Dancing in the Florida Sun (Completed)

14- FS A New Day

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     Brooke watched as Jacob chased a giggling Noah across the playground.

     "I'm going to get you! I'm almost there!" Jacob wasn't running full speed, so Noah could stay ahead, then suddenly he darted forward, picked Noah up, and swung him around. "I've got you! I've got you!" Jacob brought him over to the blanket that Brooke laid out for their picnic. Once placing him down, Jacob began tickling Noah, and the deep belly laughs continued. He leaned down and whispered something in Noah's ear, which was followed by more laughter as the boy jumped into his mother's lap and began tickling her.

     How could Brooke contain such happiness? To think that only a couple of weeks before, she had been in such a dark place. Her gaze shifted from the boy in her lap to Jacob. It was mostly thanks to him that she was doing so well. This gorgeous man before her, made her and Noah feel like they were the most important people in the world when he was with them. It was like he had some magnetism and special power, that drew people to him, and made them feel as if no one else mattered to him. Could she dare to hope that something more than friendship would develop between them; that maybe before he was just holding back because of Tyler?

     Jacob noticed her watching him, and shot her a questioning glance. When Noah hopped off Brooke's lap and back into his, he looked between Noah and Brooke and smiled. The kind of smile that makes girls swoon.

     "What?"

     "Noah's got your beautiful green eyes. In the sunlight they really stand out."

     "Um, thanks." She felt her cheeks flush, then her eyes moisten.

     "Are you okay?"

     She shrugged and tried to blink back the tears, as Jacob scooted closer and placed his hand on hers. "I'm sorry. I'm such a mess. I have so much baggage, and you're always so kind to me and Noah." I don't know what I would do without you, is what she wanted to say, but feared it would sound too clingy and drive him away.

     "Lots of people have baggage, we live in a sinful, broken world; most people just walk around hiding it. There's nothing wrong with you, in fact, I think you're handling it amazingly." He rubbed his thumb over her palm and stared into her green eyes.

     There seemed to be a charge in the air between them, and she felt as if she would explode. Just as Jacob leaned towards her, Noah stood up from his lap, and in his usual understanding way, Noah walked to his mom and wrapped his arms around her.

     "Mama!"

     And the moment was gone.

     "So, I'll be starting work next Monday," Brooke grinned as she stretched her legs out on the picnic blanket.

     "Congratulations! I really am happy for you. And from what you said, you can be proud that you earned it by your own merit. Your dad just got you in the door."

     "Yeah, they tried to make it clear that they wouldn't have hired me if I wasn't qualified, and I appreciate that. I'll miss Noah, but he'll have loads of fun with Grams, and I'm looking forward to something a little more challenging than changing diapers."

     They both laughed, which made Noah giggle and wave his cheese in the air.

     "Tonight I'm cooking you a celebratory dinner. I've already given your Grams and Nan a heads up, since I figured you would get the job. Then we need to make plans for another beach day, tomorrow or Wednesday, as your last hoorah before going back to work."