Begin Again

Chapter 5

Mack POV

"Hi, momma!" Riley says as we sit in front of Ally's gravestone.

I set the flowers in front of it, "Hey, babe. Beautiful day, huh?"

"The sun is shining, momma!" Riley squeals.

I pull out our bagels and give Riley her water.

"Momma, this week, we colored flowers and I colored one for you. Your favorite color too!"

I smile, "You're still the favorite."

Riley looks at me, "Yup! But I still love you too, mommy!"

"I know you do, peanut."

"Momma, mommy made a new friend. Her name is Alex, I really like her. She gives me tickles and pushed me on the swing! Just like you!"

I smile softly.

"She's a good person, babe." I say.

"Mommy went out with her, just like you and her used to! I said it was okay even though I still miss you." Riley says.

I kiss her head, "I said it's okay to miss you because I still miss you, but that you'd want us to be happy."

Riley starts eating her bagel and I smile.

"What do you think about the beach after this, bubba?"

Riley smiles, "Yeah, mommy!"

I smile, "Charlie and Alex are going to meet us there."

"Yay!" Her face lights up.

I chuckle, "Okay, we're going to finish our date with momma and then we will go."

"Momma will be at the beach too?" She asks.

I sigh, "She's everywhere, baby."

She looks down and keeps eating.

"Hey Ry?"

She looks at me.

"This week, you and I are going to meet a new teacher. She's going to help us with what happened with momma, okay?"

She looks down and nods, "I've been bad, mommy."

My eyes widen, "No, you haven't, baby. You're sad and angry and that's okay, but we have to cope, yeah? We have to do our best even if momma isn't here."

She looks at me, "Okay, mommy."

I kiss her head, "I love you so much and so does momma."

"Love you too."

Alex POV

I open the door, "Momma! We at the beach!"

I smile, "Yeah! You ready to see Riley and Mack?"

"YEAH!"

I chuckle, "Let's go, baby."

I put her down and grab the beach bag, heading out.

I start looking for Mack, when Charlie points, "It's Riley, momma!"

I let go of her hand, "Go get her, baby."

She takes off and I watch as Mack turns and sees us.

I make it to them, "Hi!"

"Hey! So this is like the most perfect beach day."

I smile and nod, "Yeah, it is."

I hear a dog barking and see a big yellow lab run up.

"Whoa, Max. Slow down, boy." Mack says.