Eternal Echoes

Chapter Forty-Three: A Day At The Beach

Michaella's POV

I woke up to the comforting sounds of my family stirring in the house. The familiar smell of fresh coffee and the sound of laughter filled the air, wrapping me in a warm, nostalgic cocoon. I stretched and got out of bed, feeling the sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in—the way the light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls.

After freshening up, I joined my family in the kitchen. It was lively, with Mom preparing breakfast, my siblings chatting animatedly, and Dad reading the newspaper. The entire family lived in the same building, which meant mornings were always bustling with activity.

"Good morning, Ella!" Valerie greeted me with a bright smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Morning, Val. Yes, I did. It feels good to be home," I replied, taking a seat at the table and inhaling the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

"Great to hear! We were thinking of going to the beach today with the cousins. What do you think?" Elijah asked, pouring me a cup of coffee and passing me a plate of toast.

"That sounds wonderful. It's been a while since we all went to the beach together," I said, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The thought of spending a carefree day by the sea with my family brought a smile to my face.

We all decided to go, and soon enough, everyone was preparing for the beach trip. I helped pack snacks, drinks, and all the essentials for a day by the sea. The excitement was palpable, and I found myself looking forward to a day of relaxation and fun.

After loading up the cars, we made our way to the beach. The sun was shining brightly, and the sea breeze was refreshing. We found a perfect spot, set up our umbrellas and blankets, and soon the beach was alive with the sounds of laughter and playful shouts.

Lying on a beach towel, I was enjoying the warmth of the sun and the rhythmic sound of the waves when my phone buzzed with a message. I picked it up and saw that it was from Gabrielle. My heart skipped a beat as I opened the message.

"Hey, Michaella. Just wanted to let you know that the country is on the verge of war. It might be safer if you don't go out this week. Take care."

I was caught off guard by the message, and a mix of emotions swirled within me. Did he still care about my safety? The thought lingered, making me feel a pang of longing and confusion. Mathew, who was sitting nearby, noticed my distracted expression.

"Hey, Ella, what's going on? You look like your mind is somewhere else," Mathew said, concern evident in his voice as he handed me a cold drink.

"It's nothing," I replied quickly, but Mathew wasn't convinced.

"I know you better than that. Come on, spill it," he urged gently, giving me a knowing look.

I sighed, knowing I couldn't hide my feelings from him. "It's Gabrielle. He sent me a message, warning me about the country being on the verge of war. He told me to stay home this week."

Mathew raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of frustration and empathy. "You both are ridiculous, you know that? It's so obvious that you still love each other so much. Why are you doing this to each other? Why?"

His words hit close to home, and I couldn't deny the truth in them. "I don't know, Mathew. It's complicated. I want him, but he doesn't..."

Seeing the sadness in my eyes, Mathew softened his tone. "Okay, forget about this now. Let's focus on enjoying today. We're at the beach, surrounded by family. Let's make the most of it."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. I took a deep breath and tried to push Gabrielle's message to the back of my mind. However, an urge to reach out to him grew stronger. I opened my phone and typed a quick message: "So you still care?" I hesitated for a moment before hitting send, then put my phone away, not expecting a reply but hoping for one.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, we gathered for a beachside picnic. The aroma of grilled food mingled with the salty sea air, and I found myself laughing and chatting with my cousins, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with my loved ones. We played games, swam in the ocean, and built sandcastles, our laughter echoing across the beach.

In the evening, as the sun began to set, we lit a bonfire and roasted marshmallows, the flames casting a warm glow on our faces. I felt a sense of peace and contentment, surrounded by the people I loved. The day had been perfect, a much-needed escape from the complexities of my life.

As we packed up to leave, I couldn't help but glance at my phone again. There was no reply from Gabrielle. I sighed, feeling a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Despite the uncertainty and the lingering feelings, I felt a sense of peace being surrounded by my family. The future was uncertain, but for now, I had the warmth of my loved ones to hold onto.

We drove back home, the car filled with the sounds of soft chatter and the occasional yawn. I decided to sleep over at my parents' house, craving the comfort of my childhood home. I slipped into bed, feeling the cool sheets against my skin, and closed my eyes, letting the events of the day wash over me.

Lying in bed that night, I glanced at my phone one last time. There was no reply from Gabrielle. I sighed, feeling a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Despite the uncertainty and the lingering feelings, I felt a sense of peace being surrounded by my family. The future was uncertain, but for now, I had the warmth of my loved ones to hold onto.

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Family time makes everyone feel better. What do you think, do they still care about each other?