I heard news of the awful shooting in Denver. It made it a little hard to write the next intended chapter.
Instead I've opted for a slightly happier moment…
…
Time had no meaning…
Bianca was dreaming; not a bad dream, a good dream. And she knew she was dreaming too. Only it was the perfect kind of dreaming where she could steer it and mold it, go where ever she wanted… do whatever she wished…
…
Bianca was walking down the steps to the secluded beach below their rented villa. She was lost in another happy memory. This was the holiday that she had planned for her and Reese to be a family and fix what was going wrong with their marriage. But instead Reese ended up miles away in Lyon, working despite her promises and Bianca was left alone with the nanny and her girls. This was in fact their last holiday in France… and it was the last straw that broke the back of their marriage vows…
But right now, in the dream, that didn't matter…
The sun was shining and the sea was like crystal, reflecting the brilliant blue of the sky. It was a beautiful day. Bianca walked down another step, a picnic basket in one hand, Gabby's little fist in the other as her tiny daughter determinedly negotiated each stair. Francoise the nanny was several steps in front, laden with the windbreak, beach umbrella, swim bag and buckets and spades. Miranda was between them, going down the steps in her own enthusiastic manner, jumping down each stair in turn, counting as she went. First in English, and when she got to ten switching to French until she got to 'dix' before beginning all over again. Because of this Bianca knew there were exactly forty-two steps down to the sandy beach.
Gabby was so excited by the sea, it was the first time she was really big enough to appreciate it. When Gabby was dressed in her bathing suite with her arm bands on, she all but dragged Bianca to the shoreline. Miranda raced ahead however keen to be the first in the sea. Gabby tore determinedly after her sister as fast as her little legs would carry her. Bianca couldn't help but grin at their enthusiasm as she trotted behind them.
Miranda squealed at the coldness of the water as she raced into the sea up to her knees. Gabby followed her but was unexpectedly knocked onto her back by a wave. Bianca was quickly there to scoop her up but Gabby's excitement had been shattered by the discovery that the sea actually moved. Bianca bounced a distraught Gabby on her hip as she tried to stop her baby crying.
Not a good start, but things quickly got better.
It was Miranda who found a way to banish her sister's fears. The next wave that came in, she called it naughty for upsetting her sister and gave it a slap, before running up the beach away from it, up into the sand. By the third or fourth smacked wave Gabby decided she wanted to tell the sea off as well. Bianca set her down in the shallow water, this time keeping a hold of her daughter just under her shoulders. The next wave that came in, Gabby and Miranda both gave it a smack and then Bianca whisked her youngest daughter clear and ran back with Miranda to the shore. Gabby giggled. They had to do it again… and again. The sea was well and truly told off that morning but soon the smacks became splashes instead, and then the surf was to be jumped rather than ran away from. Bianca holding both of Gabby's hands helping her jump clear at each new surge of water. Miranda even got brave enough to go under the waves which impressed her baby sister no end.
Wet, a little cold but very happy they eventually clambered back up the beach to where Francoise was waiting on the picnic blanket. It was already lunchtime and Bianca had no clue where the time had gone.
After they had eaten Francoise took over, giving Bianca a chance to rest while Gabby had her afternoon nap wrapped in a beach towel. Bianca watched as Miranda and Francoise energetically dug in the sand… but they were not building something as common as a sandcastle, oh no. They were going to make themselves a speedboat. The concentration on Miranda's face as she diligently followed Francoise's instruction was adorable to see.
Gabby awoke about two thirds of the way through the construction and decided she wanted to help too. Fearing that little Gabby would be more of a hindrance Bianca quickly suggested instead they could search the shore for shells that could be used to decorate the boat when it was done.
So armed with a slowly filling bucket, Bianca followed Gabby as she zigzagged across the beach looking for the roundest stones, the prettiest shells and the longest lengths of seaweed. It was a slow process as Gabby always insisted on washing each new find in the sea before placing it in the bucket. When they eventually returned to the picnic blanket the boat was complete; the nose built up with sand; a cockpit dug out behind with a seat roomy enough for two little girls. Bianca handed Miranda Gabby's bucket of finds and both sisters set about decorating their beautiful sand boat. Despite her excitement Gabby was very gentle, watching closely for her sister's approval as she helped.
Bianca and Francoise settle back onto to the blanket as the two little girls had an afternoon of boating adventures; escaping sharks, fighting pirates and winning boat races.
As the afternoon drew on, the tide began creeping in. It was almost time to go home, but there was still enough time for one last dip in the sea before the long climb back up the cliff to their villa.
The happiness and squeals of laughter as she and her girls raced in and out of the surf was something Bianca knew would always stay with her… along with the sorrow that Reese hadn't been there to share it with them.
But right now, in the dream, that didn't matter…
Dripping wet and hand in hand with her two daughters, Bianca walked up the beach towards Francoise who was packing up for the homeward trip. She had a huge smile on her face. This had been the most perfect day with her daughters…
Just them Bianca heard a scream…
She had heard that scream before in another dream but she recognised it now… Miranda! It was Miranda screaming!
Bianca turned her head to look back at the surf to try and locate the sound… but how could it be Miranda screaming, she was right here by her side holding her hand.
But this wasn't real… she was dreaming… she knew she was dreaming… Miranda's screams were coming from the real world.
She had to wake up!
How do you wake up?
Bianca couldn't remember…
…