ALWAYS BEEN THERE: A Lloyd Hansen Story

chapter twenty-three

Lloyd.

A new home for my Camille. That is what she requested, so I gave her a house by the sea.

I came over and hugged her from behind as she stood outside with Max.

It was about twenty minutes away from the mansion. But now we had a sweet little cottage to live in and raise Max.

She smiled and leaned into me. I leaned over and kissed Max's head.

"Swimming!" Max said.

"Yeah? You want to?" Camille asked. The house had a little hot tub and pool, as well as having the sea accessible.

"Do you wanna swim in the pool or the sea?" Camille asked. He pointed at the pool.

She smiled and nodded. I gave her a look.

"I'm not swimming." I said.

"Don't be a fucking pussy and come spend time with our son."

"Pussy." Max said. I covered his mouth and smiled.

"Mommy said a no no word. You don't."

Cammie laughed and kissed Max's cheek.

•••

I got in the water with cam and my son. Max doggie paddled with his little life jacket on.

I picked him up and came over to Cammie. She smiled. I loved our height difference.

"You're such a good swimmer." I said to max as he paddled around.

"Yeah cause he was created from a bunch of little swimmers." Camille said.

"Cammie!" I said. She smiled.

"Love you." She said as she continued watching max. I rolled my eyes.

"You're something else sunshine."

She smiled and kissed my cheek. I watched as she checked me out before grabbing max again.

"I saw that."

"You saw nothing old man."

"I'm the old man? Hmm."

I smiled and kissed her neck. She giggled.

"Love you." I whispered.

"I love you too."

I dove into the water, coming up on the other end. Max laughed and cheered, clapping his little hands. I came over and tickled him.

"Splash mommy." I said as I took max. We both started splashing her. She screamed and laughed.

"Lloyd." She said as she splashed me. I wiped the water off and laughed. Max was giggling so hard I thought he could choke.

"Was that fun maxi bear?" She asked. He nodded and continued laughing. Toddler laughing is contagious.

I smiled at Camille. She made this little boy. My work was small. She made the perfect son.

•••

Max was snuggled up and showered up. He was sitting with his mom on the couch while I made myself a drink. I came over and sat down, handing Max a juice box and giving Cammie some of my drink.

"Thanks." She said as she looked down at Max. She helped him poke the whole in the juice with the straw. He smiled up at his mom with his dorky little smile.

"That's that smile. That's what I was telling you about. It's you. That's all you." Camille said. Max smiled up at me. I laughed.

"I guess I can see it a little."

I kissed Max's head and laid back on the couch with him.

Camille turned on a movie for Max. I looked over at her. She smiled.

"I love you." She whispered. I pulled her into a small kiss.

"Let me treat you in our new house." I whispered in her ear. She giggled and moved to rest her head on my shoulder. I smiled to myself.

I already saw her happiness coming back. I liked when I felt like her best friend again. I think it was nice when she was giggly and warm around me. I wanted to do the same with her.

Max sipped on his juice box before eating his cookie. He was such a little munchkin. He had the same affect around me that Camille did. I was evil around everyone but them.

I twirled Camille's hair between my fingers. She was so quiet and at peace. God I could melt.

"Lloyd?" She asked as she looked up at me.

"Lloyd daddy and Camille mommy." Max said.

"Yeah Maxie. Good job." I said. I looked over at her.

She moved to whisper in my ear. "I got on my period earlier."

I sighed, groaning. She chuckled.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"You're okay. Not your fault."

"I'll still suck your-"

"Cammie. Shut up." I said and smiled. She giggled and leaned into me.

•••

Cam laid her head on my chest as we sat in bed. She was tucked in.

"So you like the new house?"

"Honey I love it." She said. I smirked.

"Good."

"Thank you. I know you've been trying really hard." She said. I smiled and kissed her head.

"Anything for you."

She smirked.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too."