Requested by: @thebolter1387
The day was absolutely perfect. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the breeze gentle, and the sun warm without being overbearing. The Rhode Island house had always been Taylor's favorite retreat, where the family could spend time together without the pressure of the outside world. Today, she and Travis had decided to let the girls enjoy the afternoon in the backyard by the pool.
River, their nine-year-old, was fiercely competitive like her dad and loved spending her time outside. She was kicking a soccer ball around on the grass, pretending she was in the World Cup, shouting, "Goal!" every time she managed to score against the invisible goalie. Her focus was intense, the determination clear on her face.
Maisie, their six-year-old, sat at the edge of the pool, her legs kicking lazily in the water. She was a dreamer, always in her own world, her mind filled with stories and adventures. Today, she pretended she was a mermaid, asking Lillian, their four-year-old, to join her in her underwater kingdom. Lillian, ever the energetic one, was splashing around in the shallow end, giggling wildly.
And then there was Sunny. At just two years old, she was their baby, their little ray of sunshine—though she had a mischievous streak, always wanting to keep up with her older sisters. Today, Sunny was waddling around the pool, chasing after a small beach ball that had rolled across the deck. Her curly blonde hair bounced as she toddled, her chubby legs moving as fast as they could.
Taylor stood on the patio, her eyes drifting from one child to the next. It was moments like this that made everything worthwhile, seeing their four daughters happy and carefree. Travis was lounging in a deck chair, sunglasses on and a smile on his face, watching them all with that protective yet relaxed stance he always had. But Taylor couldn't shake the small tug of worry in her stomach, her maternal instincts always on alert when it came to the pool and her youngest.
"Travis," she called, stepping closer to the pool. "Keep an eye on Sunny. She's getting a little close."
Travis pushed his sunglasses up on his head and gave her a reassuring grin. "I got her, babe. Don't worry."
Taylor nodded, though her gaze lingered on Sunny as she bounced after her ball, the edge of the pool alarmingly close. And then, as if in slow motion, it happened.
Sunny reached out for the ball, her tiny foot catching on the slick edge of the pool. Before anyone could react, her body teetered and fell, plunging into the water with a splash.
"Sunny!" Taylor screamed, her heart leaping into her throat.
In an instant, Travis was on his feet, moving faster than she had ever seen. He dove into the pool without hesitation, his powerful arms cutting through the water toward their little girl. Taylor was frozen, every second stretching out painfully as she watched her baby disappear beneath the water.
Within moments, Travis surfaced, Sunny clutched tightly in his arms. She was coughing, sputtering, her tiny hands gripping onto her daddy's neck as though she were clinging to life itself. Taylor's breath hitched in her throat, relief flooding through her as she rushed to the edge of the pool.
"I've got you, Sunny. I've got you," Travis whispered into her ear, his voice calm but full of urgency.
Taylor met them at the edge, her hands trembling as she reached out to take Sunny from him. Her heart was pounding so loudly she could barely hear anything else.
"Baby, are you okay?" Taylor murmured, her hands running over Sunny's wet curls, cupping her cheeks to check if she was alright. Sunny's wide eyes were still filled with shock, her little body trembling against Taylor's chest.
