ℂ𝕆𝕃𝕃𝕀𝔻𝔼 // ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝕃𝔼ℂ𝕃𝔼ℝℂ

𝓱𝓪𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓲

Charles Leclerc

The air was warm, salty, and so different from what I was used to. I could feel the sun on my skin, even through the thin fabric of my shirt. Athena's eyes were wide as she took it all in, the ocean breeze making her hair flutter just slightly. Aylin was nestled in my arms, her little head resting against my chest, a satisfied smile on her tiny face.

"Welcome to paradise," I whispered, smiling down at my two girls.

Athena grinned up at me. "You weren't kidding about this place, huh?"

"Would I ever lie about that?" I teased, squeezing her hand as we walked out of the airport and toward the rental car.

"You lie about a lot of things," she shot back, a playful edge to her voice.

"Name one," I challenged.

She raised an eyebrow. "You told me we'd just be going for a 'small drive' the first time I sat in a car with you. Five hours later, we were in the middle of nowhere."

I smirked. "That was an adventure."

"An unplanned one," she muttered, but I could tell she was smiling. "This, though... this was a surprise I actually like."

We decided to keep it simple the first day. After checking into the villa, which was tucked away on a quiet beach, we headed out to explore the nearby areas. Aylin seemed to love the new environment—her eyes darting everywhere, soaking up the unfamiliar sights and sounds.

"She's going to be a traveler," I said, glancing over at Athena as she pushed Aylin's stroller down the sandy path.

"I wonder where she gets that from," Athena responded sarcastically, her lips curving into a grin.

"Definitely from me," I said proudly, reaching over to ruffle Aylin's hair.

"Right, because I'm such a homebody," Athena quipped, rolling her eyes.

I grinned. "You just like pretending to be one."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Let's grab some lunch, maybe at that little beach café we saw earlier?"

We found a cozy spot under a shady tree, the café's view looking out over the shimmering waves. Aylin was mesmerized, her chubby little hands waving in the air as she watched the seagulls flying overhead.

I leaned back in my chair, watching her with a proud smile. "She's going to love the ocean."

Athena sipped her drink, glancing over at me. "Do you think she'll be more like you or me?"

"Probably you," I said without hesitation.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"You're stubborn," I teased.

Her eyes narrowed. "So are you."

"Maybe, but you've got that fiery determination," I said, my voice softening slightly. "She'll definitely get that from you."

Athena smiled, and for a moment, we just sat there in comfortable silence, watching the waves crash against the shore.

We decided to go snorkeling the next day, leaving Aylin with a trusted local babysitter we'd arranged through the hotel. I could see the excitement in Athena's eyes as we slipped into our wetsuits.

"I'm not going to lie," she said, pulling the strap of her mask over her head, "I've been waiting for this."

"Ready to see some fish?" I asked, smirking.

She gave me a determined look. "More than ready."

We waded into the water, the cool ocean surrounding us as we drifted further from the shore. The underwater world opened up before us, vibrant coral reefs and schools of fish darting in every direction. I glanced over at Athena, her eyes wide behind her mask, completely mesmerized by the beauty around us.

It was moments like this that made everything worth it—the quiet, peaceful moments when we weren't racing or arguing. Just... being together.

That night, we went out for a romantic dinner by the beach. Aylin was back with us, babbling away in her high chair as the sun set in the distance, casting a golden glow over the water.

"I think she likes the food here," Athena said, watching as Aylin gleefully mashed a piece of pineapple between her fingers.

I chuckled. "She's a Leclerc. We have good taste."

Athena snorted. "Yeah, sure. Except when it comes to..." She trailed off, giving me a playful smirk.

"Go on," I prompted, leaning in. "I want to hear this."

She shook her head, her grin widening. "Nah, I'll save it for later."

"Oh no, you don't get to start something like that and not finish it," I insisted, laughing.

Athena just winked. "Guess you'll just have to wait."

I narrowed my eyes. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," she shot back.

I smiled, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Yeah, I do."

Later that evening, after putting Aylin to bed, we sat out on the villa's porch, a bottle of wine between us. The night air was warm, the sound of the waves gently crashing in the background. Athena leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-closed as she sipped her drink.

"This is perfect," she said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the ocean.

I glanced over at her, feeling a sudden rush of affection. "Yeah... it is."

She opened her eyes, looking at me with a soft smile. "Thanks, Charles. For all of this."

"You don't have to thank me," I said, leaning closer. "I just want you to be happy."

She reached over, her fingers brushing against mine. "I am."