MRS. WEST

ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖

The Lord knows I've been needing this break from work. Slowly but surely, I've been taking days off because Ted has me doing entirely too much especially with all the new cases dropping in. Don't get me wrong, I love my law firm and what I do, but what's wrong with spending time with your family?

Cameron surprised me on my day off by planning a picnic in a nice park where Jordyn can play with her friends and we can just relax.

The moment we woke up, he told me to put something nice on because we were going somewhere–and so I did.

I wore my strapless yellow dress that was strictly reserved for special occasions or when I felt plain and wanted a reminder to feel pretty.

My hair was up in a sleek bun, (though a few rebellious curls had decided to come out by the time I went downstairs.)

and in my ears sat the six-carat diamond earrings Cam had got me for my birthday.

Far too extravagant for a picnic, but I wore them anyway.

Of course, Jordyn was the hardest part of the day.

Not because she didn't want to go, but because she was too excited.

She had refused the pretty floral sundress I had offered because it was simply too long.

Then Cam offered to help me out so I could finish getting ready, and of course when I came back, she was in the floral sundress when her Dad gave it to her.

Jordyn is on the swings, her laughter carrying across the park in bursts. Her legs kick forward with too much energy, and I fight the urge to say Be careful! Cameron is trying to shove a diced pineapple into my mouth. I giggle, accepting it gracefully.

"Mm!" I say, covering my mouth to chew. The pineapple is perfectly ripe, so it's the right amount of sweet and doesn't sting my tongue.

"Tasty, isn't it?" He says, taking a pineapple for himself.

I nod, scooting closer to wipe the side of his mouth with a napkin.

Cameron had dirty blonde hair that shone blonde in the sun, and dark blue eyes to match.

His freckles spread out evenly across his face and down his back, which were also my favorite places to run my fingers on.

He had this mole on the side of his cheek that you could only see if you were close enough that was shaped like a star.

"You're always getting yourself dirty." I mutter mostly to myself, cleaning up the rest of the pineapple juice.

"You like it dirty." He replies, pulling my cheek and kissing me on my lips. In return, he gets a little bit of lip gloss on him, and I chuckle.

"Cameron! We're outside." I tell him. He smiles at me before rubbing the gloss off his mouth.

I click open another fruit container and feed him a bright red strawberry. He leans in without hesitation, taking a bite, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Mama!" Jordyn comes sprinting towards us, slightly out of breath with tiny curls coming out in every direction.

"Snacky." She points at the cooler bag. My hands immediately smooth her hair and dress back into place.

"Hey, bug!" Cam says, tossing her a giant strawberry. She catches it miraculously.

"Hi, Dada," Jordyn says, waving at Cam before taking a huge bite of her strawberry. He pulls her into a bear hug, and she squirms in his arms almost instantly.

"Down, down!" she laughs, wriggling wildly. Cameron tightens his hold for exactly two extra second just to annoy her before setting her back on the blanket.

"You just got here," he pouts playfully. "You can't already be leaving."

"I want play," she says, pointing behind her where the park is.

"Of course," I mutter. "Why would sitting still ever be an option?"

She ignores me completely. I reach for another napkin, wiping the sticky fruit juice off her fingers before she can transfer it to my dress, the blanket, Cameron, or some innocent bystander walking past.

"Mama, I want play now." Jordyn whines simply from me fixing her up. She dashes as soon as I let her go.

"Stay where we can see you!" I call after her. She nods mid-run which means she definitely heard me but absolutely will not follow that instruction. I watch her for a second longer than necessary–just to make sure she's safe before I feel a warm hand pull me from the back.

Cam rests his hand tightly on my waist as he pulls me closer. I let myself fall into him without resistance, my back settling against his chest. He leans in just slightly, close enough that I can feel his breath but not close enough to actually kiss me.

"You worry too much," he murmurs near my ear.

"I have to!" I reply, exhaling through my nose, "Jordyn is wild."

He exhales a quiet laugh against my shoulder. His fingers grip just slightly at my waist, thumb brushing back and forth absentmindedly creating tiny circles. It's a distraction and I love it.

"Relax, Mrs. West" he adds softly. He'd started using that nickname the day of our honeymoon because he says it makes us more connected. Whatever that means.

"I'm as relaxed as can be."

"Quit the bull. I can tell you're tense."

I pause, taking a second to glance at him. "What if someone just grabs her out of nowhere?"

"Dix," he says, turning me slightly so I'm facing him now, "she's fine."

I turn back to the park. Jordyn is still running, laughing, and completely unaware I'm watching her like crazy.

She is fine. I sigh, letting my shoulders drop just a little. "Okay," I accept defeat.

"That's better." He reaches down to grab sushi he bought from my favorite store of all time. "Want some sushi?"

I smile at the sweet gesture, opening my mouth. He places the roll inside, and I savor the spicy taste, mixing the rice, soy sauce, and salmon with my tongue.

Today and Wednesday were the only days I took off, yet it feels like a whole vacation. I glance back at Jordyn who spots me staring, and she waves, in which I wave back. I point towards the non-existent clock on my hand, signaling it's almost time to go. She nods before sliding down the slide again.