how it feels to fly | jeonglix

03

Eleven years ago

"Mummy! Mummy! Look at our sand castle!"

A woman with curling brown hair raises her head, breaking from the world she was absorbed in through the pages of a book, and looks at the two children through the glaring sun. Her grey eyes warm and loving, she smiles at them, raising her hand in a joyous wave before resting her chin on it.

One of her children—the youngest—screams as icy waves tickle his ankles, attempting to saunter away from it only to find the water chasing him with determination. But it doesn't take too long for him to be swept up into the arms of his father—a man with dark skin and the warmest smile that could calm any temper—a saviour from the ravishing tendrils of the ocean.

Their older child also laughs in glee, chasing after the two of them as all three run back up the beach, fine sand creeping between their toes until they make it to the safe island of their picnic blanket.

The father places down their youngest son. "This one kept trying to bury himself," he muses, reaching down to attack the boy's tummy with light tickles until he falls down with a screech.

"You shouldn't do that, Jeonginnie..." she sighs. "We might not be able to find you, and then you'll be stuck on the beach forever!"

Jeongin giggles. "That would be fun!"

She rolls her eyes, instead paying attention to the elder of her boys.

"I don't like the feeling of the sand on my feet, Ma..." he trails off, staring down at his sand covered feet with discontent. She smiles and scoots over to him, bringing one foot into her lap and beginning to rub the sand off.

"I'm afraid this is what happens at the beach Felix, you can wear shoes next time, but trust me," she leans closer, "It's actually way more uncomfortable."

She continues brushing the sand from Felix's feet and glances at their mismatched family: Her husband, a man from a wealthy family in the city with more credentials than there were letters in his name; herself—she's lived by the sea for her whole life, and sports an impressive medical history that leaves her fatigued beyond measure, and their two children, neither of whom resemble her or her husband in the slightest.

"Boys, I think the ice-cream van just arrived!" Sure enough, in the distance, the jolly chime that fills every kid's dream floats through the air, immediately sending Jeongin and Felix into a frenzy. They stuff their feet into shoes, and have to be held back by their father so they don't run off in excitement.

He pats his pockets. "I must've left my wallet back home, Erin. Do you have any money on you?"

Erin nods, and reaches into their bag for the small purse she threw at the bottom, expecting an occasion such as this.

"Dan!" She yells, waiting for her husband to turn around. "Make sure Felix doesn't walk off again!" He replies with a strong salute, grabbing their eldest's hand and starting to run with him.

She stares after the three of them with a small, reminiscent smile.

They fostered Felix first, after Erin had been advised not to carry her own child. Her illnesses would put her at too much risk of complications. He was barely five months old, left by his mother who died the same day. There was nothing in the records about a father. Her heart had gone out to the infant, compelling her to take him in and raise him.

Jeongin was offered to them nine months later, after he was found neglected by his biological parents in an empty house. The authorities had speculated he'd already been alone for around five days. He was only found after the family's cleaner had popped in and found him in his crib, dehydrated and hungry and a mess.