Ethan walked alongside Julia as she giggled at almost everything they passed.
Whether it was the extravagant flower arrangents lining the walkways or the massive water fountains that shot streams of crystal-clear water into the air, her excitent never wavered.
She pointed at things constantly, her small hand tugging at his sleeve every few seconds.
"Look, Big brother! That one looks like a bunny!" she squealed, pointing at a cleverly trimd bush shaped like an animal.
He glanced at it and smirked. "Yeah, I see it. Looks like it's waving at you."
Julia gasped dramatically. "You think it likes ?"
"Probably."
She grinned and waved at the bush as they walked past. Ethan shook his head but couldn't help the amused smile tugging at his lips.
They eventually reached a small stand where a uniford employee was serving ice cream, and Julia imdiately fixated on it.
Her eyes grew wide with excitent as she stared at the variety of flavors available.
"Ice cream!" she practically shouted, tugging at Ethan's sleeve again.
He exhaled, knowing there was no way he'd be able to say no. "Alright, go ahead and pick one."
Julia's face scrunched up in concentration. "I can't pick just one..."
The employee chuckled. "You can mix flavors if you want."
Her expression lit up even more. "Then... I want all of them!"
Ethan gave her a dry look. "All of them?"
She nodded eagerly, and the employee laughed as he started scooping one flavor after another onto a towering cone.
When he finally handed it to her, Julia held it with both hands, staring at it in awe. "This is the best thing I've ever seen."
Ethan shook his head but ordered a simple scoop of vanilla for himself. As they walked, he started to notice people glancing their way, so more blatantly than others.
A few even took out their phones, likely snapping pictures.
He sighed. It wasn't like he could stop them.
Julia, however, was oblivious. "I think the pink one's my favorite," she mused, taking another bite of her ice cream.
Ethan glanced at the ssy rainbow of flavors lting together in her cone. "Do you even know what flavor it is?"
"Nope." She took another bite. "But it's yummy."
He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
Soon, they arrived at the pool area, where the resort had fully co to life. The water shimred under the morning sunlight, and guests were already swimming, lounging, or laughing with friends.
The kid's section was particularly lively, with young children splashing around under the supervision of watchful lifeguards.
Julia's eyes sparkled with excitent. "Can I swim?"
Ethan hesitated, glancing at the crowded pool. He didn't particularly like the idea of her being in the middle of all that chaos, even with lifeguards present.
After a brief pause, he shook his head. "Nah, let's go sowhere better."
Julia pouted. "Better?"
"You'll see."
He led her away from the main pool area, back inside the resort toward the VIP section, where things were more private.
Just as they reached the exclusive area, a familiar voice called out.
"Well, well, look who it is."
Ethan turned to see lissa approaching, smirking as usual.
Julia licked her ice cream and narrowed her eyes at her. "You again."
lissa placed a hand on her hip. "You sound disappointed."
Julia stared at her for a long mont. "Are you following us?"
lissa gasped dramatically. "? Following you? How self-centered."
Julia squinted at her suspiciously, making Ethan chuckle.
lissa turned her attention to him. "So, this is what you've been up to? Babysitting?"
Julia puffed up her chest. "I'm not a baby!"
lissa crouched slightly, studying her. "Oh? Then tell — what's seven plus seven?"
Julia opened her mouth, then froze. After a long pause, she turned to Ethan for help.
He smirked. "It's fourteen, Jules."
"I — I knew that," she mumbled, embarrassed.
lissa straightened up, clearly amused. "Adorable."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "What do you want, lissa?"
She shrugged. "I saw you were taking her to the VIP kid's area. Figured I'd tag along."
Julia tilted her head. "Are you his girlfriend?"
Ethan nearly choked. "No."
lissa smirked. "Why? Would you be okay with it if I was?"
Julia gave her a long, considering look. "Are you nice?"
lissa placed a hand over her chest as if deeply offended. "I'm an angel."
Ethan scoffed. "Yeah, right."
Ignoring him, lissa plopped down onto a lounge chair as they arrived at the VIP kid's section.
Unlike the public pool, this one was peaceful, the water perfectly still, and the area lined with luxurious cabanas. Only a few VIP families were present, making the environnt much more relaxed.
Julia gasped. "This is so much cooler!"
"Told you."
Without hesitation, she kicked off her shoes and sprinted toward the water.
Ethan barely had ti to react. "Hey, don't run — !"
Too late. She jumped straight in, splashing water everywhere.
lissa laughed. "She listens as well as you do."
Ethan sighed, shaking his head. He leaned against the railing, watching as Julia floated happily on her back.
For the first ti in a long while, he actually felt at peace.
lissa glanced at him. "You're good with her."
Ethan gave her a sidelong look. "Surprised?"
"A little. You don't exactly scream 'affectionate older brother.'"
He shrugged. "She's different."
lissa humd, resting her chin on her palm. "It's nice, seeing you like this. Less serious. Less... whatever it is you usually are."
Ethan smirked. "Charming?"
lissa rolled her eyes. "Sure, we'll call it that."
Julia swam over to the edge and rested her arms on the poolside, looking up at them. "Big brother?"
"Yeah?"
"Can we get more ice cream later?"
He sighed but smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't tell Mom."
Julia giggled and pushed off the wall, floating away again.
lissa stretched, glancing at Ethan with a knowing look. "You spoil her."
"She deserves it."
lissa watched him for a mont before grinning. "Alright, fine. If you're getting her ice cream, you're getting one too."
Ethan raised a brow. "Are you a child?"
She smirked. "No, but I like free stuff."
He sighed. "Fine."
lissa leaned back, satisfied. "Good. Now, go enjoy your brotherly duties. I'll be here, lounging in luxury."
Ethan shook his head, walking closer to the poolside where Julia was splashing around.
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