herophine - Trouvaille

Chapter 43

Crosby, Liverpool - England, 2027

It is Elizabeth's idea to make a quick trip to the beach. Neither the five of them are wearing a swimsuit, they are not that crazy to get in England's freezing water on February. However, it is the Langfords' last day in town and they want to do something a little bit more special. 

Stephen and Elizabeth's stay in Crosby has only lasted one week. They wish they could take more days off from work, but they both have important and stable jobs at Perth. During the mornings, since they arrived, they have hung out mostly with Hero and Josephine. They have tried to get to know better the guy who had been Jo's costar for so long and the guy who is their daughter's boyfriend now. They have tried to support their daughter and be there for her, now that they can. And, during the afternoons, they have tried to recover lost time with their grandchild. 

Hero has had to work as any other day, so Josephine has been in charge of picking up Sofía from school. She has been feeling like a proud mommy when the little blonde runs towards her. And Sofía has been feeling proud of having her grandparents there too, standing next to Jo while waiting outside the school building. Some days they have gone directly to soccer practice with her, and others they have gone just to the park. Either way, granddaughter and grandparents have been enjoying their time together. 

- I know how to swim without floaties - The little girl says. 

- I'm sure you do, Sofi. - Stephen walks holding hand in hand with her, and in the hand they both have free they carry a bucket with some shovels. - But, you heard daddy. It's too cold to go swimming. 

- I know...

- Perhaps someday you can come to Australia and show me how good of a swimmer you are, huh? - There is little doubt that little Sofía has his grandpa wrapped around her finger. 

A few steps forward, Hero leads the group through the sand path until the beach. A few steps backward, Josephine and her mother watch them closely.

- Sofía loves you so much. - Elizabeth speaks. 

It should be obvious that a daughter loves her mother, but in her case is not. And, Josephine really values her sincere words.

- You really need to stop punishing yourself, Jojo. - She stops walking and looks her in the eyes. - Not all heal in the same way. - Her mother tells her referring to her depression.

- But, they usually stay... - Jo says quietly.

- And you came back, Josephine. You had everything against you after six years, and you came back and tried. - Elizabeth grabs her hands and squeezes them.

A loud squeal full of emotion interrupts the mother-daughter scene. Sofía is running barefoot and happily towards the shore.  Still being February there is barely anyone there, so the kid runs freely all around while calling her mommy to come with her. 

- You are a wonderful mother. You love her and Sofía really loves you. - Elizabeth insists and plants a kiss on her hand. 

Josephine hugs her before running to where her little human is, taking advantage of the action to fill her lungs with fresh air. The tide is low, so Sofía squeals happily when her feet touches the cold water. Being less used to the Atlantic Ocean's temperature, Jo follows her daughter in between laughs, and the three other adults just stare at them fascinated.

Minutes later, after finally persuading her grandparents to come along with her, Sofía with a shovel in one hand and the bucket in the other looks around for small crabs in the rocks.

Josephine stands there watching them from far away. She would have never imagined that she would end up like this. So blessed. She feels his calm breathing behind her, and before she has time to turn around, she then feels his soft and humid lips on the creek of her neck. Hero wraps his arms around her and pulls her closer to him, remaining like that for a while.

- We never went to the beach together... - She whispers.

- There are many things that we didn't get to do together, love. - He says before kissing her cheek. - But we have plenty of time now, don't we? - Jo nods.

She has not disregarded how he just called her, and her only wish in that moment is that this instant lasts forever.