Calming Beach

hair when she failed to relax against him. "First things first. Let's take a test."

  There was not an answer from her. He could tell she was fighting back tears. Her deep breaths were forced and controlled.

  "What do you say?" he asked as he gave her a squeeze. "Hmm?" Easing back, he stooped down to meet her shying eyes. "Let's go for a ride and swing by the drug store." Her brows knitted. "You don't even have to go in," he offered. "I'll run in and we'll be back before you know it."

  "What if we can't stay here?" she said as she shook her head. "What if Morgan finds us and we have to leave?"

  She hadn't spoken that name since they arrived on the island. There was not even a suggestion that she still worried they might be followed. He thought she was finally comfortable.

  "What if he does?" He didn't mean it to be a question. "We have options, Madison. We'll always have options. I don't think anything would change if we have a baby. Then we would just have to remember to pack a car seat in the Rover when we go."

  He flashed a smirk with the attempted humor. She refused to lighten. She was chained to anxiety.

  "Come on," he said as she rubbed her arms. They felt extra soft from her bubble bath. "Let's go pick up a test. We'll take it from there when we know a little more."

  She seemed to steady. With a stiff nod, she bit at her lip once again. He interrupted her habit by stealing a quick kiss.

  Skyler walked her out to the Rover, leaving their forgotten tea and coffee to grow cold on the counter.

  The drive to town was muted. He snuck glances at Madison at her continued silence. She rested her head on the door and gazed blankly out the open window. Her knuckles were blanched as she wrung her hands. Skyler reached over and took one of her hands in his.

  They pulled up to the drug store he had in mind. It was one they were familiar with. They'd only shopped there a few times. It was mainly a quick stop as they passed through on their way home. The friendly staff and simple layout added to its convenience.

  Skyler put the Rover in park. He looked to Madison. She was staring wide eyed at the front door of the shop. "You don't have to go in if you don't want to."

  She nodded. "I do." She gave a shrug and glanced at him. "I think I should."

  He offered a smile. He knew she was again finding her spark. She always had some courage in reserve.

  Skyler made sure to hold her hand as they entered the store. The cashier welcomed them after a bell announced their arrival. Skyler was glad to see Madison perk up and return the young woman's friendly greeting.

  They made their way to the needed isle. Skyler fought back a chuckle when he saw Madison gape at the selection of pregnancy tests. There were plenty to choose from, and then some. His distraught wife looked a little baffled by the well-stocked shelves.

  "Grab one," he said with a nod. "I bet they're all the same."

  She gave a nervous snicker. "Sure thing, dear. It can't be that difficult."

  He didn't try to answer her sarcastic response. At least her wit hadn't recessed too much. She'd be back to her old self in no time.

  They moved to opposite ends of the isle. Looking over each box, they slowly met up in the middle. Skyler had two boxes in his hand. Madison clutched four.

  "Difficult?" he said with a smirk.

  She seemed to be somewhere between unsure and flustered. "You pick."

  Skyler took her selected boxes. He added them to his fewer choices. Putting them behind his back, he shuffled the six boxes around, and stopped with three in each hand. "Left or right?" he asked, then shrugged his shoulders.

  Madison raised a brow. "We're seriously going to pick a pregnancy test like this?"

  He nodded with a smirk.

  She shook her head and puffed out a sigh. "Chase would be so proud of you."

  Skyler rocked side to side while Madison's gaze shifted back and forth between his concealed hands. She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes. He could almost hear the gears turning in her head.

  Reaching out with an unsteady hand, she tapped his right elbow. Skyler emptied his left hand onto the shelf behind him. He then shuffled the final three choices in his hands, stopping with two in one hand, and one in the other.

  "Left or right?"

  He couldn't help by chuckle at the grumble that came from his wife. She closed her eyes and raised her hand. She drew a big circle in the air, then reached out and poked his left shoulder. She picked the one being held alone.

  "Ah," he sighed. "Good choice."

  "Which is it?"

  "I don't know."

  Madison bobbed in place like bobble head dog. "Skyler!"

  He laughed out and put his arm around her. "Let's go."

  "Which is it?" He could feel her stare burn into the side of his face.

  "We'll see at the register."

  He caught her glancing back at the shelf where he left the other tests. There was no way she could determine which he carried. He let her ponder. Perhaps it would be a good distraction.

  Luckily, there was not a line when they made their way to the checkout. Skyler set the box down at the register. He pretended not to notice how quickly Madison surveyed the choice. Either she was content with the selection, or she was too nervous to say otherwise. She hooked her arm in his until they were finished.

  Back in the Rover, Skyler started home. He calmed some at the relief that seemed to settle on Madison. She was no longer wringing her hands or acting fidgety. She even opened her window and let her hair down. He was glad to see the change.

  They had spoken in the past about starting a family. They both agreed that it was something they wanted, but they also decided they would wait a while longer. They needed to be certain they had a handle on their lives before bringing the innocence of a child into their world. They wanted their children to have a normal and uncomplicated life.

  Madison taking his hand broke his train of thought. He looked to her and offered a warm smile. She returned it, then winked at him. "We're gonna be okay," she said quietly.

  He nodded in agreement. He couldn't tell if she was aiming to comfort him in some way, or if she was mostly saying so for her own sake. As long as she believed it, he didn't mind either way.

  When they pulled into the driveway, Skyler chuckled as Madison snatched the bag from between the seats and jumped out of the Rover. She trotted down the sidewalk. She peeked back at him every few steps as if to see if he was coming.

  Skyler got to the sidewalk in time to catch a glimpse of her slide in the front door. She left it open just a smidgen, gave a quick wave, and then was out of sight. He heard the bathroom door close when he reached the first step.

  They would know in a few short minutes the result of the test. Butterflies filled his stomach. Excitement and anxiousness converged on him. He stepped in the house and guided the door closed. Taking a deep breath, he told himself either result would be welcomed. He wished it to give whichever answer would please his wife the most.

  Madison had a casserole prepared for dinner that was waiting in the fridge. Skyler went ahead and turned on the oven. He could get it going while they awaited the verdict.

  He was pulling out dishes for dinner when she joined him in the kitchen. She set out the silverware without a word. Her beaming smile said it all.

  "How long do we have?" he asked.

  She snickered before answering, "Four more minutes."

  Skyler sat down at the table and held out his hands for her to come closer. She followed his meaning. She sat on his lap and gave him a kiss. He hugged her to his chest. "What are you thinking about?"

  Easing back, she looked confused by his asking. "You tell me."

  "No," he said with a chuckle. "I'm just wondering."

  She continued to peer at him. He knew she was teasing. She always mused that he knew her thoughts without her having to say anything. It was in her eyes. They gave away her mood. But they we
re hard to read at the moment.

  "I don't know," she finally answered. Biting her lip, she shook her head. "I don't really know."

  "You have to be thinking of something."

  She shrugged. "What about you?"

  "Me?" he stalled. "Well, I'm thinking these might be the longest four minutes of my life."

  Madison laughed with him. She leaned in to hug him, nuzzling against his neck. "Oh, come on."

  "What?" he protested.

  "I can think of worse four minute waits."

  He nodded slowly and tightened his hold on her. "Yeah, but this is now, and I'm still waiting for your answer."

  Her sigh warmed the side of his neck. "I'm trying not to get excited," she confessed. "I'm trying not to think about it."

  "All right." He tugged at a curl that was tickling his cheek. "How have things been going at the library?"

  He felt her shrug. "Quietly."

  Not knowing how to take her answer, he fought back a smile until she laughed. "I guess that's to be expected."

  "That's what I've been told," she went on. "It's good. I'm glad they took me on."

  "Good. I'm beginning to get hooked on these lunches in the park."

  "Me too," she agreed.

  The sounding beep from the oven told that it was warmed up and ready to go. Madison hugged Skyler tight once more, then got to her feet. She took the casserole from where he had set it on the counter and slid it into the oven.

  Skyler admired her from the place he held at the table. He could tell her mind was still racing. Her movements were automatic. She was removed from the world around her. Her blank eyes followed her fingertips as she set the timer on the oven.

  The blinking, green numbers on the display reminded him of the time. It had been five minutes. The test was done. Madison was delaying.

  He stood and wandered to the coffee pot. The machine had turned itself off long ago. The black coffee within was undoubtedly cold. Even still, Skyler poured some into his ceramic mug.

  "Do you want more?" Madison posed.

  He shook his head. "I'll just put it in the microwave."

  She looked to him and bit her lip. She seemed to be holding her breath. Then, with a quick nod, she turned and left the kitchen.

  Skyler listened to the padding of her soft footsteps as she made her way down the hall. He didn't know if he should go with her, or wait for her to come to him. Did she want to be alone? Did she want him by her side?

  He could hear the light switch click in the bathroom. It was followed by a silence that drowned out his thoughts. All he could do was wait.

  He didn't realize he was holding his breath until he heard Madison clear her throat. She was coming back up the hall. He hurried and set the coffee mug in the microwave and pressed a few buttons.

  When he stepped back, it was just in time to catch a glimpse of Madison as she emerged from the hall. She met his eyes, blinked, and bit her lip. He waited. She shook her head.

  Skyler nodded in understanding. He peered at her in attempts to see how she felt about the result. She was still too distant. Her daze was as strong as ever.

  Unsure of what to do, he moved to her, pulled her into his arms, and held her for several breaths. She returned a rather passive embrace of her own. He kissed her forehead and wished he could read her mind.

  "I'm sorry," she said in a weak voice. "I shouldn't have said anything until I knew. I got us all worked up for nothing."

  He gave a sympathetic chuckle. "Don't worry about it," he answered with another kiss. "You're fine. We're fine."

  Madison leaned against him. She puffed out a sigh. "I know you want one. I'm sorry."

  Taking her face in his hands, he forced her to meet his eyes yet again. He shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for. We're fine. All right?"

  She gave a hesitant nod.

  "I love you."

  A smile colored her face. "Forever."

  "Always," he answered.

  It was a great comfort when she hugged herself to him as tightly as she did. He held her close, breathing in the trace of vanilla that softened her skin. The only thing he wanted more than kids was for her unwavering happiness. He had more than he could ever hope for with each loving smile and sparkle of her eyes.

  She gave a happy hum that warmed his heart. She looked up at him and her eyes confirmed her peace. That was all he needed.

  "Now," she said as she eased back. "Are you really okay with that old coffee or do you want some from the fresh pot I'm going to brew?"

  He answered right away with a nod. "Only if you're having some. If you are, I'd love something a little more fresh."

  "That's what I thought."

  She seemed to be her usual self as they readied their dinner. Skyler stayed with her in the kitchen though he knew she liked having the workspace to herself. It might have just been him being paranoid, but he thought he would every now and again catch a certain sadness in her eyes. It disappeared as soon as he focused on it.

  Even through dinner, she kept up the believable front. She was conversational, easily keeping up when he mentioned their hope of redecorating the living room. Madison relayed a color-scheme she had been toying with. Red was involved. She could even get it to blend throughout the house.

  But as soon as the dinner was done and Skyler insisted it was his night to do the dishes, Madison slipped off in silence. He let her be. A few minutes of quiet never hurt anyone.

  Then a few minutes turned into a few hours. It was getting late. Would she let the day end on such a gloomy note?

  She was curled up with a pillow at the foot of their bed. Skyler eased into the room and sat down beside her. She didn't stir.

  "I'm going to go for a walk," he said to her stilled presence.

  There was not an answer from her. Her eyes were closed, but she was not sleeping. He could tell that much by the way her fingers fidgeted with a loose thread on the bedspread.

  He leaned down next to her. "Would you like to come along? I was just going to head up the beach and check out the tide pools."

  She mumbled her decline of the invitation.

  Skyler brushed the curls from Madison's face and took her hand in his. "Come on," he said softly. "You would be sorry to miss such a sunset."

  She seemed to think on it for a moment. Her eyes slowly opened and met his. He gave a smile to encourage her. After a few blinks, she sat up.

  Skyler kept a passive hold on her hand as they strolled up the beach. Madison was still rather distracted. He let her have her quiet. At least he got her out of the house. Walks along the shore always cheered her up.

  The sunset was gorgeous. The reds and pinks of the feathered clouds reflected on the lazy waves. The already beautiful waters came alive with the radiant colors.

  Keeping their easy pace, Skyler glanced over at Madison. He tried to decipher any change in her demeanor. It was difficult to tell with the wind tossing the loosened curls into her face. She didn't bother to sweep them back.

  She was too busy fussing at the ornery straps of her dress. They appeared to be taking turns slipping off her shoulders with the evening breeze. She would get one back in place just in time for the other to fall. Going by the tightness of her lips, she was rather pestered.

  They were nearly to the tide pools when she slowed to a stop. "Go ahead," she said as she looked back the way they had come. "I think I'm just going to head to bed."

  Skyler let her pull her hand free from his. "Are you sure?"

  She nodded. "Let me know if you find any neat shells." She shrugged, and then tugged at a rebelling strap.

  He peered at the darkening beach ahead of them. The tide pools were in sight.

  But Madison didn't wait for any reply from him. She turned away and started home. Her bare feet left muffled prints in the loose sand compared to the fresh tracks along the shining shore.

  Skyler watched h
er as she walked on. She was not coming around as he expected her to. It was as if their little walk only added to her gloom. Though she had a good lead on him, he trailed after her.

  He caught up without hurrying his pace. Her depressed lop covered far less ground than his longer strides.

  Madison tugged the strap back onto her shoulder. Skyler caught her hand as it came back to her side. She flinched away as if she was frightened.

  "It's just me," he said with a calm chuckle. She lifted her head just a little to peek at him, but it was enough for him to see a tear streak from her wide eyes.

  He stopped where he was and tightened his hold on her hand. "Madison, what's wrong?"

  She bit her lip in frustration. After taking a deep breath, she shook her head as an answer.

  "Hey, now," he said as he moved closer, forcing her to meet his gaze. "This isn't like you. What's bothering you?"

  There wasn't a verbal answer from her, but Skyler though he might understand. Her eyes slid closed. Her brows raised in worry. She took another deep breath and let it out slowly.

  "It's the test," he quietly posed. "Isn't it?" She bit her lip in response. "You wanted it to say yes, didn't you?"

  Her green eyes, shining with tears, blinked open. She shook her head just the slightest bit. "No," she answered in a tired whisper. "I didn't think I was ready. I didn't think we were ready. We're just getting started.

  "But then you were excited. I know you were. I could see it. And that made me excited. I thought of how wonderful it would be to have a family, I mean, you and me and a baby. A real family.

  "I didn't want it to say yes … until it said no."

  She closed her eyes and bowed her head. Skyler could tell she was fighting back tears. He stood there silently and did his best to find the right words to say.

  A strap of her dress slipped from her shoulder. Madison's brows matched her frown as she reached for it. With a quick and gentle movement, Skyler's hand met hers to reclaim the fallen strap. She froze in place at his touch.

  "Come here," he said softly as he pulled her close. He held her tight. Her long curls caught in the stubble of his cheek. "You don't have to answer," he started slowly. "I'm just saying this so you won't worry about what I'm thinking. I'm more than happy with having you with me everyday. It means more to me than I could ever explain. Yes, I let myself get a little excited. I'm looking forward to the day when we decide to start a family. But I can wait as long as you like. I will wait as long as you need. I love you either way. Always."

  He eased back just enough to find her broken-hearted gaze. "Again, Madison, you don't have to answer. Just think for yourself. Did you want it to say yes?"

  The stillness that followed his asking stilled his breath. He didn't want to put pressure on her, especially if she was distraught at the moment. He only wanted her to be honest with herself. He wanted her to push all her fears and doubts aside and see what her heart said.

  Her teary eyes slid closed as she chewed her lip. Her brows tightened for an instant. She then forced the saddest smile Skyler had ever seen. "I didn't," she answered in a weak voice. "At first, anyway."

  Madison leaned her head on his shoulder. Adjusting his hold on her, Skyler tucked the wind-teased curls behind her ear and kissed her