vacation pt. 2

Paedyn

The villa is suspiciously quiet when I walk into the kitchen.

Too quiet.

"Where's Kai?" I ask, wanting the one thing keeping me alive.

"Outside," Juliette says, breezing past with sunglasses perched on her head and a tote bag on her shoulder. "Packing the stroller."

I squint. "Why do we need a stroller? Ava hasn't sat in one since—"

"Since she decided walking was for peasants, yes. But if we're going to the market, we need somewhere to store the snacks."

Five minutes later, I'm in the front seat of Juliette's SUV, clutching my coffee like a lifeline while Kit, Ava, Leila, and Mckenzie fill the back with enough chatter to power a small city. Adrian's wedged in the way back, already chewing something I didn't give him.

"Where did you get that?" I ask.

He freezes mid-bite. "...Floor?"

Juliette groans. "We haven't even left the driveway."

Kai

The market hits us like a wall of color and sound — stalls stacked with bright fabrics, bins of glossy fruit, and vendors shouting over one another like it's a sport. The smell of fried dough and fresh herbs wraps around us instantly.

"Okay," Paedyn says, spinning on her heel like a tour guide about to lose her group. "Rule one: stay where I can see you. Rule two—"

She stops because Leila and Kit are already halfway to a jewelry stand.

We catch up just in time to hear Kit tell the vendor, "Five dollars for both."

He blinks. "They're twenty each."

Leila crosses her arms. "We're kids. You're supposed to give us a discount."

The man glances at Paedyn. She just shrugs. 

The vendor chuckles. "You drive a hard bargain."

Kit leans forward, dead serious. "And I can sing. Want a song with the deal?"

Before I can intervene, she's halfway into a very dramatic rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while Leila nods approvingly.

The man caves instantly, handing over the bracelets with a wink.

Leila beams. "Told you we could do it."

Somewhere behind me, Ava is gasping at a stand full of wooden animals, clutching a giraffe half her size. Adrian, meanwhile, has mysteriously acquired gelato dripping down both arms.

"Where did you get that?" I demand.

He grins like he's cracked the code to life. "The man gave it to me for free because I said my mom was pretty."

Juliette nearly chokes on her coffee. "Raising him right."

By the time we've circled halfway around the market, I've carried three shopping bags, one carved giraffe, and a child for short stretches.

Then I hear Paedyn's voice — sharp, urgent. "Where's Ava?"

My pulse spikes instantly.

We split up without a word. I push through the crowd, scanning every booth. Ninety seconds later, I find her in a bakery, cross-legged on the floor, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk while the baker grins down at her.

"She's been sampling," he explains, offering me a croissant.

I scoop her up, heart finally steadying. "You can't wander off like that."

"But Daddy, they have chocolate bread," she says. 

When we finally regroup, Juliette is already at the counter, ordering three boxes of pastries "for safety reasons."

Paedyn's shoulders relax the moment she sees Ava in my arms, but her eyes flick to the chocolate smudges on our daughter's cheeks. "Let me guess—new bakery mascot?"

"Apparently." I hand Ava over, brushing a crumb from her hair.

Paedyn

By the time we haul everything back to the car — giraffe, jewelry, pastries, and an alarming number of jars labeled local honey — my tote bag is digging into my shoulder and I'm certain my coffee wore off an hour ago. 

Adrian shouts, "Mom's really pretty, Daddy!"

Kai's gaze slides to mine, warm and easy. "Yeah. She is."

And just like that, the exhaustion feels worth it.

UPDATE FINALLY SO SORRY I REALLY LOVE YOU SO MUCH I'M POSTING ANOTHER CHAPTER TODAY JUST YOU WAIT. 

THANK YOU FOR UR SUPPORT XX