Chapter 158: No Longer Alone (Part 1)
The beach was strewn with treats. After filling their bellies, the four of them began collecting seashells.
“Daddy, you and Mommy team up, and Sophia and I will team up. Let’s see who collects more and who finds the prettiest shells. How about it?” Ethan suggested.
“Great idea,” Jack agreed, inwardly pleased. His son was clever—always finding excuses to give him time alone with Alison.
Before them stretched endless azure waters. They waded through the fine sand, shells appearing one after another. They kept picking them up.
Suddenly, Jack discovered a multicolored shell buried in the sand. Though small, it was extraordinarily beautiful.
He gently picked it up, held it before Alison, and asked, “Do you like it?”
When she saw the tiny shell, her eyes lit up instantly.
“Yes, it’s so beautiful,” she murmured, utterly captivated.
He picked up the shell and held it up to her chest. “It would look amazing with a chain around your neck.”
Suddenly, he pulled her close, catching her off guard. She was so simple—she didn’t even wear a necklace.
“Alison, wait a moment,” he said before sprinting toward the car parked by the shore. He retrieved a delicate, hand-woven brown cord and threaded the shell onto it. Then he raced back, carefully placing it around her neck.
It was his first gift to her—simple yet profoundly meaningful.
Alison was overjoyed as she touched it.
“Jack, thank you.”
He gently pinched her cheek. “Hope it reminds you of me all the time.”
“What about you? I’ll find a shell to give you, too,” she teased, already scanning the sand.
“That’s no fun at all. I want something special—something different from what I gave you,” he laughed.
“Alright, let me think.” She smiled with relief.
“Daddy, Mommy, why did you stop? What are you talking about?” Ethan and Sophia ran back, hair wet, faces smudged with sand, looking adorably messy.
“Nothing,” Jack quickly hid the shell. He didn’t want the kids to take it.
“Daddy, you’re lying! You were whispering to Mommy just now and put something around her neck. Let me see! What is it?”
“It’s a seashell,” Alison laughed, reaching to remove the chain from her neck.
Jack waved his hand. “Don’t take it off. I’ll hold them to look at.” He spread his arms wide, waiting for the children to run over.
“I wanna see!” Sophia pounced onto Jack.
Once in his arms, she grabbed the shell on Alison’s chest. “Daddy, you’re being unfair! This shell is so pretty, I want one too!”
“Sweetheart,” Jack murmured, nuzzling her short hair. “When Daddy finds an even prettier one, I’ll give it to both of you, okay?”
Sophia blinked her eyes, answering, “Okay, but it has to be prettier, okay?”
They collected many shells.
Jack selected the two most beautiful ones for Sophia and Ethan.
The two ran wildly along the shore, overjoyed.
Just then, a car pulled up in the distance.
Several people carried over an iron grill and skewers of food. Jack had arranged this long ago.
By the sea, with the ocean breeze blowing, they grilled various delicious foods.
As night quietly descended, the children followed the adults back to the hotel reluctantly.
That night, all four squeezed into one room.
Jack ended up sleeping on the carpet. Listening to the children’s breathing and Alison’s gentle snores, he slept soundly.
Dawn was breaking as the alarm buzzed.
Jack rose and approached the bed.
In the dim light, Alison and the kids slept soundly.
He didn’t want to wake her—but he was determined to watch today’s sunrise with her alone.