It happened on a breezy afternoon by the sea.

The waves crashed in a steady rhythm, seagulls circled overhead, and the scent of sunscreen and salt hung in the air like a lazy hug. Under the shade of a striped beach tent, Nell lay back on a blanket, sunglasses pushed up into her cotton-candy-pink hair, a popsicle stick dangling from the corner of her mouth.

And nestled right against her—curled up like a sleepy kitten—was you.

Your tiny frame rested squarely against her stomach, your head tucked snug beneath her chest, cushioned by softness that rose and fell with every slow breath she took. Her arms were around you loosely, cradling you like you were the most natural thing in the world. And maybe by now… you were.

She glanced down over the rim of her shades, her voice low and warm. “You really are a clingy little thing, huh?”

No answer, of course. Just a sleepy wiggle.

She smirked and stroked your back. “Tch. My brother picks soccer camp, and I get you all summer? Honestly… I think I won that trade.”