The soft hum of the private jet filled the air as the aircraft began its descent, the early morning sun casting golden hues across the endless stretch of the Andaman Sea. Outside, the vibrant blues of the ocean shimmered under the light, meeting the lush greenery of the islands in a breathtaking contrast.
But inside the jet, Olivia was still fast asleep.
She hadn't stirred once since their layover in Delhi, sleeping straight through their stop in Visakhapatnam, oblivious to everything around her.
And now, after fourteen grueling hours, they had finally reached their destination.
Zivia, on the other hand, was wide awake.
The moment the pilot announced their arrival, she wriggled excitedly in her seat, her tiny hands gripping her stuffed bunny. But when she turned to her right and saw her mother still asleep, she pouted.
"Mommy still sleepy?" Zivia whispered, looking up at her father.
Zack smirked, glancing at Olivia, whose head was nestled against the plush headrest, her soft breaths even. She looked peaceful-probably the most relaxed she had been in a while.
"She's been sleeping since Delhi," Zack murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair from Olivia's face.
Zivia huffed dramatically. "Mommy missed so much! She didn't even see the big ocean from the sky!"
Zack chuckled at his daughter's frustration.
"Why don't we wake her up, princess?" he suggested, his lips quirking.
Zivia's eyes lit up. "Yes! But... gently," she added in a whisper, clearly recalling the times Olivia had grumbled about being rudely woken up.
Zack smirked but nodded. "Gently."
Together, they leaned closer.
Zivia was the first to act, placing her tiny hands on Olivia's arm and shaking her ever so lightly.
"Mommyyy," she cooed, her voice sweet and coaxing. "We're hereeee."
Olivia stirred slightly, her brows knitting together.
Zack took his turn, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate circles on the inside of her wrist, his voice a low murmur.
"Wake up, sweetheart."
A soft groan left Olivia's lips as her eyelashes fluttered open, her vision hazy at first.
The first thing she saw was Zack's smirking face.
The second was her daughter's big, excited eyes.
"...We're here?" Olivia murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
Zivia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! We're in the Anaman-uh, Anaban-"
"Andaman and Nicobar Islands," Zack corrected, amusement in his voice.
"Yes, that!" Zivia beamed.
Olivia blinked sluggishly, rubbing her eyes before stretching her arms with a soft sigh. "God... I slept through the whole flight?"
Zack smirked. "Not the whole flight. Just from Delhi to here."
Olivia's eyes widened. "What?! I missed Visakhapatnam?"
Zivia giggled. "Yup! Daddy and I saw lots of things, but you were sleeping like a baby."
Zack chuckled. "More like knocked out."
Olivia groaned, burying her face in her hands for a moment before shaking her head. "Ugh, I hate missing things."
"Well, you're just in time now," Zack murmured, reaching for her hand. "Come on, sleepyhead. Time to go."
