To Not Let Go

Chapter Twenty Five

          "Hey, hey, kiddos." Renne pulled her ball cap down further over her head as she walked to the edge of the soccer field where Doug, MJ, Hope, and Susan all sat. Taylor had a soccer game today and had kindly invited Swayde and Renne to come and watch. 

           "Auntie Reagan!" Susan and MJ ran up to her, enveloping her in a huge bear hug. Hopie sat on her daddy's lap, more intrigued with the popsicle that she was eating, rather than what was going on behind her. 

          "Hi, Uncle Swayde." MJ's cheeks turned red as she greeted her aunt's boyfriend. Sure, even though Swayde and Renne weren't married...yet...the kids have known Swayde for their whole life, maybe even longer than Renne since she had a lapse of judgement and was gone from Alpine Ridge for those 5 grueling years. Though Swayde wasn't technically their uncle, he was still more of a relation than anyone. 

          "Hey, MJ. Susan. How are you guys?" Swayde walked with the girls as he watched Renne walk in front of him, going to greet Doug and Hope.

           "We are good." MJ skipped back to the blanket where her dad sat. 

            "Uncle Swayde." Susan grabbed Swayde's hand, tugging on it gently, making him look down at her. "If Taylor's team wins, can we go get ice cream afterwards to celebrate?"

          The sweetness and innocence of his "niece" always made Swayde's heart melt. Mallory's kids were just too stinking cute, and they knew that, so they know very well how to get whatever they want from their aunt and uncle. "I'll make you a deal, Susan." He smiled down at the little girl holding his hand. "Even if Taylor loses, we will still get ice cream!" 

           Susan's sweet face lit up; letting go of Swayde's hands, she ran back to the blanket to tell her sisters and dad the good news. 

           Swayde couldn't help but chuckle at the kids excitement over the news of ice cream. Making his way over to the blanket, he slid his arm out of the strap that held the two lawn chairs. Taking them out of their bags, Swayde set up the blue canvas chairs beside where Doug and Hope sat on the blanket. 

           "Doug, how are you doing today?" Swayde reached a hand down, shaking Doug's, greeting him.

           "It's a good day for a soccer game." Was Doug's response. His brown eyes were darker than usual. 

           Renne, watching the greeting, happened to notice Doug's left hand where a gold wedding band still sat on his ring finger. Her heart pained a little at the sight. It had been months since Mallory, Renne's sister, had passed away from cancer, but Renne knew there was no limit on love, or grieving. Even still, the sight kind of surprised Renne. In her mind, she just figured that since Doug and Renne weren't married for too many years, that he would have started to move on, but again, it had only been months. Heck, it took Renne almost six years after leaving Alpine Ridge to come to grips with the hurt the town and people brought her. If she was being honest with herself, she still really hadn't fully healed, nor moved on from what happened with-

          "Auntie Reagan, did you hear that Uncle Swayde said we could get ice cream after the game, even if Taylor loses?!" It was MJ this time. MJ's excited voice halted Renne's mental train ride down Regret Lane.

          Renne chuckled. Word travels fast. "Yes, I did. That is great news!" She smiled, giving MJ a high five when MJ offered one. Renne turned and grinned at little Hope when she said her aunt's name. Bending down, Renne picked up the happy toddler, securing her on her hip. 

           "Doug, why don't you give your back a break and take my seat in the lawn chair, and I will sit down on the blanket with this cutie." Renne bopped Hope's nose, making the toddler laugh.