Zoe was laid on the beach, fast asleep when Max sneaked up on her with a bucket of water and tipped it over her. She awoke with a scream.

"MAX! WHY ON EARTH DO YOU THAT?! I WAS ASLEEP AND NOW I'M SOAKED AND FREEZING!" Max stood there and laughed while his wife ranted at him. Zoe began to playfully hit him. Max held up his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay, Zoe. I'm sorry, I'm sorry darling. It was only a joke."

"I feel cold now, Max" said Zoe crossly wrapping herself up in a towel and glaring at him, "and I'm tired. You knew I was asleep and" Max interrupted her with a wonderful kiss, she put her around his neck and hugged him. She couldn't stay angry with him for long.

"There is one of your summer dresses in the beach bag along with your favourite shoes. You go get changed, honey and I'll go and get you a chocolate ice cream." Max ran off to the ice cream parlor and Zoe went to the toilets.

"There you go, my lady." said Max handing his wife a large chocolate ice cream with two chocolate flakes, "Am I forgiven now?" Max looked like a sad puppy.

"Always when you buy me chocolate, handsome." Zoe winked and happily ate her ice cream, suddenly she turned towards Max and put ice cream all over his nose.

"Zoe, he yelped, it's cold and now I've got chocolate all over me!" Max started to tickle Zoe, she wriggled in his arms and said breathlessly,

"Max...please...stop. That'll teach you to pour water over me!" Zoe laid back on the sand and closed her eyes. Max stroked her hair and they fell asleep in the afternoon sun.

Two hours later, they were walking back to their hotel when a poster caught Max's eye. It said in big letters,

Tonight you're invited to a Grand Ball in the Augusta Lucilla Palace Hotel. It starts at 5pm and finishes at 2am. Put on your ball gowns and black tie suits and dance the night away!

Max turned to Zoe with a smile,

"Do you fancy going to a Grand Ball, gorgeous?"

Zoe's eyes lit up with excitement. She had never been to a ball before and would love to go with her husband.

"Yes, I would love to go to a Ball with you, darling. I love you so much."

I love you too."

Sorry this is a short chapter. I ran out of ideas. Suggestions are welcome. Review if you like. :)