Starting Over

Chapter 81- Mexico Beach

We landed about an hour ago in Panama City and now we are on our way to the beach house. I just can't wait to relax on the beach with a drink in my hand with my beautiful wife. I sat in the passenger seat of Momma's car and watched Bridget as she drove to our new beach house that she had no clue was ours. I was completely ecstatic and had been all day. I really hope Bridget couldn't tell something was up.

"What's got you so happy?" Bridget asked me as the stoplight turned green.

"I'm just excited to spend the weekend with you stress free. And maybe make a baby or at least try," I smiled.

"Do you really think this is the time we need to be trying to have another baby? There's just so much going on. I don't think it would be a good time," Bridget questioned me as we cruised down the highway.

"I know, but we can have fun trying," I admitted, "Besides I haven't had you all to myself since the CMA's."

"I don't know about you, but as soon as we get there I'm getting a drink and heading to the beach. It's so gorgeous right now. The water's too cold, but I can still tan," Bridget said as we finally turned down the street the beach house was on.

"Sounds like a plan to me. What do you want to do for supper tonight? You want to go out or stay in?" I asked my wife as we pulled into the drive.

"I don't want to do anything today except lounge on the beach," Bridget smiled at me.

"How about I walk down to Gentry's when we get everything settled and I'll get the stuff for sandwiches and we can go from there?" I suggested as Bridget grabbed out bags out of the backseat and we headed towards the door.

"That's fine with me as long as you get me some turkey and colby cheese. Do you have the key?" Bridget asked as we finally made it to the door.

"Yup," I said as I stuck the key in the knob unlocking the door.

I walked in and turned to face Bridget as she grabbed our bags that were sitting at her side. She walked into the beach house which was now personalized with family photos and two custom pillows I had made. One with a picture of Bridget and I on our wedding day and the other with our kids names and birthdays. I watched closely as Bridget scanned the room realizing the differences. The look on her face went from happy to sad to happy to mad. That scared me.

"Thomas Luther Bryan! What have you done?" Bridget scolded me like I was a child before smacking my arm.

"Well, we all love this place so much I just thought it would be something everyone could enjoy. I wanted it to be a surprise," I defended my decision while rubbing my arm with my cast. Bridget sure didn't take it easy on me.

"How could you make such a big decision without me? How could you spend God knows how much money on a house and not fucking tell me? I just... What the hell were you thinking?" Bridget questioned me, "You weren't thinking. That's it isn't it?"

"Please don't be mad. You know you would have done the same thing. I just wanted it to be a surprise," I defended myself again.

"But Luke, you spent a lot of money without talking to me about it first. I always talk to you before I spend a lot of money," Bridget told me.

"How would it have been a surprise or gift if I would have talked to you about it? I wanted to do this for you. I know how much you love it down here. We all love it down here. Momma's just a few blocks away. The kids love being able to play in the ocean pretty much any time they want. And it gives us somewhere where we can get away for a few days. Just the two of us," I continued to defend myself.

"I guess since you put it that way..." Bridget said as she wrapped her arms around my neck and lightly kissed my lips, "Thank you."

"How about we get things settled so I can run down to Gentry's before they close?" I asked Bridget while grabbing one of the bags with my good arm and heading towards the stairwell.