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“Mice is plural for mouse, monkey. You had it right the first time. Now say goodbye before Darcy’s pancakes get cold.” Jack had the patience of a saint. We said our goodbyes, then finally ate. I was about ready to put a straw in the coffee carafe if they didn’t hang up soon.

“It’s so pretty here, Mommy.” My girl was smitten with our view. “When can we go to the beach?”

“Anytime after we eat, really. There’s a cute deli along the boardwalk I thought we’d try for lunch.” I failed to mention it was next to a tattoo parlor I wanted to pop into. “I neglected to ask if you had a swimsuit.”

“I do.”

“Excellent. After we finish eating we can pop into the shop downstairs and get a couple of beach towels, sunscreen, and whatever else we want.” It would be great if they had sand toys.

Thankfully the area that belonged to the hotel was already outfitted with lounge chairs and umbrellas and was semi-private.

My wiggly excited girl shimmied in her seat. “All done, Mommy.”

“Very good, Princess. Let’s get our suits on under our shorts and head downstairs.” I didn’t have to tell her twice. She was up and across the suite before I’d even stood. By the time I was dressed and ready, she was pacing by the door.

“Hurry Mommy.”

“Yes, bossy girl. I’m ready.” I grabbed my purse and followed her out.

She got off the elevator and glanced around. “No clue where to go now, huh?”

“Nope, but Mommy will show me.” A couple heads turned at her comment, but my sassy girl ignored them as did I. Nosey Nellies.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the clerk greeted us as we entered the shop. “Headed for a day at the beach?”

“Yes, we want to immerse ourselves in your beautiful weather.” Darcy immediately headed for the children’s section. It wasn’t huge by any means, but there was enough to make her happy.

“Mommy, look at the cute seal stuffie.” She hugged it tight to her chest.

“I think a new stuffie should be acquired at every trip we take. Pick out your favorite and grab one of those sand sets as well.”

She kissed my cheek and returned to the toys, carefully making her selection while I handled the must haves. Sunscreen, two beach towels, a lovely wide brimmed sun hat for each of us, water, and a couple of snacks incase my girl got the munchies.

“What did you decide on?” I found her with a bucket set at her feet and a stuffie in each hand.

“I can’t decide between the seal or the koala.”

“Hmm, me either. Let’s take both and do mommy a favor and grab that tube of sea creatures.” That way she’d have tubby toys while we’re here.

“I have money, too, Mommy. I can pay for the extra stuffie.”

“Nonsense, this trip is mommy’s gift to her girl.”

“You spoil me, Mommy.”

“Of course I do, you’re my Princess.” We might be back later for a new piece of luggage given my inability to say no. But I’d keep that secret tucked away. In the interim, I purchased a reusable tote to put her dirty sand toys in afterward.

Out through the doors and into the warm sunlight.

Oddly enough, the heat felt wonderful, and the view was nothing short of breathtaking.

Darcy ran straight for a pair of empty lounge chairs and hollered, “Dibs!” Her enjoyment for the great outdoors had ideas for future vacations swirling through my mind.

Beaches and sand, Darcy was my kind of girl for sure.

“Sunscreen before you play, little girl.” Her face couldn’t decide between pouting and hurry up, Mommy.

Quite the conundrum ran through my girl’s brain.

After I was satisfied I’d applied enough, I handed her the bucket and sent her off to fill it with water.

She returned, singing a silly song then plopped down in the sand and began her voyage into oceanic construction.

For a few moments I sat and watched as she concentrated hard, setting up a solid foundation for what I assumed would be a sandcastle to rival all others.

Or maybe that was just a proud, biased Mommy projecting how amazing her girl was.

As she steadily built, I lay back and emersed myself in my latest literary obsession, dragons.

This new series, Primordial Protectors, from authors Layla Dorine and TL Travis was both humorous and enthralling.

“Mommy, I’m thirsty.” Must’ve been deep inside the author’s creative minds because when I glanced over at my girl, her castle was three stories tall. How she managed to get it to stand was beyond me.

“Nicely done, Princess.” She preened at the compliment. I reached into the bag and handed her a bottle of water and snack size bag of pretzels. “Here you go.”

“Nummy. Thanks, Mommy. Whatcha reading?”

“Dragon shifters.” She turned her head from side to side. “Something wrong?”

“Never pegged you for a fantasy reader. I love dragons and shifters and fated mates and mpreg.” She got this dreamy faraway look in her eyes. “Nothing better than escaping reality into another realm, so to speak.”

“Such a smart, deep girl and I totally agree. I feel like I’ve missed so many good books these last few years. It’s nice to take a break and escape the real world for a bit as you said.” I checked the time and realized just over an hour had passed. “Want to cool off in the water?”

She shivered. “It’s super cold. When I filled the bucket, the water got me. But maybe only up to our knees would be okay.”

After she guzzled down some water we walked hand in hand down to the water and damnit if the girl wasn’t right. That water was fucking cold!

“Race you back to the chairs!” Silly girl took off at a run like I’d do the same. Not happening. “I won!”

“Always, sweet girl.”