etc. // hs

flashback #3!!!!

don't u dare judge me

*Norah's POV*

"Do we have everything?" I asked for the hundredth time as Theo began tugging on my shorts. "No, baby, don't do that."

We were in Florida for our annual family vacation but this time, we had a new addition so I was sort of overwhelmed with baby sunscreen, floaties of all different sizes, and sand toys to keep three kids entertained all day.

Eventually we made it outside with all our gear and Jude ran straight into the ocean, shirt and all.

"Good god, that child is crazy," Harry sighed as he cradled Stella to his chest. "Theo, go run after your brother, buddy. Go terrify mommy."

"Mum," Theo smiled widely as he plopped down in the sand. "Mum."

"Good boy," I smiled smugly at Harry, who was pursing his lips. "You love mommy, don't you?"

He laughed. "Yes."

"I love mommy too," Harry said smoothly as his arm slid around my middle. "And I can't wait to see you in that little bikini."

"Oh shut up," I huffed, tilting my head away from him while he tried to shower me with kisses. "Go play with your daughter or something, you perv."

"Aw baby, come on," he whined. "Just give daddy a little kiss."

I reluctantly turned my head and pecked him on the cheek, which satisfied him enough to take Theo's hand and give me Stella as a trade. It's a miracle he gave her up, actually.

She was just beginning to stand up and walk around, so I set her down on a shady spot and pulled off my shirt and shorts. Of course Harry was watching me the whole time and he found it hilarious to give me an enthusiastic thumbs up when I was left in only my tiny black bikini.

"Darling, bring my hat over here, would you?" He shouted across the sand a few seconds later. I nodded and picked up Stella, then carried her and Harry's white hat down to the water's edge where her father was already making faces and laughing at her.

"Puppy!" He called happily as I handed her to him. "Oh my goodness, what a beautiful little girl you are!"

"You better be talking to me," I grumbled, pulling at my bathing suit top.

"You'll always be my princess," he grinned while Stella waved her hands at Harry's hat. "Now I just have...a little princess. I love her so much because she's half you, baby girl."

"You're smooth," I pursed my lips as he nuzzled his head into my neck. "And I love you."

"I love you, too," he chuckled deeply. "I made reservations for us tonight, by the way. Do you think we can get the kids ready by six?"

I peered down at Theo, who was now rolling in sand, and then at Jude running through the big waves. "Uh, we'll see."

"Good enough for me, angel face."

Stella was now screaming in happiness as she clapped her hands and pointed at the waves, her chubby little legs kicking at Harry like she wanted to escape his tan arms.

"Easy, baby," he chuckled, intertwining his free hand with mine. "Alright, well I better take her in the water before she throws a fit. Want to join me?"

Stella made a pouty face at Harry. "Dada."

"That's me, kiddo," he grinned. "Do you want mama to come with us?"

"No!"

"She literally hates me," I shook my head as Stella giggled at her own little joke. "She cries when I hold her."