“You have to stay still,” he orders seriously.
“I own multiple businesses,” I mutter, glancing down at the pile growing over my knees. “And somehow, this is still the most humiliating thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Sebastian grins proudly. “You’re a sand mermaid now.”
“Excellent.”
Laughter drifts towards us from the shoreline. My eyes lift instantly.
And there she is.
Wynter walks slowly along the edge of the water barefoot, our daughter tucked against her chest in a pale-yellow baby sling while the sunset catches in her hair.
God.
Even now, ten weeks later, the sight still hits me straight in the chest.
The doctor finally signed Wynter off for travel three weeks ago, and I’d booked Dubai before we even left the appointment. Apparently “you need rest” translated in my brain to “private beach houseimmediately”.
Not that I regret it, because since we arrived, she hasn’t stopped smiling. I still can’t quite believe she’s real. Either of them.
Wynter glances towards us and smiles the second our eyes meet. And there it is again. That feeling. The one that still catches me off guard.
Home.She’s my home.
“Dad,” Sebastian yells. “You moved your leg!”
“I’m losing circulation.”
“That’s cheating.”
I huff out a laugh as Wynter finally reaches us, lowering herself carefully beside me on the sand.
Annie makes a tiny sleepy sound against her chest. Immediately, my attention shifts fully.
“You didn’t cover her legs?” I ask automatically.
Wynter stares at me. “Seriously?”
“It gets cooler near the water.”
“She’s wearing two layers in thirty-degree heat.” She smiles, shaking her head, and I’m pleased my fussy parenting doesn’t drive her insane.
I carefully adjust the tiny sun hat slipping sideways over our daughter’s face. Wynter watches me fondly.
“You know,” she murmurs, “your obsession with her is quite sweet.”
I laugh. “It’s an obsession with both of you, and I’m not ashamed.”
She laughs softly beside me, leaning her head against my shoulder while Sebastian continues aggressively attacking my dignity with sand.
Christ.
I’d never known happiness could feel this quiet. Like something warm settling permanently beneath my ribs, offering me comfort, protection and peace.
My phone buzzes beside me for the fifth time in ten minutes. I don’t even look at it, but Wynter does.
“That’ll be Dale,” I tell her dryly.