Not his family

He learns a secret

*Catalina*

I lay on the sun bed soaking up the sun next to the private cabana, this is pure luxury. I know that people would probably think this is everyday life to me, living in California and having a rich husband, but I rarely do any kind of relaxing.

The kids are playing in the sand, laughing and talking, it is clear to see how much they are enjoying this. Zac is helping them build a castle. I watch with a small knot in my stomach. I so wished this was how Rafael was with them.

Laying back I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. It feels so good to not have the watch for just five minutes, relaxing completely. I know Zac has the kids.

As I stretch lazily and open my eyes again slowly, I catch Zac looking at me, in a way that instantly heats up my inside, a way that makes my breath catch. His look is almost hungry, but in a good way. It is a way that makes me feel sexy, beautiful and wanted,something else I am not used to.

"Oh I just... I mean I wasn't... I was just.. sorry". He says when he realizes he is caught, turning a deep shade of pink, looking absolutely adorable.

I smile at him, hiding the butterflies I feel in my stomach. There is no way our relationship can't go any farther than this, so it is better not to show that he affects me. "No problem Zac, it is totally fine. No harm done. Is someone ready to get back in the water ?"

"Yeah me, me". The kids scream, jumping up and down.

Zac sends me a grateful smile as he gets up. I know this is a dangerous situation, there is no doubt that he feels something too, a spark or what people call this. I have to watch out that we don't end up in a bad place, and someone gets hurt.

I pick up Adrian, not that he can't walk, but the walkways are pretty hot for his small feet and he still walks rather slow too. "Lets go check out the wave pool".

"Yeah, let's do that". Zac says, letting Angel and Gabriel grab his hands, pulling him along. Very soon they start complaining that the ground is hot and their feet hurt, and Zac lifts them both up, carrying one on each arm.

It makes his biceps bulge in a quite distracting way, and I catch up to walk beside him. It is easier not to stare this way. "Is it okay Zac ? Can you carry them both ?"

"No problem, they weigh next to nothing". He says, sending me a beautiful smile, one that kind of makes it hurt on my inside, sparking dreams of things that can never be.

We get to the big wave pool, and we put safety vests on the kids just in case, Zac says. "I can take Angel and Gabriel if you take Adrian, is that alright ?"

"Perfectly fine, if you are sure you can handle them both". I say, once again getting the thought that this is how a family should be and that it is how we must look to others.

I make a mental note that I have to talk to him tonight when the kids are at sleep, to make sure that he understands that friends are all we can ever be, I won't lead him on.

I put Adrian down in the water, taking his hand, Zac does the same with Angel and Gabriel and we wade out into the water.

*Angel*

We are having lunch in the cabana, and I watch my mom and Zac talking, they look at each other, but they do that a lot actually. I think they really like each other, mom never talks to dad like this or looks at him in that way. But dad never sees to care to talk to her either.

I like Zac very much, he is very sweet and kind and he is very funny too. I wish he could be my daddy, or my father could be like him. He is the way I think a father should be, not angry and always away.

As I sit and smile happily to myself, eating some fruit. Zac looks at me and asks. "What are you thinking about Angel ?"

"Just how you are much better at being a dad than my own daddy". I tell him with a smile, his eyes go wide and moms face snaps towards me. Did I say anything wrong ?

Zac sends me a smile, ruffling up my hair a bit. "Thank you Angel, that was a very sweet thing to say, but you know what, I am sure your father does his best".

"No daddy is mean, he never wants to play with us and he is mean to mommy, makes her hurt and cry". Maybe Zac can help mom … I would like that.

He looks at mom and she looks away, getting red in the cheeks, like she doesn't like to talk about it. "That doesn't sound nice Angel, but I am sure it feels worse than it is. How about you and me go try one of the big water slides ?"

"Yeah, I want to try the biggest one in the park". I say jumping up, mommy is sending Zac a small smile, like she is happy he stopped me from telling the truth.

*Zac*

I take Angel to go on the big water slide, and on the way I can't help but ask. "So Angel, what you talked about. How bad is your father ? Is he just yelling or is he hitting your mother ?"

"He hits her, sometimes he whips her with a whip for horses. I saw him do it once, he is a really bad man. I do not like him". She says, squeezing my hand.

I almost gasp, holy s**t, I hadn't expected something like that, is it really the truth or is she making up things ? She looks very sincere, also what reason would she have for lying ? "I am very sorry sweetie. I will try and help your mother the best I can. I promise that".

She looks up at me like I am some kind of hero and I truly hope I won't have to let her down, that I can actually do something to help them.