Page 68 of Daddy Down Under

Soon, we were cruising along the winding road, the ocean a constant companion on our left. Ocean pointed out features as we drove—hidden beaches, rock formations, even a spot where he’d once seen a whale breaching.

We stopped at a little café where we used the restroom and bought some drinks and snacks. Not that we needed them, but I felt guilty only using the facilities.

“This spot is known to have koalas,” Ocean said, tugging on my hand and leading me to a small sandy road instead of back to the car. Danny was right on our heels, smiling. “They’re harder to spot than you would think, but I see a group of people standing under that eucalyptus tree there, pointing, so my guess is they found some.”

He was right.

I squinted, following his gaze, and suddenly, I saw them—three koalas, their round bodies wedged comfortably into the crooks of the trees. A grin spread across my face as I watched one lazily munch on leaves, its eyes half-closed in contentment. “Oh my god!”

Ocean grinned at my obvious excitement. “They’re usually more active at sunset. Must be our lucky day.”

As if on cue, one of the koalas shifted, revealing its face. It blinked at us lazily before reaching for another leaf.

“I can’t believe I’m actually seeing wild koalas. Though I have to say, they’re much less cute than the stuffed versions.”

Ocean’s laugh was warm against my ear. “Yeah, they can be pretty scraggly looking, and they smell too. But they’re survivors, you know? They found their niche and they own it. Kind of admirable, really.”

“Want me to take a picture of you?” Danny asked, and Ocean immediately accepted the offer. We posed right below the koalas with what I was sure were silly grins, but it felt too magical not to smile.

“You know,” Danny said as we returned to the car, “koalas are actually facing some serious challenges right now.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? They seem pretty comfortable up there.”

Danny nodded, his expression growing more serious. “Yeah, but habitat loss is a big issue. Bushfires, land clearing for development, and increasing tourism all take a toll on their population, but their biggest problem is chlamydia.”

I nearly choked on my own breath. “They have chlamydia?”

“They do, in staggering numbers, unfortunately, and it makes the females infertile. The government has started a vaccination program that they hope will be successful.”

Danny told us a bit more, and I listened with interest. I’d never thought I would be fascinated by koalas, but here we were.

“You’re about to see why they call this one of the most beautiful drives in the world,” Ocean said as we turned onto a coastal road. “The waves down there? They’ve carved out these incredible formations over millions of years. Nature’s got patience we can only dream about.”

Danny pulled into a parking spot for a viewing point, and I was out of the car before he’d even shut off the engine. The wind whipped around my face, salty air hitting my tongue, and my smile was so wide I must’ve looked like an idiot. But I didn’t care. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the vista.

The coastline stretched before us, a masterpiece of nature’s finest work. Craggy cliffs plunged into turquoise waters that faded to deep azure at the horizon. The sun glinted off the waves, turning the sea into a glittering expanse of diamonds.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, drinking in the sight.

Click. I turned to find Ocean’s phone aimed at me, a mischievous grin on his face. “Got you.”

He showed me the candid shot. In it, my face was soft with wonder, a vulnerability I rarely allowed myself to show. It was by far the most beautiful picture anyone had taken of me in years. On impulse, I leaned in and kissed him.

“Thank you. For everything.”

He cupped my cheek and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. “You are so welcome, baby boy. Now, let’s get a proper picture together.”

Before I could object, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close, holding his phone out with his other hand. “Smile!”

I did, surprising myself with how genuine it felt. Ocean’s warmth against my side, the breathtaking view, the salty sea air—it all combined to create a moment of pure, uncomplicated joy.

We took a few more shots, Ocean insisting on silly faces for one—“Come on, Cash, stick your tongue out!”—and a serious pose for another—“Give me your best mean look, baby boy.” By the end, we were both laughing, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so carefree.

As we climbed back into the car, Danny turned to us. “Enjoying the sights, gents?”

“It’s incredible,” I replied honestly. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Danny nodded approvingly. “Did you know this road began as a means of employing soldiers who’d returned home from World War I?”

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