A Soldier's Life

Chapter 52 - Santa Monica Pier

Y/n's POV:

It has been two weeks since I had stayed over at Scarlett's. The next morning, we hung out with Lizzie and Ava at Scarlett's, making the most of the pool. It was very hard to keep my hands to myself when she was parading around in her bikini. Thankfully, Ava was none the wiser and I was able to get in some sneaky kisses when we'd go in the house to grab drinks.

The last couple of weeks we've not spoken as much. Her filming has been switching between day and night shoots so we've called and texted where we can. We've arranged to have dinner next week as Scarlett still needs to pay up for losing at the shooting range. By the time I'll see her, it'll have been three weeks and let me tell you it's been the longest three weeks.

I can't believe how quickly she has become a constant in my life. It's so easy to be myself around her. I don't feel like I need to pretend to be anything I'm not, she genuinely likes me for who I am. We've spoken a bit more about 'us' and she's very open with sharing her thoughts. I'm glad that she feels comfortable enough with me to talk about it.

I think she has come to realise that she doesn't need to label who she is. What's important is that she knows her feelings and acts with her best interests at heart. Not what is right for everyone else. She had explained that she had told Lizzie and Evans that we were dating, and they had reacted really well. I may have known she had told them as I had received texts from both of them after she had. But I liked that she told me and that she seems to be getting more comfortable in what we are.

This weekend, I've decided to take Ava to Santa Monica pier. I've been promising to take her since we moved here and was beaten to it by Robert, but they only stopped by briefly after the press made it a little difficult for them to stay. My leg is doing really well and I'm virtually pain free, so I'm hoping this will be a bit of a tester that I can do something a bit more energetic. And trust me, nothing is more energetic than running around after a 6-year-old!

We pulled up at the car park and I took Ava's hand in mine as we made the short walk to the entrance of the pier. We had decided to go to the aquarium first followed by the Pacific Park. Ava was picking up the pace, pulling me towards the entrance to the Aquarium. Tired already of being pulled around, I quickly picked her up and placed her on my shoulders. She giggled as I lifted her and hugged my head tightly.

I paid for our tickets and put Ava back down on the floor so she could start to explore. I followed her around as she went between the different exhibits. Her favourite stop was the small shark tank which held horn and swell sharks. "Did you know a swell shark can live up to 35 years whereas a horn shark can live up to 50!" Ava informed me as she watched them swim around. She loved animals and knew so many random facts about them, she was always surprising me.

"I didn't know that. So, there are sharks out there that are older than me!" I said with a smile, and she frowned. "Wow those sharks must be really old!" She responded. "HEY! I'm not that old!" I defended whilst she giggled, returning her gaze back to the tank. This kid is far too cheeky!

Ava's quick to then find the touch tank and I smile as she is considerately touching the different creatures in the tank. Again, she was sharing her facts about some of the creatures she could see. I have no idea where she gets her smarts from, cos it sure as hell isn't me! Whilst I'm sat on the bench, watching Ava interact with the creatures, a little boy joins her, and they start chatting sharing their facts with each other and it's honestly the cutest thing I've seen.

A woman sits next to me on the bench and looks in the direction of Ava and her knew friend. "She's a cute kid. I'm glad that Jayden has someone to share his facts with." She said not looking in my direction. "Thanks, he's sweet as well. Ava loves to talk all things animals and sea creatures. I'm Y/n." I introduce myself and she turns to shake my hand. "Olivia. Nice to meet you. Are you and Ava on holiday here?" She asked and I shook my head. "No, we actually live here. We moved over about a year ago." I explained and she nodded in understanding.