We pull up to the beach and park the lime ass truck.

I grab Hunter and Joey grabs Lacey, Hunter is up on my shoulders and holding one handle of the cooler.

Joey is doing the same and Lacey is twirling Joey's black hair into the creases of her fingers.

We find a spot by the water and set up camp, laying down towels and popping umbrellas.

Hunter and Lacey strip of their cover ups and race into the water.

Joey and I scramble to catch up with the kids.

I grab Lacey under the arms and hold her back. Joey does the same with Hunter.

"Let's take this slow."

Lacey and Hunter groan, but obey.

We slowly walk them into the water and they shriek as the cold water rushes past their tummies.

Joey and I laugh, holding them still against the waves.

We bring them back up to shore and lay down on the lawn chairs. We watch Lacey and Hunter build sand castles, running back and forth from the water with pink pails.

I can hear Ki and Mark laughing as they approach us, and another laughter with them.

I recognize it as Jake's and my heart becomes light.

He's okay.

Thank god.

Lucky would have killed me if he wasn't.

That reminds me.

I need to take him to see her.