Charles and Elsie stand knee deep in the water admiring the reds, oranges and pinks of the beautiful sunset. Elsie holding her skirt up out of the water in one hand and Charles hand with the other smiles as she watches Charles' expression, he is so relaxed she thought. A gust of wind comes by blowing Elsie's sunhat from her head. "OH!" She gasps letting go of her skirt trying to catch the hat but it's too late it flies off and lands a few feet from them. "Stay put I'll get it. Charles says turning to her and loosening his hand from her grasp. He wades deeper into the water his trousers he had rolled up to his knees beginning to get wet, he reaches out and grasps the hat holding it up he turns back to Elsie and smiles.
"Charles!…." She watches as a large wave comes from behind him soaking him from the waist down. Charles quickly recovers shaking some from the chill of the water he smiles laughing as he returns to where Elsie is standing. "Your hat Ms. Hughes" He says handing it to her with a slight bow. She smiles taking it and placing it on her head. "My savior" she smiles extending her hand out to him. He quickly grasps on to it again. "Let's return to the beach and dry ourselves out a little" She says and they head back towards the beach.
They return to their blanket Charles Slowly lowers himself down to the sand laying back and letting the sun dry out their clothes. Elsie follows suit picking up her book they lay back and relax. After a while Charles sits up, "I could use some refreshment let's go see what they have to offer at the Pier" he suggests.
"Wonderful Idea" she puts her book down and stands up happily.
Together they fold up the blanket and Elsie puts it and her book into the basket she brought. Charles takes the basket in one hand and extends the other out to her.
Elsie stops to admire the beautiful artwork of the street sign of a small Spanish themed bar at the end of the Pier. 'try the Sangria the sign reads' With a beautiful drawing of what looks like a red wine mixed with fresh fruits. "Let's stop here, I'd like to try a glass" She smiles knowing Charles isn't always up for trying new things. "If you insist" Charles smiles leading them into the building, I'm not so sure about this he thinks but I'll do anything if it will keep that smile on her face he thinks, and heads towards the bar.
"I'm just going to freshen up" Elsie whispers heading towards the ladies room. Not wanting to let go of her hand he holds on to it as long as possible as she walks away from him until just their finger tips are touching. She turns to him smiles and rushes off to use the bathroom.
Charles orders a double shot of scotch that he quickly downs and two glasses of sangria. He spies a secluded dimly candle light table for two in the back corner He sits facing the direction Elsie will come from so he can wave her over. Okay Charles this is it! It's now or never. He thinks to himself. You yourself admitted that you don't want to work forever and living alone in your retirement would be dreadful. You know how hard it is to make it through the season without seeing Elsie. The trip with his lordship, six dreadful weeks away and four of those at sea, affirmed that you are ready to retire sooner rather than later and to have Elsie as your bride….
Elsie came around the corner spying Charles sitting at the table with two glasses she smiled happily and walked towards him. "This is it" he patted his pocket making sure the ring was indeed still there. As she approached Charles stood pulling out her chair he tucked it in behind her, he dropped to one knee as she sat. She noticed he hadn't returned to his seat. "What are you Do…?" She turned her head towards him Gasping when she realized exactly what it was that he was doing.