CHAPTER 383: PARADISE (2)

Georgia’s POV

The trees parted, sunlight spilled through, and the moment we stepped onto the sand, my heart practically burst with joy.

Katie was zooming across the water on a jet ski with Liam behind her, both of them screaming and laughing like complete maniacs. She waved wildly the moment she saw us, nearly making Liam lose balance, which only made her laugh harder.

On the beach, a volleyball net had been set up. Ella, Oliver, Evelyn, and Steven were in the middle of an intense match. Ella dove dramatically for the ball, Steven yelled something competitive, Oliver groaned, and Evelyn cheered like she was coaching a national team.

It was chaos. Beautiful, perfect chaos.

Near a huge shade tree, a rustic wooden cabana stood with a roof made of dried leaves. Beneath it were picnic tables filled with fruit bowls, pitchers of juice, and plates already waiting for my hungry stomach. Smoke drifted from the grill beside the tables, where Prudence and Wendy stood like BBQ queens, flipping skewers with absolute authority.

Nick and I walked toward the tables, and the moment that smoky-sweet smell hit my nose, praise the heavens, it didn’t make me nauseous. If anything, my stomach growled like it had been abandoned for years.

I didn’t even wait for permission. I grabbed a stick of barbecue and took a huge bite.

"Oh my god," I mumbled through a mouthful. "This is so good."

Nick laughed softly beside me, watching me devour it like I hadn’t eaten since the dinosaur era.

"Where are Vicky and Dad?" he asked his mother.

Prudence brushed her hands on her apron before answering. "They went canoeing. Should be back any minute now." She pointed somewhere toward the far side of the beach where the water curved around a cluster of rocks.

One of the staff members approached me with perfect timing, handing me a chilled coconut with a straw. "Thank you," I said before plopping down on the bench.

Between the ocean breeze, the laughter around us, and the warm sun kissing my skin, everything just felt... right. I sat there munching my BBQ in peaceful silence, happy, relaxed, and probably looking like a blissed-out piglet—but I didn’t care.

Until Wendy turned around, squinted at me, and said, "Control your eating a bit, Georgia. You’ll get fat and have a hard time giving birth."

I froze mid-bite.

Nick choked back a laugh. Prudence covered her mouth to hide hers.

I slowly lowered the barbecue stick, pouting dramatically. "Why would you say that to a hungry pregnant woman?" I grumbled, hugging my coconut like it was emotional support.

Wendy only shrugged, flipping another skewer. "Because I love you, and someone needs to stop you before you eat this entire grill. You ate a lot of meat and cakes earlier, only three hours had passed, and you’re eating too much again."

Nick snorted, and I shot him a glare.

Nick cleared his throat dramatically beside me. "It’s okay, babe. I still love you even if you get fat."

I shot him a playful glare before sipping my coconut like a sulking queen. But the moment I saw Katie and Liam hopping off the jet ski, my entire mood flipped. I instantly stood up, grinning like a kid about to break a rule.

Nick caught the look on my face and groaned. "Oh no. I know that look."

I raised my brows innocently.

He pointed a finger at me. "I’m coming with you. You’re pregnant, and there’s no way I’m letting you ride that thing alone."

Then, without waiting for me to argue, he turned to one of the staff. "Two life vests, please. And hurry, my wife is plotting something."

I snorted. "Fine. As long as you drive fast."

Nick smirked. "Baby, you’ll regret saying that."

Before I could sass back, Katie called out, waving both arms. "Mommy! Can I go again after you?"

But she didn’t wait for my answer because Ella swooped in like a hyper fairy. "Katie! Come with us! Steven and Evelyn are going canoeing, and I don’t have a partner. Please be my rowing partner? Pretty please?" Ella clasped her hands dramatically.

Katie giggled, looking way too proud for someone so tiny. "Okay! But I need to teach you how to paddle properly."

Ella’s jaw dropped. "Oh? Properly? Miss Katie, are you saying I don’t know how to paddle?"

Katie nodded confidently. "Uncle Liam taught me earlier."

Everyone burst out laughing as Ella dramatically fainted into Liam’s arms.

Nick tugged me toward the shoreline after helping me put on the life vest as if I didn’t know how to do it on my own..

The moment we hopped on the jet ski, the world became all wind, sea spray, and the kind of laughter that comes straight from the soul. Nick drove fast, like I asked, and I held onto him, screaming and laughing as the jet ski cut across the shimmering water. The sky smoothly transitioned into golds and corals, then deeper pinks, then violets that kissed the horizon.

For a moment, it felt like the world paused just for us.

By the time we returned to the shore, the sky was almost dark, the first stars peeking out above the treetops. Torches had been lit along the beach, warm light dancing across the sand.

The long picnic table was already filled, BBQs, grilled vegetables, fruits, juices, and desserts, and everyone was there.

Katie returned from her canoeing adventure soaked but smiling, Ella looked like she had survived a war, and the men were teasing each other about who had almost fallen boat-first into the water.

Nick and I joined them, still buzzing with adrenaline, still smelling like seawater and sun.

Benjamin’s question pulled me out of my coconut-induced bliss. "When are you buying things for the baby and Katie’s room? I want to be there," he said out of nowhere, like he’d been quietly waiting for the perfect moment to drop that bomb.

I blinked, glanced at Nick, and felt my stomach flip. With everything that happened... I honestly forgot to ask about the house. Last time I checked, it was still not near completion. At least—I think it was.

Nick answered so casually that it took me a second to process it. "When we get back."

I froze. "The house is done?!" I squeaked, my voice shooting up an octave in pure shock and excitement.

"I wanted to surprise you," he shrugged, looking way too pleased with himself. "It’s move-in ready except for some minor rooms, like the nursery. It already has the furniture and appliances that you ordered before. I was going to take you there straight from the airport, but someone forgot it’s a surprise," he said, glaring at his father.

Benjamin laughed, and I gasped dramatically and smacked his arm. "You should’ve told me!"

Nick’s hand slid to my back, warm and steady. "All there. All waiting for you."

He pressed a kiss to my temple. "Welcome home, baby. Almost."