CHAPTER 378: OUR ISLAND (3)

Georgia’s POV

"Wait, where are your parents and Wendy?" I blurted, a little too sharply. The mix of excitement and nerves twisted in my stomach, and for a second, all I could picture was chaos in the kitchen or someone falling into the water or, God, I needed to breathe.

Nick just laughed softly, that warm, steady sound that instantly wrapped around my frayed nerves. "Relax, babe," he said, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. "They’re probably already in the villa cooking. According to Vicky, our mom and Wendy practically shoved the staff aside the moment we told them we were coming. They insisted on cooking."

I exhaled, my shoulders dropping. "Right. That... sounds exactly like them."

Nick’s grin widened. "You were excited enough to forget they existed for a second."

My mouth dropped open. "I did not!"

"You totally did."

Before I could smack him gently on the arm for that, the yacht was edging toward the dock—slowly, carefully—but my feet had a mind of their own. The moment we were close enough, I hopped off even though we hadn’t fully stopped yet, landing with a tiny stumble.

"Georgia!" Nick called behind me, half laughing, half horrified.

But I was already speed-walking toward the group waiting at the dock, my heart doing that warm, bubbly flip the moment I saw our daughter’s little silhouette bouncing excitedly. Katie spotted me first, of course, and waved her arms like she was trying to signal an airplane.

Behind her, Ella stretched her arms over her head and sighed dramatically. "You know, if I had a choice, I’d live here forever. Away from the city. Away from everyone."

I snorted. "You say that now. Give you two days without stable WiFi and you’ll be crying on the floor."

Ella pointed at me accusingly. "That’s a low blow."

Katie squealed "Mommy!" so loudly the birds in the trees scrambled, and everything inside me melted. I opened my arms right as she barreled into me, and the force nearly sent us both toppling off the dock.

"Oh my god, Katie, gentle!" Vicky scolded while laughing.

"I am gentle!" Katie insisted, squeezing me even tighter.

Nick finally stepped onto the dock behind me, shaking his head like he had just watched a disaster unfold in slow motion. "You almost dove into the ocean headfirst just to get to her," he muttered, sounding more fond than annoyed.

I tossed my hair proudly. "Worth it."

He chuckled, slid an arm around my waist, and pressed a kiss behind my ear. "Yeah," he murmured. "I know. Let’s go?"

Nick gave me a gentle nod, silently asking if I was ready to move, and I nodded back. Instantly, he shifted into work mode, his voice low, calm, and commanding as he gave instructions to the crew tying the yacht.

"Bring down the luggage first. The other boxes go straight to the villa," he said, pointing with one hand while the other rested at the small of my back, like he couldn’t help but stay connected.

Once everything was handled, we all began walking along the wooden dock until something tugged at my memory. I grabbed Katie’s hand and veered to the right, toward the line of massive rocks jutting out over the water.

"Mommy?" Katie blinked up at me, curious.

Everyone followed us, the planks creaking under our steps.

"These rocks," I said, stepping onto one carefully, "this is where your dad and I used to gather oysters and mussels when we were stranded here." I pointed at the spots where the shells clung to the stone, glittering under the sun. "We’d pry them out with whatever we could find. That’s how we survived. Your dad even found pearls in some of them."

Katie’s eyes widened dramatically. "Real pearls?"

"Real pearls, the three pearls on my necklace," I laughed. "And sometimes little fish would get stuck in the shallow parts, especially after strong waves. We’d catch those, too."

Vicky clasped her hands together. "And that is exactly what we’re having for lunch, oysters and mussels fresh from the rocks!"

Katie gasped so loudly that Ella snorted. "I can’t wait! I want to eat them all!"

Everyone burst into laughter, Nick included.

I squeezed Katie’s hand, then reached behind me to grab Nick’s with my free one. Sand dusted my feet as I stepped off the rocks, and that’s when I noticed it.

A stone pathway. Smooth pebbles and flat rock leading inland.

"Wow," I murmured. "This wasn’t here."

Nick smirked. "Part of the upgrade."

I led everyone along the path, deeper into the greenery, until the familiar mouth of the shallow cave came into view, and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Oh. My. God."

Our cave, the one we slept in, cried in, fought in, survived in... Made love in... was completely transformed. It wasn’t just cleaned. It wasn’t just polished.

It looked like a cinematic, aesthetic photoshoot set.

A low wooden bed topped with dried coconut leaves with crisp white blanket sat where we once laid on leaves. A bonfire pit stood in the center, an iron pot hanging over it like something out of a rustic cookbook. Wooden chairs and a handcrafted table decorated the space, and soft lanterns hung from hooks drilled into the rock.

My jaw dropped. "Nick... what is this?"

He stepped beside me, oddly proud. "A photoshoot spot. Guests can take pictures here, like cavemen and cavewomen. You know... romantic survival vibes."

I blinked at him, stunned, and touched in the strangest, most overwhelming way. "You did all this?"

He shrugged, like it wasn’t a huge deal. "Thought it would be nice to keep a piece of our story alive."

My heart melted into a puddle. "Baby... this is amazing. Seriously, a job well done."

His ears flushed red, which made Katie giggle and point, "Daddy’s blushing!"

Nick covered her face playfully with his hand. "No, I’m not."

"Oh yes, you are," I teased, stealing a quick kiss on his cheek.

He cleared his throat and stepped forward, taking the lead. "Come on. Let me show you where we put the main villa."

Still holding Nick’s hand in one of mine and Katie’s in the other, I followed him, my chest warm, my steps light, and my heart full as the path curved toward whatever waited ahead.