I woke to the flight attendant’s announcement: fifteen minutes until landing. Paradise was almost within reach.
“Bil, wake up, we’re landing soon,” I whispered, idly playing with her hair.
She groaned, but it was endearing, even her grumpiness. After a short while, the plane touched down.
Stepping off the plane, we were greeted by locals offering leis. They draped one around each of our necks.
“Welcome,” the woman said, smiling warmly.
Back at the hotel, we unpacked our bags. Billie and I had secured our own room, which I was particularly pleased about.
“So, baby, what do you want to do today?” she asked, plopping onto the bed beside me.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” I admitted with a giggle.
“You’re so cute, mamas,” she said, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“We could go to the beach,” she offered.
“Okay, that sounds fun,” I replied, smiling.
I was giddy with anticipation for the next three days with Billie—and with the family. I considered her family my own, their closeness now extending to me.
“Okay, I’m going to change,” she said, gathering her things and heading into the bathroom.
I quickly changed too, slipping into my bikini. Looking in the mirror, I studied myself. I hadn't always been confident, but Billie helped. She didn't care what anyone thought, and I loved that about her.
“Baby, you look great. Stop worrying,” she told me, her voice soft.
“Thank you, Bil,” I said before returning a kiss to her cheek.
I quickly pulled my cover-up over my bikini. We walked out of the hotel, hand in hand, toward the beach. Happiness bloomed within me.
Finally, we neared the water and set our bags down. I shed my cover-up, and ran into the waves, waiting for Billie. She was wearing a sleek, black one-piece.
Billie isn’t one for the “itty bitty titty committee,” as she would say. She’s stunning, and I couldn’t help but stare. She looked incredible.
I walked closer to her in the water and looped my arms around her neck.
“I love you,” she said, before kissing me deeply.
“I love you too. You’re so beautiful,” I whispered.
“So are you, Y/N,” she said, smiling.
We played in the water for a while longer, then settled onto the sand to tan.
“Hey guys,” a voice called out—Finneas.
“Hey fucker,” Billie said, laughing.
I didn’t know why Billie’s cussing always sent me into fits of laughter, especially when it was directed at Finneas.
“Mom said you guys need to come back. We’re all going to lunch,” Finneas explained.
“Ugh, I don’t want to,” Billie groaned.
“Let’s just go, Billie. After, we can come back to the beach or chill in the room,” I suggested.
“Fine,” she conceded, laughing.
“I knew there would be a lot of ‘chilling’ in the rooms this trip,” Finneas said, rolling his eyes.
Honestly, Finneas always made me laugh so hard. He was so sarcastic, and it was perfect.
“Shut the fuck up,” Billie said before swatting his arm.
“Fine, I’ll leave you two fuck buddies alone, but you better be back soon,” he said before walking away.
“He never fucking shuts up,” Billie said, covering her face with embarrassment.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Bil. I find him hilarious,” I said.
“Okay, let’s head back to the hotel,” she offered.
We stood up and walked hand in hand back towards the hotel. It felt so good to know she was mine.
“Hey Mom,” I said, giving her a quick hug.
We walked a few streets to a nearby restaurant for lunch. We all sat around a large table, and I was seated next to Billie, naturally.
I ordered a sandwich, while Billie opted for her usual burrito—she devours so many burritos, it's amazing.
“So, what are you girls planning for the rest of the day?” Maggie asked.
Finneas gave Billie and me a pointed look from across the table.
“Finneas, stop it,” Billie said, laughing.
“What?” Maggie asked.
“Nothing,” Billie and I said in unison, before bursting into laughter.