September

Funny, the things that come out when the sun goes down. Used to be my ghosts, demons from the past. They were my nighttime tormentors and for a long time I couldn't hide from them, they had me running scared. It still happens from time to time.

Then Lila steps out. She's the reward at the end of my long day. And right now, she's outside running her toes through the warm sand.

She knows me like no one else, so it should be no surprise that she was the one who insisted we take this trip.

"You're working too hard," she said, and promptly aparated us away. I wasn't grateful at the time. At the time, I was insolent and snappish and the prat that everyone called me in my youth. Not that I didn't want to spend time alone with my wife, but it seemed like a bad time to be away from home. Work is chaotic on a good day, and the babies really could come early, it wouldn't be unheard of for them to arrive before their due date.

In the several hours that we've been here, however, Lila has shown me just how wrong I was to be churlish with her. She started with a tiny little dress and a mirrored plate of strawberries and champagne. I still find it unsettling how she can tease me with a simple touch and the whole world shakes, but if I haven't grown accustom to it after ten years, I have no faith that I ever will.

The hotel she reserved is one of our favorites, we've visited often during our marriage. The sandy beach just outside the door is one of the main attractions for my wife, and it holds her attention at present. Pocketing the room key, I decide it is best to join her.

"Are you cold?" I ask, walking up beside her.

Her eyes raise to meet mine, and she smiles. Her cheeks are sun kissed from the time outdoors today, and she shakes her head in answer to my question. Silly, I suppose, since it's still unseasonably warm, even for this late in the evening. "Let's walk then," I say, taking her hand in my own. Her fingers are soft, and I can't resist bringing them to my lips.

"Feeling a bit romantic?" she asks as we stroll along the shoreline.

My brows quirk. "Why, of course, madam. Who wouldn't in the presence of such beauty?"

"Tease," she said, flashing me her sweetest smile.

"But of course." I take her arm, entwining it with mine as we walk. "I'm glad you convinced me to do this. You were right," I admitted. "I needed the break."

"Merlin! Mark the date on my calendar! Draco Malfoy was wrong!"

"Hey!" I grinned. "I never said I was wrong. I said you were right. Significant difference."

"Of course, darling." Sass, I do believe.

"At any rate. I'm glad we're here."

The stars were sparkling in the sky above, unpretentious, as if some playful child had tossed them carelessly on the navy blue backdrop of the midnight sky. Their reflection shone in the crests of the waves from the sea.

"Let's wade," Lila said, slipping her arm from mine and her sandals from her feet. She dashed to the surf, her dress flowing from the breeze and the movements. I kicked off my own shoes and followed, a bit more sedately.

With a gasp, she jumped back from the cool water that rolled over her toes, and I couldn't repress my chuckle. I took her hand and together we braved the rather warm waves from the sea. The wet sand was less than pleasant under my feet, but I barely noticed as my eyes took in the beauty that surrounded us. We stepped forward together until the water reached the hem of her dress. Lila kicked her foot slightly in my direction, raining drops of saltwater up and down my bare legs.

Slowly a grin crossed my face…I reached down to splash the water back at her with my hand.

"You could," she said, stilling my hand with her whimsical voice. "Or, you could kiss me instead."

Faced with a choice like that, what was any warm blooded man to do? I would have had to be dead and buried six weeks to turn down that offer. She stepped to me and I took her in my arms, marveling at the stars that were in her eyes.

"Really glad you made me come," I repeated before our lips met in the moonlight.