The early sun bathed them in golden light, their shadows stretching long across the sand. Walking hand in hand like this, sharing a lifetime together, felt like one of life’s greatest joys. As they strolled, talking softly, two familiar figures appeared ahead. “Nina?” Ashley called in surprise. Perched on a large rock near the water, Nina turned at the sound, blinking as if waking from a daze. “Hello?” Arthur’s brows drew together. “Nina, you should be calling my wife ‘sister-in-law.’” “Sister-in-law?” Nina tilted her head, puzzled. Arthur explained patiently, “Ashley and I are married now, so that’s what you call her from now on.” Ashley smiled faintly at the new title, still adjusting to the sound of it, but finding it pleasant. She stepped closer. “Nina, what’s wrong? You look upset.” Kicking at the sand, Nina pouted. “Sleeping Handsome woke up. I can’t talk to him all the time anymore.” So that was it. Ashley’s lips twitched—such a childlike reason. “But that’s good news. Now you can talk to him and he can answer you. You can even play together.” Nina’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t thought of it that way. But then her expression fell again. “Grandpa said now that you and my brother are married, you’ll want your own time together, maybe even have a baby, so I shouldn’t bother you. Now I don’t have any friends.” Arthur and Ashley exchanged a glance. Inwardly, Arthur gave his grandfather a nod of approval. Finally, someone had intervened. “You can play with Taylor,” Arthur offered quickly. “He’s fun—and he can be your friend.” “Really?” Nina brightened again. “Of course.” Before they could say more, a figure came running toward them, calling anxiously, “Nina! Nina, where are you?” Arthur’s face lit up almost as much as Nina’s. Waving high over his head, he called, “Taylor! She’s here!”Taylor spotted them and jogged over, breathing hard, sweat on his brow. “Why’d you run off? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” “You were looking for me?” Nina asked, delighted. Arthur burst into laughter at the nickname she used next. “Sleeping Handsome…” Taylor’s expression darkened. “Call me Taylor. Not that other thing—it sounds ridiculous.” Arthur laughed even harder, doubling over. Nina, not understanding the insult, shrugged. “Then I’ll just call you ‘bro.’”