Chapter 7: Yearning
The family had arrived in Maldives after a month of planning, greeted by the warm sun and the inviting blue waters of the Indian Ocean. They had settled into their private beach resort, a sprawling paradise of powdery sand, tall palm trees, and crystal-clear waters.
John and Mia walk into their hotel room together as they bring their heavy luggage in.
Their hotel room was a spacious suite facing the beach with a stunning ocean view. Large sliding glass doors led out onto a balcony, where two comfy chairs and a small table were set up, looking out onto an endless stretch of blue ocean.
"Wow, they really went all out for us," Mia exclaimed, her eyes wide as she gazed around the luxurious space.
"I told you, this is the best beach resort in the Maldives. Dad's been here many times for business trips, and he knows the owners personally. They're always going above and beyond for their guests," John replied, a proud smile on his face as he watched his wife, Mia exploring their surroundings.
Mia couldn't help but be captivated by the breathtaking view. For a moment, she forgot about all her worries and let herself be swept away by the peace and tranquility of the setting. The ocean seemed to stretch on forever, its calm and serene waters inviting her to dive in and forget about everything else.
Mia closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the salty sea air, feeling a sense of peace wash over her.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" John's voice broke through the silence, startling Mia out of her reverie.
She turned to face him, smiling. "Yes, it is."
John joined her on the balcony, leaning against the railing next to her. They stood there in silence for a few moments, simply taking in the beauty of their surroundings.
Meanwhile, in another room just beside theirs, Jake and his wife Jennifer, were already unpacking their luggage.
Jennifer turned to her husband and asked, "I'm so happy we could spend time with all of us in a place like this.”
Jennifer's voice was filled with genuine warmth and affection as she spoke about her son and daughter-in-law. "And now, we get to relax and enjoy each other's company in such a stunning location. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Jake nodded in agreement, as he took in the sight of the sun setting over the ocean. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and joy at the thought of his small family being together in such a beautiful place.
"Me neither," he replied, wrapping his arms around his wife and pulling her close.
He rested his chin on top of her head and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. For a moment, the world outside of their little bubble ceased to exist.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" The playful voice of their son, John interrupted their peaceful moment. He came strolling onto their balcony, a big smile on his face.
"Enjoying the sunset," Jake said, smiling back at his son.
"Where's Mia? I've haven't had a chance to have a good talk with here since before we left home." Jennifer asked.
"I think she's in the shower," John replied with a chuckle, remembering the way Mia had squealed as they walked past the bathroom earlier.
Jake laughed along with his son, but his mind was already drifting to Mia, his daughter-in-law, who was just in the next room, and his thoughts quickly drifted back to the last time he saw her naked. He felt his pulse quicken at the thought, imagining her naked and soapy, her skin damp and soft to the touch.
He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the illicit thoughts swirling within. But it was no use, his attraction to Mia had grown stronger over time. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help the way he felt. He thought that maybe he could get over his beautiful daughter-in-law. But the thought of being in the room next to her was enough to bring back feelings of lust.
Meanwhile, Mia was blissfully unaware of the intense emotions she stirred within Jake. Because she was preoccupied with inappropriate thoughts of her own about her father-in-law in the next room. As the water dripped down her skin, she thought back to when she danced with him on her wedding day.
And then she remembered to emotional turmoil they she went through when she didn't become pregnant.
The gnawing pain in the pit of her stomach as she tried to hold those negative thoughts. The sweet lies and reassurances, which only served to remind her of the truth.
Mia sighed, letting her head fall back and resting it against the cool tile of the shower wall. She couldn't help but blame herself for their failure to conceive. She was young, healthy, and seemingly, perfect in every way.
But somehow, it still wasn't enough.
Her body was strong, but it wasn't giving her what she wanted most: a baby. And after a month of rest and rebuilding her mental health again, She and John tried having a baby again for months. But to no avail.
Mia stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her green eyes were filled with sadness, and she couldn't help but feel like she was a disappointment to her husband and her in-laws. She knew that they were all counting on her to give them an heir, a new life to cherish and love.
But despite her best efforts, she still hadn't been able to conceive.
And so after a good talk, they decided that a trip to Maldives to unwind would be best for everyone involved.
To rekindle not just their bond, but also their hopes and dreams for a future family. They have booked the best hotel with the most uninterrupted views of the crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. It's paradise, but nothing could ever prepare Jake and Mia for the passion that will unfold.
The next day, the whole family went on a trip to the scattered islands around the resort. The crystal blue waters and beautiful surrounding island were breath taking. Both couple's enjoyed the view while riding a yacht from one of the local marinas that they were able to get thanks to Ali, a local guide and member of the coast guard they hired, so he could show them around the island's while driving them in his Jake’s yacht.
Ali was in his mid-forties, with a charismatic charm that people easily warm up to.
As they cruised through the crystal blue waters of the Maldives, Jake couldn't help but feel grateful for Ali’s presence. As the wind whipped through their hair, and the sun beat down on their skin, Jake found himself feeling more alive than he had in months.
The beauty of the island around him, combined with the excitement of the new adventure, filled him with a sense of joy and contentment that he had been missing for far too long.
But as much as he tried to focus on the moment, he couldn't help but feel a certain pull towards Mia. Thankfully he was wearing sunglasses, hiding his glances toward Mia.
And now, seeing Mia here wearing only a bikini barely covering her voluptuous body, in this breathtaking paradise, he knew that he was in danger of prematurely blowing in his shorts.
Mia, on the other hand, was equally aware of the intensity of her feelings for Jake. She couldn't help but feel drawn to him, even now. Jake was wearing shorts and button up shirt that was open in the middle which Mia couldn't help but appreciate how even Jake in his age looked good after all this time.
Good thing Mia's sunglasses helped cover the fact that she was stealing glances at her father-in-law, not knowing that Jake was doing the same.
As the day passed, the group engaged in various activities, including snorkeling, parasailing, and beach volleyball. John and Jennifer partnered up while Jake and Mia formed another team. It was during these moments that the tension between Jake and Mia intensified.
Every move Jake made, every word he uttered, sent shivers down Mia's spine. And when he looked at her, it was as if no one else in the world existed.
Mia felt herself blush under his gaze, and quickly looked away, hoping that he wouldn't see the desire in her eyes.
The day was filled with laughter and light-hearted banter, but underneath the surface, the pull between Jake and Mia was growing stronger with each passing moment. They did their best to ignore it, focusing their attention on the activities at hand, but it was a losing battle.
As the sun began to set, the group made their way back to the yacht, where Ali had prepared a feast for them.
The scent of grilled fish and fresh fruit filled the air as they climbed aboard, and Jake couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his friend's thoughtfulness.
The sky was painted in hues of pink and orange, and the ocean glowed under the dying light. They sat around a large table, eating and drinking as they shared stories from their past. The laughter was infectious, and for a moment, Jake felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
It was easy to forget about the world and its problems when he was surrounded by the people he loved the most.
Jennifer, his wife of over fifteen years, sat beside him, laughing at a story John was telling. Her short black hair framed her round face, and her eyes sparkled with joy. She looked radiant, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence in his life.
Next to her, their son, John, was animatedly telling a story about a trip he and Mia had taken to Europe before they met.
His dark hair, so like his father's, was tousled by the breeze, and his brown eyes danced with humor as he recounted their adventures.
Mia, John's wife, sat next to him, her long brown hair cascading over her shoulders, her bright green eyes sparkling with laughter. Her voluptuous figure was hugged by her bikini, and Jake couldn't help but steal glances at her throughout the meal.
Jake couldn't help but feel guilty for what he was thinking, especially with Jennifer sitting right next to him, but he couldn't deny the way his body reacted to Mia's presence. And Mia, for her part, tried to push aside her attraction to Jake, knowing that it would only lead to trouble, but she couldn't help the way her heart skipped a beat every time he looked at her.
As the evening wore on, the group continued to laugh and reminisce, they were gathered around the fire pit that evening, Ali brought out his ukulele and started playing. Not long after Ali asked, "Anyone have any requests?"
Maybe it was the alcohol or just the serenity of the place, but Jake felt it no better time to have fun than now. Jake looked with a smile to their guide and said, "Sure I'll it a try, just a disclaimer folks, I haven't sang in while and I don't usually sing in public but screw it."
The group stayed quiet as they listened to Jake sing. It was his own rendition of the song Mama Mia by Abba, sung like a love ballad.
I've been cheated by you since I don't know when...
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end...
Look at me now, will I ever learn...
I don't know how, but I suddenly lose control...
There's a fire within my soul...
(One more look) and I can hear a bell ring...
(One more look) and I forget everything...
Mamma Mia, here I go again...
My, my, how can I resist you?...
Mamma Mia, does it show again...
My, my, just how much I've missed you?...
Yes, I've been brokenhearted...
Blue since the day we parted...
Why, why did I ever let you go?
His voice was rich, deep, and soothing, effortlessly filling the night air. It was clear that Jake loved to sing, and that he had been keeping his talent hidden for far too long.
The fire crackled and popped as Jake sang, punctuated by the occasional cheers and claps from the group. The night was warm and sultry, made all the more so by the heat emanating from the fire.
As Jake sang , Mia found herself watching him, entranced by his voice and the emotion evident in his every word.
She had never heard him sing before, and she found herself feeling a deep connection to him in that moment, her heartbeat quickening at the thought of being with him.
She couldn't deny it anymore - the attraction she felt towards him was only growing stronger. It had started with that dance at her wedding, and now months later, it was a burning flame that consumed her thoughts.
TO BE CONTINUED...