Once we are full on pancakes and fruit, we step outside, theair is warm but refreshing, the sound of the ocean grows louder as we walk down the path leading to the beach.
The beach is still quiet and we find two chairs under an umbrella, perfect for being on the beach with a baby.
“I still can’t believe we are here,” I say, glancing at Gabriel, who is grinning from ear to ear.
“I can,” he says with a chuckle, swinging his arm around my shoulders as we walk.
We walk out to the water, letting the waves hit our ankles. The cool water contrasts with the warmth of the sun on our skin. Aura kicks her legs in the air, in awe of the movement of the water. I can feel her excitement of the newness of everything down to my toes.
“Look at her,” I say, my voice filled with awe. “She’s already in love with the ocean.”
“We will have to come back,” Gabriel says, his tone affectionate as he reaches over to touch her head.
I feel a little flutter in my chest. I’ve always admired the way he looks at his daughter- like he sees her with a kind of love and wonder that is indescribable.
We make our way back to our chairs. I sit down in the sand, gently placing Aura on the blanket I brought down with us.
I watch Aura play with the sides of the blanket, grabbing handfuls of sand along with it.
When I look to Gabriel, his hand is resting on his knee as he watches his daughter with a tender, protective look in his eyes. There is so much love held within his gaze. It’s the kind of love that is not just in these moments when everything is perfect but also the quiet ones, the ones that pass without a fuss.
“You’re such a good dad, you know?” I say, my voice is soft and full of sincerity.
He smiles, a little sheepish, but I don’t mistake the pride in his eyes. “I’m trying my hardest to be the best father I can to her.”
I shake my head, laughing softly. “You’re not trying, Gabby. You are doing your best. Watching you with her reminds me ofmy dad. You’re not just her dad. You’re her everything. Every time she looks at you, her eyes light up. It’s like you’re her whole world.”
He glances down at her, his lips curling into a soft smile as his daughter reaches up to him, her little hands grabbing his face. His voice drops to a quiet murmur as he lifts her up, setting her up on his lap. “I don’t know about all that. I’m figuring everything out as I go.”
I watch as he adjusts her, holding her so naturally. “It’s true, though,” I say, my tone full of admiration. “You’re patient with her, calm even when she is fussy or crying for no reason at all. You never get frustrated with her. You just- you just know how to be with her.”
He looks up at me then, his eyes softening.
“She’s a good kid,” he says with a small smile. “It’s easy to be patient with her.”
“She’s so lucky to have you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible
“Bumper, trust me when I say this,” he says, moving from his beach chair to the sand. “We are the lucky ones to have you. You’re an incredible mom. You may not have birthed her, but in her heart, you’re it. You’re her mom. The one she wants in the morning, the one she trusts.”
We spend a few hours on the beach, enjoying each other’s company. We watch Aura play in the sand, nap under the sun and splash her hands in the ocean.
I decide to check in with my family back home and see how the café is going. I had just hired Baylee as the GM, but then the engagement happened and everything has been crazy.
Me
Hey, how is the café?
Lucie
It’s great! You’re smart to make so many pastries in advance and freeze them.
Me
How is Baylee adjusting? She’s doing good?
Lucie
She is a really good fit. How is paradise?
