I wondered whether I should tie my hair up in a ponytail or a messy bun because I knew that after I came back, there would definitely be sand in my hair.

Eh, messy bun it is.

It had been a few hours since we settled into this beach house and so far, I'm loving this place. There are great food joints around so we didn't have to cook much, not like there was any food at the villa, anyway.

The living room had to be my favorite place in the entire house due to the fact that the couches were so comfortable and not to mention, there was a freaking jacuzzi in the bathroom for heaven's sake!

Right now, I was getting ready to go to the beach just outside the house and since Nic was way to excited to play, him and Rico went before I could dress up. I was wearing a three piece swimsuit with a simple geometrical design printed on it; the colors red, white, black and a little of green here and there. The fact that there was a beach skirt too did make me feel all feminine.

Deciding to go without any makeup on, I slipped on some flat sandals with a gold straps, ready to have some fun at the beach.

Since the villa was very close to the beach, all I had to do was walk out of balcony and take a few steps further to reach the shore. A minute later, I found myself standing on the sand, the sun starting to give warmth to my skin because it was only about 4:00 PM right now.

I scanned my surroundings, searching through the families playing near the shore, for the Ramirezes and smiled to myself once I laid my eyes on them. A shirtless Rico was carrying the little boy in his arms, tossing him up and catching him occasionally while Nic enjoyed the wind blowing his hair.

Rico had changed into a navy blue pair of swimming trunks, the waist band of the pants hung a little lower which showed his v-line. My eyes trailed upwards, seeing his very toned abs. His body was covered in tattoos and small scars that he had probably gotten being in the line of work that he's in.

Jeez, get a hold of yourself, Xi! Stop staring! I shouted myself.

The stitches that he had gotten weren't fully healed yet so he still had to be resting or even trying to exert himself less but here he is, being the stubborn human that I know.

I walked closer to them and was about to make my presence known but stopped myself when I heard Nico tell his father to stop. Rico stopped and asked him what was wrong and I continued listening, curious to what he was about to say.

"Why isn't she here yet?" He asked, worriedly.

"Don't worry, she's probably deciding what clothes to wear." Rico said, running his fingers through his son's now messed up hair. "But I'm sure that she would look beautiful in anything."

As soon as those words left his lips, a fluttery feeling erupted in my belly, making me feel all fuzzy and warm inside.

"Do you like her, Dadda?" Nico grinned.

"Uh, I mean, she is-" He started and boy did I want to know what his answer but I didn't want to eavesdrop. If he really wants me to know how he feels about me, he'll tell me. I don't wanna find out like this.

So before he could continue further, I announced, "I'm here!"

"Xiaaaaaaa!" Nico exclaimed, making me giggle because of the way he had said my name. At the little boy's sudden outburst, Rico got startled for a second but quickly composed himself and turned to me, a smile making it's way to his face.

"You look beautiful, mi ángel (." He complimented.

"Thank you, Signore ." I smiled.

He chuckled at my reply, "Signore is not Spanish, Xia. It's Italian. Señor is Mister in Spanish."

"Oops." I let out. "Señor, then."

"I want to spend time with Xia!" Nico said, seeking attention.

"Alright, let's go for a swim then." I said, while Rico placed Nic back onto the ground.

"We could have a complepletition!" Nico suggested, trying to say the word 'competition'.

"A what now?" Rico asked, clearly teasing the little boy. Nico repeated what he had said earlier but failed to say it correctly.

"It's com-pe-ti-tion." I broke down the word for him.

"I said that." He pointed out. "Complepletition."

I chuckled. "It's alright, Nico."

"I wanna go swimming!" He jumped.

Just as I was about to stretch out my hand for him to hold, I was scooped up into the arms of none other than Rico, being thrown over his shoulder; his hands were wrapped around my thighs, my face towards his back.

"What the hell, Rico?!" I exclaimed, swatting his back in hopes that he would let me go.

"What's wrong, Xia?" He asked, walking closer to the shore of the beach.

"What's wrong?" I mocked. "You throw me on your shoulder like a damn sack of potatoes and ask me what's wrong?"

"Well, at least you're a hot sack of potatoes." He said, and I could imagine the smirk that he had on his face right now.

"Do you know how to swim?" He asked out of nowhere.

"Of course, I do. Why are yo-" I stopped mid-sentence as a scream escaped my lips when I felt myself in the air for a second but fall right into the cool but warm water below me.

The ass-crack who just threw me into the water smirked down at me, trying not to laugh while Nico looked at me with a worried expression. Oh, Rico thinks this is funny? Imma show him how funny it actually is.

Without a second thought, I grabbed a hold of his ankle and pulled him down which sent him falling down too. And it was my turn to laugh now.

He brought his head up from the water and narrowed his eyes at me.

"Oops, didn't see you there." I gave him an innocent smile. A moment later, Nico jumped in the water too, while Rico and I swam on either side of him because he didn't know how to swim too well.

In all the years that I had gone to the beach, this had been the best experience in all. With Rico and the adorable boy who was now sitting on his father's shoulders, Nico. My favorite Ramirezes.

-----------------------------------