In a small town, where the sun kissed the shoreline and the air was packed with the salt of the sea, a father named Marcus cherished his time with his young daughter, Hai-Hai. Their bond was unbreakable, a unique rhythm of laughter and shared adventures, even as the shadows of troubled times loomed in the background.

One bright afternoon, Marcus packed a car with toys, water, and snacks, ready for a day at the beach. “C’mon, Hai-Hai, let’s hit the road!” he called excitedly, strapping her in her car seat. As they learned their way past winding roads, Hai-Hai took in the sights, full of curiosity and innocent wonder.

“Mama’s taking a little nap,” he said lightly, knowing his daughter wouldn’t fully understand the weight behind his words. “We’ll let her rest while we build tall sand castles.” Just the two of them, he thought, looking back at her wide eyes sparkling with imagination. They chatted about the ocean waves, the gulls flying overhead, and the grandeur of the castles they would create.

As they reached the beach, Hai-Hai squealed with joy, ready to explore. Marcus, however, carried a heart heavy with sorrow—their family had been torn apart, and though he tried to keep his daughter’s world bright, darkness threatened the edges.

“Baby, there’s a place called heaven, and a place called hell,” he murmured softly, trying to delicately explain the complex emotions filtering through their lives. “You’ll understand when you’re older.” He knew he must shield her from the truth, and instead focused on their day together—just the two of them, laughing, playing, and molding the sand with their hands.

They built towers, painted surfaces with colorful shells, and played catch with a beach ball. Marcus watched as Hai-Hai chased the waves, her laughter ringing like music. Yet, every now and then, a shadow tugged at his heart. Would she ever ask about her mother? Would she ever understand the mess that had been their family?

As twilight approached, a strange thought crossed his mind. “What if we could start anew, just here?” he mused. He wanted to protect her—keep her safe from the tumultuous past. “I could make it all go away.” The daydream consumed him, and he crafted stories in his mind of rescues and adventures where they could leave the pain behind.

With a soft smile, he held her tiny hand, whispering promises that were more than words. “Just remember, baby, your da-da loves you,” he told her, planting a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll always be here for you.” As the sun cast orange and pink hues across the water, he gathered his thoughts, lungs filled with hope for the future.

In their special moment, it felt as if serenity wrapped around them, washing away the past. The two of them walked together, hand in hand, and as waves rolled onto the shore, Marcus vowed to his little girl, “Just the two of us,” letting the world fade into the background, if only for a little while.