Waking up next to Sage might be one of the best things in the world.

Watching her eyes flutter open because I'm usually the one who wakes up first. Seeing the first smile of the day. Moving closer to wrap my arms around her even better. Her gaze softening at the touch.

It's almost the same every morning, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. Today, we take extra long snuggled against each other. There's nothing on the planning anyway. I did that on purpose.

"Hi," I finally say. "Did you sleep well?"

She nods. "Did you?"

"Mhm. And are you alright?"

She nods again. "Are you?"

"Mhm."

Then we rest in silence again. We don't have to hurry; we have to boat until one PM. It's currently ten. We'll easily make it.

"Was your birthday a success?"

The third nod, and another one of those soft smiles. "It was amazing. Thank you, once again."

"No problem."

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, but I don't move. I don't feel like getting up yet. It's way too comfortable in this bed. Neither do I want to interrupt the peaceful morning with a screen.

"Bet that is your mom checking if everything is okay?" She chuckles, a delightful sound.

Sage is right, though. Mom hasn't stopped checking up on us. Neither has Dahlia.

"Probably. I'll look soon." I close my eyes after I've pulled her even closer, my nose in her hair. She smells so good, even after a lot of chlorine and seawater.

"Do we have any activities today?"

"Nope. We have the boat 'till one. I guess we'll just hang around the house after that?"

"Sounds good."

A few minutes later, my eyes jump open at an idea. "Wanna go for a morning swim?"

Her eyebrows furrow. "I'm not so sure about that. It's cold."

"Bit refreshing, then, ain't it?" I get up, stretching my arms with a yawn. "Let's go."

She buries her head in a pillow and smashes my pillow on the back of her head.

"Come on, Sageee."

A groan. "Maybe after we eat something."

I lift her up, with sheets and all clinging to her. "Okay."

"Wait!" She struggles against. "I'm barely wearing anything! Let me get dressed fir— Thomas!"

I jumped in the sea.

With her in my arms.

And the sheets.

Good thinking.

She's yelping and gasping when our heads come above the water, swimming as if she can't swim. The sheets float somewhere beside us, and I throw my head back, laughing.

"I hate you. Everyone can see me right now."

I pull her towards me. "Now they can't. Come on, have some fun, Viviette," I say, mimicking her words.

"Can I get back on the boat now?"

"No swimming?"

"No! We're literally in our underwear right now. That's basically bare."

"I don't think that counts as bare," I point out. "Come on. Just a few minutes."

She sighs, then swims along with me. "What if a shark attacks us?"

"I don't think that will happen."

"What if my arm gets bitten off and they need to save me while I'm topless? What if you get eaten? Will all those male rescuers save you while I'm sitting there without a top? How deep is this water? Wait, what if the boat flows away because you didn't anchor it well enough? What if a fish swims against my chest—"

"I don't think any of that will happen," I assure, having to hold back a laugh. "Oh, we don't have breakfast on the boat, by the way," I lie. "I'll catch a fish."

"I'm not eating that! Don't you dare."

I snort. "You seriously think I'm capable of catching a fish with bare hands?"

"You're capable of pretty much everything, so yes, duh," she peeps. Again, she clings around me. "I want to go back on the boat. We can swim later on."

"Alright, then." I swim back to the ladder and let her go up first. She quickly hurries inside, likely to get dressed.

☯︎︎

Of course it was Mom who texted me.

MOM ❤️

Hi, is everything still okay? Did Vi have a nice birthday? Text me! xx

Everything is great. Her birthday was a success. How's everything there?

Except I haven't gotten a reply, and it's been multiple hours since I texted. Normally, she replies is no time, and especially these days.

DAD ❤️

Do you know why Mom isn't replying?

"Don't worry." Sage rests her hand on my arm. "Maybe she's just busy."

"What if it's something about the pregnancy? A baby can be born in week thirty as well, right?"

"Possible, but the chance isn't that high. Everything's probably fine. Relax."

When my phone makes a sound, I immediately pick it up.

Minho

Yo

Hi
Do you know why my parents aren't replying??

I was about to tell you
They're in the hospital
Your mom's water broke

WHAT.
Is everything okay?? Tell me anything you know

They're working on it, idk. I'll let you know if I get any updates.

Almost, I tell Sage we need to catch the first flight possible.

Almost. But then I realize I wasn't going to be there when she gave birth anyway— no, I need to make sure Mom's okay, and the baby, too. This trip can wait— it can't, actually. I booked everything already. But—

"Thomas?" Sage takes her sunglasses off and turns to me. "What is it?"

I sit straight up. We'd been sitting in the little garden the house has, in front of the bubble bath. "Mom's in the hospital. Her water broke."

"What?" She shoots up as well. "Oh— we need to fly back."

"No, I... I don't think she'd want us to do that," I stammer, uncertain.

I want to leave but I also don't want to. This is her birthday present and our trip. We were both enjoying it. My presence won't help with Mom or the baby's wellbeing.

She sits down next to me. Her arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me to her side. "Do whatever feels right. I don't mind going back if you'd rather do that. I'd like to make sure Indie is doing well, too. Just think about it."

I shake my head. "No. We'll stay. We have five nights left here. I'm not wasting that."

"Okay," she says softly. Just that sends a wave of comfort over me. "Let me know if you change your mind. And if you get any updates."