A/N: Again, I'm suggesting this because a picture is worth a thousand words, and I don't want you to miss out on viewing what is, quite possibly (IMO), the most gorgeous place on Earth: mustique - island villa / plantation _ house (remove spaces).


As Eric flew toward their destination, holding Pam in his arms, he couldn't help but smile. He couldn't hardly wait to see the look on her face when they arrived at Villa Plantation House, the house he had built just for the two of them. He intended it to be a place they alone would know about, a sanctuary away from everyone and everything, their own private corner on their little slice of paradise.

While their current lodging, Les Jolies Eaux, was stunning and flawless, it was far from private now. Plus, it would be a bigger money maker for them as a rental property, which would be handled by the company trust they'd established to manage the island and its properties as a tourist draw.

Of course, the instant Eric knew Pam wanted to come to the Caribbean, he'd started plotting a way to turn their current diversion into a profitable venture. Rather than completely indulge his dear progeny by moving them to Barbados as she had requested, he'd found a small island a little farther west, invested wisely, then promptly set himself to the task of building a luxurious hideaway beyond compare that they could call their own.

"Where are we?" Pam inquired as they landed near the front steps of a palatial villa, which was shining brightly in the late night hours as hurricane lamps fixed along the surrounding portico cast out a warm, welcoming glow.

She didn't think she'd ever see anything as breathtaking as Les Jolies Eaux; clearly, she should never say never.

"Come, let's have a look inside, shall we," Eric said, taking her hand and leading the way up the steps into the villa.

As they traveled through the marbled foyer, its tiles and furnishings tinged a soft pink and complemented by the matching vases full of pale pink roses perched on the tables on either side of the grand entrance, she took a moment to glance into one of the large oval mirrors perched above the foyer tables, smiling back at Eric as he watched her take in the details.

He didn't guide her to the expansive hallways located either side of the foyer but onward into a courtyard brimming with lush tropical flora. Pam paused briefly to wallow in the decadent scent of wisteria blossoms that burgeoned around the columns near the far end of the courtyard.

She seemed positively speechless and Eric smiled to himself as he couldn't remember the last time that had occurred.

They made their way through the courtyard into the other side of the villa, ending up in a large sitting room, which was generously furnished and a lovely shade of the palest lavender; a virtual sea of pale purple surrounded them as more vases full of roses adorned the many small tables throughout the room.

Eric stopped and turned to look at Pam, taking her other hand in his as he did so, "So, I thought we needed a place to go, somewhere for just us and no one else to know about. Do you like it? I know that Les Jolies Eaux is impressive, but I thought it only fitting that a beauty nonpareil be afforded a home of similar caliber."

He felt an explosion of emotions rocket through their bond, and watched as her blue eyes widened with astonishment and promptly brimmed with tears.

"Hey, what's this," he asked gently, cupping his hands on either side of her face, "it's far too early in the evening for the bleeds," he grinned, trying to elicit a smile from his shocked progeny.

"Oh, Eric, this is just...it's so perfect. I- I don't even know what to say," she stammered, "Thank you, Eric!" she threw her arms around his neck hugging him tightly. Pushing back briefly, she exclaimed, "It's even pink and lavender!"

Eric laughed, "See? And you say that I never listen to you. If I recall correctly, you couldn't seem to decide between the two when discussing colors for our sprawling seaside estate, so I took the liberty of including them both."

She gave him a good-natured smirk and said, "Consider me humbled."

"You don't do humble well," he said as he flashed an arch grin before giving her a quick kiss.

"Come, you haven't even seen the best part yet," he explained excitedly as he led her onto the terrace along the back of the house. He paused briefly to pick up a remote on a nearby table and switched on a sound system that piped music throughout the house and across the patio.