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It was such a gorgeous summer day at the beach. The sky was a perfect blue while the waves rolled toward the shore, crashing the white sand in a soothing rhythm. Sunlight danced across the ocean’s surface, scattering thousands of shimmering reflections across the turquoise water. A gentle sea breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean and the warm sand beneath their feet made it feel as though the entire world had slowed down to savor every moment of the beautiful day.
And they would not change it one bit. After all, moments like this one felt rare these days. So, what better way than to see the opportunity.
Rogue sat comfortably beneath the beach umbrella, one hand resting on her pregnant belly and stroking it tenderly when she felt the baby kick her, and watched Erik carry little Delilah along the shoreline. Their daughter squealed with delight every time the waves crept toward her tiny feet, reaching eagerly toward the water as though she intended to catch it between her chubby fingers.
“Careful with her, Erik!” Rogue called out, shading her eyes against the sunlight.
Erik glanced over his shoulder, smiling at his wife’s motherly instinct. “Meine Liebe, I assure you that she is perfectly safe with me. I will not allow any harm come to her.”
“That’s what you said before she tried eatin’ a handful of sand!”
“I still stopped her, did I not?” He still glanced at her over his shoulder, a smile betraying him.
“Ah, but she was only exploring, meine Schwester.” Kurt interrupted, trailing behind them with a collection of seashells cupped in his hands. “A curious mind is a wonderful thing. Especially amongst children. We take advantage of this world, while for them they are taking it all in for the first time.”
Rogue gave her brother a pointed look. “Keep encourgin’ her, Kurt, and you’ll be the one babysittin’ when she starts walkin’.”
Kurt grinned, completely unbothered. “I vould be delighted! Just imagine all the mischief we could get into together.”
“That’s precisely what I’m worried about.” Erik remarked, resting a hand over his waist while the other was still holding onto Deliliah’s little hand, keeping her close to him so she may not be caught by the waves.
A delighted giggle escaped Delilah as she reached for one of the seashells in Kurt’s hand. He immediately crouched down to show her the prettiest one, explaining its origins with the seriousness of a university professor. Naturally, Deliliah was more interested in trying to put it in her mouth.
“Absolutely not, little one.” Erik murmured, gently redirecting her attention toward the water.
Rogue laughed and leaned back against the pillows Erik kindly brought so she may to experience any discomfort and develop back pain. Between her husband’s overprotectiveness and Kurt’s boundless enthusiasm, she suspected their daughter would never experience a dull moment in her life.
Lifting her securely in his arms, Erik entered the waters with his daughter nestled against his chest. The cool water washed over his ankles as he ventured a little farther into the shallows, careful to keep Delilah well above the gentle waves.
“Now, my precious child, let’s see what you think of the ocean.” He purred, smiling down at her with boundless affection. There was something delightful about witnessing the world through his daughter’s eyes, her innocent wonders transforming even the simplest experiences into something extraordinary.
Delilah stared at the glittering water with wide, curious eyes, while her tiny fingers clutched his shoulder. When a small wave rolled toward them, she squealed and kicked her feet, sending droplets of seawater splashing against her father’s torso.
Nearby, Kurt continued searching for seashells, rinsing them along the shoreline to remove sand. Every so often he would glance toward his niece, grinning at her joyful babbling as Erik carried her a little farther into the shallows, allowing her to experience the gentle movement of the water.
Rogue watched from the shore with a smile, enjoying the view before her as she rested beneath the warm summer sun. Erik’s soft laughter carried over the waves whenever Delilah squealed with amusement and Kurt occasionally called out to show them his latest discovery.
It was times like these that she would forever cherish and never take for granted. With her husband and daughter enjoying their little adventure and her brother close by, she couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to spend the afternoon with her growing family. One day they will come back here and bring their son once he’s born to create more family memories like today’s.
After a while, Erik returned to the umbrella with Delilah nestled securely in his arms. He settled beside Rogue, carefully handing their daughter over so she could cuddle her against her chest. Delilah immediately tucked herself against her mother, her little fingers curling around the straps of her bikini top.
“Well, hello there, sweet pea.” Rogue whispered, kissing her daughter’s cheek until wrapping her in a towel to dry and keep her. “You havin’ a good beach day with daddy and uncle Kurt?”
Delilah only answered with a happy babble, reaching up to pat her mother’s face, her snowy white hair damp from the salt water.
Erik chuckled and pressed a kiss to Rogue’s temple before resting his hand over her growing belly, feeling their unborn son moving within her. “It seems someone has thoroughly enjoyed herself.”
“Just vait until she realizes she can build sandcastles.” Kurt said, dropping onto the blanket beside them. “I’ll teach her everything I know.”
“Maybe we should teach her to walk first, mein Bruder.” Erik suggested dryly.
“Details, Erik. Details.” He chuckled, beginning to organize the seashells by their various color and sizes. All so lovely and unique. As per God’s design.
Rogue shook her head, laughing, while Erik slipped an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer to him. For a moment, the four of them simply enjoyed the sunshine, the sound of the rolling waves, and the comfort of being together. Kurt continued sorting through his seashell collection, occasionally holding one up for Delilah’s approval, while Erik gently rubbed Rogue’s shoulder.
“Beautiful day, ain’t it?” Rogue murmured, leaning her head against her husband’s shoulder.
Erik pressed a kiss to her hair, his gaze moving from his wife to their daughter, who was now growing sleepy in her mother’s arms, and finally to Kurt, who was attempting to convince a seagull to surrender a particularly interesting seashell.
“Indeed, my love. Absolutely beautiful.” He replied with a fond smile settling across his face.
Rogue smiled, snuggling closer to his side as Delilah let out a tiny yawn, her little hand securely curled around her mother’s bikin strap. Erik reached over to gently stroke his daughter’s cheek, his expression softening at the sight of her innocent, sleepy face.
For once, there was no pressing matter and nowhere else that needed their constant attention. Just the warmth of the summer sun, the comfort of one another’s company, and the quiet happiness of a family enjoying a day at the beach.
And Erik, holding his pregnant wife close as their daughter slept peacefully in her arms, couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight.