Chapter 52 Learning to Swim

Andy and Lilya, like most children, were ready to join in the water fun and were overjoyed at the news that they were going swimming today. Both little ones had swimming rings on, eagerly rushing into the sea. "You two can only play around here. Don't go into the deep parts, or you won't be able to come back," Charlotte cautioned. Andy made a reassuring face at Charlotte. "I'll take good care of Lilya; I can swim." Charlotte crouched down to instruct them, "Even so, don't go into the deep. I'll be worried. Just play around here, alright?" "Okay, Mom." Caelan and Luke, who hadn't had such a leisurely day in a long time, felt a bit out of practice as they found a relatively secluded spot to start fishing. It took some time for them to regain their skill. "Let's fish properly and see if we can catch enough for tonight's dinner." Caelan confidently said to Luke, "Of course, we'll have enough. I wouldn't let you guys go hungry. I saw a set of barbecue tools on your yacht; we can use those tonight." Luke nodded, eyeing the new, unused barbecue equipment he had long anticipated trying out, with today finally being that day. Nearby, Charlotte and Sofia, drinking juice and basking in the sun, watched the children play in the nearby water. They too felt tempted to join in. "Let's finish this and then go join them." Charlotte, who couldn't swim, was somewhat afraid of and worried about being swept away by the sea. "Maybe you go first. I'll sit here for a while." Sofia, perceiving her apprehension, asked bluntly, "Are you scared?" "How could that be?" Although Charlotte tried to sound brave, her fear was genuine. "I'm an adult. How could I be afraid of swimming?" After finishing her orange juice in one gulp, Sofia stood up and reached out her hand to Charlotte, offering to accompany her for a swim. Realizing there was no escaping it today, Charlotte reluctantly stood up. "If I get scared, you have to save me, okay?" "The water here is shallow. Look, those two are playing safely. You won't drown, and I'll be right by your side. What's there to be afraid of?" Charlotte hesitantly discarded the shawl she was wearing and followed Sofia out. The sea water was still a bit cool, as it wasn't yet noon, but it was not unbearably cold once one got used to it. Charlotte cautiously took one step at a time into the water. She watched Sofia, who was already enjoying herself, and couldn't help but feel envious. If only someone had taught her to swim when she was younger, she could be as carefree as Sofia. Seeing Charlotte still apprehensive, Sofia gently urged her. "Be a little braver. You'll be fine. And if something does happen, I'm right here. You don't have to worry." "But I am really scared. I've never had any swimming experience; you can't understand how frightened I feel inside." Sofia suddenly remembered the time when her father taught her to swim as a child. She was only five years old then and just as afraid, but having her father by her side provided a sense of security. Even though she swallowed a lot of water, she found swimming enjoyable once she learned it. "How can I not understand you? I went through the same process; I wasn't born knowing how to swim either." Charlotte pursed her lips and waded a bit deeper. The sensation of the water reaching her shins felt comforting, easing some of her fear. "I was just like you when my dad taught me how to swim. But once you learn, you won't be so scared anymore. Trust me." Listening to Sofia, Charlotte felt a sudden envy. She had never experienced being taught how to swim; she wished her father could have been like that with her. Charlotte had always craved affection, a feeling that had somewhat diminished since having her two precious children. Sofia patiently instructed her on how to float in the sea. However, teaching an adult to swim wasn't a quick or easy task. Although Sofia was confident Charlotte wouldn't drown, teaching an adult to swim required considerable effort. Meanwhile, Andy was teaching Lilya to swim. Lilya, usually quirky and seemingly fearless, was quite scared in this situation. She kept calling for Andy, wanting him to stay close, but Andy, eager to encourage her to learn quickly, didn't immediately go to her. He waited for Lilya to try swimming toward him. Lilya, still with her swim ring, swam cautiously. "Naughty Andy, I kept calling you, and you were moving away." "Just swim slowly toward me, I'm right here waiting for you. There's no need to be afraid." The scenes of mother and daughter learning to swim were strikingly similar. Oblivious to the fish on his bait, Luke watched them with a silly grin. Caelan nudged him, "Stop grinning and reel it in." Luke hastily lifted the rod, but unfortunately, the fish got away. "Focus, or how will we catch enough for dinner tonight?" Luke glanced into Caelan's catch basket and saw that Caelan had already accumulated quite a haul. He needed to step up his game; he couldn't let them go hungry tonight. It took quite some time, but Charlotte finally learned to swim, much to Sofia's exhaustion. Teaching her little nephew had never been this challenging. Charlotte struggled more than Lilya, despite her age. Sofia couldn't help feeling helpless. "It seems you're really not cut out for this sport. Better not swim unless we're with you." Concurring, Charlotte said, "I wouldn't swim without you guys anyway." Sofia, putting her hand on her forehead, looked toward the men. "Wonder how much they've caught. Will it be enough for tonight's dinner?" "Shall we go check? It's about time. If they've caught enough, we could start setting up the stove." Sofia nodded. "I'll go and see. You get the kids out of the water." Charlotte looked back at Andy and Lilya in the shallow water and swam toward them. "The sun is setting; let's get out before it gets cold." Andy's youthful face was the spitting image of Luke's. Charlotte suddenly envisioned the future, picturing herself as a mother-in-law. She was determined to be a good one, unlike Harper's family, who were so unkind.