"Well, it seems like the younglings are ready!"

     Oliver turns around, fixing his gaze on the grand staircase. As his glance darts at the steps, his breath catches in his chest, overwhelmed by the heartwarming sight before him. Descending towards him and his companions is none other than Frederick, his beloved adoptive father. Oliver gasps, his lips hanging agape before curling into a radiant smile that spreads from ear to ear.

Oliver took a step forward. "Dad," he smirked. "We're not younglings anymore," Oliver said, shaking his head.

Frederick's palm gently cradled Oliver's cheek as he spoke. "Oh, Oliver, my beloved son," Frederick said. "For me, you still are, and you will continue to be, for you will have a long and fulfilling life ahead."

Oliver returned the gesture, placing his palm on Frederick's hand. "Who knows how long I will live?" Oliver wondered, smiling.

Chuckling softly, Frederick's pride shined through his voice as he responded. "Who knows how long? But what I do know is that you're already embarking on a remarkable journey at such a young age."

"Dad," Oliver replied, "I'm twenty-seven." As his glance lowered to gather his thoughts, his eyes widened upon recollecting the passing days. "...I suppose I am getting older now."

A nostalgic smile played across Frederick's face. "But it only feels like I just met you when you were four," Frederick stated.

     Oliver smiles, and his eyes begin to glisten with tears. Slowly, he steps forward, inching towards Frederick. Then, he lunges forward and wraps his arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"You're the most wonderful dad," Oliver embraced Frederick, resting his eyes.

"Oh, I love you... son," Frederick hugged back, patting Oliver's back.

     Oliver gently releases his embrace, allowing his arms to loosen their hold. He then takes a steady, deep breath through his nose, savouring the cold air that fills his lungs. As he beams a broad, glistening smile at Frederick, Oliver's heart ignites with a comforting warmth akin to a flickering flame that throbs.

"Now, have a safe trip," Frederick said, bidding his farewell. He then looked at the others. "All of you," Frederick smiled.

     Oliver and his companions—Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany—hop off the porch and strut across the spacious front yard of the luxurious mansion. The wind blows across the lawn, and the lush greenery rustles and waves farewell to the group. They pass through the tall iron gate and step onto the concrete pavement, where they encounter a grand black carriage with four horses.

     Edgar scurries ahead, hastening past the others. His determination pushes him to reach the carriage door swiftly. With a firm grip, he pulls it open, revealing a welcoming entrance. With a bright grin, he leaps inside, settling into his cosy seat, unable to resist bouncing on the cushion.

"After you," Sarrah said, stepping aside for Bethany.

     Sarrah bows with a friendly smirk, allowing Bethany to enter the carriage first. As Bethany claims her seat, Sarrah follows suit, stepping inside the vehicle. The couple settles beside each other, their bodies intertwining in a tender cuddle as they giggle.

     As Gregory approaches the open carriage door, he peeks inside, looking around. Despite the presence of other passengers, ample space fills the corners. Gregory then turns around and sees his lover, Oliver, standing before him.

     Oliver nods and smiles at his beloved spouse. He then turns around and faces the opulent mansion, spotting Frederick joyously waving at him from the porch. Seeing his adoptive father brings a glistening grin across his face as he reciprocates the wave.

     Before long, Oliver finds himself inside the carriage, surrounded by his companions. The door slams shut, resonating with a solid thud, and the horses respond with a spirited neigh. As the journey commences, the wheels groan, blending with the rhythmic thud of the horses' hooves striking the ground.

     Oliver rests his head against the window, gazing at the majestic mansions that line the path. As the carriage carries him forward, the scenery transforms. Oliver's eyes dart at the surroundings as he witnesses the ever-changing landscape unfold.

     Meanwhile, Frederick stands on the porch, watching the carriage disappear from his view, obscured by the bushes in his garden and the neighbouring mansions. Frederick smiles, feeling warmth in his heart, prompting him to lay a palm on his chest. He then takes a deep breath and turns around, entering the mansion and gently shutting the door.

     The lone carriage glides along the tranquil streets of the affluent neighbourhood, where grand mansions tower over one another. As the vehicle navigates the road, the towering estates surrounding it cast a sense of diminishment upon it. Soon, the surroundings transform, and the environment subtly shifts its character.

     The carriage joins the growing number of vehicles on the bustling concrete street. It rolls along a road flanked by head-tilting buildings that reach the heavens. As it advances into the city, the carriage eventually arrives at a labyrinth of streets teeming with men and women.

     As time flew by, the sun ascended to its zenith in the centre of the sky. Oliver and his companions began feasting on apples, strawberries, and blueberries stored in a woven basket. As he took a modest bite of his crimson apple, Oliver glanced through the window, observing the shifting environment outside.

     Oliver's gaze shifted outside, observing the gradual transformation of the surroundings. Looming buildings gave way to a verdant landscape adorned with the emergence of trees. As the carriage pressed forward, light, greyish clouds blanketed the clear blue sky.

     As time passed, the lush trees gave way to wooden establishments, and the once concrete street transformed into a path paved with stone bricks. Amidst the bustling road, the structures lining the street took on a uniform hue reminiscent of pine trees. Oliver's eyes fluttered closed as exhaustion overcame him, and he leaned his head on Gregory's shoulder. Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt halt, the rhythmic tapping of the horses' hooves fading into silence, prompting Oliver to gasp and jolt awake.

"Are we there yet?" Oliver whispered to Gregory, his voice barely audible.

"Perhaps," Gregory speculated, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "It has already been hours."

     The carriage settles into a profound silence, unbroken by words but laden with anticipation. Oliver and his companions exchange glances, their eyes speaking volumes of shared curiosity. Then, as if stirred by an invisible conductor, the crashing waves, distant yet unmistakable, crash into the scene. The faint sound of the roaring sea reaches their ears, weaving its enchanting song in their minds.

"Wait! Listen," Oliver gasped, his breath catching in awe.

A collective hush fell upon the group, their lips sealed shut.

The crashing sound grew clearer, causing Oliver's heart to quicken.

"It sounds like..." Gregory whispered, furrowing his brows as he concentrated on distinguishing the faint sound, "the sea."

     Unexpectedly, the door on the left side swings open, and a burst of light floods the carriage's interior, engulfing every corner in its radiant embrace. It feels like a fleeting moment, a flash of brilliance. And on the other side is the coachman basking in the illuminating glow, standing tall and commanding.

"We've arrived, ladies and gentlemen!" the coachman announced.

     As Oliver steps off the carriage, the overwhelming, sudden brightness that envelops his surroundings causes his eyes to narrow. Everything appears submerged in an intense, blank white, obscuring any discernible details. But, driven by a determination to perceive the world around him, Oliver takes a few paces forward.

     Slowly, the blinding light recedes, revealing the emergence of wooden and concrete structures that dot the landscape. The sky unveils itself, filled with a soft blend of pink and orange hues that paint the horizon. And there, before Oliver, stretches the distinct line of the ocean's horizon, causing him to gasp in awe, captivated by its vastness.

     With each step forward, Oliver gradually adapts to the luminous environment, straining to pierce through brightness. An exhilarating surge courses through his veins, electrifying his palms. A broad smile illuminates his face, and his gleaming eyes widen with uncontained joy. Unable to contain his excitement, Oliver succumbs to an irresistible impulse and joyfully leaps into the air.

     Gregory hands a handful of coins to the coachman and hops off the carriage. As his feet meet the cobbled floor, he looks at Oliver with a light smile. Gregory then approaches his beloved, and their eyes lock on the breathtaking expanse of the ocean before them.

Gregory's jaw drops in sheer awe. "Wow..." he uttered, staring at the ocean.

     Sarrah stepped down from the carriage, her loafers gently touching the ground. As she hopped off, her gaze instinctively turned towards the vast ocean, and her eyes locked onto the mesmerizing sight before her. She then gasped, carried away by the gentle breeze.

"Woah, Beth. You've got to see this," Sarrah said.

     Sarrah extends her arm towards Bethany, and Bethany grabs Sarrah's hand as she steps down from the carriage. As Bethany's gaze shifts forward, the deep blue sea rushes to greet her, with waves rolling towards her in a gentle embrace. Bethany lets out a sharp gasp, and her eyebrows shoot up, disappearing under her black curls.

"My goodness, Sarrah!" Bethany exclaimed as she smiled. "It's beautiful!"

     Oliver's steps draw him nearer to the edge of the cobbled road. He leans against the sturdy railing, and his gaze lowers, tracing the waves that paint the ocean's surface. Silence ensues as his reflection merges with the tranquil waters, blurring the lines between himself and the sea.

Oliver's smile widened in amazement as he took in the scene. He then looked at Gregory, standing beside him.

"...Three. Two. One," Gregory counted down, his fingers gently ticking away the seconds.

Suddenly, Edgar appeared behind the two men, leaping and hurrying towards the port's shoreline. "Oh, dear! Oh, my beloved dear! It's the ocean! It's the sea! It's water!" Edgar exclaimed, his voice quivering as he pointed at the waves. "Greg! It's water from the sea! From the sea, I said!" Edgar's enthusiasm overflowed as he seized Gregory's arm, bouncing on his toes.

Gregory leaned closer to Oliver and whispered, "...I expected that behaviour from him."