If She Gives You Her Heart Don't You Break It || Kate & Leo Oneshots

Beaches

When the kids were young, and Sam was away, we used to get in my car, and drive down to this beach in Margate, blasting music, eating soft serve ice creams, and building sand castles. It's always been quite a nice beach with golden sands and plenty to do, and it's only eighty miles away. On the way home, Mia and Joe would fall asleep with raspberry sauce around their mouths, sand in their wild hair, and crooked sunglasses. It was always sunny when we went, always happy. We got home, got as much sand off them as we could without waking them, and put them to bed. I would then spend the night in her bed. Nothing happened between us; I just liked having her in my arms.

But since she divorced Sam last year, beaches have lost their appeal. They became sad, lifeless. I flew over to see her, to comfort her, and I never left. I couldn't stand to see her so miserable, so disheartened, so I tried to get her out, tried to take her and the kids for a day trip just like the old times, but she refused.

She spent days lying in bed, crying softly, trying not to be heard, and I spent days taking care of Mia and Joe, and taking her meals upstairs, begging her to come downstairs just once, begging her to get out. Today she agreed.

"Fine. If it means you'll stop nagging at me. I'm sick of it." She said, swinging her legs out of bed, and slamming herself down in front of the mirror she hadn't used for so long.

"I'm not nagging you, Kate! I just don't like seeing you so miserable, and the kids really miss you."

She exhaled, and scrubbed a layer of suncream on her face and some sort of serum thing. "I know, and I'm sorry. It's just... I've been really struggling mentally." She seemed to choke on her words, and I knelt beside her stool, placing a hand on her thigh, and looking up earnestly into her eyes. They're so blue, but so cloudy, much like the sea when it rains. She sniffles, and a shaky hand picks up some concealer, and she spreads some under her eyes.

"Don't be sorry, sweetheart. I understand. I just really want to see you smile again, and maybe getting you out the house might help."

"What were you thinking?"

"The beach?"

"Your film?" I look up, and she has a faint smile painted on her lips. It's nice to see her smile after so long. "Only joking. But yes, the beach could be nice, but only if we can get icecreams."

"Of course we can." I stood up, ecstatic that I managed to coax her out of the house. "I'll go tell Mia and Joe, and we'll head out soon. Are you going to be okay up here for a few minutes?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Her eyes flick across my face and her eyebrows come too close together for comfort. My god, it's like filming Revolutionary Road again.

"I was just making sure." I crossed the room and ran my hands down from the top of her head to her neck, resting my thumbs on her cheeks, feeling them redden. I smiled like what must look like a mindless lovesick idiot, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I love you, Kate." I said, and I headed downstairs to tell the kids.

Mia and Joe were more excited than I had ever seen them before. Not for the beach though, just for their mom. They immediately ran upstairs to put their beach clothes on, and I checked the weather. It had been raining here quite a lot for June, and I have a feeling that the beach will also be rainy today.

"You guys!" I shout up the stairs. "It's going to be quite cold and rainy today. Do you still fancy going or should we go another day?"

"Today, uncle Leo!" Mia exclaims. "Mummy likes rain!"

"Kate?"

"Let's go. A little rain never hurt anyone."

"Okay. I'll get our coats, and I'll put the blankets in the car, and warm the seats up for you."