As soon as they had left the stables and paddocks Houston had pulled his horse level with CJs, and the two of them set off riding at a steady pace, with CJ guiding them through a green meadow, and across the narrow crossing point of a river, before taking them up stream on a small almost hidden inlet that suddenly widened out into a secluded wooded valley… with wild flowers of every colour mingling with tall ferns and wild grass in the speckled shade of an assortment of trees. Houston felt he was in a fairy tale world, it was quiet and peaceful, with nobody around for miles, yet they had only been riding an hour or so! They chatted as they rode, CJ telling him anecdotes of the Estate, and tales she had overheard…Houston asking questions and laughing at her implausible answers …laughing more at her mock indignation that he didn't believe her. Their laughter echoed back at them, making this small valley even more magical to him.

"I love this place!" he told her softly as they turned a corner and he gasped as yet another carpet of bright flowers came into view

"Somethin' special aint it!" CJ grinned back, "but you aint seen nuthin yet…almost there!"

He raised an eyebrow and asked. "Almost where?" But she didn't answer; she just widened her grin and urged her horse ahead of his again, going from a steady paced walk to a trot in a blink of an eye. "Hey come back here Slick!" he laughed as he pushed his own ride to keep up. He laughed out loud as she looked over her shoulder at him and blew him a kiss, then he frowned a fraction as the sudden sound of rushing water reached him. He reigned his horse in as he noticed CJ slowing up in front of him, again she looked back at him…"We're here!" she told him as she carefully dismounted and took the reigns in her hand, waiting for him to climb down before leading him towards the sound. His jaw dropped in amazement as he walked through the trees and saw the waterfall in front of him, and the perfect rock pool it poured into. "Ohhhh…WOW!" he muttered

CJ giggled. "You like?" she asked her eyes wide with excitement

"Like!" he laughed, "CJ it is amazing! I didn't think they had places like this in England! I mean…this wouldn't look out of place in the Bahamas!"

"Except the water is a darn sight colder!" CJ chuckled…"don't be fooled just cos it' a sunny day…the water comes down from the mountains, it's clean, pure…and icy!"

"Not selling the thought of going swimming hun!" he grinned as he took the reins from her, noticing the look that flitted across her face, then he tied both horses up on a tree in a sunny spot with grass for them to graze on and a small stream running by. He lifted the pack down with the picnic and pulled the two blankets rolled up at the front of their western saddles, then reached for her hand as he nodded his head at the flat stones to the side of the water fall…"Looks like a good spot to sit dontcha think?"

"Um hmm" she agreed as she let him lead her across the uneven ground and helped her up the small climb to the perfect picnic spot. She stood and watched as he carefully spread out the blankets flicking away a few small pebbles as he smoothed his hand over to make sure they would be comfy. Again he reached for her hand and helped her as she sat down next to where he was kneeling, impulsively he turned and brought his hand to her cheek, holding her gently as he kissed her, his hand drifting down to curl around the back of her neck as he pulled her closer, his thumb gently stroking as his lips increased their pressure. Slowly he started to push her back, bringing his other arm up to ease her down gently before he stretched himself to lay at her side, his hands never leaving her, his mouth locked to hers as he lost himself in the moment. Suddenly he felt her start to chuckle, and pulled back a fraction to look at her, his eyebrow raised

"Think maybe a swim in the cold water would do us both some good!" CJ continued to chuckle as she pushed herself up to a sitting position and looked at him sideways. "You game cowboy?"

"I uh…didn't know you were planning on swimming CJ, forgot my swim things!" Houston shrugged apologetically

CJ slowly stood and stretched, before looking back down at him. "Aint got my swim togs either…but you know what Houston… there aint nobody around 'cept you, me…and the horses! So…you comin'?" And with that she slowly sauntered away from him and made her way to the edge of the pool.

Houston still hadn't moved, his imagination had gone into overdrive once CJ had confessed she didn't have her swim things with her, that could only mean she planned to go skinny dipping! CJ! In the buff! The images that had flooded his mind had not only left him speechless, but rooted to the spot! Suddenly, he realised that not only was CJ right by the pool now, but she already had her boots and jeans off…he was by her side and already out of his shirt and kicking his own boots off before her jeans had landed on the rock next to her. He grinned at her as he casually tossed his boots to the side, and threw his socks haphazardly in the same direction, it was CJs turn to stop and stare as she openly admired his tanned torso, her fingers froze as she started to undo the first few buttons on her shirt as she unconsciously licked her suddenly dry lips and let her eyes wander down to were Houston was quickly undoing the buttons on his jeans. He grinned as she briefly raised her eyes to meet his, the two of them both stopped what they were doing and just looked at each other, but then Houston winked and slowly pushed his jeans down all the way raising his shoulders in a shy shrug as CJ burst out laughing. "Seriously! Buzz Lightyear boxers!" she laughed

Houston looked put out as he said quickly. "Toy Story CJ, get it right…look!" and with that he turned and showed her his butt…"See…Woody is on the back to!"

"Ohhh, uh huh…right…well that makes them so much better!" CJ just giggled again. "Yeah…very sexy Houston…really!"

"Ya think so?" he asked with a grin. "Can you beat them?" he added, his arms crossed and an appreciative look in his eye as he had already spotted her lacy undies, now he was waiting to see if her other lingerie was as hot!

Slowly CJ undid the last few buttons , then gently shrugged the shirt free, letting it slide from her shoulders and down to the ground. She resisted the urge to cross her arms across her, and just stood there in front of him, her best defiant look on her face as she muttered "Well?"

He gave a low whistle and shook his head a fraction. "Well I dunno CJ…I'm not sure they beat my Toy Story boxers!"

"No huh?"

"No…so uh…maybe we should level the playing field a bit." And as CJ stood and watched he quickly pushed down and stepped out of his treasured undies, and looked expectantly at CJ, slowing the butterflies in the pit of his stomach by taking two deep, steadying breaths as CJ grinned back and slowly slipped first one strap, then the other off her shoulders before reaching back and unclasping her bra before quickly dropping it to the floor.

Houston swallowed noisily, and went to step forward, CJ stepped back and shook her head "Level playing fields Cowboy!" And slowly she gripped the edge of her panties and lowered them, smirking to herself as she saw Houstons instant reactions, though he quickly lowered his hands to cover the more obvious one! She raised her eyebrow and slowly sauntered towards him, she reached out and stroked his cheek, then bent forward to let her lips brush against his cheek, let her hand stroke down his chest, resting just over his heart, feeling it thud erratically beneath her touch. "Houston" she whispered as she looked him in the eye…"last one in does Stevies last diaper!" and with that she spun on her heel and dived into the still pool, shrieking slightly as she surfaced

Houston shook his head a fraction to break the spell she had put him in, then with a laugh he turned and jumped in after her, the icy water causing him to cry out in shock as he broke the surface and gulped down a mouthful of water "Damn CJ!" he cried, "it's freezing!"

She laughed as she swam towards him. "Just wait a moment big guy…you'll see"

The two of them floated happily next to each other, their eyes locked on each other. With a small impish grin Houston whispered. "You're right, definitely gets warmer after a while!"

"Told ya!" she grinned as she closed the gap between them and locked her arms around his neck.

"Uh hmm" he grinned back as he in turn locked his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. "And you are always right!"

"Oh….Absolutely!" she muttered as she stroked her hand through his wet curls, "absolutely!" she breathed again as she claimed his mouth with hers.

Houston pulled her closer still and lent back in the water, allowing the gentle waves to carry them towards the moss covered rocks on the opposite side of the waterfall, as soon as his feet could feel the floor he guided them both towards the small grassy bank between the rocks, as he lifted her slightly from the water and lay her down on the sun warmed embankment he whispered, "Did I mention...I think this place is magical?" If she replied he didn't hear her…he was already lost in her spell.

Later they swam back to the other side of the pool, and then sat in in all their glory as they ate their picnic, letting the warm sun dry them as they enjoyed their feast of salmon sandwiches and home made pies, their suddenly increased appetite meaning that every mouthful was heaven. CJ giggled as Houston bent to lick her fingers after she had pushed a piece of chicken into his mouth, then she shrieked as he playfully bit her. She playfully turned her back on him, giggling madly as he started to tickle her before pulling her back into his arms and leaning her back so her head rested on his shoulder. "CJ?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you remember in the nursery, before we left LA?"

She grinned. "Which bit in particular cowboy? Me straddling you and trying so hard to behave, or us both declaring undying love but admitting we had lousy timing?"

He gave a small laugh before whispering in her ear. "No, the part where I asked you to marry me! Remember?"

CJs eye went wide for a moment and she quickly swallowed before muttering. "Oh that! Uh, yeah…vaguely remember something about that yeah! Ahh, what about it?"

He tilted his head and looked at her, his eyebrow raised as he saw the way her eyes were now lowered "CJ?"

She gave a small smile and turned in his arms so she could look directly at him. "Houston…I …uh…I don't want you to take this the wrong way…and I don't want you thinking that I am not 100% sure of how I feel about you…but marriage! Houston honey you gotta give a girl a chance!"

Houston pursed his lips and looked back at her. "So, not a no…just a too soon?!"

CJ gave a sharp laugh. "Well let's face it big guy, you do have a bit of a history of snap decisions on the wedding front…!"

"Huh?"

"How long did you know Elizabeth…or whatever her name was before you married her? Not a smart move!" She squeaked as he playfully bit at her shoulder

"Not fair bringing that up CJ…I NEVER felt for her the way I feel for you…never felt for anyone the way I feel for you, you must know that!"

CJ smiled back at him and nodded. "I know Houston, believe me…I know…but still, there's no need to rush is there? I mean…now we know how we feel about each other why don't we…take our time and just enjoy ourselves!"

Houston studied her closely for several seconds before asking. "What's going on CJ?"

She smiled brightly back, but this time he noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Houston" she said softly. "I love you…you have to believe that…but marriage! I mean…it's a big step…huge! We've only just crossed that boundary from friendship…we're barely a couple Houston!"

He chuckled and kissed her shoulder. "Definitely bare right now!"

"Houston!"

Again he chuckled but this time he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to lie fully against him. As he rested his chin on the top of her head he told her. "It's ok honey…I understand. But ya gotta realise, we're a couple alright, and we're always gonna be a couple…! Now we've waited more than 20 years to get here…I can wait another 20…uh days…weeks…I mean weeks…until you're ready to tell the world that this is it! This is us, finally…that we're together the way we always should have been! Until then…I promise to behave, and this…" he gently kissed between her shoulder blades and whispered…"this is our secret, until you decide that you're ready…until you choose when to tell them. Just…promise me something…"

CJ was smiling as she looked up at him and asked. "Promise you what?"

"Promise me you'll make more time to go…riding with me!" And with that he pushed his hand into her long dark hair and bent to kiss her, loving the way her lips were still curved in a smile as he captured her mouth, loving the way he could feel her soft chuckle vibrate against his chest, loving the way she felt in his arms…and loving the way that with CJ in his arms he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

They must have dozed off, it was CJs mobile that woke him up, he felt CJ stir in his arms but it was he who reached over to pick up the phone. "It's Mrs Lewis!" he told her as he handed it to her, both of them sitting upright, instantly awake.

He was frowning as he tried to listen to the conversation, but relaxed as he saw the way CJ was nodding and smiling as she spoke. "No, that's fine Mrs L…no, not at all! Mr Houston and I have had a very enjoyable ride, yes…thank you! No, we have taken our time and I have kept my promise to not push myself too much…we have done a little exploring together yes!" She grinned as Houston wiggled his eyebrows at her then playfully slapped his arm as he whispered a comment that CJ hoped Mrs Lewis hadn't overheard! "Yes Mrs L, we're making our way home now, should only be an hour or so…no, no that's fine…if I didn't trust you I wouldn't have left Stevie with you…yes, I can hear him behind you…he seems to be having fun! Yes Mrs L…I can honestly say that Mr Houston and I have had fun to…thank you! In fact, hopefully you can babysit again for us sometime while we're over here? You would…? Great! Ok…well, we'll see you real soon…!" She clicked the phone off and looked up at Houston with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Mrs L is having so much fun looking after Stevie she has asked if she can take him to show him off to her sister in the village! She is going to use the Range Rover with the child seat and will have him home before bath-time and in time to make us dinner! She has put the water heater on so there will be plenty of water for us to both have a relaxing hot bath after our long day in the saddle!"

Houston gave a low chuckle. "Very considerate of her I must say…a hot bath sounds wonderful! Will we be the only ones at home?"

CJ nodded then laughed as they both scrambled to their feet and quickly started to dress…Houston packed up the last of the picnic as CJ rolled up the blankets. It took them less then five minutes to get back on their horses and start heading back to the Manor…as CJ lead them back across the shallow river crossing and back into the meadow she nudged her horse to canter, calling back to him "Last one back gets the tap end!"

Houston was still laughing as he finally followed her into the stable yard and allowed the stable hand to take the horse from him. "That wasn't fair Slick, you cheated!" he whispered as they both walked back to the Manor

"All's fair in love and war Houston!" she winked at him, "and all is DEFINITELY fair when it comes to sharing a bathtub and getting stuck with taps and plug hole! NOT that I recall asking you to share my tub…I just told you there would be plenty of hot water!"

By now they were home and in the hallway heading towards the stairs

"True, you didn't" he muttered as he caught her arm and pulled her to him, "but I think you have had a very busy day, maybe over done it a little ya know! And I would worry about you if I wasn't there to keep an eye on you, make sure you were safe, make sure you were ok!"

CJ rested her hand on his shoulder and pursed her lips. "I can assure you, I am just fine…nothing a soak in a nice hot tub won't cure…got my rubber duckie to keep me safe!"

He rocked her slightly and whispered. "All the same, I think I should give you …a hand! Maybe, just wash your back for ya!?"

CJ chuckled as she took his hand and started to lead him upstairs. "Fine!" she told him, "you can wash my back for me…but know this… it takes a lot for me to abandon my rubber duckie, you're going to have to make it up to me!"

AS they stepped into her bathroom and closed the door behind them, Houston couldn't help himself "Quack! Quack…Quack…Quack!"

"Houston!" CJ could be heard giggling, "at least wait until the tub is full!"