189: MEMORIES: PERFECT TALES ARIEL’S POV [FLASHBACK CONTINUES] Waking up to the sound of seagulls and the gentle rustling of palm trees outside my window, I saw my two children, Lukel and Janice, still sound asleep in their beds. Today was the day I had promised to take them to the beach, and I couldn’t wait to see the joy on their faces. After a quick breakfast of pancakes and fresh fruit, I hurried to get everything ready, packing beach towels, sunscreen, snacks, and toys into a large beach bag. Lukel and Janice were already bouncing with excitement as they put on their swimsuits and sandals. On our way to the beach, Lukel and Janice chattered excitedly about building sandcastles and splashing in the waves. I couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. I loved these moments—just the three of us exploring and having adventures together. When we arrived at the beach, Lukel and Janice’s eyes widened in wonder at the vast expanse of sand and sparkling blue water. They ran towards the shoreline, giggling and shouting with joy. I spread out our towels and set up a small umbrella to provide some shade. The children wasted no time in kicking off their sandals and running towards the water. Lukel was the first to dip his toes in, squealing with delight as the cool water splashed against his skin. Janice followed suit, her laughter blending with the sound of the waves. Watching them with a heart full of love and seeing my children so happy and carefree filled me with a deep sense of contentment. I joined them in the water, the three of us laughing and splashing each other as the waves rolled in. After a while, we decided to build a sandcastle. Lukel took charge of digging a moat around our creation, while Janice fashioned seashells into decorations. I helped them pile the sand high, shaping turrets and walls with my hands. The children’s faces were alight with concentration and joy as we worked together. And as the morning turned into the afternoon, we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the beach. Lukel and Janice devoured their sandwiches and fruit, their cheeks rosy from the sun. I watched them with a smile, grateful for these simple moments of happiness. After lunch, we went for a walk along the shore, collecting seashells and watching as seabirds soared overhead. Lukel and Janice held my hands as we strolled, their chatter blending with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. I made it clear to them that it was finally time for Lukel, and Janice protested, begging for just a few more minutes in the water. I relented, allowing them to splash and play for a little while longer. We packed up our things and started the journey home. Lukel and Janice chattered excitedly about their day at the beach. I smiled as I listened, my heart full of love for my two precious children. Today had been a perfect day, filled with laughter, sunshine, and the simple joy of being together. Walking hand in hand towards our car, two men stopped at our front and pointed their guns at us. I froze in fear as the two men pointed their guns at us, demanding that I hand over all of our belongings. My mind raced as I tried to think of a way to protect Lukel and Janice. I couldn’t let 189: MEMORIES: PERFECT TALES anything happen to them. “Please, just take what you want and leave us alone,” I pleaded, my voice trembling But Lukel and Janice were not going to go down without a fight. They stood bravely in front of me, their small bodies shaking but their eyes determined. “We won’t give you anything!” Janice exclaimed, her voice surprisingly strong The men laughed, thinking it was just a game. But I knew my children were serious. It was quite clear with their expressions. Just as the men were about to make a move towards us, a loud commotion could be heard coming from behind them. I turned to see a group of policemen running towards us. “Drop your weapons and put your hands up!” one of them shouted, The robbers, taken by surprise, quickly dropped their guns and put their hands up in surrender. The policemen quickly apprehended them and handcuffed them. I let out a sigh of relief and hugged my children tightly. They were my little heroes. They had stood up to danger and protected our family. I couldn’t have been prouder. The policemen took the robbers away, and we were left alone on the beach. I sat down on the sand, still shaking from the adrenaline rush. Lukel and Janice sat beside me, their faces beaming with pride. “We did it, Mommy!” Lukel exclaimed, giving me a high five. I chuckled and ruffled their hair. “Yes, you did. You were so brave.” As we sat there, I couldn’t help but think about how lucky we were. If we hadn’t stayed for those few extra minutes at the beach, we could have been caught in the middle of the robbery. It was as if fate had intervened and protected us. But most of all, I was grateful for my two brave children. They had shown me that even in the face of danger, they would never back down and would always protect their family. And in that moment, I made a promise to always protect them as well. Together, we walked back to our car, the sun setting behind us. It was a perfect end to a perfect day, filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of heroism. It was a chilly night, and I decided to take Lukel and Janice out for dinner. And of course, a fancy restaurant was just the perfect location. Walking into the restaurant, Luke’s eyes widened as he looked around. “Wow, mom, this place is really beautiful.” I smiled and ruffled his hair. “Of course, my darling. But not as beautiful as you.” He laughed at my words. A friendly waiter pulled our chairs out for us as he led us to our table. Janice was giggling with 189: MEMORIES PERFECT TALES excitement while Lukel was scanning the menu, trying to decide what to order. “Everything looks so delicious; I don’t know what to choose,” Lukel said with a frown. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you decide,” I assured him. “Why don’t we share a few dishes so we can try different things?” 3/3 Lukel’s face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. Janice joined in on the planning, and soon we had ordered a variety of dishes to share. We waited for our food, and Janice couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the restaurant was. “I feel like a princess here,” she said dreamily. I chuckled. “I’m glad about that, your Majesty.” Our food arrived, and we dug in, savoring every bite. Lukel’s eyes widened with each new flavor, and Janice couldn’t stop complimenting the presentation of the dishes. “This is the best meal I’ve ever had!” Lukel exclaimed, his mouth full of food. I laughed and scolded him to chew properly before speaking. But seeing the joy on his face made my heart swell with happiness. I was glad I could give him and Janice this experience. After we finished our meal, we were surprised with a complimentary dessert from the restaurant. Lukel’s eyes widened again, and he vocalized loudly, “This is the best day ever!” Janice and I both laughed and agreed with him. It truly was a wonderful evening filled with delicious food, laughter, and great company. 190: GONE
