Peter Brenner ran as often as he could. Lately running was the only thing that kept him sane, that and his two kids. Running through the quiet streets early in the morning was peaceful. He'd end up at the beach even though it was still a gray and overcast August morning. Just as he knew he would run to the beach, he would also run by his old house. The house where the only woman he ever loved lived with their twins. Peter was nothing if not predictable, as he ran his familiar route.

Approaching the small cottage where he once lived, he heard the screen door squeak. Peter almost tripped over his feet when he saw a man leaving in the early morning light. Peter looked at Megan and she looked at him as she stood in the doorway letting her guest out. Did she look embarrassed, ashamed or oh please not, happy? It was obvious the other man had spent the night. Peter was not prepared for the reality of another man spending the night with his ex. He should be, but his heart had never let go of her. Recovering from his shock, he kept running.

When he couldn't run anymore, he stopped by the beach and stared out at the water. There was quiet all around him. The only people on the beach this early were there for its quiet beauty. He could smell and taste the saltiness of the spray in the air. The noise of happy children, music and yelling over the cold water would come later after the sun warmed up.

Being on the beach was peaceful, but made it all hurt so much more. He couldn't separate Megan from the beach. It was through her he learned to love it. He remembered that first summer, when he discovered his love for the beach at the same time he was discovering their love. He never understood how she could flip a switch and stop loving him, but the answer wasn't simple.

The overcast sky looked like Peter felt. He felt like he got kicked in the chest and couldn't breathe. Lord, he was an idiot. Did he really expect they would someday make all the wrongs of the past be right? Did he really think she wouldn't move on? He tried a few times, but it only took a nanosecond to know it wasn't what he wanted. He had loved no one but Megan since high school.

He wondered if she would be working. He doubted it, as she would normally have started her shift well before her guest was breezing out of her house. Jeez, the bastard had a frigging' smile on his face. Breathe, he had to remind himself. He sat and breathed and tried to focus on the sound of the surf lapping the shore. Behind him he could hear the faint sound of birds singing their morning song. Around him the seagulls were squawking looking for their breakfast. If Nick and Sophie were here, they would chase after them calling out "mine, mine, mine" They were probably awake now. He should get back to them. Slowly he walked down the beach to the beautiful house that had become his second home. It was where he sought refuge - after - when he was so damn lost...