Present Day, Key West
"I can't believe you got the same bungalow, Jack. Who knew it would still be here after so long?" She stared out at the beautiful private beach where they had spent most evenings of their honeymoon, enjoying each other, watching the sunset and the stars, dreaming of their future.
"I knew that we needed to be here, on this spot, to reminisce. It was a magical first ten days of our marriage," he told her, slipping his arms around her from behind. "And it's been a wonderful almost thirty two years since."
She turned and looked into his green eyes that she loved so much. "Are you happy, Jack? I mean really, truly happy? Or do you maybe feel stuck?"
"Is that how you feel, Bee? Stuck?"
"Not stuck in our marriage, just maybe in a rut."
"That's why I brought you here, love. To maybe help you remember how it was at the beginning. I know you, Bee, and I know that something has been off."
"You're happy, though?" she asked again.
"Yeah. I am."
"Then what's wrong with me?" she asked, tears filling her eyes.
"Nothing, sweetheart. And we are going to figure out how to make you feel better."
"How?"
"By reliving our honeymoon. You and me, Bee."
Back to the past...Honeymoon
In the morning as Elizabeth's body slowly awoke, she was quickly aware of two things. One, she'd slept in. It was a glorious feeling. The most important thing she was aware of however was the strong, warm and loving person lying behind her. She was a wife. Finally, she was his. He was hers.
They'd reached their resort's bungalow late in the evening the night before. Having been surrounded by people almost entirely since saying "I do" it was such a relief to finally be alone.
True to his word, Jack did not rush them. They settled in, enjoying the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries given to them by the resort. After a moonlit walk on the beach which included a slow dance serenade, they turned in for the night, enjoying all the benefits of wedded bliss.
Now, in the glow of it all, Elizabeth rolled over to gaze at the handsome sleeping man beside her. Her mind was going over all that they'd shared as she blushed deeply.
She didn't regret the waiting, but at the same time she was glad that part of their relationship was behind them.
"I hope I can always get you to do that, Bee," Jack whispered, his head still on the pillow. "You look so adorable when you blush. What were you thinking about?"
"Us. Last night."
Jack grinned. "That was amazing."
"You weren't disappointed at all?"
"Of course not." Wrapping his arm around her waist, Jack pulled her closer. "I love you Bee. I love us."
"I love us, too." She wove her fingers through the hair on the back of his neck, pulling him in for a smoldering kiss. Before long, they were lost in each other's love once more.
The day was well underway when they woke up again. Jack held his bride in his arms, loving the feeling of her skin on his. When Elizabeth's belly growled, he smiled. "You sound hungry."
"I am. I should go make us something."
"I'll help." She looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "I can make coffee."
"Deal." She wrapped her silky robe around herself and got up, walking out to the kitchen with Jack on her heels. As she peeked in the bungalow's refrigerator, Jack watched her, admiring her long legs and thin figure that he had a new appreciation for.
"How's that coffee coming along, husband?" she teased, knowing he was watching.
"Coffee is overrated."
"Not in my book. We have nothing in here, Jack."
"There's fresh fruit and champagne from last night."
"Champagne is not breakfast."
"We could go to town and get breakfast," he suggested.
"Sure. Let's do that." They showered and got dressed in shorts, flip flops and tank tops and strolled hand in hand down the boardwalk to the restaurants.
They found Harpoon Harry's and sat on the back patio with a clear view of the water. Jack ordered the biscuits and gravy and Elizabeth had the french toast with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
Jack moved his chair closer to hers and took her hand. "This is nice," he mentioned, admiring everything about her. From her dark, wavy hair to her dark, sexy glasses to her blue eyes that matched the Key West sky to the way she wrinkled her nose when she was embarrassed. He loved the little freckle next to her nose and her soft, full lips.
She blushed and leaned her forehead against his cheek. "Stop."
"You're breathtaking," he whispered, dipping his head to capture her lips. "I can't help it."
She deepened the kiss and then pulled back. "I..what if we got our food to go?"
He smiled and signaled the waiter.
That afternoon, he convinced her to put on the bikini he wanted her to buy and they headed to their private beach just outside their patio door.
The weather was perfect for sunbathing and enjoying their time alone.
He watched her readjusting the bottom of her bikini, making sure her scar was covered. It was just above the waistband and about two inches long.
"Babe, it's just me," he told her, taking her hand as they reclined on their beach towels.
"I know, I'm just...uncomfortable, I guess."
"In the bikini in general or because of the scar?"
"I don't know. I never wear bikinis. I've always gone with a one-piece." She had been self-conscious of her body since she was a teen and now with her scar, she really just wanted to hide.
"Why don't you go change then?"
"Because, I feel silly. It is just you."
"I've never known a more beautiful woman inside and out," he told her, propping himself up on his elbow. "But I want you to feel comfortable."
"I'm okay. And I am comfortable with you."
He grabbed her towel that she was laying on and tugged her closer to him. "Hi," he grinned, looking down at her.
"Hey."
"I love you, Bee."
"I know. I love you too."
Present Day
Elizabeth rolled over and stared at Jack, much like she had that first morning. She touched his cheek, a bit more wrinkled than then of course, but still just as handsome, if not more.
"Morning," he whispered, his dimples popping.
"Morning."
"How are you doing this morning?"
"Good."
"Wanna go to Harpoon Harry's again?"
"No, I think we should stay here. We can make breakfast and then I thought maybe we could walk to the shops?"
"Whatever you'd like, I'm game."
As they walked to the shops, she decided to open up about what was really bothering her.
"I'm sad, Jack. And depressed, maybe."
"Why is that?" He took her hand and threaded their fingers together.
"The house is just so big. I love it so very much, Jack, especially since you built it for us but…It's just us and it's too quiet. I am so glad Lizzie comes over so much."
"So, what if we moved?"
"Moved? Where?"
"Here? We would be close to Jonah and Ray."
"But far from Isaac and Mandie and all of our grandkids."
"What if we moved halfway between here and Michigan? Like Tennessee. Maybe build a house in the mountains."
"I don't know. Maybe I just need to deal with the quiet."
"Bee, or what if we stayed in Michigan but built another house? A smaller one with two bedrooms and just enough room for you and me."
"You won't mind?"
"I want you to be happy, and if that will make you happy, I'm all for it."
"Let's pray about it."
Back home in Hidden Lake, the past
Jonah sat on the porch of Ray's house, holding her hand as they swayed on the swing. "Will you go to the carnival with me?" he asked, stroking her hand with his thumbs. The carnival was at the end of May, dangerously close to when she was moving but he wanted every minute with her he could get.
"Of course I will."
"And ride the Ferris wheel?"
"Yeah."
"And eat cotton candy and deep fried twinkies?"
"Mmm. Absolutely."
"And hold my hand and kiss me behind the barns?"
"You got it." She kissed his cheek and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"And refuse to leave Hidden Lake because you love me so much?"
She stayed silent but kept hold of his hand.
"I was mostly kidding."
"I know. I wish I didn't have to move."
He tipped her chin up and kissed her slowly, savoring her warm, sweet mouth, their lips dancing together as if they'd been kissing each other for a lifetime, not just a few months.
"I love you, Joe," she whispered, kissing him once again. "It's getting late."
He nodded and stood, pulling her into his arms. "I love you too. I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
"I'll be there."
Before they knew it, it was time for Jack and Elizabeth to fly to Indianapolis to move the rest of her things from the rental house to Hidden Lake.
Back home one evening, Isaac had Mandie over to study for an english test. They sat across from each other at the table off the kitchen.
Mandie watched him seriously pouring over their text book. She moved her foot and touched his but he still didn't move or react. She moved her bare toes up his pant leg to the edge of his sock.
He looked up at her and smiled. "What's up?"
"Nothing. Just wanted to get your attention."
"You've had my attention for a long time," he admitted before thinking. Then his face turned red and he hurried to the kitchen.
Charlotte chuckled at him. "What's happening, Isaac?"
"We're thirsty." He opened the fridge and grabbed two sodas, almost dropping one of them.
"Hey, you sure you're okay?"
"Fine. Yes."
He walked into the dining area again and gave Mandie a soda before sitting back down.
"Thanks."
He nodded and took a long swig of his drink.
"You okay?"
"Sure," his voice squeaked. The perils of being fourteen showing up at the wrong time.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Isaac."
"No, you didn't. I...I just can't believe I told you that."
"Was it true?"
"Yes."
"You've had my attention for a long time too."
His eyes met hers. "I have?"
"Yeah. You're pretty cute and I just felt like I wanted to know you."
"I'm cute?"
"Yeah." He noticed her cheeks heat up too.
"So are you." Isaac felt like his friendship with Mandie had passed a milestone. As shy as he was, he felt less shy with her than any other girl. "Do you want to stay for dinner?" he asked.
"I can ask." She pulled out her cell and dialed her parents. "Hey, Mom. Isaac asked if I could stay for dinner. Is that okay?"
Indianapolis
Jack closed the back of their moving truck and climbed into the driver's seat. "Ready to go home, Bee?"
"Yeah. I'm ready," she told him with a smile.
She was ready for everything now.
