The food came out shortly, and Desiree forgot all about her mission to uncover the saga of how we met. Sophia got up to her old tricks, telling wild tales, making us laugh. I don’t know what comes over her in restaurants, but it’s always a good time. Once we had our fill of noodles, and were teetering on the brink of a carb coma, we headed back to the rental and took a proper tour of the house. It had just about everything we needed, and many more things we didn’t expect, like a small yoga studio and a private hot spring. We almost didn’t need to leave the house.
Desi and I settled in the living room while Sophia unpacked.
“So, what do you think about Mt. Komorebi so far?” I asked.
“I think I like it, but… It’s weird here.”
“Nooo, don’t say that. Things might be different, but that doesn’t make them weird. Every place has its own style and culture, and they’re all kinda cool in their own ways. Actually, we have a lot of cultures in our family.”
Her eyes lit up again.
“We do??”
“Yep. My dad’s family is from a place called Monte Vista. It’s really far away. But it’s very beautiful and looks a lot different from here and San Sequoia. Their culture is very serious about food and influenced a lot of what we eat, like pizza and pasta.”
“Pizzaaaaa! What about Mommy?”
I groaned, not because I didn’t want to share her story, but because it wasn’t mine to tell and she wasn’t around to decide whether it got told. But her history isn’t her own anymore. That is the exact reason she wanted to have children in the first place. Desiree deserves to know how she got here and who played a part in it.
“Mommy has lots of cultures in her family, so she’s extra cool.”
“Oooh, like what??”
“Well, part of her family is from Sulani. That’s an island, so they live on the beach.”
“Ooooooh!!”
“Another part of her family is from El Selvadorada. That’s the jungle.”
“The jungle?!”
“Mmm hmm. And a very small part of her family is from another faraway place called Al Simhara. That’s in the desert where the pyramids are.”
“COOOOOOOOOOOL!”
I have no idea if she even knows what the pyramids are or why they’re so cool, but her reactions are sending me! She has the cutest, most expressive face.
Sophia finally joined us, asking what all the excitement was about. Before I could answer, the kid gave a very loud, excitable response.
“Daddy said you’re cool because you have the most cultures!”
“Oh,” she said, chuckling nervously. “Is that right?”
“Let’s go outside and watch the snow,” she blurted.
“OKAY!”
Desi hopped up and ran outside. Sophia lit the fireplace to keep us warm since we didn’t put on our coats.
“Isn’t it pretty?” she asked.
“Yes, but it sounds funny,” Desiree shouted.
Sophia laughed.
“Yeah…it kinda does. I like the way it sounds, though.”
I silently agreed with both of them. It’s weird when the snow is thick and really coming down because somehow it can absorb sound, making it eerily quiet outside. But it also has a hushed, serene quality to it that is calming. We stood there and listened for a moment before Sophia turned around and warmed her hands. Desiree watched her, shadowing everything she did. It was the cutest thing. Despite all the time she and I spend together, and despite how much she enjoys our time, it’s good to know she still desires her mother and wants to be like her.
I had plans for tonight and was eager to get my vacation agenda started, so I cozied up to Sophia, whispering in her ear.
“You should have told me you were cold. I would have put the kid to bed early so we could light a fire upstairs.”
She giggled.
“I mean…you could still do that.”
“Say less.”
I grabbed Desi and ushered her upstairs.
“Time for bed, Des!”
“But I’m not tired!”
“You will be. Trust me! We had a long journey today. It’ll hit you very soon. Just close your eyes and think sleepy thoughts.”
“But I don’t have sleepy thoughts!”
Once you hear us, you’ll wish you did.
“I need some water,” she said.
“You’re fine. Drinking water will make you get up and pee later.” And then you might see some things.
“I want to stay up with you and Mommy,” she whined.
“I know, hon. But you’ll get to hang out with us all day for three straight days. That’s what’s so cool about vacation.”
“You promise?”
“Cross my heart!”
“Okay.”
She changed her clothes and slid under the covers. I tucked her in and gave her a goodnight kiss.
“Sweet dreams for our sweet potato.”
She closed her eyes and was down for the count within minutes, just like I said.
I all but ran next door to our room and tore off my clothes. But to my surprise, Sophia had found another activity to enjoy.
“Luca, this is so nice! I’ve never done it half naked by a fire before.”
Hopefully she wouldn’t enjoy it for too much longer. My time was growing short. You got to strike while the iron is hot; ya know? But we are on vacation, and like I just told Desi, we’re gonna have three whole days of togetherness. We don’t have to burn a hole in the mattress tonight. Besides, Sophia does so much for our family, never complaining or making excuses. She deserves to relax, so I sat patiently and admired her from a distance…
But then I got a very selfish idea, heh. I never got a chance to give her that full body massage, and it’s high time she sees exactly what these hands can do. First, I’ll start innocently with her hands. Then, I’ll hit her neck and shoulders, like last time. I’ll move down her back real slow, and when I start squeezing that ass, she will be putty in my hands. It’s about to go DOWN!
