The next morning, I woke to the sound of waves crashing against the shore, a rhythmic lullaby that made it hard to open my eyes. The bed was warm, soft, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot about everything—the past, the worries, the weight I’d been carrying for years.
Then a tiny voice chirped beside me.
“Mummy, wake up! Water!”
I peeked one eye open and saw Nico standing on the bed, bouncing excitedly. His curls were a messy halo around his head, his tiny fists gripping the straps of his swim trunks. He was more than ready.
I laughed sleepily, stretching my arms. “Alright, alright. Let’s get ready.”
After a quick breakfast, we made our way down to the beach. The moment Nico’s feet hit the soft golden sand, he let out a squeal of delight and took off running. I watched as he stumbled
