We packed our bags, loaded up Beck’s car, and headed off for our trip to San Diego. Nerves and excitement mingled inside my belly. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Beck and I had hooked up again, and now I was on my way to see the ocean for the first time in my life. 

He reached across and put his hand on my thigh, and I melted. I loved being in the car with him. I felt so safe. Maybe it was because he was a pilot, but I loved the way he was completely in control. I couldn’t wait to see him fly tomorrow. 

After two hours on the road, we finally arrived in San Diego.

Our first stop was the Zoo Safari Park to see the tigers. It was inland, so I had still yet to see the ocean, but I was thrilled nonetheless. Beck bought us all tickets. He held my hand as we walked into the park. I had never seen anything like it this place.

First, we stepped into the butterfly garden. They flew by our heads as we marveled at their vibrant colors. Their jeweled colors mixed together like an abstract painting by nature.

“Paloma! Look!” Mónica yelled.

A gorgeous Monarch had landed on Ana María’s nose.

Ana María giggled, and I had never seen her so happy, so full of joy. I held Sky and pointed out the different butterflies to her, naming the colors in Spanish. She clapped her little hands, and Beck put his arm around me.

Mónica’s face beamed. “This place is awesome.” Even she was having fun.

We walked over to the Lorikeet Landing and bought some nectar.

A gorgeous bird with a lapis colored head and orange, yellow and green feathers landed on Mónica’s hand and lapped up the nectar out of her little cup.

Joy filled my body, and for once my outlook for the future was as bright as the San Diego sun. The girls and I had never ever been to a zoo. I had learned about animals from books, not from nature. We had so much to experience.

Our final stop at the Zoo Safari Park was to see the tigers. Two baby tigers frolicked together like kittens, fighting over a ball of yarn. I couldn’t believe I was seeing these wild animals up close.

I pressed my hand to Beck’s chest, and we kissed under a bamboo canopy. “Thank you. You don’t know what this means to me.”

“You’re welcome, babe. I just want to make you and the girls happy.”

Swoon. I didn’t want this day to end.

After we left the zoo, we stopped for dinner at this incredible taco place, ¡Salud!, in Barrio Logan. I was impressed that Beck knew about this restaurant, with its authentic Mexican food, handmade tortillas, and churro ice cream. The Mexican murals on the wall made me feel like I was home. 

I took a bite of the fish taco. It was beer battered on a warm tortilla and adorned with cabbage, cotija cheese, pico de gallo, and dressed with a creamy sauce. “This is so good! How did you find this place?”

He paused for a moment and took a sip of his blood orange beer. “My wife and I used to come here. She loved Mexican food.”

I smiled, and it wasn’t even forced. I loved that Beck could be open with me about Catherine, especially now that he and I were romantically involved. I didn’t ever want him to feel that he couldn’t talk about her, especially in front of Sky. If it worked out between us, the ghost of Catherine would always be present in our home. But I wasn’t jealous of her. If it weren’t for her, I would’ve never met Beck. I hoped that she would want Beck to find happiness and for Sky to have a mother. And I prayed even harder that I would be the woman for that job. 

After our amazing lunch, Beck drove us across the Coronado Bridge. The view of the ocean was breathtaking. It was even bluer than I imagined, and the boats and naval carriers docked in it added to its beauty.

Beck parked near the ferry landing and my sisters and I ran to the shore and dipped our toes into the sand. I felt like such a dork, but for a small-town sheltered girl like me, the warmth of the sand, the cool breeze blowing on my face, and the chill of the ocean meant the world to me. I wanted to live in this moment forever. 

Beck strapped Sky on his chest and took my hand. “What do you think? Is it everything you thought it would be?”

“Yes, it is. And more. I can’t believe I’m here, with my sisters, with you, with Sky.” Tears welled in my eyes. “I’m just so happy.”

He placed his arm on the back of my head and kissed me passionately. “I want to make you happy. Before I met you, the only reason I wanted to live was for Sky and for my job. I had become so angry, so bitter about losing Catherine. But seeing the world through your eyes has completely changed me. I need you, Loma, and you need me too.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond before the girls joined us and we began to build sand castles. Ana María giggled, and Mónica was checking out the boys on the beach. 

Life couldn’t get better than today.