Chapter 25 — A Little Too Comfortable
The final morning at the resort arrived sooner than Mia expected.
She woke up to the sound of waves crashing gently against the shore and sunlight coming through the curtains.
For a moment, she forgot that they were leaving.
Then she remembered.
Today.
She sighed and got out of bed.
When Mia walked outside, she found several members of her family already gathered near the beach.
Her brothers had decided that everyone should spend their last morning doing something together before they packed.
Nathan was standing near the water, talking with his father.
When he noticed Mia, his eyes immediately moved toward her.
"Morning."
"Good morning."
Mia walked over.
"What are we doing?"
"We haven't decided yet," Nathan replied.
One of her brothers called from behind them.
"We're taking the boat!"
Mia's eyes lit up.
"The boat?"
"Yes."
She turned toward Nathan.
"Let's go."
Nathan smiled.
"You didn't even wait for me to agree."
"You were going to agree anyway."
He shook his head.
"Apparently, my opinion isn't required."
Mia laughed.
---
A short while later, everyone gathered near the small boat.
The resort staff helped them get everything ready before they headed out onto the water.
Mia sat near the edge, enjoying the breeze.
Nathan sat beside her.
The boat moved farther from the shore.
Mia looked around.
"This is beautiful."
Nathan nodded.
"It is."
She smiled.
"I don't want to leave tomorrow."
"You said that yesterday."
"Because I still don't want to leave."
Nathan laughed.
"You've become attached to the place."
"Maybe."
She turned toward him.
"Or maybe I just like having nothing to worry about."
Nathan nodded.
"I understand."
The boat suddenly moved over a stronger wave.
Mia lost her balance.
Nathan immediately reached out and caught her arm.
"Careful."
Mia steadied herself.
"I'm fine."
"I know."
He didn't let go until he was certain she was balanced.
Mia looked at his hand around her arm.
Then she looked at him.
"Thank you."
Nathan released her.
"You're welcome."
There was no teasing.
No argument.
Just a simple moment between them.
Mia smiled and turned back toward the water.
Neither of them thought much about it.
---
When they returned to the resort, everyone separated to enjoy the afternoon.
Some went swimming.
Others stayed around the house.
Mia went upstairs to change, then returned to find Nathan trying to open one of the large storage boxes.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for something."
"What?"
"My sunglasses."
Mia stared at him.
"You've been searching for those for ten minutes?"
"I can't find them."
She walked over.
"Move."
Nathan stepped aside.
Mia opened the box, moved two towels, and immediately pulled out the sunglasses.
She held them up.
"These?"
Nathan stared.
"How did you find them so quickly?"
"You put things in the strangest places."
He took them.
"I knew they were there."
"Of course you did."
Nathan smiled.
"Thanks."
Mia walked away.
Then stopped.
"You know, you would probably lose your head if it wasn't attached to you."
Nathan laughed.
"Don't start."
She smiled.
"I'm not starting anything."
---
That afternoon, the family gathered around the pool.
Mia sat on a chair beside Nathan while everyone talked.
One of her brothers looked between them.
"You two have been together all day."
Mia looked at him.
"So?"
"Nothing."
His wife smiled.
"You two seem very comfortable now."
Mia shrugged.
"We've always been comfortable."
Nathan nodded.
"Exactly."
Sofia looked at them suspiciously.
"Interesting."
Mia pointed at her.
"Don't."
Sofia laughed.
"I didn't say anything."
"But I know what you're thinking."
"Then maybe you know me too well."
Everyone laughed.
Mia shook her head.
Nathan leaned toward her.
"They're never going to let this go."
"Apparently not."
"But at least they're quieter about it now."
Mia smiled.
"That's because they've realized we won't give them anything interesting."
Nathan laughed.
---
By evening, everyone had started packing.
Suitcases appeared in hallways.
People checked rooms to make sure nothing had been forgotten.
Mia stood by the window in their room, looking toward the beach.
Nathan entered with one of their bags.
"Everything packed?"
"Almost."
He placed the bag down.
"You've been staring at the beach for five minutes."
"I know."
"You don't want to leave."
Mia smiled faintly.
"No."
Nathan stood beside her.
"Neither do I."
She looked at him.
"You?"
He nodded.
"It's been nice."
Mia looked back toward the ocean.
"Yeah."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Mia smiled.
"It's funny."
"What?"
"We used to argue all the time."
Nathan laughed.
"That's true."
"And now..."
She paused.
"Now what?"
Mia thought for a moment.
"We barely argue."
"Maybe we're getting better at understanding each other."
"Maybe."
Nathan smiled.
"Or maybe you're finally learning to listen."
Mia turned toward him.
"There you are."
"What?"
"I knew you couldn't stay serious for too long."
Nathan laughed.
Mia laughed too.
The room filled with the sound of their laughter.
And neither of them noticed how naturally they had begun standing close to each other.
---
Later that night, they sat outside on the balcony.
The resort was quiet.
The ocean stretched endlessly beneath the moonlight.
Mia rested her arms on the railing.
"I didn't expect this."
Nathan looked at her.
"What?"
"Us."
He was quiet.
"Neither did I."
"When we got married, I thought we'd spend most of our time arguing."
Nathan smiled.
"I thought so too."
Mia laughed.
"But somehow..."
"We're okay."
She nodded.
"More than okay."
Nathan looked toward the ocean.
"Maybe marriage isn't as terrible as you thought."
Mia smiled.
"Maybe not."
She looked at him.
"And maybe being married to you isn't so bad either."
Nathan laughed.
"That's the nicest thing you've said to me all weekend."
"Don't get used to it."
They both laughed again.
Neither of them noticed the quiet change inside themselves.
Neither called it love.
Neither even considered saying it.
But when they finally went inside, Mia didn't immediately walk toward her room.
She waited for Nathan.
And Nathan waited for her.
Then they walked down the hallway together.
Just as they had done so many times before.
Only now, neither of them wanted to walk alone.