| They had been out on the beach all afternoon. Colby sat in the sand chair and watched as their five-year-old twins, Sean and Meghan, ran in and out of the surf Brian standing there with them to be sure that they were safe. She could hear their laughter, as they would race back and forth as the water caught them and swirled around their legs. At one point they both fell down giggling so hard that Brian had to gather them up in his arms and get them on the shore. Colby smiled as she watched them. Brian was never happier than when he was with the children. His family had become more than just a dream and he thrived on being a father. Their life in the nearly ten years that they had been married was far from mundane. Each day was a blank page that they wrote their story on and the memories were many. Some good and some not, but it was their story and one that Colby wouldn�t trade for a million dollars. She looked down the beach to see her older son and daughter, walking hand in hand looking for shells. Those two were so close, he protecting her and she; well it was almost idol worship. �He is not.� �Is so.� The girl ran from her brother and screamed, "Not!� She fell on the blanket and dumped their bucket of shells sorting through all the treasures they had found. �Mom,� the boy said sitting down. �Tell her that Kevin is really our cousin and we just call him uncle.� �That�s right.� Colby examined the shell her daughter handed her. �Kevin is your daddy�s cousin so that makes him yours too. It�s just that being older you have called him uncle.� She hugged her daughter. �Uncle Kevin got daddy to be a singer, right mom?� The boy looked proud to know that his dad was so well known around the world. �Yes he did.� �Tell us how again.� �Oh that story is best told by your dad. You two all ready to go?� Colby asked as they continued to show her one shell after another. �Uh huh. We can take these right?� Her son asked. The sun danced off his face and for a minute Colby was taken back to a late October afternoon over ten years ago when she and Brian walked this very beach. �Of course you can.� Colby placed the pieces back in the bucket. �Come on let�s get you ready. You aunt and uncle will be here soon.� She gathered up the blanket and chair and called to Brian. He acknowledged with a wave and started back to the house. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Seven months to the day that Brian and Colby were married she gave birth to a son. He was named after his father and at nine years old he was a reincarnation of Brian. Jackie shared pictures with Colby and it was impossible to tell who was the father and who was the son. When Brian was nine months old Colby found herself pregnant again and delivered a daughter. They named her Catherine and her �other� grandmother was overwhelmed when told. She spoiled the child and Colby let her. Colby felt they were her grandchildren as much as Jackie and Harold�s. That old rambling house finally had echoed with the sound of children laughing. Colby�s two pregnancies didn�t come without some complications though. Six months after Catherine�s birth severe hemorrhaging forced Colby into the hospital. The doctor found some polyps and when screened were found to be pre-cancerous. A complete hysterectomy was done thus removing Colby�s chances to have any more children. She was devastated and Brian worried that she would sink into a state of depression. But as upset as Colby was, it never happened. The experience brought them even closer together. Her recuperation was slow and having Catherine to care for was a blessing. It helped to ease the intense loss Colby felt at being less of a woman. However, they were given the opportunity to become parents again quite unexpectedly. Brian had been on a tour through Europe and Colby and the children met him in England. The conflict in Northern Ireland still raged and Colby read reports of dozens of orphaned children. Relief agencies were seeking homes and before Brian knew it they had begun proceedings to bring a set of twins, a brother and sister, into their home. They were only 18 months old and Colby just fell in love with them. It seemed that God had a sense of humor by not only providing them with their own children but also giving them enough love to share with two others. Their home looked like that of any family of six and many a night she and Brian dropped into bed exhausted but extremely happy. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian bathed the twins and Colby made sure all their bags were packed with not only their clothes but also their favorite books, toys and games. Kevin and Kristen were due soon to take the children back to their farm for a week. It was an early anniversary gift for Colby and Brian. How they would manage with their four as well their own son, Colby wasn�t sure. But Kevin assured them they would be fine and he had plenty planned for them to do. He had a large sprawling farmhouse nestled in the woods. It seemed that all of them had found a retreat to get away from the frenzied life that their careers demanded of them. �Grandpa William will be there too, right?� Cat asked as her mother brushed her hair. �Yes sweetie. He will be there.� The girl smiled. He always smelled so good and she hoped he would bring the book they were reading. He read stories so well. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ William and Catherine truly became family to Colby after her marriage to Brian. Fences were mended on both sides completely and Brian�s wariness of William disappeared. They actually became good friends, which delighted Catherine and Colby. The children were the center of their universe and they lavished them with presents but the children loved them regardless of the gifts. Even though they weren�t theirs truly, they couldn�t have loved them more. Colby was all they had left with Garrett out of their life. He rarely called and he never saw them. After William thwarted Garrett�s attempt to take over the company, Garrett stayed for a few years, but eventually left and went into real estate development. He made his money fast, but spent it faster and died tragically five years ago. Like his brother, it was a car accident only this time Garrett was at fault, traveling at 90 miles an hour, losing control and wrapping his car around a utility pole. He died the way he lived and it took his parents months to come to grips with it. He was still their son, even for all the evil things he had done, and William blamed himself for what his son had become. With Garrett�s death William stepped down from his responsibilities at the company and retired. With no heirs to carry on and keep the company within the family, he offered his top-level executives options to purchase some company stock with him holding onto thirty percent. He felt good about his decision and knew the company would continue on in good hands. With his retirement, he and Catherine traveled some, but it was getting harder and harder for her. As good as her recovery had been from her stroke; she never regained the same vigor she once possessed. And then two years ago, she never woke up one morning, a stroke taking her during the night. The shock of her death hit them all hard. Colby worried about William as he practically gave up the will to live. It took months for him to come back to them and the children were what saved him. They rejuvenated his heart, and he spent as much time as possible with them. He became a regular at dinner along with Brian�s parents. Catherine�s passing forced Colby to finally make a decision about Rob�s estate. The money had been sitting for years and she sat down with William and Brian and Wade and told them what she decided. She gave the bulk of the estate to the university to be used as scholarship money and the rest she donated to Brian�s charity to help young children with heart conditions. It was then that they found out William had set up small trust funds for each of Colby�s children. She argued that it wasn�t necessary but he was determined to have them share in a fortune he had acquired at the expense of his family. He had learned that true riches were family and friends and he wanted to do this. It was Brian who convinced Colby that William needed to do this. He was still making amends for years and years of misplaced love. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Colby and Kristen checked the seat belts on the twins. �You be good for Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kristen, okay,� Colby said as she kissed them both. They nodded at her. �Daddy and I will be home on the weekend.� �Love you mommy,� Meghan said as she wrapped her arms around Colby�s neck. �I love you too.� She looked at Sean who was already starting to squirm in his seat. She hoped that he wouldn�t be too much trouble on the ride back. �Give mommy a kiss, young man.� He puckered his lips and planted a wet one on Colby. She backed out of the van and saw her older son helping Kevin pack up the last few items. She walked to the back of the van. Cat gave her a huge hug. �Kiss Grandpa William for me okay,� Colby said to her. �I will mommy. You and daddy have fun okay.� She gave a little smirk and Colby patted her bottom. �In the car young lady.� Cat giggled and climbed in the van. Brian had his arm around young Brian and Colby�s heart leaped in her chest when she saw them together. Brian was telling their son that he needed to help Kevin and Kristen as much as he could. They were doing them a favor and everyone needed to behave. �Don�t worry dad, we�ll be good and I�ll watch the little ones okay.� Brian nodded and gave him a bear hug. �Bye mom, you and dad, well, you know,� he blushed as he gave Colby a kiss and hug. �We love you, and we�ll be home on Sunday.� Colby squeezed him again and then he got in the van. �Kevin, you are sure you know what you are doing,� Colby said as Brian came and put his arm around her waist. �Yes. You two need some time alone. They will be fine and probably grateful to see you by the time Sunday gets here. But we�ve got lots planned, fun stuff, but work too. They won�t be bored and will sleep well, mark my words.� Kevin hugged Colby and kissed her cheek. �Go have some fun with that husband of yours. He�s about ready to jump out of his skin.� Colby still managed to blush after all these years. She hugged and thanked Kristen who had come around the car after checking that all the children were comfortable. �Look, we offered and I agree with Kevin, you guys need some time alone. So go enjoy yourselves.� Brian and Colby waved as they pulled away. A part of her felt a bit sad but the thought of being alone with Brian for five days was something she was looking forward to. They walked back into the house and Colby immediately began picking up all the items they would have to take home later in the week. She straightened up the great room and then went upstairs to the bedrooms to do the same. She must have worked about an hour and then went downstairs again for Brian. She found a note on the kitchen counter, Meet me in the bedroom. The room was dark except for a few candles placed around the room. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in the bucket and Brian was out on the porch. She walked up behind him and took hold of him around the waist. He turned at her touch and gathered her into his arms. �You okay,� he whispered against her hair. �Yes. It�s so quiet. It seems strange not to have them here with us.� �I know.� She looked up at him and his eyes were a bit glassy. �Hey, what�s wrong?� She touched his cheek and he took her hand and kissed her palm. �My life is perfect. I have you and our family and I don�t need anything else.� He was still the same to her. At 38 his hair had a hint of gray at the temples but other than that he hadn�t changed. He had that same twinkle in his eyes and his smile lit up his face to make those little lines around his eyes. And he still was able to set Colby�s heart racing every time he walked into a room. She didn�t know how she could possibly love him any more than she did, but every day the feelings just went deeper and deeper. He had been by her side through everything just like he said he would. She drew strength from his love and even when they were apart she could still feel his presence. �Come, I want to make love to my bride.� He led her back into the bedroom. �Bride? Oh Brian, I haven�t been a bride in a long time.� He put his fingers to her lips. �You will always be my bride.� He leaned down and gently touched her lips with his. Colby let out a sigh and Brian picked her up and placed her on the bed. �I may never let you leave this room for the rest of the week,� he said as his mouth sucked on her neck sending shivers down her spine. They discarded their clothes hastily and made love like two teenagers, their orgasms coming quickly and then collapsing in a thin coat of sweat. �I love you,� Colby said as her tears fell on her cheeks. �Hey,� Brian brushed her cheeks. �You�re not worried about the children are you?� She shook her head. �No. My life is perfect too.� She touched his face and brought it to hers and kissed him softly. �I know people would think I�m crazy what with four children and a husband who still has fans that scream when he enters a room, but I wouldn�t trade it for anything. You�ve given me more than I every dreamed possible.� �And it�s not over yet.� He rolled on his side and Colby snuggled against him. �I remember the first day I saw you. I couldn�t get your face out of my thoughts. I think I fell in love with you that day and didn�t know it.� �That�s funny because your face was always mixed up in my dreams about Rob too. It�s strange how our subconscious works.� The hint of a smile passed across her face but then it became serious again. �You promised it would be like this.� She ran her hand along his chest. �What four kids and screaming fans?� He grinned at her as he took her hand and kissed it. �No our memories. You said we would make our own and we have so many. Our life is perfect because of them. She leaned up and looked into his eyes. �We�ve had some rough spots�� �Colby, I�� �No, we�ve both been wrong over the years, but that is what has made us so strong. We�ve been able to come back and forgive each other and grow from each experience. My life is so intertwined with yours.� �As mine is with yours.� He leaned up so they were looking directly at each other. �No regrets?� she shook her head. �No. I always thought that Rob and I and a wonderful marriage and we did to an extent. But we were missing a family and not just children.� Brian saw tears begin to form in her eyes again. �My parents were gone and his, well,� she sniffed trying to hold back. �You gave me a family Brian and through some miracle Catherine and William became the parents I lost.� �It goes both ways Colby.� He rolled her onto her back and draped his body over hers. �You and the children are the sunrise and sunset of my life.� He brushed the hair away from her face and Colby closed her eyes at the touch of his hands. Even after ten years he could still cause her to suck in her breath with anticipation. �What I value the most is you, the children, family, our friends. Those are the most important things in my life,� he kissed her tenderly, �not my career or what�s in the bank. That can be taken away tomorrow but you, you are my lifeblood. I am who I am because of the love you give me. And it�s times like this,� he whispered as he slid his length inside her and Colby arched into him, �when our love is manifested through each other�s bodies and I hold you and know that each day when I wake we can begin again.� He moved slowly inside her touching her so deeply as again they expressed their love for each other. He was right she thought as they lay cuddled together. No matter what happened as long as they had each other, nothing else mattered. It all came down to love, that was the greatest treasure. |