Sunday morning dawned, and soft sunlight shone through the curtains through Kim's bedroom windows. Slowly, she started becoming aware of her surroundings: the sunlight, no alarm ring waking her up, the gentle weight of Adam's arm around her back. They'd gone to bed late last night after watching a movie, and she'd reveled in the feeling of sleeping in. Luckily Makayla slept in on the weekends too, so she'd opened a bottle of wine and she'd had a lazy night in with Adam. She turned over to look at him, smiling at his sleepy face. His hair was all over the place, a look she found very attractive. His long lashes fanned against his cheek, and he looked peaceful, like a little kid.

Easing out from under his arm, she went into the bathroom to freshen up before going to Makayla's room to check on her. She opened her door to find her awake, reading a book in bed.

"Good morning, bear. Did you sleep well?" she asked.

"Yeah, I dreamed of sea animals last night!" Makayla exclaimed.

"You did? What kinds of sea animals did you dream of?" Kim asked. She loved Makayla's brain, loved her innocent wonderment, and always wanted to know what she was thinking.

"There were so many fishes, and an octopus, and dolphins, and sharks…" Makayla stopped to think.

"Does your dream having anything to do with our beach day today?" Kim asked teasingly. Every Sunday when they weren't working, she and Adam took Mak to Loyola Beach. Today was no different, and Makayla didn't look forward to anything as much as these beach days, so Kim always tried to make them special.

"Maybe a little. I'm so excited to go back! I want to add to my collection of sea glass," she said, getting out of bed and bringing the little box in which she put all her sea glass and sea-shells in. Kim herself had too many to count inside her pockets at all times.

"Alright, let's start getting ready then if we want to get on the road soon," she told her. Makayla quickly got out of bed and ran to the bathroom, and Kim laughed, thinking to herself how much more easily they could get to school each morning if Makayla was as eager to go to school as she was for the beach.

She went into the kitchen and started packing snacks and water bottles for them, because Makayla was going to be burning a lot of energy today. Once she was done, she packed a few towels and all of Makayla sand toys in case she'd want them and if they weren't too cold.

Just then, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, and she smiled and leaned back into him.

"Mmm, good morning, darlin'," Adam murmured, his voice thick with sleep. He buried his face into her neck, making Kim laugh.

"Hey, you. Did you sleep well?" she asked, putting her arms over his.

"Like a baby. You're the best pillow ever," he teased, pressing a kiss to her neck. "You packing for the beach? Is Mak excited?" he asked.

"Oh yeah, she's in there getting ready right now. I should probably check on her to make sure she dresses warm enough," Kim says, trying to move.

"Hey, not so fast, I need my morning kiss first," Adam says, spinning her around so she's facing him. Kim is laughing, holding on to him. He presses a sweet kiss on her lips, both of them wearing matching smiles.

"Are you happy now?" she asks, her arms around his neck.

"Not even close, but we gotta leave so I guess I'll stop here," he replies, pressing another quick kiss before letting her go. She goes to check on Makayla, and Adam goes to get dressed.

Once everyone is dressed and ready, they grab a quick breakfast and leave, loading up the car and getting on the road.

At Loyola Beach, they find a parking spot easily enough since it's still pretty cold and not many people choose to go to the beach for their outing. They get out of the car and start walking toward their usual trail, Kim and Adam on either side of Makayla, holding her hand. Occasionally, Kim and Adam would swing Mak and she'd jump up, and listening to her squeals and giggles made their day.