Runaway - Chapter 48
I picked up my pace as I ran down the beach. Ever since Jacob had been born, Miller and I had stopped running together, since one of us always needed to be with the baby. I missed him by my side.
I missed him period .
Every day that passed here, I felt more like myself. I felt like me again. And I realized just how much Miller was right. I’d been pushing him away. I’d been anxious. It had been hard to get out of bed for a few months. I was worried all the time. But it was all in my head.
I had everything I could possibly want in my life. And I’d let fears of the future creep up on me. I’d vowed to live in the present. I didn’t want to miss out on today because I was so worried about tomorrow. And I did trust Miller to keep us safe.
I paused on the beach, placing my hands on my knees. God, I’d needed this. I breathed in the familiar smell of salty air. I’d needed this so badly. It was like the sun on my skin was exactly what I’d needed to wake up again.
I didn’t want to be running away from my family. Suddenly even the distance on the beach felt like too much. I needed to run back to them. I turned around and ran faster back toward the little house we were renting.
I smiled as I saw them in the distance. They were sitting on a blanket under an umbrella. Miller was reading something and it looked like Jacob was fast asleep. I sprinted up the sand and launched myself into Miller’s arms, knocking him backward into the sand.
“Hey,” Miller said with a smile, even though I’d probably just knocked the wind out of him and definitely gotten his book sandy.
“Hey.”
His fingers wandered into my hair. “You look happy.”
“I’m so happy.”
His eyes dropped to my lips. “I think we should stay here.”
I laughed. “I was just about to tell you that I’m ready to go home.”
He drew his eyebrows together. “You weren’t happy there anymore. I really think we should stay. I want to stay.”
His cheeks were rosy from the sun. And he was staring at me with that same love in his eyes. Love that stretched years.
“I have an idea,” I said.
He stayed quiet.
“How about once a year we come back to the beach for vacation?”
“Or we could stay…”
“No. I love our home. I want to raise Jacob and all our children there.” I looked over at Jacob who was sleeping under the umbrella.
Miller rolled us over in the sand, pinning me below him. “All our children, huh?”
My skin was sweaty from my run and I knew my back was now covered in sand. It reminded me of that time, years ago, when Miller had rolled around in the sand, completely covering himself. He was ridiculous. He was the love of my life. “Yes, all our children.”
“Were you thinking about making one right now?”
I laughed as he pressed his weight down on me. “We’re on a public beach. And Jacob is right there.”
Miller looked over at our son. “He’s sleeping.”
I laughed and put my hand on his chest. “Take me home, Miller. I want to go home.”
“You are my home.” He dropped his forehead to mine. “I really am okay with staying. I’m addicted to your smiles, kid.”
“I’m okay. It was like you said. I just needed some air.”
He placed a kiss against my lips. We were on a secluded beach in the middle of the day.
And Jacob was asleep. I breathed in Miller’s exhales as I wrapped my legs around his waist. Maybe I hadn’t needed air at all.
Maybe I’d just needed to let him in again.
Because his exhales were sweeter than the salty air.