Sierra opened her eyes. The new environment never failed to startle her. Every day the woman had to remind herself where she was. She got out of bed and looked out the window.

Halmstad.

Located on the Swedish west coast, the municipality Halmstad was famous for its port and a great vacation location. With a little over seventy thousand inhabitants, the town was pleasant and offered many attractions, museums, water-themed parks, historical sites one could not get bored. Jonas loved to stay in the city in the summer because of the sea.

For Sierra, water was the main attraction, never had she seen so many rivers and streams in her entire existence.

Also, life seemed to flow differently. She opened the window to freshen up the room and went downstairs.

Leone and Jonas were already in the kitchen, the place that reunited them the most. The routine of eating together regained its rightful place.

"Hi," Jonas could not contain his smile. The happiness of having Leone and Sierra with him was unquantifiable.

"Hej."

Even if it was a few words, it delighted Jonas to hear Sierra, who swore never to need to speak Swedish pronounce a hello.

Leone watched their interaction. Since his mom sat outside, Leone got the impression Jonas and Sierra played a game of Hide and Seek. The little boy had a distraction of his own where he sought to see how many times either one blushed. His father did it the most from what he saw.

Sierra turned to look at Leone as if she heard his conspiracy, "oh, Leone, look at this mess."

"He wants to eat on his own, I tried to grab the spoon, but he said no, papa."

Sierra furrowed her eyebrows, "Leone, donne la cuillère à Maman [Leone, give the spoon to mom]." Though the tone was firm, the order got a blunt answer from the toddler.

Leone, too, furrowed his eyebrows in determination, "no, Mama," he declared.

"Leone."

The boy shook his head and carried on eating his cereals.

"Perhaps we should leave him to it if he's motivated to try to eat by himself. He's at that age where he'll attempt all types of apprenticeship."

"But it's messy."

"It's nothing, Sierra. We all went through this."

The woman sighed, surrendering. She advanced to one of the cupboards and tried to grab a bowl, only to have Jonas's hands reach out above her and give it to her. The gesture, too, was part of their daily life since Sierra arrived.

"Tack [thank you], why is every so high up?"

"Let's say we're all quite tall in my family and globally. You are tiny, Sierra."

The woman blinked, "pardon, I'm standard size."

"What is the standard size?" Jonas teased.

Sierra was about to throw her defense when a phone rang.

"It isn't mine," Sierra said.

The man fled his phone so much that he almost forgot its ringtone. Jonas turned and grabbed the phone from the counter table, "hej Dirk [hello Dirk]."

Sierra sat with her bowl of cereals and observed the man who paced in front of her.

His radiant face grew solemn, and Sierra wondered what the lawyer said when Jonas replied, "I'll be back in Stockholm on Friday. Okay, thank you, Dirk, Hej då [bye]."

Jonas hung up and placed both his hands on the side of the counter table while he reflected before locking his gaze on Sierra and making a decision.

"Is something wrong?"

He loved her, and he refused to sit the foundations of their relationship on secrets.

"I need to go back to Stockholm. My brother's trial is next week; I have to join my family."

"What did your brotherㅡ," Sierra stopped. It was indiscreet, "sorry, Jonas, I shouldn't."

"My brother made bad investments and found nothing better to do than set up offshore accounts for Moder Yord while I was in Paris. When I got back, I found out a private detective snooped around and gathered information about me."

"A detective, why?"

Jonas came round to sit next to her, "Sierra, I didn't want to bother you with this. I believed I could handle this by myself, but the Gauthiers they're more dangerous than I assumed."

"They sent the private investigator, didn't they?"

"After the police got involved and I got their complaint, they filed to contest Leone's custody. According to them, my judgment concerning your aptitude raise Leone can't be taken into account considering that I'm a fiscal fraudster."

"It's a false claim. Any judge will see that. Jonas, why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to have you worry."

"No, Jonas. When things are as serious as this, you shouldn't hesitate to tell me, especially when it involves Leone's welfare."

Suddenly the reality hit Sierra. She began to piece things together and understand what went on in the background. Yes, while she worried about which Jimmy Choo heels to buy and wear for her wedding, Jonas battled. The volcano of guilt fused and got ready to erupt.

"You should have told me."

"I didn't want you to suffer."

"How about you? Do you think I'm happier if it's you who struggles? Jonas, you should tell me everything when it comes to the Gauthiers, no matter what. We can't win if we stand in the opposite corners."

"I'm sorry, at the time, it seemed the best thing to do."

Sierra shook her head, "that time is over. Now we're together, remember we're a team, I'm on yours."

If it weren't for the anxiety caused by stress, Jonas's heart would have leaped with joy at Sierra's words. The man remembered how he used to repeat he was on her team. Now it was she who comforted him.

"What are you going to do?"

"I need to go back to Stockholm, and eh, I do you mind coming with me. I would have loved it to be for another occasion, but I'd like you and Leone to meet my family."

Sierra knew the circumstances created the opportunity. Still, it didn't stop her mind from blowing up.

"You want me to meet your parents?" The woman repeated though the request was explicit.

Jonas scratched his forehead. The man suddenly realized what he asked and how big of a step it seemed, considering their relationship barely began, "it's not an obligation. I mean, you can stay in my apartment if you don't want to meet them. I know it's short notice, and it's not something you planned. I know you like Halmstad already, and I wish to show you more of the city. I understand if youㅡ."

Sierra placed her hand on his to calm him, "I'd love to, Jonas."

The man's face glowed up, "are you sure?"

Sierra nodded, and Leone gave each of them a blush point.

Jonas was highly considerate. The attitude overwhelmed Sierra, who wished to give as much as she received. The woman desired to give a spontaneous kiss at that instant, but she hesitated. Having held back for so long, the woman didn't know how to demonstrate her affection. Jonas kissed her once at her wedding, and since it seemed, he too blocked.

"Mama."

Sierra turned her focus to Leone, who lifted his empty bowl and spoon in triumph. He managed to finish, and his face shone with glee as he contemplated his achievement.

"Bravo Leone," Sierra said as she got up to clear.

See Mama, don't underestimate me, Leone thought.

"So we'll be leaving on Friday," Sierra said while she placed the bowl and spoon in the sink.

"Yes, you know what, how about I take you and Leone out on my sailboat?"

The woman stopped before wiping Leone's warzone of split cereals, "your what?"

"My boat, it's harbored at the port."

Sierra blinked after flying came sailing. Just like her son, Sierra's eyes gleamed at the perspective of a new experience.

"I'm sure Leone will enjoy it, and at least you would have done something worthwhile here," Jonas added.

"Everything I've done here was worthwhile."

"What? We only strolled in the parks visited historical sights and landmarks."

"Yes, I loved it."

The man was too much thought, Sierra. His company was in danger, and his brother was in trouble, yet Jonas worried about how to make Sierra enjoy her stay.

Sierra's sixth sense told her to accept as if she knew the boat ride would help appease the man's spirit.

They set off an hour later. The couple stopped at a shop to buy a hat for Sierra, a cap for Leone, sun cream, and a toddler PFD[Personnal Floatation Device]. They bought some groceries and filled the cooler with ice. Sierra took her time to take photos; she didn't know when she would have the occasion to come back.

Time slipped; Sierra had already spent a week. Only three remained, and she wanted to make the most of it. A strange feeling clung to her, she didn't know what it was, but every time she thought of her departure, a form of melancholia submerged her.

Could she really leave Jonas when the time came?

"Mama," Leone exclaimed as Sierra stretched him out to Jonas so she could get on the boat.

Rufus went directly to his spot. Jonas practically raised him on the catamaran.

"I hope you don't get seasick."

"I don't know; it's a first."

"Here," Jonas handed his spare PFD and helped her put it on before dressing Leone.

"Gosh, don't I look glamorous."

Jonas gave her an apologetic stare, "sorry, but I can't take any risks even if there aren't many here."

The man was cautious. Sierra and Leone represented his everything. There was no danger, great or small when it came to them.

Leone didn't know where to lay his eyes and kept switching his interests, making it difficult for Sierra, who took him back.

Once they installed everything inside, Jonas started the boat.

He never succeeded in bringing Cecile to Halmstad. The woman considered the city as rural. Cecile loved the metropoles and detested anywhere that reminded her hometown. And so it was Stockholm, Gotenburg, and Malmo, the woman, stayed when in Sweden; otherwise, New York, Paris, London, Dubai, Doha, Tokyo were her headquarters.

Jonas stopped the engine once there was no more land in sight, giving them the impression of being in the middle of nowhere.

Leone tapped on Sierra's chest every time he saw a fish.

"Yes, Leone. There's a fish."

The boat lightly swayed, and it wasn't long before the boy fell asleep in his mother's arms. All one could hear was the swish swashing of the water and seagulls from afar.

Jonas watched them and blushed as his mind began to weave a thought. The man who only lived for his work found another goal that colored his face pink.

"It's so peaceful here," Sierra whispered.

"You like it?"

"Anywhere with you is beautiful," Sierra's eyes locked on Jonas's, and the lovers hypnotized each other with their gaze.

Sierra didn't know that nothing was more beautiful for Jonas than her carrying Leone. The thought of kissing her had never been more compelling.

Jonas didn't realize the idea became action before he felt his lips on Sierra's. The woman welcomed his kiss that had their hearts rocking a lullaby. Their love was slow, but it was sure.

Jonas's newfound ambition grew intensely as the man wondered if the woman would consider another pact without an expiry date.