When We Love

Chapter 2 | Beautiful

I lead both of them through the growing crowd towards the cafeteria. We pass by people oohing and awing at a a display of aircraft. It seems like the Air Force is here recruiting and letting people look inside the planes. I decide we can stop by here after our little lunch, I'm sure Alice would enjoy getting to see the inside of a fighter jet!

We finally arrive to where they sell pizza and wait a bit in line. I order food for us and we take a seat on one of the many picnic tables just outside.

"Hey, why don't we go see the Air Force area after this Alice? It looks like they're letting people see the inside the planes, doesn't that sound fun?"

The suggestion doesn't get her as excited as I had hoped and she puts on a thoughtful look.

"Hmm, Daddy, what do you think?" We both turn to her dad, who has a mouthful of pizza.

He quickly gobbles it down, looking a bit annoyed, but answers, "Well sweetheart, it depends on what you want to do. We can do that or we can go home and play some games on-"

"I don't want to go home! Mommy promised we'd be here all day and look at everything!"

He rolls his eyes and I can't help but fume silently. Why is he acting like this, especially in front of our daughter?! It's like I have a second child to look after...

"Fine, fine. We can go to the Air Force display. Yippee." Alice, oblivious to his sarcasm, seems satisfied at his answer.

I feel bad for her, I know she looks to her father for affirmation and attention, so why can't he do just that? The bare minimum, if you ask me. I tell myself that it's okay, I will make up for it like I always do.

We finish up our lunch and head to the direction of the planes. However, I suddenly feel the urge to use the restroom.

"Alice, honey, Mommy needs to use the restroom. Do you need to use it also?" Alice is happily skipping along, humming the theme song of her favorite show.

"No thanks, Daddy can take me to the planes." Her father looks up from his phone at me with a tired expression. Can he really not watch her for just a few minutes without being annoyed??

"Honey, can you stay with--"

"Yes, yes. Just go use the restroom quickly, we will wait for you out here."

I sigh and head to look for the restrooms near here. I finally find them and relieve myself quickly. As I am washing my hands, I look in the mirror to see my reflection. I have faint dark circles beneath my eyes and my hair looks frizzy from the humidity. I try taming it with water but I know it's futile and will make it worse as the day goes on. I opt to pull my hair into a high ponytail in the mean time, hopefully that makes me look less disheveled. When I exit the restroom, I almost run into a large man.

I take a step back and take him in. He's crazy tall, I don't think I've met anyone that tall before! And has short hair, with a trimmed beard. His bone structure is incredible too, like he was carved to perfection. I realize that I'm gawking and quickly apologize for running into him. As I turn away from him, ready to find my little family, his low voice catches me off guard. "No worries, beautiful. You can run into me anytime."

I turn, completely baffled by his compliments. I mean, I just saw myself in the mirror and I looked nothing short of a hot mess. He laughs warmly at my expression and continues, "Sorry, I know that was cheesy, I just had to let you know that you are beautiful. If you don't mind me asking, are you here alone? If you'd like some company, I can show you one of the planes?" As soon as he says that I realize he has an Air Force pin on his black turtleneck.

I blush at his comment, and shake my head, "No, sorry, I'm married."

He smiles and again, my heart stings. "Oh okay. Of course, any man would want to make you his forever. Lucky guy, take care and enjoy the fair." With that, he turns and walks away leaving me with confused feelings.

Oh my gosh, get a grip girl you are married! And have an amazing, adorable little daughter! With blushing cheeks I scurry away trying to forget that surreal experience. Before my husband, I had never been approached like that! Back then, I wasn't ugly but I also was not a knockout beauty. But now, after giving birth and a couple of years working from home and ordering out, I have definitely lost a bit of my glow.

I feel tears welling up behind my eyes and immediately put a stop to that. No, I will not think like that. I want my daughter to know that her momma is confident so that she can feel confident too. This unexpected war of emotions is making me feel drained so I collect myself as best as I can while I walk over to where I last saw my husband and daughter.

I see the silhouette of my husband near a small show of men riding their motorbikes and head over. My heartbeat picks up in alarm as I don't see my daughter anywhere. I quickly go to my husband's side and ask, "Hey where's Alice? It's only been 10 minutes."

He looks to me, a bit startled since I grabbed his arm but immediately answers, "Oh, we ran across your parents and they were talking about a small kids section with rides or something so they took her there."

I look at him in disbelief. "Why didn't you go with them? You could have sent me a text or called me to meet you guys up there."

He sighed, "Honey I need a break. All this running around gets me tired, I've told you that. Also, I take care of her all week while you work, cut me some slack."

That's not true! I'm usually the one that has to toggle between working from home and keeping her entertained. All you do is watch tv and play video games! Ugh, my head hurts and I hate that I don't confront him but I don't want to cause a scene.

"Fine, I'll just go find them and spend time with her by myself." I turn, half-hoping he follows but lose sight of him once I turn back to check.

Whatever, I will definitely try to make the most of this day with my baby. After calling my dad and getting their specific location, I decide to take a detour to the ice cream stand. I think I deserve a treat!

The line isn't too long and I take advantage of the time before it's my turn to order to look at the menu. I'm stuck between Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough when I hear someone behind me clear their throat very loudly. I glance back, being a bit nosy, and see that it's the handsome man from earlier! I take another quick, good look at him, admiring his perfectly symmetrical face, those cute dimples in his smile, and his smooth dark skin. My goodness, I'm basically melting under his gaze, his smile is so amazing. These thoughts are not for a married mother! I smile back and quickly turn to face forward again so he doesn't see my blushing cheeks.

"Have we met before?" His velvety voice creates swirls in my tummy and I can hear the teasing in his voice. I just saw him not 10 minutes ago, did he follow me?

I'm curious and want to ask, but I am not turning around! Nope, this is too dangerous for me, and even though I sometimes resent my husband for what he lacks, I could never cheat on him, even if it's just talking to a stranger that's flirting with me! I stay facing forward, desperately trying to ignore the feelings in my chest, I feel like I'm in high school again! How long has it been since I felt like this with my husband? Since I felt special?

Before I can keep wallowing in my thoughts, he voice interrupts my thoughts again, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'll leave you alone, really this time."

I sigh and gather up my courage, then turn to face him but he's gone. All that's left is the bustling crowd. I feel like his height would've given him away, but I truly don't see where he went. Well, at least I didn't have to deal with him for long.

My heart hurts at that thought, and I question why. Because he made me feel special for a short time? Why can't I help but imagine a life with him? Why do my feelings betray me?