Alec was out at the beach early to catch some waves before work, like most mornings. At least those of which he rose before 10am. Clad in his wetsuit, he had just finished waxing his board when he heard the girl yelling about how cold the water was. He couldn't help himself but chuckle, unsure of just what Callie had expected, especially at that hour. "Usually is," he smiled at the girl as he approached. "Better get back in or find some warm clothes quick, you'll get sick," he warned.

Callie let out a soft, breathy laugh as she wrung out the ends of her hair, towel clutched tight around her shoulders. “Okay, yeah, I walked right into that one,” she said, glancing over at Alec with a grin. “In my defense, it looked a lot more peaceful from the shore.” She eyed his wetsuit and board, then gestured toward herself with a smirk. “Next time, I might have to steal a page from your book and get some gear... although hopefully this isn't a habit of mine."

One thing Harley had missed about Merrock was the sandy beaches. They'd grown up swimming as much as they could. Even though they were used to the cold water, and knew it wouldn't warm up much until August, they knew swimming in freezing cold water wasn't for everyone. So when someone came out of the water, shivering, Harley didn't have to know what she was saying to get the message. "Cold?" They asked, both saying it and signing it, then reattached their cochlear implant so they could hear what she said back.

“Oh, it’s cold cold,” she said with a breathy laugh, still half-shivering but clearly not regretting it. “Like, regretting everything kind of cold.” She wiped the drops of water from her eyes. “Not my smartest move, but honestly? Kind of worth it.” She tilted her head with a playful look. “What about you? Planning a swim or just watching me freeze?”

Mariah was out with the twins doing their weekly sea shell picking. They liked to come to the beach when not many people were around and try to find pretty shells to add to their collection. Sera and Schuy were playing at the shore, chasing the waves and giggling as the waves chased them back when Mariah noticed the woman running out of the ocean completely drenched. "It usually is in the early morning hours. By twelve, it's warmed up." Mariah told her kindly as she dug in her beach bag for a towel. "Hopefully, this will help." she smiled handing it over to woman.

Her eyes flicked to the kids playing near the water, a soft smile tugging at her lips before she turned her attention back to Mariah. “Thank you,” she said, taking the offered towel. “I swear I left the house with zero intention of sprinting into the ocean, but… y’know. One thing kind of just lead to another.” She laughed quietly, wrapping the towel tighter around herself. “Appreciate the rescue. You’re officially the nicest person I’ve met today.”

It was amazing how even on the hottest of summer days the water could be so cold. “If you think it’s cold now, just ask Ari about the polar plunge,” Sunny told the girl. It definitely was the sort of thing people wanted in the summer though. There was nothing like cooling off after a day at the beach in the cool water. It paled in comparison to when they it was still downright icy. She laughed, shaking her head at the other girl. “I feel like most people want it cold this time of year.”

“Okay, yeah, but there’s cold and then there’s polar plunge cold. That’s, like, masochist level. Ari’s on his own with that one.” She glanced back toward the water with a grin, then over at Sunny. “I get the appeal though. It’s brutal for the first five seconds, then it’s kinda perfect. Wakes you up, clears your head… makes you question your life choices a little, but, like, in a fun way.”

"Oh my goodness, Cali, are you crazy!" The young blonde screamed at her friend when she saw her finally emerging from the water, quickly reaching out for a towel and standing up to rush over to the shore and meet her halfway "Yeah, dude, it's bound to be freezing, are you insane! What came into you to wanna do that, you crazy woman!" Winnie asked, unable to keep herself from laughing while wrapping her the brunette up in a towel.

She let herself get wrapped up, teeth chattering just a little, but the grin on her face said she had no regrets. “I mean… probably, yeah,” she said, voice muffled in the towel as she pulled it tighter around herself. “But it’s a fun kind of crazy. Better than lying in bed overthinking, right?” She nudged her playfully as they started walking back up the sand. “Next time I’m dragging you in with me.”

"Yeah the uh- the water gets cold overnight," Iris commented. "Even in the summer." She'd been going for a walk before work, a habit she picked up over the summer months, because it was often too warm to take a walk on a break or after work. "But it's gotta feel great, right?'

Callie let out a breathy laugh. “Freezing,” she said, “but yeah... kinda does. Wakes you up better than caffeine.” She paused, then added with a small shrug, “I mean, I wouldn’t recommend it every day unless you’re slightly unhinged, but for a one-off? Not bad." She moved a strand of wet hair from her face. "Are you walking before it gets hot or just out here enjoying the quiet?”

Jamie was not usually at the beach at this hour. But it was one of those mornings where he was looking for something different. It would be a good way to spend the morning, since he hadn't had a shift the previous night. And the weather was still really nice. "Are you alright?" he asked with a grin. "Well, that is good to know, but at least it's good enough to wake you up, right?"

Callie looked up from where she was sitting in the sand, still patting down her soaked hair with a thin towel. “Yeah, I’m good...just colder than I expected,” she admitted with a small laugh. “Woke me up, though, so… technically a success.” She pulled her knees up, arms wrapped loosely around them. “Didn’t expect to see anyone else out here this early. You always a sunrise beach guy, or are we both just crazy?"

"Really?" Rafael asked, taking on an offended tone as she spoke, his hand pressed to his chest. But the smile on his face gave him away, "you can get away with minimal regrets from nachos with extra jalapenos, and not suffer all night?" That was far, far more offensive to him than someone not drinking that night! Or maybe the correct term was... jealousy. He'd be eating Tums. He'd be disappointing his father, his ancestors, his people. It happened with age. "I won't judge," he lifted his hand to get the attention of the bartender, calling them over, "Shirley Temple for my very wise, mature friend here, please."

Callie leaned back in her seat, smug as anything, arms folded. “You know, I always suspected I peaked young, and now I’ve got proof—no Tums, no heartburn, just me and my questionable food decisions.” At the bartender’s approach, she grinned and gave Rafael a look that was all teasing challenge. “Wise and mature, huh? That’s what we’re calling it now?” She nodded at the drink order. “And buying me a Shirley Temple? Bold move. Next you’ll be asking if I want a bendy straw...which, I mean, I'll never say no to."

"Trying? Believe the word is succeeding, but that's what happens when you're the older brother, I'm always gonna have that ability, you should learn that." A laugh leaving his lips, "And it's impossible to beat the cuteness of a baby, let alone a father/son duo." Really could you resist the cuteness that was Archie? Was he biased? Absolutely but he really didn't care. "Don't remind me, this whole growing up thing, I'm not really sure who approved of it, but I'm firmly against it." His son was starting to take more steps, while still wobbly you could sense his more confidence. "No, I slept, he's just a morning person, for now." A laugh ringing out, "He's been really great about his sleeping schedule with me, so I've got no complaints. What's got you out here bright and early."

Callie gave him a fake-annoyed look as she tugged her towel tighter around her shoulders. “You know I’m never actually gonna admit you’re right, even when you are... and I guess I really can’t compete with baby giggles and chubby cheeks.” She reached for Archie's feet. "Anyways... I had that dream again... and then my brain kept braining and I figured I could either spiral or sprint into the freezing ocean like a lunatic. So I thought you might be proud that I went with the less destructive option..."

The best time for surfing, in Aisha's opinion, was early in the day. Less wind and fewer beachgoers. After catching a few waves, she came back from the water, her board in hand, and caught sight of the woman. "That's one way to start your morning," she teased softly, approaching her. "Think I have an extra towel if this was a spur-of-the-moment impulsive thing, though I can respect if it wasn't."

Callie looked up from where she was half-drying her hair with the least effective excuse for a beach towel known to mankind. “I woke up, couldn’t sit still, and decided freezing half to death sounded like the next logical step.” She eyed the surfboard, then Aisha, then the towel offer. “I won’t say no. Unless it’s one of those towels that’s somehow also sandpaper," she said, referencing her own towel.

Some mornings, he just craved something a little different. And while he had a shift in a couple of hours, would be at the park until late into the evening, Ghost had been restless; the guys were already on his lot, working on the house, his brother-in-law there with coffee and donuts to greet him before the sun, and Jason had escaped in the Jeep with his dog to the beach. Where clearly, he wasn't alone, glancing up from his walk as he watched someone splash from the water to the sand, shivering, wet... maybe a little insane? "And the sky is blue and the grass is green, Callie," he called out on a laugh, recognizing Ari's sister. "Please tell me you have a towel or a blanket or a sweater or... something."

Callie paused mid-slog up the sand, already wringing out her hair when Jason’s voice cut through. She looked over, brows raised like really? “Well, thanks for that breaking news report, weatherman.” Her voice was dry, but playful, shivering as she hugged her arms tighter around herself. “And yes, I have a towel. Somewhere. I think. Probably. It’s fine.” She glanced back toward where her little studio sat just beyond the dunes, then back to him with a smirk. “Worst case, I walk home soaked and dramatic. Pretty on brand for me, honestly.”

It was the morning the day before Archie's birthday party and today he was planning on spending the morning with his now one year old. They had done the family time together, tomorrow would be them doting over him with a bunch of kids running around. He had woken early, Archer, which pulled Ari out of bed. His steps were getting better, still incredibly wobbly but he now was taking a few and stopping before falling onto his bottom. Proud wasn't strong enough of a word, continually remembering what his parents must have now felt. Today's adventure? The beach. Even if it was super early, he figured they could have an early morning, get him down for his nap on time. Heading out he got onto the beach, placing him onto a large blanket, in the middle, then making sure everything was set up. Large umbrella later and sunscreen for the little one he turned, recognizing his sister's voice. "That's what happens when you go early in the morning and only the fishes are awake." He laughed shaking his head, but he was no better, he had done the polar ice plunge back in January, who was he to talk.

Callie wrung out her hair as she spotted Ari and Archer, a grin already tugging at her lips despite the lingering chill. “Oh, I see — we’re just out here trying to one-up me in cuteness, huh?” she called out as she crossed the sand toward them, still barefoot and dripping. “Bringing the birthday boy to steal my thunder? Bold move.” She dropped down onto the blanket without asking, shooting a look at Archer that was half mock-offended, half smitten. “Can’t believe you’re already one. Feels like two minutes ago you were just a loud, adorable potato.” Then she looked over at Ari, eyebrow raised. “So, did you actually sleep last night, or are you running on sunshine and baby snacks?”

WHO: Rafael & OPEN!

“Oh, I’m not drinking tonight. I actually have an early shift tomorrow so..." she trailed with a half smile, waving off the shot like it was a trap. "I will, however, take the nachos. Extra jalapeños, minimal regrets.” She leaned back a little, turning just enough to scan the bar, then leaned closer as the bartender showed. “If you’ve got grenadine and a little crushed ice magic back there, I’ll also take a Shirley Temple — and I know I’m twenty-four, but let me live a little.”