it was cool out, or like now, a black short sleeve T, hugging his chest and upper arms. His skin would be warm and smelling like sun, and sawdust, with just a hint of his aftershave lingering from this morning.
She sighed as her lips curved into an appreciative smile. She’d like to take a bite, she thought, tingling with the memories of their love-making that morning. Matt had hit his alarm, mumbled something about being the boss, then taken her slow and easy like they had all the time in the world. Which of course, with five kids they didn’t.
His eyes scanned the pool deck for one of his kids. Then the starting blocks, making sure no one was about to hit the water because he wouldn’t want to miss it. He was that kind of daddy. Didn’t want to miss a single minute.
How many times had she watched a father show up at a school program, seen the mother smile and wave, seen the child’s face light up seeing their dad had come? Now, even after almost a year, she still wondered at the blessing of Matt coming into their lives.
She watched as he drew closer, knew the exact moment when he saw her. He smiled and she got that punched in the stomach, free fall feeling. She didn’t believe there was only one right person for everyone, that was just too sad. But Matt was her person. Her everything.
Smiling, she raised her hand so he could find them amid the crowd. Their eyes met and he picked up his pace, his long legs eating up the distance between them.
“Hey, gang.”
She rose up onto the toes to press her lips to his for a quick kiss. He looked around, his gaze landing on each of his brood.
Gracie was already up and hanging on his arm.
“Hey, Bug.”
“I’m not having a swim race this night,” she said, followed by a pout she reserved just for Matt.
He lifted her up, kissed her cheek, then set her back on her feet. “Where’s Annie?”
“She just went to wait on deck,” Abby smiled.
“Okay.” He greeted Jack and Charlie, then assured Gracie he would watch her swim in the free–swim pool after Annie’s race. “I’ll be right back,” he told them. “I’m going to watch sister swim.”
With one hand still on Gracie’s head and one on his wife, he looked in the direction Abby had pointed. “I see her. I’m going to stand where she can see me,” he told her. “Maybe give her a quick pep talk.”
She grinned, but Matt’s attention was on the swimmers gathered at the other end of the pool. “I think that’s what her coach is for.”
“Yeah, well. You got these?” he asked of the other kids.
“Yeah. Go.”
That’s all he needed to hear and took off at an easy jog.
Abby made sure all their bags and toys were limited to their own towel space, then gathered Charlie and Gracie and told Jack to stay put.
Moments later, Annie’s group lined up at the starting blocks. You didn’t have to use them, and several young swimmers climbed up and hopped down, trying to decide if the novelty of jumping or diving off the added height was worth the fear.
Annie stood atop hers, still as a statue, eyes intent on the water in front of her. She didn’t fuss with her goggles as some did. Didn’t talk to the girls on either side of her. She looked so small, so alone. But she wasn’t alone. Matt stood several feet behind her, out of the coaches’ and timers’ way.
As she got closer, she saw Matt’s lips moving. Thought she couldn’t hear anything over the screams and whistles, she saw Annie nodding. Charlie wiggled to get down. “You have to hold my hand, so I can watch Annie,” Abby cautioned him.
She saw Matt’s lips move again, saw him smile and Annie nod. Then it was time.
The swimmers stepped up to the edge, some of them still fidgeting with their suit straps or goggles. The electronic beep sounded and ready or not, they all jumped, dived, or belly flopped into the water.
All but Annie.
Screams of Go! Kick! Use your arms! Erupted around Abby as she stood helpless at the opposite end of the pool. Her heart was in her throat as she watched her baby stand, toes on the edge, frozen in fear, still holding the end of one braid near her mouth.
Seconds had passed. Jules and the other coach were jogging along the side of the pool to meet the kids at the other end. Matt knelt beside Annie. Annie shook her head.
Abby expected him to take Annie’s hand and walk her back to her towel. He’d give her a kind and encouraging talk, and somehow with that magical way he had, get her to open up about her fears so she could squash them. But, no. That’s not what happened.
So quick Abby almost didn’t register it, Matt dug his phone out of his pocket, pushed it into a young boy’s hand standing behind the block. He stripped off his shoes in two swift jerks and then… Matt was jumping into the water.
Fully clothed, Matt stood in the pool water up to his chest. He faced Annie, still poised on the edge. She shook her head no, but Matt’s arms were out, beckoning.
The other kids neared the finish, but all eyes were on the scene playing out at the starting end.
“He’s gonna catch her, Mommy,” Gracie said, thrilled at the idea of her sister making a jump into Matt’s arms, a game she never grew tired of. In a way he was offering to catch her, but it was much more than that.
Abby couldn’t see Matt’s face, had no idea what he was saying, but she knew he could instill the utmost confidence. He’d done it with her, hadn’t he? Instilled a confidence in her heart and in herself. In his love.
In the next beat, Annie dropped her braid, sucked in a breath, and jumped. Matt caught her, held her a split second, then to Abby’s shock, Annie took off swimming. Face down, her arms pounded the water as her feet kicked for all she was worth. And there was Matt, jogging through the water at Annie’s side the entire way.
They reached the end to the cheers of the crowd— for Annie, but also for Matt. Abby picked up Charlie, grabbed Gracie’s hand and met them just as Matt lifted Annie up and onto the side of the pool.
She hugged Annie tight, unable to speak for the tears and the lump of pride in her throat. Then the sight
of Matt, climbing out of the water in his stiff, soaked clothes—there were no words. Tall, dripping wet, soaked jeans, plastered shirt. More than a couple of female mouths dropped open.
“You did it,” Matt said, putting his big protective hand on top of Annie’s wet head. “I knew you could.”
Annie looked up at him, her eyes full of love and adoration. Even at seven, she knew he’d done something extraordinary. Grownups didn’t just jump into swimming pools with their clothes on, certainly not Daddies. But hers had and Abby could literally see the love and confidence growing inside Annie. Then her face broke into an uncharacteristic broad smile before being led away by Jules for her heat ribbon.
“Did you see her?” Matt asked, glowing with pride even as the water sluiced off of him. “She did it.”
“I did see it.” She wrapped her arms around his soaking wet body. “And you did it, too.” Then with a smile on her lips, she kissed him.
She heard a woman’s voice mumble, “Where on earth did she find him?”
Gracie answered helpfully, and loudly. “My brother found him. At the beach.”
7
Full Circle
“And then,” Matt said, poking a reed of dune grass into the sand, “….we can watch the shadow from this stick move as the sun moves.” Annie nodded as she listened to Matt. Not sitting alone this year, not watching warily, but asking all her questions with the confidence they would be answered.
And more importantly, if they weren’t answered today they could be answered tomorrow or the next day or next week because Matt would be there. Ever precise in anything she did, whether a math problem or art or soccer, she straightened each grouping of shells, one to twelve, just so.
Gracie sat nearby, moving her plastic dollhouse people through the motions of their own day at the beach. Jack and Charlie rolled in the surf’s edge a few yards away. Mary dozed in her stroller under the shade of their umbrella, her short curls waving lightly around a cherub face.
Three year old Charlie came zipping through, whooping out a battle cry and kicking sand as he went.
After The Fall: A collection of Matt and Abby short stories Page 5