Free Remember When by A. D. Ryan Page A

we were at the beach house?”
    Cassie's entire body stiffened and she pulled her hand back quickly, almost as though she'd been bitten. Instantly, I knew what she was remembering. “Seems like a lifetime ago,” she breathed as her eyes drifted to her hands, which were now fidgeting in her lap. I could sense her anxiety creeping up based on her behavior.
    I set my wine on the coffee table and placed my hands over hers to still them. “Remember how much fun we had? Charlie loved the water so much,” I said with a smile, hoping to keep her from thinking of the tragic weeks that followed the trip.
    A smile graced her face, and her eyes sparkled as she answered. “She really did, didn't she?”
    “And I know you enjoyed our time there.” I could tell by the softening of her rigid posture that I was breaking her down slowly. “Please, just try to remember all the good times we had there and not about the tragedy after we returned before you make up your mind…”
     
    “Daddy, peas we go back to the wadder?” Charlie asked in the broken English that was common in toddlers.
    I smiled as I scooped her up into my arms. “Charlie, it's too dark out now. The sun has gone to sleep, so that means it's time for you to go to bed, too,” I explained in a way I hoped she would understand.
    As if on cue, Charlie yawned. Chuckling, I let her down to go say goodnight to her grandparents and her aunt and uncle.
    “Goodnight, pumpkin,” Frank cooed when Charlie went to him last. He hugged her to him tightly, and she giggled. “You have a good sleep, okay? We'll see you in the morning.”
    I picked her back up and carried her down the hall toward her room. On our way, I stopped in the doorway of the room Cassie and I shared and found her lying on the bed with her back to me as she stared out the over-sized window at the gentle waves.
    She never returned to the dinner table after we spoke in the kitchen. Instead, she asked me to tell our families she was feeling a little under the weather and needed to go lie down. I offered to go with her, but she told me she just needed some time to herself. When I returned to the table, both Gayle and my mother gave me knowing glances; I really should have known they would figure it out.
    Unsure what state of mind I would find her in, I took a moment before I addressed her. “Sweetheart?” She twisted herself to face me. “I'm taking Charlie to bed now. Would you like to come and read a story with us?”
    A small smile played at the corners of her mouth, and my concern for her lessened slightly. She stood from the bed and walked over to us. When Charlie reached out for her, Cassie took her from me and carried her the rest of the way to her room.
    After tucking Charlie into bed, we lay down on either side of her, and I listened raptly as Cassie read “Goodnight Moon.” The words flowed melodically from her mouth, and by the time she had finished the book, Charlie was already asleep. I looked up at Cassie as she watched Charlie's sleeping face wistfully. I knew she was upset by our situation, but I couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of happiness that coursed through me. My cheeks actually hurt from the smile that was constantly plastered on my face.
    She raised her hand and began to stroke Charlie's golden curls away from her little face, smiling poignantly before looking up at me. I could feel the right corner of my mouth turn up in a half-smirk before I stood from the bed. “Come on. We should let her sleep,” I whispered.
    When she moved to my side, she twisted her fingers through mine and led me from the room. I pulled Charlie's door closed behind us and then turned to Cassie. “So, we're doing this?” I asked her quietly, barely able to contain my elation.
    Cassie's brows knit together and she shrugged. “Well, what else can we do?”
    “ Cass—”
    She held up a hand to silence me. “I just…I need time, Jack. I'm absolutely petrified of what's to come. But, I know this is