Invisible String

24

The next morning, the light filtered through sheer curtains and painted golden lines across the tile floor. I blinked awake slowly, the sound of seagulls outside blending with the faint murmur of waves. Mira stirred in the bassinet beside me, just a soft rustle and one tiny squeak before her eyes fluttered open.

Travis was still asleep, one arm stretched across the bed, his hair a tousled mess from the fan blowing all night. I slipped quietly out of bed, scooping Mira into my arms before she could fully cry. She nuzzled into my chest immediately, and I smiled down at her. "Good morning, sunshine," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

I padded out to the kitchen in my oversized shirt and shorts, Mira snuggled against me, warm and soft. The scent of coffee was already in the air-Jason, of course. I found him sitting at the long island with Kylie, who had her feet propped up and her belly resting beneath her tank top.

"Morning," she said, her voice still scratchy from sleep. "Want some?" She nodded toward the pot.

"Please," I said, bouncing Mira lightly. "She's been up since the first bird made a sound."

Wyatt and Finley were already up too, curled on the couch with cartoons playing low and bowls of cereal in hand.

"You get any sleep?" Jason asked, sliding me a mug.

"Enough," I said with a tired grin. "Vacation enough."

Travis shuffled out ten minutes later, shirtless and squinting, followed by a yawning Lily, who came straight to me with her arms up.

"Morning, Mama."

"Morning, baby." I bent to kiss the top of her head. "You hungry?"

She nodded sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

By 9:00 a.m., we were all dressed, fed, and loading beach bags back into the Jeep. The plan for the day was a boat ride out to the reef, a little snorkeling, and maybe lunch on one of the smaller islands nearby.

"Is this too ambitious with this many kids?" Kylie asked as we buckled in.

Jason turned around in the front seat. "Definitely. But we'll survive."

Travis grinned as he pulled Mira's sunhat onto her head. "We always do."

And with that, the caravan pulled off toward another memory in the making.

The marina was buzzing by the time we arrived-families, couples, even a bachelorette group all prepping for their own little getaways on the water. The kids were instantly wide-eyed, especially Lily, who tugged at my hand while pointing at the biggest yacht in the dock.

"Are we going on that one?"

I smiled. "Not quite, sweetheart. Ours is a little smaller, but just as fun."

"She means it has snacks," Travis added, lifting Mira's car seat from the Jeep with one hand while grabbing our beach tote with the other. I shot him a look and he winked, already in vacation dad mode.

We all boarded the boat, a sleek white catamaran with shaded seating, beanbags on the front deck, and a built-in cooler already stocked for the day. Jason made himself at home immediately, helping Wyatt with her life jacket, while Kylie eased herself onto the padded bench with a quiet sigh of relief.

"Remind me to stay in the shade," she muttered, rubbing her bump. "This kid already has me melting."

"You sure you're okay out here?" I asked, adjusting the strap on Mira's hat as she blinked up at me from her wrap.

"I'm good," she said with a wave of her hand. "This beats being home with all four girls trying to braid my hair and ask what contractions feel like."

As the boat pulled away from the dock, the kids gathered at the railing, wind whipping their hair, voices echoing in a blur of excitement. Travis stood beside me, his hand resting on my back as we both watched them take in the view.