The morning sunlight spilled golden over the ocean, the waves crashing softly against the shore as a cool, salty breeze swept through the open patio. The Monroe family sat around the long, white marble table beneath the shaded canopy, the sound of laughter and clinking silverware blending with the soft hum of the sea.
Freshly baked croissants, golden and flaky, lay in a basket at the center of the table. There were trays of eggs Benedict, smoked salmon, fruit parfaits, and silver pots of co