In two days, we'd have to go back and be part of the world again, but for now, it was just us, the surf, and a mile of empty sand.
When I'd suggested this vacation, I wasn't sure what Illya's reaction would be. He doesn't always agree with my choices of vacation spots, but to my surprise, he was enthusiastic from the first. Having just spent a couple of months freezing his pride off in Antarctica probably didn't hurt either. He liked the cold, just not that much of it.
The beach was abandoned, so impulsively I reached for his hand.
"Napoleon," he scolded, but I noticed he didn't pull it away.
"Relax, Partner, no one can see." The moonlight was reflecting off his hair. It was so sun bleached, it was almost white.
"What about them?" He tipped his head towards a noisy crowd of teenagers a block away.
"Unless you're seventeen and stacked, they aren't going to be looking at you, Illya. Teenage boys are notoriously single-minded."
"And you aren't?" I could hear the tease in Illya's voice. For the past two weeks, we'd wandered this beach after dinner. Sometimes we'd sit on the sand, star gazing, the waves lapping our feet. Other times, we'd find a quiet sand dune and do a little necking. Then we'd head back to our room and make love until dawn made the night blush.
"Let's just say, it's been a good vacation."
"Why are there so many young people here, Napoleon?" He made us sound so old.
"Easter break, I guess. College kids are here, letting off some steam before finals."
"Huh, we always studied before finals. You Americans have very odd habits. Take, for instance, your Easter Bunny belief."
"What? There is an Easter Bunny!"
"Sure, there is, Napoleon, and I'm Rumpelstiltskin."
"Well, Rump, glad to meet you." He laughed and I used the opportunity to pull him a bit closer. "So tell me, Rump, want to go looking for Easter eggs?"
"Hmm, your suggestion has merit. In what fashion would these Easter eggs appear and where might we look for them?"
"Let's go back to the room and we'll… talk."
I didn't lie - there was some talking involved, as well as some groaning, grunting and a well-placed superlative or two. Afterwards, we sprawled out beneath the ceiling fan, the breeze slowly cooling the sweat from our bodies, preparing us for the next assault. From the look in my partner's eyes, there might just be more than one. The man has capacity - I will say that for him.
"It's funny. When I was a kid, my greatest joy was finding a yellow marshmallow chick in my basket."
"And now?" Illya turned onto his side and propped up his head so he could look down at me.
"Not as much with the marshmallow or chick, I think, but the color is still right." I glanced at the clock and murmured, "Happy Easter. May Mr. Bunny make all your dreams come true."
"There is no Easter Bunny." I smiled as he leaned in to kiss me. No Easter bunny indeed! He'd delivered my treat right into my arms.