It was Elena's idea.
"A weekend at the beach," she said softly, cradling Liora in her arms while Zayden rocked Elio beside her. "One last trip. Just us. Before… before everything."
Zayden didn't answer at first. He looked at her pale cheeks, her trembling fingers, the way she leaned against the wall just to stay upright—and nodded.
They left the next morning.
A quiet coastal town, barely touched by tourists. The air was salt-sweet, the wind just strong enough to tousle her hair. Their beachfront cottage was small, whitewashed, and perfect.
Zayden carried her everywhere.
To the hammock strung between palms.
To the wooden porch that faced the waves.
To the shore when she asked, "Just one last walk with bare feet in the sand."
The twins giggled behind them, chasing the foam. Liora kept running after seagulls. Elio kept trying to bury his sister's toys. The sky above was a gentle lavender, and the sun melted slowly into the sea.
Elena stopped walking.
Zayden turned to help—but then froze.
She was crying.
Not the gasping, broken kind. These were soft, steady tears. Silent. Endless.
"I wanted to see them grow," she whispered. "I wanted to stay longer, Zay."
Zayden took her in his arms, held her tightly, kissed her hair.
And then—he shattered.
A sob tore from his chest, rough and raw and uncontrollable. He sank to his knees in the sand, Elena cradled in his arms, and cried like a man who had held it in too long.
"I don't know how to let go," he choked. "I don't know how to live without you. You're my everything, Elena. You are my breath."
Elena pulled his face into her neck, stroked his hair, even though her hands trembled. "Shh. You don't have to let go. You just have to carry me."
Zayden gripped her tighter. "I can't be strong anymore."
She kissed his lips gently, like a final promise. "Then don't be. Just… be here. With me."
They sat like that until the stars blinked into the sky.
Later that night, she held both babies on her chest while Zayden watched her from the doorway—burning the image into memory.
The sea whispered.
The stars watched.
And Zayden whispered, "I love you," over and over, as if repetition might freeze time.