Callie POV:
She and Maize had already run around the beach house, exploring every room. Callie pranced with excitement before heading to her room, where she gazed out at the beach from the window. This was already feeling like such a good idea to her, a family vacation without any worry, a time to make memories, and she was going to do just that as she'd already taken her phone out and snapped a photo of the horizon and herself, posting it to her story on social media with the caption "Summer vibes at lastī¸".
Callie: This is going to be so good~!
She meandered out of the room and headed downstairs. It hadn't even been a few minutes since she'd last seen Marie, but she was already eager to reconnect.
Callie: Hi Marie!
Marie: Hey Callie.
Callie: We should go out and do something!
Marie: We just got here, and you already want to go out?
Callie: Yeah! We should explore the beach!
Marie: Can you wait until we've at least unpacked a little, we need to change into something more suitable as well.
Callie: Ughh... fine.
Her posture slumped down before she lazily travelled back upstairs, Marie following behind carrying her own suitcase up. Okay maybe there were going to be a few slow moments, but that won't stop her from making the most of it. She went back into her room before laying her suitcase on the bed and rather than unpack and put things away, she just tossed clothes around trying to find one to wear, gasping at the sight of the perfect one.
Callie: It's beautiful! Now where are my sunnies?
She tunnelled through her suitcase more before realising her own folly, they were on her head, she playfully hit her arm before removing her articles of clothing and put on the white sundress she picked out, patterned with many flowers. She looked at herself in the mirror and did a cute twirl, smiling with glee before going downstairs to wait for the other two.
She had gone ahead of her cousin and niece running across the beach with her arms wide to feel the wind blowing against her face, giggling happily from feeling so free out here. She spun around to look back at them, Marie was in a less extravagant outfit than her, wearing a white tank top with jean shorts and a straw hat to keep herself protected from the sun, while Maize was wearing a turquoise short sleeve with skorts since she's less comfortable showing herself than the rest of her family while keeping a glove on to hide her void hand.
Callie: Isn't this so great you two?! The sun rays, the beach, the waves!
Maize: It's wonderful auntie! It's nice being out on the beach, we rarely go out here. What do you think, mum?
Marie: I'm not a big fan of the outdoors like your auntie, but we can go out a bit more often if you'd like.
Callie kept herself in front of the group, speeding along the beach in bliss before the wind started to blow really hard, and with her balance not being supported due to running about, she got blown over and squealed as she fell onto the sand.
Callie: AAAAAHHHH!
Marie: Callie! Are you alright?!
Callie: I'm okay!
She held her hand up and waved rapidly to let them know she was fine laughing softly to herself before she got up and brushed the sand off of her and fixed her dress as it had ridden up her body a bit.
Callie: That was a little embarrassing...
Maize: You still have a bit of sand on your hair.
Callie: I do?
She shakes her head trying to get all the sand off as the remaining bits fall off to the sand at her feet. She continued until she heard Marie start laughing, realising her hair had wrapped around her neck like a scarf, she blushed before fixing up her hair to droop behind her and carried on walking.
Maize POV:
Her eyes were always drawn to the sights, and the sun setting on the beach was by far one of the most beautiful things she had ever laid eyes on. Even after seeing the vastness of space during her mission to stop Mr. Grizz, this moment felt far more precious. She stopped and took it in, the golden glow shining onto the water in front of her was nothing short of breathtaking, even watching shadows splash out and dive back into the water. She felt her mother's arm wrap around her as they soaked in the sight together, she leaned her head into Marie's shoulder, sharing a wonderful mother and daughter moment, before feeling her stomach grumble.
Marie: Sounds like someone is hungry.
Maize: Yeah... I was a bit caught up to think about food, especially cause of the plane ride...
Marie: I was hoping to have something light at least before Callie dragged us out here.
Callie: OOOO PHOTO TIME!
Their quiet moment was broken when Callie had run up and got to Maize's other side, facing the three of them away from the sunset as she held up her phone to take a selfie of the three of them together.
Callie: Everybody smileee!
Maize softly smiled before holding her hand up in a peace sign as her auntie snapped a pic and showed it to her. She saw herself smiling softly, her auntie doing a cute kissy face while winking, and her mother flashing her signature smirk she's known for with the sunset shining behind them.
Marie: Alright, come on Callie, we're gonna go get some food. There should be a bar somewhere.
Callie: *Gasp* Food?! Yayyyy, let's gooo!
Maize: But I'm not old enough to drink...?
Marie: Oh sweetheart, it's not just alcoholic drinks, there'll be something for you too.
The three of them started walking up the beach to reach one of beach bars of the resort, this time Callie walked alongside them rather than rushing ahead.
Upon their entry into the bar, Maize noticed both her mother and auntie were recognised, especially considering they weren't trying to hide themselves now, she shrunk down a little and held onto Marie so she wouldn't get lost in the small crowd, feeling trapped amongst all the people, sounds and flashes of cameras. After several autograph signings and photos taken, they finally sat down at a table and relaxed from all the hubbub surrounding them.
Marie: And here I was hoping to get away from all of that...
Callie: Come on Mar Mar, it's not that bad.
Marie: You alright, Maize?
She was snapped out of her world as she looked up to Marie staring at her in worry, she quickly cleared her throat before responding back.
Maize: Not really, I don't like the crowds...
Marie: Well, we should be all good now, no more crowds, it's just us at the table, okay? Here.
She watched Marie pass her a menu for her to look through in peace, letting her focus on something else rather than the overwhelming atmosphere around her.
Maize: Thank you, mum.
Marie POV:
She watched the waitress deliver their drinks to them, handing her a pina colada and then watching her cousin clap excitedly as she saw Callie's Dirty Shirley be placed in front of her. She shook her head quietly knowing it was intriguing to Callie because she found the name funny, and then lastly saw Maize be given a Sweet Sunrise. She only took a small sip of her drink before hearing Callie's voice chime in.
Callie: Marieeee, can I try your drink?
She looked over and saw Callie doing puppy dog eyes, even though they usually did this together, the two traded drinks to try each other's.
Marie: But only a sip, alright?
Callie: Yeah, only a sip, I got it.
She took a small sip of Callie's drink before looking back up, snatching her pina colada back.
Marie: I said only a sip!
Callie: Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It was too good forjusta sip! Maize, do you wanna try a little?
Hearing these words made her mind snap a little as she quickly butts in before Maize could say something.
Marie: No, absolutely not!
Callie: Relax, it's just a teensy bit.
Marie: You are not giving her any of your drink.
She put her arms in front of Maize who was going to have a bit of her own drink but was separated from her glass. Their small argument was then cut off from hearing the waitress's voice, remembering that their food would be put as priority because of their status.
Waitress: I hope I'm not interrupting anything; I have your food.
Marie: No not at all.
Waitress: We have the Coastal Critter Salad.
Maize: That's mine...
Waitress: The Shrimp Tacos.
Callie: That's meee!
Waitress: And the Grilled Shrimp and Scallops Rice Bowl.
Marie: That would be mine, thank you.
Waitress: I hope you enjoy your meals.
The waitress saw herself off as they all went to focus on their own meals, the first thing they've eaten since they left the airport. She looked opposite her to see Callie already midway through eating one of her tacos before looking to her side to see Maize happily eating something she's comfortable with and knows she likes. This couldn't make her any happier as she started eating at one of the scallops in her bowl.
Their journey back to the beach house after dining was peaceful, walking together with the cool night breeze blowing against them and the moonlight shining on the beach and ocean.
Callie: That food was so good! I could go for another!
Marie: You had three tacos.
Callie: Three too little.
She went up the steps to the beach house with Callie rushing up them, questioning how despite that she still has energy, opening the door and hearing Maize yawn as they all went inside, locking the door behind them.
Marie: Go get your pyjamas on, sweetheart, I'll come up and say goodnight in a minute.
Maize: Okay, mum...
She watched her daughter slowly go upstairs to the bedrooms, before looking at Callie who was burning her energy springing around before jumping onto the couch.
Marie: For a first day, this is really nice. I know I don't usually let Maize be spoiled, but thanks Cal... for taking us on vacation.
Callie: No problemo! I've been wanting to go out on vacation for ages, and I wanted to bring you two along so you can both relax. But I couldn't think of any good time to bring it up-
Marie: Until you decided to just bring it up out of the blue.
Callie: Exactly!
She shook her head at her cousin, annoyed on remembering that this was out of nowhere initially, but in the end, it's a time for memories for all of them together, as a family.
Callie: Now I gotta go get my jammies on! Goodnight, Mar Mar!
Callie had already leapt back up from the couch and gone upstairs, hardly giving her the opportunity to bid her goodnight back as she more said it to herself with a brief laugh.
Marie: Goodnight Callie.
She stayed downstairs for a few minutes, just taking in the place before turning all of the lights off and heading upstairs. She reached Maize's room and knocked lightly on the door before opening it and coming in to sit down at the side of her bed.
Marie: It's been quite the day, hasn't it? From busy afternoon to the plane to getting settled into a new bed.
Maize: It feels a little weird... it's not like home.
Marie: I know sweetie, but let's just relax and have fun on our vacation, alright?
She brought her hand over to cup Maize's cheek, brushing her thumb against her face softly in a nurturing and motherly way.
Maize: Okay, I'll try.
Hearing this she couldn't help but smile at her daughter before leaning down and planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
Marie: Goodnight, Maize. I love you.
Maize: Love you too, mum. Goodnight.
She got up from the bed before leaving Maize's room quietly, watching her turn over to go to sleep, shutting her door almost silently before heading to her own room. She had neatly unpacked a lot of things from her suitcase before changing into something suitable to sleep in, laying back in bed and turning on the lamp, pulling out her book to read, taking out a pair of reading glasses as she laid back quietly.
The ocean waves made for a peaceful ambience as she found herself drowsy before an hour had even passed, sliding a bookmark in and putting the book and her reading glasses to the side. She laid herself down into the bed before her eyes slowly shut and doze off into the night.
2,157 Words