Standing outside of the idyllic, white, fishermen's cottage. I'm once again, at a complete loss for words. It's both charming and charismatic, majestically standing within a wild and panoramic location.

I deeply inhale the fresh, salty sea air whilst appreciating the calming sound of the sea that gently caresses the rocks beneath us; hissing softly as each incoming wave meets the shoreline before disappearing back into the vast ocean. It feels just like I'm standing on the edge of the world. This is where the earth ends and heaven begins. With heightened senses, my grin is ridiculously wide. I'm so keen to get inside, I feel like my insides are literally vibrating with excitement.

Helena is quick to welcome us, just as we're making our way towards the front door. "There's my boy! How are you, my lovely?" Her maternal arms soon engulf Jonny, which he obviously reciprocates. For a few happy moments, they both zealously hug one another; delighted to be reunited once again. "Jessica, it's so good to see you!" She quickly turns her attention to me, enthusiastically wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

Kissing her on the cheek, I beam at her. "Hello, Helena. It's so good to see you," I affectionately tell her, turning slightly to look at her wonderful home, yet again. "This house, it's just amazing." I gush with a deep, gratifying sigh.

Helena watches my reaction with a satisfied smile. "I'm glad you love it. This place is a very well loved house, isn't it Jonny?"

He doesn't hesitate to agree, nodding hard. "Absolutely!" he confirms, standing tall with pride.

Helena's eyes sparkle; she's clearly pleased to have us here. "So how are you both? You both look very well," she asks, clasping her hands in front of herself.

"Life is hectic, but we're all good," I quickly answer, smiling across to Jonny.

Cheekily standing between us, Jonny interrupts, "My work schedule is getting more manic by the minute, which is exactly why I've been looking forward to being here with the two beautiful ladies in my life." He sweetly kisses both of our cheeks, wrapping his arms around both of our waists.

Helena playfully pats his chest, coyly rolling her bright eyes. "Oh, he's such a charmer. I've bloody missed you!" she says with excessive pride, resting her head sweetly on Jonny's shoulder.

Beef is busily bringing our bags to the front of the house. His serious expression quickly changes though, as soon as he sees Helena. "How are you, Helena? You're looking very well," he asks in his oh-so-very gruff voice, bending over to gently kiss her on the cheek.

"I'm great, Beef. You're a sight for sore eyes, my lovely!" She pats his thick forearm, before turning to both Jonny and me. "Let's not stand around outside all day. Let's all go inside." Helena smiles, turning to walk into her gorgeous home.

We follow her into the house, which definitely does not disappoint. There is just so much retained character within its stone walls, flagstone floors, and the timber beams that sit within the low ceilings. Each room has been carefully decorated and furnished, ensuring to hold onto the originality of this beautiful house. That's not to say that Helena's artistic flair isn't present throughout. With an eclectic mix of furniture, ornaments, and of course, her paintings; the house is harmoniously homely yet true to its respected history.

"How old is your house, Helena?" I ask, as I'm given the grand tour of the place.

"It's the oldest building within the village, Jessica. It's over 250 years now," Helena answers, stopping to show me the view from one of the small hallway windows.

A smile is brought to my lips as soon as the view greets my blue eyes. "It's absolutely perfect here, it really is."

Standing just behind me, Helena rests her hand on my shoulder. "Now you understand exactly why I could never leave here, don't you?" she asks.

"I certainly can," I quietly reply, needing to peel my eyes away from the view.

Jonny is just coming out of our room, after putting our bags in there. "I'd like to show Jessica around before we go out for dinner. What time are we meeting Steph and Harry?" Jonny leans against the hallway walls. Innocently looking handsome as he talks to his mother.

Helena's illuminated face makes her already attractively mature face glow. Her hair is still a vivid shade of red and she still wears the same vivaciously bold lip colour. "We are meeting them at seven. So you have plenty of time to show Jessica around, get ready, and still spend some quality time with your mother." She teasingly smirks at him.

Jonny grins, stepping forward to affectionately kiss Helena. "I'll always find time for you, Mum," he sweetly assures her.

Helena thoughtfully strokes his cheek, touched by his comment. "I'm glad." As her eyes begin to fill with tears, she sniffs loudly, quickly looking in my direction. "So how are your little princesses, Jessica?" she asks abruptly, needing to use me as the very thing to stop herself from crying.

"They're very well, thanks, Helena. They've gone to see The Wanted tonight."

Helena starts to nod, like she already knows. "Ah, that's right! Jonny sorted them backstage passes didn't he?" she asks.

I nod, smiling. "That's right. They've been so excited."

"I bet they have, the little sweethearts that they are." She turns to walk back down the stairs. "Let's go and have some tea and cake, I've made a lovely Victoria sponge," Helena says, looking back over her shoulder at us both.

We obediently follow her down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Beef has already prepared a waiting pot of tea.

"Thank you, Beef, you're a star." Helena gratefully taps him on his broader than broad back.

"No problem, Helena. Where there's cake, there's tea!" Beef chuckles to himself.

"You are funny, Beef. That Victoria sponge certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by you, has it?" Helena quips.

Beef's large shoulders rise up and down with laughter. "Definitely not!"

As Helena is busily pouring the tea into three cups, she chats away. "You'd really make a lovely husband, Beef. Have you found yourself a lovely lady to settle down with yet?"

Beef visibly tenses, not comfortable with her out-of-the-blue intrusive question. "Um, no . . . not really," he mumbles, adding one sugar to his tea and looking to Jonny for quick back up.

"What? A strapping chap like yourself really shouldn't be going to waste. It's a crying shame, really it is. What about that lovely lady that you brought to the Christmas party?" Helena persists, ignoring Beef's evasive eye contact and uncomfortable reply.

Beef is now almost squirming at Helena's probing questions. "She's just a friend," he embarrassingly grunts, his stare on Jonny getting more and more pleading.

I want to intervene. I want to announce to Helena that Beef has indeed met someone, but think better of it. He's only briefly mentioned the new lady in his life to me, so it's not really my place to say anything at all.

"Why don't you just join one of those dating sites?" Helena flippantly asks.

Beef becomes unnaturally still, offended almost. "I don't need to," he defensively replies.

Helena cuts off a thick slice of the Victoria sponge, handing it to Beef on a plate. "Well, there's four of us in this room, and it would seem that only three of us are getting any bloody action."

Jonny nearly chokes on the sip of tea in his mouth. I burst out laughing and Beef; well, he's just turned a vivid shade of scarlet as he's shoving cake into his mouth.

"Mother! Will you please leave Beef alone?" Jonny scolds Helena, looking at his friend with a face full of apology. He then holds his hands up, like he's not wanting to hear any more. "Firstly, I'm not needing to know that you're getting any action, and secondly, Beef doesn't need you trying to sort out his private life."

Helena puts on her very best what-have-I-done kind of expression. "What? I'm just saying that a lovely man like that, shouldn't be left on the lonely shelf, that's all." She innocently shrugs her shoulders, blinking at both Jonny and Beef ever so sweetly.

Jonny starts shaking his head, crossing his arms across his chest with a delicious pout. "Beef is perfectly capable of sorting out his own love life. In fact, he has met someone, haven't you, bud?"

Beef looks taken aback, clearing his cake-coated throat and standing tall before he responds. "Uh, yeah . . . I have," he grumbles, looking increasingly embarrassed.

"Well that's good to bloody hear! I can rest easy now, knowing that all four of us are indeed getting some action." She rubs his arm apologetically, a small smile tweaking up the one side of her pursed lips as she cheekily winks at him.

Beef is quietly mortified, so he decides to make a hasty retreat to his room. "I have a few phone calls to make. I'm just going to go upstairs and make them, then relax for a bit before going out," he quietly tells us all, turning to leave.

"You do that, my lovely. You've had a long drive." Helena smiles, before calling out after him. "Once you're all rested up though, I want to hear all about this lucky lady that you've met."

Beef's expression is awash with dread. His shoulders curl forwards, forcing a pained smile. "Okay," he awkwardly mumbles, before quietly wandering out of the room.

Jonny whispers with annoyance, "Stop winding him up, Mum! You know how private Beef is. He really likes this woman, that's all you need to know." He's frowning hard at Helena, unimpressed with her constant teasing.

Helena nonchalantly swipes her hand through the air. "I'm only fooling with him," she passively replies.

Jonny looks at his mother with lighthearted scepticism, pursing his full lips in thought before throwing her a condescending smile. "Just because Beef doesn't broadcast what's happening with his love life, doesn't mean he doesn't have one! Just let him come to you. If he wants to talk about Kyla, he will." His reply is firm yet his stare on Helena soon softens.

Her eyes teasingly widen, tipping her head slightly to the side with a growing grin. "Oooooo, so her name is Kyla?"

Jonny's arms limply drop by his sides, resigned to the fact that Helena is simply winning this playful war. With an over-the-top sigh, he reaches for my hand, gently pulling me towards him. "Come on, Dimples! Let's go for that walk." With a teasing scowl, he leans towards Helena, affectionately kissing her cheek. "We'll see you in a bit, Mum," he adds with a tired sigh.

She looks at him with shining eyes, clasping her maternal hand onto Jonny's forearm. "Okay, sweetheart. Have fun!"

An amused smile sits around the corners of my mouth. I do love to see the relaxed but strong bond that still exists between both Jonny and Helena. They share a unique closeness, which is built on respect and love for one another. They're not only mother and son, they are friends too. The banter bounces between them, because it's not ever done with the intent to hurt or offend. It's more a jovial exchanging of words.

Jonny knows that Helena's teasing of Beef is just that, and Helena knows that Jonny is simply trying to be Beef's friend. The kiss on the cheek that Jonny just gave Helena, and the gentle pat of his arm that she gave in response; was their mutual understanding of that, an understanding that's just the sweetest of things to witness.

***
As we step out of the charming house, the first thing to greet us is the sea breeze. It's a warm yet hazy day, so the cool breeze brings with it some welcome fresh relief. The aroma of the sea air, I deeply inhale. It's a subtle scent that's so difficult to describe, but unmistakable nevertheless. Once you've smelt it, you become receptive to its aroma whenever you are near the ocean. I close my eyes for just a second, allowing my senses to take in the smells and sounds that surround us. The soothing sound of the waves beneath us urges me to open my eyes again. I pull Jonny near to the grassy edge, looking down on the gently sloping view that's now come into sight. The far-reaching views are just too breathtaking for words. They captivate me, I know I'm left forever spellbound by the magnificent land and the endless sea that now has me captured in its natural and beautiful grip.

Soaking up its beauty, I look down at the secluded beach below us. It's made up of golden shingle and sand, and it's calling out our names.

Hand in hand, we slowly walk down the gentle incline. We look at one another with excited smiles, like two inquisitive children just about to go exploring together.

Jonny squeezes my hand, breathing in deeply with his eyes closing as he does so. "God, I've missed this place," he says with a relaxed smile.

"I can see why. It's beautiful."

Jonny brings his arm around my shoulder, kissing the top of my head. "I'm so glad that you suggested coming. Otherwise, the months would have just flown by, and I probably wouldn't have come." His reply is infused with relief.

Snuggling up against him, I reply with a satisfied smile, "I'm glad, that you're glad."

With his loving spheres looking down at me, Jonny grins before gazing out at the view before him. "I remember as a little boy, I would lie in bed and just listen to the sound of the waves. I have never tired of that sound," he quietly says, lost in his thoughts for just a moment.

I softly chuckle to myself, remembering when I used to do the exact same thing. "I used to do that in our caravan when we were on holiday. Mum always said that being so close to the sea kept her awake all night, but I only ever found it calming," I tell him, now lost in my precious thoughts of my darling mother.

Jonny stops walking, looking at me with a boyish crooked brow. "Seriously, you used to listen to the waves too?" he excitedly asks.

"I certainly did!" I cheerfully say, holding my shoulders up.

Jonny blinks slowly, leaning down to sweetly kiss my lips. "I honestly feel that we were just meant to be, Jessica. Knowing that you used to do the very same thing as me when you were a little girl, kind of gets me thinking," he says with his cute frown that only reveals itself once in a while.

I laugh, silently wondering whether fate really was already weaving its magic when we were only children. "I don't know why we met. I'm just glad that we did," I reply, needing to kiss him.

Jonny's mouth hungrily consumes me; the tip of his tongue eagerly meets mine as we kiss a toast to whatever reason that brought us together. As our kiss comes to an end, Jonny pulls back to look at me with a deep intensity sweeping across his genteel face. "I can't tell you how much it means to me that you're here," he emotively whispers.

His emotion clings to me, bringing happy tears to my eyes. "Now that I am, show me everything," I say, caressing his cheek with my loving fingers.

Jonny is about to say something else, but stops himself. For a glimpsing second, he looks weighted down. His gaze on me suddenly ping-pongs, avoiding any direct eye contact with me. He seems nervous, scared even. I tilt my head with confusion, about to ask him what is wrong. Just as I'm about to, Jonny blinks away whatever he's experiencing and kisses my nose. "Your wish is my command, Dimples." He then grabs my hand, pulling me as he starts to run along the beach.

That confusing moment is quickly vanquished from my mind. For now, we are frolicking with the waves; running backwards as the waves try to catch us. We are laughing and having silly fun.

Happily creating our own beautiful memories together, memories that we can forever share and forever treasure.