Page 3 of Next Door Midlife Alpha
The nurse rushed in, checking her vitals and testing her reactions. Stacey lay there and went through the motions as best she could, but her eyes were on her mother and two children, where they’d retreated to the corner of the room to stay out of the nurse’s way. Vivian had tears clinging to her long lashes. Elijah’s little frown was so deep it looked like it might be permanent. They needed her so badly.
At that moment, she knew everything had to change.
2
“Vivi?”Stacey opened the door to Vivian’s new room. Two towers of boxes were still stacked in the corners amongst her furniture. No pictures or curtains had been hung yet, giving it a stark look. Stacey would have to address that soon, but not right now. Vivian was sound asleep in the middle of her bed, wrapped in a pink blanket like a burrito.
Smiling, Stacey moved next door to Elijah’s room, which was in a similar situation. The walls had already been a medium blue when Stacey had bought the beach house, and Elijah had been so excited that he’d immediately claimed the room as his own. He’d started that process quickly, a scattering of Legos already on the floor in front of the dresser. Much like his sister, he was fast asleep onhis bed, his feet hanging off the edge of the mattress and a teddy bear tucked under his arm. Stacey gently scootched him over so his feet wouldn’t be asleep when he woke up.
“They’re out like little lights,” she said as she stepped into the kitchen. “I can’t say I’d mind a nap myself.”
“That’s one option.” Stacey’s mother, Carol, had just finished putting away a load of groceries. “I think we should allow ourselves a little more fun, considering the kids are taken care of. We’ve been working our asses off to get moved into this new place.”
Stacey leaned on the counter. The kitchen was much smaller than the one she’d left behind in Newton, but that was the point of this move. Everything was a bit smaller, simpler, and easier to take care of. “I don’t think I have the energy for anything fun.”
“We’ve literally got a beach in our backyard. If we don’t take advantage of that on a regular basis, then why are we here?”
Biting her tongue against a sarcastic retort, Stacey could see her mom’s point. “All right. Let me get my bathing suit on.”
A short while later, they stepped out the backdoor and off the deck. A short fence surrounded the yard, but a gate allowed them onto the sandy beach. Stacey took a deep breath of the fresh, salty air as they made their way out to the chairs they’d set out earlier, taking in the gorgeous view. She’d always thought Cape Cod was gorgeous, but she’d never imagined she’d actually be living on this little curl of land.
“I know there were some downsides to my job at Martin Marketing?—”
“More than I can count on my fingers,” Carol interrupted.
Stacey ignored her. “But sometimes, things really do work out. I met Jeanette there, and I never would’ve gotten the tip on this house if it hadn’t been for her. We snapped it up before it even went on the market, and it couldn’t be more perfect.” Most beach homes in her budget had been far too small for herself, her children, and her mother. The bigger ones were ridiculously expensive, and Stacey felt they’d found the sweet spot with this adorable home on a quiet beach.
“I’m glad you’re happy, dear.” Carol reached over and patted Stacey’s arm. “And I’m happy that you brought me along. It’s nice to spend time with thekids, and it’s refreshing to see you actually relaxing for a change.”
“It’s not like Ineverrelaxed,” Stacey replied, settling into her chair and tipping her head back to enjoy the afternoon sun.
“Wearing sweatpants during a remote meeting doesn’t count,” Carol reminded her. “You’ve always been a workaholic. It got you far in your company and gave you savings to live off of for now, but it’s not good for anyone to work all the time. You’ve got to let go and feel the breeze on your skin. Speaking of.” Carol sat up and peered each way down the beach before she flicked the clasp on her swimsuit top.
“Mom! What are you doing?”
Smiling, Carol settled back. “I haven’t gone topless since the seventies, and I think it’s about time I let these girls see the light of day again.”
“You can’t just sit heretopless!” Stacey hissed. She put one hand over her face, remembering all those moments back in school when her mother had embarrassed the hell out of her by being so easygoing. Some kids wanted a mom who didn’t have a care in the world, but only because they didn’t know what it was like.
“Says who? No one’s watching, anyway,” Carolreplied. “Even if they were, who cares? We’re all human. We all have bodies, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you should give it a try.”
“What?” Stacey squeaked, appalled at the idea. “I could never.”
“Really, honey,” her mother encouraged. “It feels fabulous. Loosen up a little.”
Stacey sighed. She felt the tug of her wide swimsuit straps as they dug into her shoulders. Her left boob had always been a bit bigger than the right and didn’t sit very well in the cup. Yes, it probably did feel fabulous, but that didn’t mean she was going to do it. “I’ll pass, thank you very much. What if someone sees? We’re brand new here.”
Carol winked. “Then I’ll try to make a good impression.”
Just as she was about to continue arguing, Stacey heard the whine of an electric engine. She turned to see a side-by-side ATV driving up the beach right toward them. “Mom!”
“Oh, you’re such a fuddy-duddy. Maybe he’s here to enjoy the show.” Carol lifted a hand and waved.
The ATV pulled to a halt. “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to cover up.”
“How am I supposed to get my tan even?” Carolasked with a wink. “There’s plenty of sunshine for mywholebody, you know.”
He looked away and down toward the sand, his face reddening by the second.
