“Let’s hit some waves!”

That’s another reason why I love L.A.

Me and my babies are true water lovers

They both have been practically swimming since they were born and even though I know that I still don’t let them stray more than a foot or two away from me in the water

We pack back up in the car and head to the beach instead of going to the pool since it’s still rather early

Giving them a bath tonight is going to be hell. Thank God it’s a weekend and I don’t have to wake them up early to go to work. As much as Addi sleeps trust me, Arin loves her sleep time too. She’s just outgrown having a nap but she passes out and the three of us are definitely not morning people by any means

We get to the sand and I let them play like wild animals since there aren’t many people out today

Half an hour into the madness of swimming and splashing we attempt a mess of a sandcastle and all things come to a halt when I see Arin jumping and waving at someone running in our direction

Spencer’s POV

After seeing off the last of the school and daycare children I make my last round to the floors and leave the evening staff with a warm but tired smile. After a quick stop at Wendy’s and a nearby Red Box to pick a movie for the night I’m walking through the door to my home away from home. I take in the soft floral scent around me and thank myself for spending that little extra money to make sure this place is taken care of when I’m away.

Sifting through the random pieces of mail while I indulge in my hearty salad and a glass of red wine I feel like putting off the movie and taking a jog. I rarely get out of the house lately when I’m here and the beach is calling my name.

Going through my closet I find a pair of running shorts, shoes, and throw on a tank over my sports bra and head right out to my ‘backyard’ where the edge of the beach soon will connect me to that salty breeze and cool mist floating around me as I take off in a light sprint.

I’ve always envied the people who run while listening to music and just let themselves get lost in a fun workout.

I on the other hand am a thinker

This is like the time I get to free my mind of all things and just be one with nature.

No music, no talking, just me hitting the ground running

Literally

-----

Why is it that they always say to push through the pain

I’m Spencer F’ing Carlin and I say fuck that

This hurts like hell

Now I remember another reason why I’m not a freaking runner

30 minutes later I’m out of breath and slowing down to take a moment to stretch some more before I make the trail back up the beach

The lack of people on the beach today makes me less self conscious about how awkward I look right now

No matter how fit I look I will never have that runners look and I feel like all eyes are on me the moment I step foot outside in the runners attire

Breathe In

Breathe out

And repeat

Alright body

It’s time to make this trek back up the mountain

You can do this

Yes I’m talking to myself

It’s just a little pep talk

Leave me be

Starting again I just decide to take my time in a light jog and finish in a sprint the last five minutes of my run. This time around I actually take in all things around me. At this time there’s only a few couples holding hands that I smile at as I pass them by. I can see a family up ahead building what looks like a sandcastle and a few kids running in and out of the water chasing their dog.

I get ready to start my sprint and I see little flailing arms looking to get someone’s attention in my direction. I look around and there’s really no one around but I don’t know anyone here to be waving at me and assume it’s one of the kids from SMC.

As I get close my heart starts beating faster as I slow to a fast walk towards who I have now noticed is Arin and her family. I can hear her yelling Dr. Spencer now that I’m closer and Ashley looks almost shocked but she covers it as she stands and dusts sand off her toned legs.

I’m caught staring as she is now speaking to Arin telling her stop asking me questions and to go back to play with Addison for a sec.

She asked me questions?

Hmm

Well I’m sure I looked like a spaz by not answering her but come on my eyes are a little distracted

Mmm

Oh did I not mention that Ashley is half naked

Well she has on a bathing suit top and a mini skirt and her abs are to die for and her legs, my God, what I would do to…

“Spencer!”

“Oh, hmm? Hey! Ashley, nice to see you again.” I give a slight blush and notice a slight smirk on her face this time as she catches my eyes.

“Didn’t expect to see you so soon? Can’t say that I’m not happy about it though.”

Did she really say that?

I’m doing a little happy dance

In my head of course

She makes me flustered and I’m sure she already thinks I’m nuts I don’t need any extra help in that department

We share a smile and she asks me to join them and I don’t have anything better to do so heck why not

Being the big kid I am I grab a pail and shovel and dig down into the sand with Arin while she talks away a mile a minute but it’s very entertaining to say the least. Halfway through our sand collecting and a partially buried Addison covered in the sand I see Ashley give me that same look Arin gave me when she left Addison with me earlier. That Dennison stamp of approval I’m assuming. It suits them. I look over at Addison who is waving at me and I wave back making a cheesy face that makes him giggle.

Moments like this make me miss a lot of things I can’t or don’t have

Sigh

Before I can let dark thoughts creep in my mind I’m drenched by a wave crashing on top me and a shocked Arin. We are both wearing the same expression and at the howling laughter to the left is Ashley.

I whisper in Arin’s ear then we dart off before she even knows what’s coming and we tackle her

“Tickle fight!” Arin yells and I’ve got the Addison, tickling his little belly while Arin is failing at her attempt to tickle Ashley’s sides. “Help, help! Dr. Spencer I need backup”

I pile Addison on top of Ashley and join in the family fight to take her down and after a few seconds she is at our mercy

“I give! Uncle!” We all end up rolling on our backs breathing hard and still trying to tame our laughter. After a few minutes when we’ve settled I start to get up and I feel a hand fall into mine and a glare sent my way. She whispers “payback” and somehow I don’t think I’m going to mind it that much if the spark I felt from her hand in mine is any indication of what’s to come.

-----

The night ended shortly after the tickle match

We all said our goodbyes, this time with Ashley giving me her card and made plans to see each other again before the end of the weekend

One last wave at the passengers and I stepped away from the Dennison’s SUV with a smile that was plastered on my face the rest of my jog home