Restoration [Shawn Mendes] AU

Chapter 5

Robert and Michelle awoke as the sun streamed through the French doors and windows of their bedroom, which prompted them to get up to take a shower together and get dressed so they could get breakfast started. When they got to the kitchen they found Maurice and Joanne already awake and making coffee, poached eggs, breakfast sausage and toast, with fresh fruit cut up for anyone who was awake and hungry. Beau was awakened when he heard everyone talking, so he soon made his way to the kitchen in his jammies, as he rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat down at the table in a semi-stupor waiting for someone to serve him his breakfast. Soon the whole family was in the kitchen selecting their food and animatedly talking about plans for the day.

It was decided that after breakfast, most of the family was going to head down to the beach for the day, while Robert would take Beau crabbing at one of the estuaries in nearby Harwich, which was about 15 minutes away. They would be gone for a few hours, but promised to bring back their limit of crabs, so a crab feast was on the menu for dinner.

As the rest of the family walked down to the semi-private beach behind their house, Michelle followed Robert and Beau out to their Jeep, helping them carry their gear and the packed lunches and water bottles she'd prepared for them when they got hungry. As Robert stowed the gear in the Jeep, Michelle was spraying Beau with bug spray and putting sunscreen on every exposed inch of skin, while he whined that he didn't want "that stinky stuff" on his face.

Michelle then turned to Robert and gave him 'the look' as she started rubbing some on his face. "See sweetie, daddy is wearing some too. It's not that bad, right honey?" she looked up at Robert and he nodded and agreed.

"Nope, not bad at all buddy! Just let your mom put it on you so you don't get sunburned and end up miserable later."

Beau reluctantly agreed but made a face to show his displeasure. When Michelle finished, she gave him kisses on his cheeks and told him to have a good time with his dad. Beau climbed up into his car seat in the back, so that Robert could buckle him in and shut the door. She gave Robert a few quick kisses and told him to be careful and make sure Beau stayed by him instead of running off. He told her not to worry as they set off for their father and son adventure.

As Robert pulled away from the house, Michelle waved goodbye and made her way into the house to change into her swimsuit, pick up her phone, some towels and a few other things she threw into her beach bag and then headed through the kitchen and out the doors to meet her family on the beach. She saw her mother's large-brimmed colorful sunhat and walked over to put her towel down beside her. She sat down and put some sunscreen on herself where she could reach and her mother rubbed some on her back and shoulders. As she settled on the towel to catch some rays, she was soon dozing off, lulled by the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the low voices of her dad and Uncle Joseph sitting nearby drinking beer and talking business. She wasn't quite sure how long she dozed off for, but was awakened by her phone ringing in the pocket of her beach bag, as her best friend Jane popped up to FaceTime her.