Emily's POV
The morning sun peeked through the curtains as Emily woke with a sense of excitement buzzing in her chest. Today was the playdate with Emma and Alex, and she was determined to make it special. Stretching lazily for a moment, she glanced at the clock. It was just past six.
She shuffled to the kitchen and noticed the remnants of last night's pizza dinner. It wouldn't take long to clean up, she thought. Emily gathered the empty boxes, tied up the trash, and took it outside. The crisp morning air refreshed her as she inhaled deeply before heading back in to tidy the house.
The rhythmic hum of the vacuum filled the sitting room when Alex wandered in, rubbing his sleepy eyes and clutching his favorite stuffed toy. "Good morning, Mummy," he mumbled, his voice soft and sweet.
Emily switched off the vacuum, dropped to her knees, and hugged him tightly. "Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?"
Alex nodded, resting his head on her shoulder for a moment before pulling away. "What's for breakfast?"
She smiled. "How about some scrambled eggs and toast?"
Once breakfast was done, they got ready for their big day. Emily slipped into a breezy sundress and wide-brimmed hat, ensuring her sunscreen was generously applied. Alex, dressed in a pair of bright blue swim trunks and a matching T-shirt, danced around excitedly, holding his favorite beach ball.
By mid-morning, they were on their way to La Jolla Shores. Emily had always wanted to visit but never seemed to find the time, caught up in work and the responsibilities of being a single mom. But today was different. Today, it was about making memories with Alex.
When they arrived, the beach was still relatively quiet. Emily spread out a colorful picnic mat and began unpacking their things. She leaned back, basking in the warmth of the sun and the soothing sound of the waves. It was a moment of peace she hadn't realized she needed.
Not long after, Sofia and Emma arrived, their laughter carrying over the gentle crash of the waves. Alex immediately ran to Emma, the two of them giggling as they splashed in the water and began building an elaborate sandcastle.
Emily and Sofia sat down together, their conversation starting with small talk but quickly delving deeper. Sofia opened up about raising Emma alone after being abandoned by her ex. Her voice cracked as she shared the struggles of balancing motherhood and self-worth.
Emily listened intently, her heart aching for her friend. When the conversation turned to Alex's dad, Emily hesitated, her smile faltering.
"Where is he now?" Sofia asked gently.
Emily sighed deeply, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the mat. "He's… somewhere," she said quietly. A familiar pang of sadness washed over her, but she quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to dampen the mood.
Just as she was about to change the subject, Emily glanced toward the water and froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Emma was still there, kneeling beside the sandcastle, but Alex was nowhere in sight.
Panic bubbled in her chest as she scrambled to her feet. "Emma!" she called, rushing over. "Where's Alex?"
Emma shrugged, wide-eyed and unaware of the tension in Emily's voice. "I dunno. He was here a minute ago."
Emily's gaze darted frantically across the beach, scanning for any sign of her son. The sound of her heartbeat thundered in her ears until, in the distance, she spotted a small figure running toward her.
Alex, clutching his beach ball, waved as he got closer. "Mummy! My ball flew over there. It almost hit a man!"
Emily dropped to her knees, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Alex, you scared me! Please don't run off like that."
"Sorry, Mummy," he mumbled, his cheeks flushed from running.
She placed a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair. "Just be careful, okay?"
The rest of the day went by in a blur of laughter and sunshine. The kids played tirelessly, building sandcastles, chasing waves, and sharing snacks. Emily and Sofia watched them, feeling grateful for the brief reprieve from life's challenges.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink, they began packing up their things. Alex was exhausted, leaning against Emily as they walked back to the car.
Driving home, Emily couldn't help but glance at Alex through the rearview mirror. His eyes were half-closed, his head resting against the car seat. Moments like these reminded her of how precious her time with him was—and how fleeting.