He stirs a little, sensing my gaze, and when his eyes flutter open, they meet mine.
“Morning,” I whisper, my smile widening as I lean in to kiss his chest.
He smiles, his eyes still heavy with sleep, but his hand comes up and rests on my cheek. His thumb brushing along my jawline. “Hey, beautiful,” he says softly, his voice low and warm.
I lean into his touch, relishing the softness of it, the tenderness.
“Did you sleep ok?” He asks, still in a quiet, soft space between sleep and wakefulness.
I nod, a slow smile spreading across my face.
“Yeah, just needed some extra time with you,” I murmur.
His hand slips to the back of my neck, fingers spreading through my hair as he pulls me closer. I close my eyes, letting myself sink into him.
“I could stay here forever.”
His lips press against the top of my hair. “I never take waking up next to you for granted.”
There’s a soft sound from the crib. A little coo, a gentle sigh. Aura stirs, and I feel a flutter of anticipation, my heart quickens the same way it always does when I hear her wake up. She’s my little girl, and she is everything to me.
I glance at the crib and catch Gabriel’s eye. He gives me a sleepy grin, his hand still resting on my back.
“Ready to get our girl?” he asks softly, the question filled with affection and the joy of this early morning moment.
I nod, feeling excited.
“Yeah,” I say my voice filled with validity I am right where I need to be. “Let’s go.”
He kisses my forehead and shifts to get up, stretching as he moves. I sit up, reaching for his hand.
Aura is wide awake in her crib, babbling softly, clearly in a good mood. When we reach the edge of the crib, we are greeted with her wide eyes that resemble the water outside our door. Her hands grab at the side of the crib, pulling herself up to a sitting position.
Her face lights up the moment she sees us, and she lets out a happy babble, her body wiggling with excitement.
Gabriel leans over, gently lifting her out of the soft cotton sheets, her little body warm and snug in his arms. “Good morning, Aura,” he says softly, his voice full of affection.
I move closer to them, brushing my fingers against her soft cheek, and she turns her head towards me, giving me a big, toothless grin.
“Good morning, Sweets,” I whisper, leaning in to kiss her head. I am overwhelmed by the smell of her baby lotion and sunshine.
We get a second of peace before she begins to squirm to get down.
“Looks like she is ready to go,” Gabriel says, smiling.
I laugh softly. “She’s always ready to roll. Like a little energizer bunny.”
I lean against Gabriel, wrapping my arm around his waist as we both admire her. Taking in the simplicity of the moment. The way she looks at us—curious, trusting, so full of love is enough to keep me full of love for a lifetime.
We go out to the balcony, and the cool morning breeze runs through our hair and the world in front of us. Being here feels like a dream, wrapped in the arms of the man I love and my little girl.
“I think it’s time for breakfast.” “I say, my stomach choosing the perfect time to let out a loud rumble.
“We definitely can’t skip that,” Gabriel says with a laugh, adjusting Aura in his arms. “Let’s go find some fruit and pancakes, then head to the beach.”
We get ready in our swimsuits, and I pack a bag with diapers, wipes, and sunscreen. I put Aura in her one-piece bathing suit and throw her hat in the bag as she refuses to wear it.
“We all set?” Gabriel asks, glancing at me with a grin as I finish getting ready.
