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Joe knew he shouldn't stand still in the produce aisle, but he was thinking.
"A gay married man starring at an eggplant," Nile said from behind. "You know there's a joke to be made from that."
"Oh, hi, Nile," Joe said. "What's up?"
"Boiling in my flat now that the air-con is out," Nile replied. "But I can only imagine it's worse at your place, given your flat is smaller than mine."
"It has only been me really for the last couple of weeks," Joe replied. "Nicky hasn't been home much."
"Trouble in paradise?" Nile asked. "I mean, you two always look so in love."
"Nicky has been taking extra shifts ever since I dislocated my knee so that we can make ends meet. He has been working for over 15 hours six days a week," Joe replied. "And tomorrow, he has a day off. I just want him to relax completely because he is so tired, and I don't think being stuck in a flat with a broken air-con is the right place for it."
Nile thought for a moment.
"Sorry," Joe said. "I didn't mean to share my problems with you."
"I might have an idea," Nile replied. "Let's finish our shopping, and I'll make a call."
"Ok," Joe replied. "How goes the thesis?"
"I hate it so much right now, but I have heard it's a normal feeling," Nile replied. "And you? When can you work again?"
"Hopeful within the next week or two," Joe replied. "And then I plan on making it up to Nicky with my first paycheck by buying him all the books he wants."
"I'm sure Nicky will love that," Nile replied. "How long have you been married?"
"We got married on my 18th birthday, so four years now," Joe replied. "And we're aiming for at least for 100 years together as a married couple."
Joe let Nile pay for her food first.
"Once I have finished my thesis," Nile said. "I want a dating tip from you on how to find the right man."
"Just ask," Joe replied. "But you should really consider an Italian."
When they got outside, Nile quickly made a call. He didn't understand much because she was speaking French.
"My Granny says we can borrow her jeep tomorrow," Nile said. "So, wanna take your hubby to the beach for a relaxing day?"
"Oh, that is just perfect," Joe replied. "So, yes."
"Let me pick up the jeep, and then we can leave at nine tomorrow," Nile said. "Is that ok?"
"More than fine," Joe replied. "And thanks for the idea and offer."
Nicky was more than happy to go to the beach for some fresh air, and it would be nice with a different view than the stone wall they could see from the living room.
"Morning, Nile," Joe said while leaning up against Nicky. His balance was still a bit off after the accident. "Is it ok that I take the backseat? So I can have my leg elevated."
"Not a problem," Nile replied. "Have fun among the food. Yes, my Granny packed us a basket with food and drinks. And yes, she might have gone a bit overboard."
"Very nice of your Granny," Nicky said. "Maybe we should send her some flowers. As a thanks for her kindness."
"Always so considered," Joe said with a smile before kissing Nicky. "One of the reasons why I love you."
While driving to the beach, they all enjoyed the fresh air hitting their faces. It was so different from the air in the city.
"One day, Nicky," Joe said. "We're going to have a house out in the countryside."
Nicky turned around in the seat and offered Joe his hand, which Joe took with a smile.
"And we expect you to visit us, Nile," Nicky said. "There will even be a room for you."
"I promise to come," Nile replied. "Is it ok if we stop for a moment? I want to buy some of the strawberries from that stand."
They had no problems with that at all. After buying the strawberries, it didn't take long before they reached the beach. They decided to stay close to the jeep because Joe was still on crutches, so they settled near the small stone wall. It also gave them some shade.
"I want to sunbathe," Nile said. "And you two?"
"Thinking of going for a walk," Nicky replied. "If it's ok with you?"
"Go and be sticky sweet somewhere else," Nile smiled. "See you at lunch."
Since Joe couldn't hold Nicky's hand because of the crutches, Nicky held onto Joe's tank top. They walked a bit, just enjoying being together again. When they found a bench, they sat down so they could hold hands and kiss.
"This is my new favourite spot," Joe said. "Look at the seals over there."
"You're not getting a seal when we're getting a house," Nicky said. He knew Joe was an animal lover. "But I'm still onboard about the dog from the shelter."
"Glad to hear that," Joe replied. "Just asking, but what if we find a seal in the shelter next to the dog we're going to adopt that day. Wouldn't it be cruel to separate them?"
Nicky laughed before he kissed Joe on the forehead.
"If that's the case," Nicky replied. "We'll adopt them both. The seal can live in the pool."
"And next to the pool, we'll place the dog house," Joe said. "That way, they can be together."
Nicky looked up at the sky with a smile.
"You know what, Joe?" Nicky asked. "It's nice to dream of the future. It reminds me of us as children when we lay in the grass and looked at the sky."
"Told you I would marry you when I turn 18," Joe replied. "And love you forever."
"You kept your promises," Nicky replied. "And so will I. That we would be married for a hundred years, and I would tell you that I love you every day."
"You also kept your promises," Joe replied. "Let's kiss some more before going back to Nile."
When they returned to Nile 15 minutes later, a kid had used the chance to bury a sleeping Nile with sand, so Nile now had a mermaid's tail.
"Connor," A woman shouted. "What did I tell you about to stay put? And what have you done to that woman?"
Connor looked a bit sad at his mother before he started to cry. It was enough to wake Nile.
"Nile, meet Connor," Joe said. "He has just turned you into a mermaid."
"Oh, hi, Connor," Nile said. "It's ok, don't be sad. I love what you have done."
Connor looked at his mother.
"Didn't mean to run away," Connor sobbed. "But lady looked beautiful. Like a mermaid."
Connor's mother picked up her son.
"I just got scared when I couldn't find you," Connor's mother said. "Promise me you won't do it again."
"Promise," Connor replied before kissing his mother's cheek. "Can I finish the mermaid's tail? I want to decorate it with shells."
Connor's mother looked at Nile.
"I don't mind," Nile said. "If it's ok with you."
It didn't take long before Connor finished making the mermaid's tail. After having taking a photo of the result, Connor left with his mother.
"You look beautiful," Nicky said as he handed Nile a sandwich. "Are you sure you weren't a mermaid in a previous life?"
"I like the thought of that," Nile replied. "And it's better than being a rat once."
"I'm sure," Joe said. "That I've loved Nicky in every single previous life I have lived."
"He is an incurable romantic," Nicky said. "But it's a nice thought. Love someone for over a millennia or two. Imagine what it can do to a relationship."
"If a couple truly loves each other for a millennia and overcomes all the hardships," Joe said. "Their love will transcend life itself."
"You two should write a book about that, or Nicky can write, and you can make the drawings, Joe," Nile suggested. "Just remember to give me credit for the idea."
Joe and Nicky exchanged a look between them and a smile.
"So, Nile," Joe said. "Are you planning to take your mermaid's tail with you home?"
Nile looked down at the mermaid tail. Her legs were sleeping big time.
"That would be nice, but I don't want to be in trouble with our landlord," Nile replied. "Any ideas how I can get out of it without ruining Connor's work?"
"I might have an idea," Joe replied. "Just let me eat the rest of my sandwich."
Joe stuffed the rest of the sandwich in his mouth before he scouted over to Nile.
"When I have helped Nile," Joe said. "I want to get into the water."
"Sounds like an idea," Nicky replied. "It will help your knee to swim a bit."
Joe removed some of the sand, making an exit for Nile's legs. When Nile stood up, Joe covered the exit with sand again, and the mermaid's tail looked perfect as before.
"Thanks, Joe," Nile said. "I'm sure Connor would agree that the mermaid's tail is as good as before."
"Don't mention it," Joe replied as he looked at Nicky, who pulled off his shorts and t-shirt before stretching his body. "Why the hell did I forget paper and pencil today?"
"You got a good memory," Nicky replied. "Now, let's get in the water."
Nile helped Nicky with getting Joe into the water. It did them good to swim around in the water in the heat. Joe couldn't resist it, but he pulled them both under the water when he kissed Nicky. Nile lost sight of them, and because she was busy looking at one of the lifeguards, she didn't notice that they swam up behind her and splashed water on her.
"Remember you started this," Nile warned with a burst of laughter. "My vengeance will be hard."
Nile started splashing water over Joe and Nicky, which turned into a water fight. When asked who won, they all said it was them. They stayed in the water until their stomachs started to rumble. After getting dried, they sat down in the sand to eat the pizza Nicky got for them. While waiting for Nicky, Joe once again thanked Nile for the idea of going to the beach.
"I was thinking," Nile said. "Should we return to this spot when you're having your next day off, Nicky?"
"Great idea," Nicky replied as he placed his head on Joe's shoulder before pulling Nile closer to him and putting his arm around her shoulders. "Thanks, little sister, for the trip to the beach, and thanks to your Granny for letting us bowering the jeep."
They sat watching the sun going down before driving back to the city after a perfectly relaxing day.