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Helaena was still so little, so new to the world, when they took her to see the sea for the first time.
Rhaenyra and Alicent had been in near-isolation for the months following the birth of their first child, taking time to bond and take care of their baby. A newborn was hard work. After giving them time alone as a family to adjust to the new arrival, Aemma invited them to enjoy the holiday house on the beach with her so that they could catch a break. Aemma did have an ulterior motive, though: she was yearning to spend time with her grandchild.
After her divorce from Viserys, Aemma had moved to live there full time. After a life of so much loss and misery, she was determined to enjoy her golden years under the sun and with the hot sand underneath her feet. She was happy for the visiting company.
"Helaena is the very picture of Rhaenyra when she was a baby," Aemma whispered as she held the little girl carefully, supporting her head. Alicent hummed in agreement, watching her daughter and leaning contently into her wife's arm around her shoulders. Helaena had fallen asleep in the car on the way there. She still slept soundly, even after being brought inside and cradled by a new person.
Rhaenyra and Alicent both had circles under their eyes from lack of sleep. "You two, feel free to make yourselves comfortable in the guest bedroom. I'll take care of our Princess. You look like you both could use a nap as well," Aemma said softly, with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Rhaenyra asked, peering down at Helaena's peaceful face, her expression full of maternal concern.
"I'll take good care of her." Aemma assured as she rocked Helaena gently.
Alicent and Rhaenyra slept almost a full day into the vacation, waking up in little increments just to feed their daughter, change her, and make sure she was alright. Aemma was teaching Helaena about the animals that lived in the ocean almost every time they went to find their girl while she was with her grandmother. Aemma had a collection of picture books and toys. For a baby so little, she was able to focus on the lessons well, blinking along as she supposedly listened.
Aemma helped Helaena feel the textured book - helping her crunch her fingers around the crinkles of seaweed, showing her the glittery scales of fish and feel the grooves and indents, helping her pet the baby-soft sea lion fur.
When they finally had enough energy to go enjoy the beach, Alicent had covered Helaena in so much sunscreen, to which her daughter whined and made weak complaints, as her mother continued to fuss about protecting her delicate skin.
Rhaenyra laughed, her voice full of affection, "Targaryens don't burn, my love. But we'll be safe and bring her hat. As well as the baby sunglasses I packed."
The tiny sunglasses were shaped and coloured like ladybugs. Helaena seemed to not mind them at all.
Helaena was fascinated with the sound of the waves breaking against the sand, entranced by the glimmering water. Aemma showed her granddaughter pretty shells, letting her feel how smooth they were. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra chased Alicent through the water.
"The water's cold! Don't splash me-" Alicent squeaked, dodging her wife's attack.
"It's as hot as dragon's breath today! I'm just helping you cool down."
"Rhaenyra! "
Later, Alicent stood by attentively as Rhaenyra brought Helaena into the water, letting her reach out her chubby little fingers and touch the water. She wasn't particularly amazed. Mostly, she just seemed to want to return to her grandmother and listen to a lecture about the sand fleas.
Aemma was happy to host them, baking cookies for Rhaenyra and Alicent - not for Helaena though, because she was too tiny to enjoy those yet. Aemma made sure to promise her many years of cookies ahead of them in the future. Their short vacation ended with Rhaenyra glowing with perfect sun-kissed skin, while Alicent smouldered with a subtle red burn. Rhaenyra playfully teased her that it matched her fiery red curls perfectly.
When their visit came to an end, their hearts were full of love and they were full of promises to come again soon.