"All right, everyone," the pilot said as he turned to face Mikael and Sybil. "I hope you have enjoyed your flight. We should be making our water landing in about fifteen minutes, give or take." He then caught Sybil's eye and gave her a grin and a wink.

"Thank you for telling us that!" Sybil said, oblivious to his attempts to flirt. "The view from up here is amazing and the colors...I especially love the blue of the water!"

The pilot smiled again. He was a handsome man in his early forties, and some light blond hair hung in his green eyes. "Of course, Ms. Vane. It's my pleasure."

Behind them, Mikael scoffed and rolled his eyes, regretting his decision to rent a small seaplane to take them to Klaus' island. He'd been too eager, he'd realized, and now he was stuck in this thing listening to a fool flirt with his wife and no way out. Except to kill the man, and he was certain Sybil would find that an awful way to start their honeymoon. He would never hear the end of it.

The man continued to drone on. "Ms. Vane, if you'll look out the right side window, you'll see..."

"Stop!" Mikael cried at last. "That's not her name. It's Mrs. Mikaelson to you! And you'll do well to remember that that's my wife you're talking to!"

"Oh, pardon me, sir," the pilot replied, blushing at being caught. "I remember that you're heading to the island for your honeymoon. I didn't mean any disrespect, sir. It just slipped my mind."

"Slipped your mind my ass!" Mikael snapped. Then he realized that was something he should have at least said quietly. But it was too late; Sybil had heard him.

"Please disregard the disrespect my husband is showing you," she told the pilot. "It's been a while since he's eaten and that, among other things, has apparently put him in one of his legendary moods." She then turned, hands on hips, and looked at Mikael severely.

"It's all right, Ms. V...Mrs. Mikaelson," the pilot replied easily. "I assumed he just wasn't a good traveler. Not everyone is. He's not the first I've met who's behaved in such a way." He paused. "I'm sure it'll be better once you get to your destination and you can both get to relaxing."

Mikael gave a humorless chuckle. "Relaxing? On that island? I doubt it!"

As he rolled his eyes, Sybil gripped his arm tight. "What is wrong with you?" She hissed. Then she leaned as far forward as she could because a glint of light caught something in his hand. "What are you holding?"

Mikael shifted position and gave her a smug grin, which, against her will, she found very attractive, along with his white linen shirt and khaki pants. And if she weren't so irritated with him, she would tell him so.

"Nothing is wrong with me," he said easily. "Just look out the window and enjoy the view. Unless you're feeling ill. Can I give you something?"

"Your behavior is making me ill," she snapped. "And no saltines will fix it!"

"I just wanted to make sure everything I needed to protect you was easily accessible," he explained. "That's all." He showed her the Swiss Army knife. "See?"

Sybil burst out laughing. "Protect us from what? Monkeys, coconuts, and dolphins?" She paused. "Climb a palm tree to get me a coconut? I would love to see you climb a tree!"

He locked eyes with her. "Are you mocking me?"

"Oh, I would never mock the mighty Mikael Mikaelson," Sybil shook her head and shrugged cause she knew it would make him angry. "Even though I know, without a doubt, that I'm probably the one person on this Earth who could get away with doing so and live to tell the tale."

"Yes, get it out of your system now because you'll pay for that later, woman!" He threatened, grabbing a bit of her white linen shirt.

"What the hell are you doing, Mikael!" Sybil cried, her eyes wide with shock. He was touching her in front of people! "Would you get your hands off my boobs, please?"

Ordinarily she wouldn't turn him down and she was more than aware of the large sexual appetite he had most days that she was more than happy to help satisfy, especially on their honeymoon, but in such a small plane, with what they would be doing in such obvious view of others...she just couldn't this time.

"I don't see what the problem is," he told her, semi-serious. "Given the circumstances, I think it's a perfectly fine place for my hands to be." He paused. "If you don't want them there, button up your blouse. I don't want him looking at your breasts when we land. It's hard enough to avoid now that your pregnancy has made them nearly double in size! And you knew that, so I have no idea why you dressed so immodestly for this flight! Were you planning to flirt with the islanders?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Sybil hissed. "You know I wouldn't do such a thing, although I'm sure there aren't many who would blame me if they saw the way you're acting! There's nothing wrong with how I dressed myself today!" She was wearing a large pair of white linen palazzo pants and beige wedge sandals, and a matching blouse knotted at the bottom, with a few buttons undone to expose the black bikini she wore, in an effort to keep the heat at bay. "And just so you know," she continued, her voice tight, "if I had decided to intentionally dress sexy, it would be to please you, even if you're acting like an ass at the moment. Not to gain the attention of complete strangers!"

"What is mine to see and appreciate is not meant for the eyes of other men," he said slyly.

"Didn't you hear me say that that's exactly the point?" Sybil cried in exasperation. "My god, where is this chauvinistic side of you coming from?" She scoffed. "Oh, right. It was always there and always will be!" She was clearly not in the mood to treat him gently anymore. "Why did you even agree to come here if all you want to do is be miserable and whine the whole time? And if you wanted me to wear turtle necks and jeans in the heat to protect my modesty, why didn't you say so?" This last sentence was laced with sarcasm.

"Don't be ridiculous, Sybil!" He replied, waving her words away. "And as for why I came to this stupid island, I came for you! I certainly don't need a blue lagoon, sand, and palm trees to make love to my wife!"

"At the rate you're going, even those things won't help you get into my pants!" She snapped as the pilot tried to hide his snort and pretend he wasn't listening. Sybil grinned as Mikael paled.

"All right, folks," the pilot said at last after what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence. "Get ready to land soon. We'll be at the island in about five minutes."

After the pilot, who they finally remembered had introduced himself as Eric, helped them out of the plane, he wished them a good trip.

"Oh, we'll have that," Mikael replied. "Even though I know you wish it were you here instead of me. Don't lie. I see it in your eyes."

"Yes, well," Eric nervously cleared his throat and ran for the plane. "Goodbye!"

He left them without another word, and then Mikael and Sybil looked around to see what they should do next. Surely there was someone around to guide them. "Do you see anyone?" Mikael asked, grabbing their Louis Vuitton bags. "Not that I can't handle taking our bags, but really!"

"I can take mine," Sybil said. "No need for you to. I'm capable."

"No way," Mikael shook his head, keeping a firm grip on both bags and heading for the beach.

"Why not?" Sybil called. "Is it because I'm pregnant? Cause I'm only mid-term! At least, I think that's where I would be in human terms. And I can assure you that I'm perfectly capable of-" She tried to convince him, trotting after him and desperately trying to get his attention. But he cut her off.

"No! No woman of mine will ever care her own bags, do you hear me?" He called. "Ever!"

"Fine," Sybil shouted back. "If you're so strong, Hercules, I'll be sure to bring more bags on our next trip!"

"Don't you mean Aquaman, my dear?" Mikael asked. "Or Poseidon? Considering we're near water, the sea god would be more appropriate, wouldn't it?"

"Well, this is a shock," Sybil remarked with a smile as she finally reached him. "Am I hearing things, Mikael Mikaelson, or did you just make a joke?" She shook her head in wonder and gave a mocking chuckle.

"Yes, yes, laugh all you want, darling," he nodded. "But when you least expect it, I'll-" He trailed off, narrowing his eyes as he thought he saw someone ahead of them. It looked like a small woman in a colorful sarong. She had something around her neck.

"Oh, look, Mikael, isn't that sweet?" Sybil asked. "That woman is wearing a sign with our names on it!" She was grinning widely.

"I think it's the most foolish thing I have ever seen," he said, pulling her to him. "Stand behind me, dear. She could be dangerous! And besides that, why would she need a stupid sign? We were the only ones coming to the island today!"

Sybil could feel herself beginning to get irritated. "Can't you just enjoy things instead of always complaining?" She asked irritably. "You can be a real buzzkill when you want to be, Mikaelson!"

"Well, it's not my fault you can't see things for how they are, woman!" He snapped. "You know there are certain fantasies of yours I'd be more than happy to indulge, but this isn't one of them."

"Just be polite to the nice, innocent, harmless lady, would you?" Sybil asked. "No waving your knife at her or making sarcastic remarks. Just be nice, because probably all she wants to do is welcome us to the island! Plus she can't be taller than three apples put on top of each other!"

"Don't be deceived, my dear," Mikael told her resolutely. "I've known warriors in my life who were smaller than her. That's why I brought more weapons...just in case."

Sybil just sighed and shook her head, halting her steps. "Please tell me you're joking. What for? To kill fish for us to eat?" She paused. "What's next? A bazooka in your luggage?"

"No," he snapped. "I tried, but it wouldn't fit!"

"I've had enough of this," Sybil snapped. "Don't say another word. You've embarrassed me enough already!" She made her way toward the small, grinning woman as Mikael rolled his eyes.

"Darling, I'm joking!" He called as he watched her waddle away. "For Steve's sake!"

But Sybil ignored him and offered the woman a smile and her hand. "Hello, I'm Sybil!" She introduced herself. "And that...person, over there, is my husband, Mikael. No, I'm not joking!"

"Welcome to the island where all fantasies become reality," the woman returned with a suggestive wink, tilting her head to the East.

"Oh, dear," Sybil put a hand to her mouth. "Don't tell me we're on the wrong side of it! We were supposed to be on the side where people wear clothes!"

"I understand why you don't need to go anywhere else," the woman nodded. "Even though he is very loud, I suppose he is able to satisfy you by himself so that you don't need a second or a third." Then she winked.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Mikael asked, dropping the suitcases heavily. "And since when are our affairs your business? And who in the world are you?"

"My name is Nana," she introduced herself. "It means 'the brightest star in he night sky'. I will be looking after you during your stay on the island." She continued what was obviously a rehearsed speech. "I will also be your maid, if you feel the need to think of me that way." But she made a face as she said it, clearly not liking the term. But it didn't last long before she shrugged. "But never mind that. Please come with me and I will take you to your beach house."

"Thank you, Nana," Sybil told her. "And we both are-" She paused and elbowed Mikael, who nodded automatically-"very happy to meet you." She took several steps and then paused, kicking off her shoes and walking with her her bare toes getting buried in sand with each step. "Oh, this feels wonderful!"

"Lovely to meet you," Mikael said dryly as he picked up the bags again.

"He seems grumpy," Nana whispered loudly to Sybil so Mikael would hear too. "You should give him good sex; he'll be happy after."

"I'm not sure that'll help this time," Sybil sighed.

"What are you saying?" Mikael asked. He, of course, had been paying no attention, even though he'd been meant to hear their words.

"Nothing, strong man," Nana told him. "Just keep carrying the bags." She paused. "By the way, I placed a fertility statuette inside the beach house, but I can see with my own two eyes that you won't need it." She then headed up the few front steps of the blue and green painted beach house with Sybil and Mikael following.

"No, we won't, but it was a very nice thought," Sybil told her. "I'm carrying twins."

Nana pointed at Mikael and spoke with appreciation. "You're very fertile!"

This made Mikael blush bright red as he gently nudged Sybil into the beach house. "All right, all right. Enough of this. It was nice to meet you, Nana. But please don't be offended that the next words I have to say to you are: 'Mind your own business' and 'have a nice day'." He was clearly not in the mood to play nice anymore. The gloves were off.

"Oh, you like me!" Nana grinned. "I like you too, Mikael!" She was still grinning as the door was slammed in her face and she was left alone on the front steps.

As soon as he slammed the door shut, he turned to Sybil with a smile, ready to begin what he planned to be an endless orgy, but found her looking very, very angry. "What the hell was that?" She asked. "I should have expected something like that, but I hoped I wouldn't have to see it. I didn't think you'd be stupid enough. I thought you would at least have enough respect for me to pretend to be nice to other people, even if you didn't like them. But I was wrong!"

The look on her face was pure malevolence and as she got closer to him, the more he backed away until he was stuck in a corner, frozen and avoiding looking anywhere but the floor as he hopped nervously from foot to foot. He was very nervous, a completely new situation for him.

He waited for her to keep yelling, but instead she just started unpacking. He could tell she was furious by the way she pulled thing out of her bag and put them away in the drawers, which she banged loudly as she stomped around, her bare feet hitting the floor hard with each step. Then she unbuttoned the blouse she wore so she just stood before him in her pants and bikini top.

"Sybil..." he began, trying to start a conversation that would put their honeymoon back on a good note.

"No," she snapped, shaking her head. "Don't you even open your mouth, Mikaelson!"

"I just-I want-" He continued heedlessly.

"What did I just say?" She cried. "You never listen, do you?" Her hands were on her hips and her eyes were narrowed. He wanted to reach out and move a strand of hair out of her eyes cause he was so close to her, but he sensed that would be a terrible idea.

"Right," he sighed and kept his eyes on his feet. She wasn't just mad, she was royally pissed, which was terrible news for him!

"Not only were you incredibly rude to that perfectly nice pilot, shamelessly putting me on the spot and making me feel like a fool, the minute you set foot on the island, you were obnoxious, impolite, and rude, again!" She grabbed her bag of toiletries and slammed it down on the bathroom sink.

"If I could only-"

"No, you can't!" She snapped with a shake of her head.

"But why can't I-?" He started to ask, then gave up and shrugged.

"Because I said so!" She snapped. "I want to show you what dealing with an obnoxious asshole truly feels like and maybe you'll learn from it!"

"Doubtful," he whispered to himself before letting out a huge sigh.

"I don't want to hear you speak!" Sybil spat. "I don't want to hear you breathe!"

"Well, technically, being a vampire, I don't really need to breathe, but-" He trailed off when he saw the look on her face. "...Right."

"You have acted like a jerk who hasn't been taught proper manners or had any sort of education, which we both know you have!" She shook her head and grunted under her breath as she hung up some dresses in the closet. "You...You slammed the door in the face of that poor, nice woman when all she was trying to do was lighten the mood with a few jokes!"

He closed his eyes and crossed his arms in front of his chest, trying to keep calm and let Sybil get out her feelings and calm down, but when she mentioned Klaus and the fact that he was "Nice enough to let them spend time on his island for their wonderful honeymoon", he'd had enough. He was out of patience. It was all gone.

Eyes narrowed, Mikael sped across the room, pinning Sybil's arms over her head and kissing her soundly. As expected, an angry noise left her throat as he felt her try with all her might not to kiss him back. She tried to pull away a little, but the weight of his body against hers made that her battle to lose, as it always was when he made her body feel this way.

As his lips blazed a trail down her neck, she let out a moan, and when he released her arms, she put them on his shoulders and then gently caressed the base of his neck.

"Mikael," she breathed. "Oh, Mikael." Then she took his face in her hands so she could look deeper into his blue eyes, all her anger forgotten. "What's wrong with you? You can tell me. Is it because this is Klaus' island?"

"You know the answer to that," he told her. "You know I don't feel comfortable here." He rested his forehead against hers. "I can't stop thinking about the fact that this isn't the first time someone has made love to you here."

"This is the first time you have made love to me here," she said firmly. "Or at least it will be. And that's all that matters." She paused. "And that's why this is Paradise!"

"It is Paradise, my love," he nodded. "The reason why I decided to come here is because I knew I would be here with you!"

"Well, then what's wrong?" Sybil asked as she traced the line of his chin lightly with her fingers. "You seem ill at ease; unsettled."

He sighed, not wanting to tell her because, frankly, saying it out loud would show just how stupid he was. "Well..." he got out at last. "Well, we left town, and...I know Elijah married us, but...we...we didn't consummate the marriage, and you could..." He trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

"That I could what?" She asked, her eyes widening in shock. Then she took a deep breath and laughed cause she didn't know what else to do. "Mikael Mikaelson, are you suggesting that you were afraid I would become a runaway bride and try to annul our marriage? Is that why you've been so grumpy?" She looked down and put a hand on her belly. "Have you taken a look at me lately? If I was planning on doing something like that, you could very easily catch me." She shook her head, grinning. "You crazy man. I'm carrying both your children. I pledged my love to you in a room full of our friends and our enemies. We had the strangest and most unpredictable wedding ceremony, but I stuck by your side because I'm madly in love with you! So, believing that I would leave you now makes you the...the most insecure and sweetest man I have ever met!"

Mikael made a face. "I am not insecure!" He corrected. "I just don't want to lose you! You're...you're everything to me."

"And you're everything to me!" She pledged. "Didn't you see the look I was giving you on the plane, my very insecure man?" She teased.

"I am not insecure," Mikael snapped, yet again. "I am a warrior, and an Original vampire!" He was very irritated. "And if you're talking about your patented 'I will kill you' looks, yes, I saw them."

"No, not that look," she bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. Then she moved her hands down to his waist to undo his buckle."I mean the look of a wife who finds her husband extremely sexy and wants to jump his bones. Did you see that look?"

"Oh, that look!" He grinned and blushed slightly. "No, I guess I missed it, somehow."

"I guess I should try it again, then," she said seductively. "It's time for me to show my appreciation." She nibbled on his neck and slowly undid the zipper of his cargo pants so she could gently stroke him. "I don't want anyone thinking I'm not appreciative of what my husband has to offer."

Mikael growled. "Okay, that's it, woman!" His breath was picking up. He knew that she knew he was incredibly aroused. He picked her up, grinning at her cry and laugh of surprise as he carried her to bed and laid her down on he mattress before pulling his shirt up over his head. "You asked for it," he said, pointing a finger at her.

"Mea culpa!" She conceded teasingly, biting her nail as she watched him undress the rest of the way. Then he threw his clothes on the floor and headed back to bed, sliding off her pants, licking his lips slowly as he realized she wore nothing under them but a tiny pair of pink lace panties.

He chuckled before kissing her legs and thighs, then slowly removed the panties and started kissing her belly. "Are the babies okay?" he asked.

Sybil smiled and nodded. "Happy, relaxed...worried about their insecure father..." she couldn't resist teasing him one more time as she softly caressed his hair, then cried out when he gently slapped her bottom. "Hey!"

"Behave, wife!" He scolded before removing her bikini top and gently taking her erect nipple between his teeth and proceeding to kiss and nibble her there as she cried out with pleasure. Her hips bucked in a silent demand to be joined with him in the most intimate way.

He grabbed both her legs and placed them on either side of his waist so that she was open to him, then thrust into her.

"Oh, Mikael!" She cried, feeling him fill her deeper with each thrust.

"Your insecure husband is about to fuck you hard, woman!"

She chuckled, challenge sparkling in her eyes. "It's about time!"

One of the walls in their bedroom was actually a set of floor to ceiling wood doors that opened onto a terrace. In the early hours of the night, Mikael kissed Sybil's cheek as she dozed beside him, then got up and opened those doors to look at the rain that was now falling, and savor the excellent view the house had of the ocean, the moon, and the sky.

He put a hand to his stomach, thinking about how full he was because after they had consummated their marriage, while they were both asleep, Nana had knocked on their door and left them a tray of fruits, cheeses, breads, and several large slices of chocolate cake.

Since they had both been famished, they had finished everything and now Mikael realized that it was something he would probably never do again. He stood there for a few minutes, savoring the sound of the rain and the ocean waves before heading back to bed and pulling Sybil close.

Smiling, she kissed his shoulder and asked, "is it raining like mad out there? If it rains tomorrow, I'll be so sad!"

"No," he shook his head and gently kissed her forehead. "This is a tropical rain. Tomorrow will be nice and bright and sunny."

"So I guess it's official," she said with a smile. "We're truly husband and wife now." She raised her head to stare deeply into his blue eyes.

"Yes," Mikael nodded and put his hands on her face. "You think I was a silly man, don't you?"

"What I think is," she said, feeling a catch in her throat. "What I think is...that I'm truly in love with you, Mikael Mikaelson." She smiled as tears began to fall from her eyes.

He nodded, wiping some of her tears away. "So am I, Sybil Vane Mikaelson," he replied, slowly lowering his head down to kiss her lips as the warm rain continued to gently fall on the terrace.

Sybil grinned with satisfaction as she poured a little bit of cream in her morning cup of decaf and then took it and stood in the open of the doorway to the terrace, looking at the water and the sky, which were continuing to be a pleasant and beautiful blue.

The last two days had been absolute heaven. She and Mikael had stayed in bed til late morning or early afternoon, had a little snack, and then run out to play in the water like children. He'd even taken a picture of her with an amazing sand castle she'd built. (Well, actually he'd helped a little but she'd built most of it. Mikael had built one too, but during a somewhat acrobatic pose for a photo, he'd slipped and squished it. She'd tried not to laugh, but it had been sort of funny how he'd landed right on his bottom.

"What's so funny?" Came his voice from behind her as she felt arms circling her waist. "Are you still thinking about the sand castle fiasco? It wasn't that funny!"

"Yes, it was," Sybil nodded. "It wa adorable!" She paused. "Good morning, husband."

Mikael grinned, placing his chin in the space between her neck and shoulder. "Good morning, wife. Did you sleep well?"

"Well, when you let me sleep, yes I did," she winked.

He chuckled. "Do you have a problem with how I'm performing my husbandly duties?" He whispered before nibbling on her earlobe.

"No," She whispered back. "You're doing great!" She paused. "It feels so much like a dream sometimes that I need to pinch myself to be reminded that it actually happened; that I did marry the man I love, and that we're here on this island paradise having the most wonderful honeymoon ever while awaiting the birth of our babies!" She confessed, hoping he wouldn't find her too sentimental.

"And our fights?" He asked mockingly. "Do you love those too?"

She turned to stare directly into his blue eyes. "Well, 'love' is a bit strong, but even they are good workouts. It's like sports, you know?"

"I couldn't agree more!" He grinned enthusiastically. "And there are benefits afterward, too: I can make up for my...what did you call it? Oh, yes. Obnoxious personality, by having sex with you multiple times!"

"Yes, well I can't deny that does help," she agreed, teasing him goodnaturedly before gently brushing his lips with a kiss. "So...do you have any other, non-sex related plans today?"

"Well, Nana lent me a fishing pole and I'm going to see if I can catch a fish or two," he told her.

"Try and get at least two," Sybil told him. "Then we can have them for dinner tonight!"

"I'll try my best," he nodded. But he was pretty confident he could do it. "What about you?"

"Tanning is on my schedule," she told him happily. "Might as well take advantage of a beach while I've got it!"

"That sounds wonderful!" He cried, giving her a playful slap on the bottom. "What are we standing around here for? Finish your coffee and let's get to it!"

Sybil grinned as she brought her beach bag out onto the sand and lay out a blanket, putting a visor on her head to shield her eyes from the bright sun. She then watched Mikael, who was fishing nearby, his pants hiked up to his knees and white shirt open to show off a lot of his muscular chest. He looked wonderful, like someone she wanted to taste all the time!

He must've felt his gaze on her because just as she was starting to look away, her caught her eye and waved.

She waved back and spread her towel on the sand before untying her sarong, sitting on the towel, and placing a hat on her head. Then she lay down for a few seconds before realizing that nothing would be better than an all-over, even tan. Biting her bottom lip, she undid the top of her pink bikini and threw it in the bag beside her, then lay down once more, glorying in the warmth that was covering her body. If this wasn't heaven, nothing was.

But it didn't last long. A few minutes later, she felt a chill as if a cloud had passed by and blocked the sun. She opened her eyes to look and found her husband glaring down at her, hands on hips. "Would you move?" She snapped. "You're blocking my sun!"

"Just what do you think you're doing?" He asked grumpily.

"Trying to tan, what are you doing? In order to fish, you have to stick your pole in the water."

Without answering, he knelt by her side and pulled the bikini top out of her bag and held it out to her. "Put this back on," he demanded.

"I beg your pardon?" Sybil asked. "If I want to tan, which I do, why would I do that?"

"Because I don't want you to be topless on this beach!" He cried.

"Oh, come on!" Sybil scoffed. "We're the only ones here! And you've seen my boobs like a gazillion times!"

"It's not me, it's other people!" He cried. "I saw eyes peeking out at you from the trees earlier!"

Sybil rolled her eyes, sure he was just being paranoid. She hadn't seen or felt anything like that herself. "Who cares? So what if they see my boobs? If there was actually anyone there, which I doubt there was. I think you're just being silly! It wouldn't be the first pair of boobs they saw and it won't be the last either!"

"Well, that doesn't matter," Mikael snapped. "They're mine, so you'll do as I say!"

"Excuse me, yours?" Sybil's jaw dropped as she looked at them. "Are they attached to your body? No! They are attached to me and my body is mine! So if I want to get an even tan, I will!"

"You know perfectly well that I didn't mean it literally," he snapped. "I meant that as your husband, they are mine to look at, touch, love!"

"That doesn't change a damn thing, Mikaelson! Regardless of what you do with them, they are still mine!" Sybil insisted, wondering how many times she'd have to make her point before he got it through his thick head.

"Whatever, woman!" He scoffed, turning on his heel and striding off down the beach without so much as a look back.

Dumbfounded, Sybil watched him go, wondering just what in the world had come over him now.

Eventually, she found him on another part of the beach, shirtless and playing with a leaf as he sat down on the sand.

"Mikael?" He looked up, expecting to see her proudly bare-breasted, but breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her sarong was covering her chest and she held her bikini top in one hand and her hat in the other. Then she sat down beside him, digging her toes deep in the sand, watching the sea in silence for a few seconds before speaking again. "Mikael, please," she said, hoping she sounded gentle and kind. "Help me understand. Why does it always worry you what I want to do with my body? Is it because you want to be the alpha man?"

"No, no," he shook his head. "Never. I'm...I'm just made that way, Sybil."

"What way?" She pressed.

"I just...I'm a very private man," he shrugged. "I don't want people to know all of my business and, shockingly enough, I want my relationships to be the same."

Sybil nodded. "I understand and respect that," she said. "But why does it apply to my body too?"

He sighed. "I suppose it doesn't. But you're the most precious thing in my life and...I don't want to share the most precious thing in my life with other people."

She sighed and he narrowed his eyes, watching her undo her sarong and put her bikini top back on. "There," she said. "I suppose it doesn't really matter if I have a perfect, all-over tan or not. If you can be attracted to me when my boobs are a lot paler than the rest of me, I can deal with that."

"I can," he nodded. "And thank you." He gave her a smile.

"You're welcome," she smiled back. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt us to compromise from time to time, would it?"

"No," he shook his head. "It wouldn't."

Then she gasped as she ran her fingers gently down his back.

"What?" He asked, wide-eyed. "What's the matter?"

"The scars on your back!" She said. "They're half-gone!"

"What?" Mikael asked. "You can't be serious!"

"I am," Sybil insisted. "I wouldn't lie to you."

"I just don't understand how that could be?" He said, shrugging. "I've had them all my life, as boldly there as anything."

"Maybe that's the power of change, acceptance, and love," Sybil suggested, brushing his lips with a light kiss.

"Maybe," he nodded, wanting so badly to believe that was true.

She then got to her feet with a little help from him. "Last one in the water is a coward!" She cried gleefully, running toward the water with a shriek.

"That's not fair," he cried, running after her. "You better run! Because you probably won't like losing once I catch you!"

"Did you get everything?" Mikael asked as he watched Sybil put one last pair of shorts in her suitcase and zip it up after he'd thrown in a pair of shorts into his own bag. "Do you want me to have another look around?"

"If you think it's needed," Sybil shrugged. "But I'm certain that all I have left to grab is my toiletries and I'll be all set."

"Good," Mikael nodded, picking both bags up. "Perfect." He tried not to smile, but she caught it anyway.

"Why do you seem so glad to leave when it's making me sad?" She asked.

"Come now," he said, putting a hand on her cheek. "We've had several conversations regarding my feelings about this island. It took a huge effort for me to come here, even for you."

"Yes, I remember," Sybil smiled and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you for doing that for me. You're a wonderful husband." She grinned.

He smiled back. "Well, I wouldn't feel like putting in the effort if you weren't such a wonderful wife."

"But we had some fun didn't we?" Sybil asked. "It...it wasn't entirely intolerable for you?"

"We did," he assured her with a kiss in her hair. "It definitely was not all bad." He paused. "But we can also be happy at home, right? If I do recall, we have a nursery to finish and...I could prepare us some margaritas while we work. Or after, at night."

Sybil smiled, eyebrows raised. "That sounds delightful," she told him, glad that alcohol didn't have terrible effects on demon babies.

He smiled and pulled her to him. "We'll have the wonderful memories of this trip with us forever. Plus, I got used to seeing you in those sexy bikinis and I'm not opposed to us taking the occasional tropical vacation once the children are grown, just as long as we don't have to come back here."

"Really?" Sybil asked with a grin. This was very good hews for her.

"Yes, I think it would be fun," Mikael nodded. "Now, if you're positive we're all packed up and we haven't forgotten anything, grab your toiletries and we'll head out. The seaplane will be back soon and I promise I'll be much nicer to the pilot this time. Or at least if I can't be nice, I'll say as little as possible."

"Good," Sybil nodded. "Thank you."

Then he gently kissed her forehead and slapped her bottom.

"Hey!" She cried, scolding him playfully.

"What?" Mikael chuckled. "Don't worry about that. I'll continue to spank you at home. That's not something that's staying here, I promise!" Then they heard a discreet knock on the door, and Mikael opened it to see Nana standing on the terrace.

"Well, look at him!" She remarked immediately. "He seems much less grumpy then before." She eyed Sybil. "Did you give him many long sessions of good sex?"

"Nana, you're wonderful in so many ways, and I've even become accustomed to that big mouth of yours, but...whether we've had sex or not, that fact is between my wife and me."

His tone was gentle, non-confrontational. Sybil was pleased and biting her lip to keep from laughing.

"Apparently your man wants his private life to stay private," Nana told Sybil. "I can respect that."

"Finally!" Mikael raised his eyes to the ceiling and put both hands in the air for a few seconds. "Thank you!"

"The seaplane has arrived," Nana said. "Are you ready to go?"

"We are, thank you," Sybil nodded, then bent down the best she could to give the small woman a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for looking after us, Nana, and...take care of yourself, won't you?"

Nana nodded and gave her a wide grin. "I will be fine," she assured her. "I'm blissfully happy on this island."

Then Sybil elbowed Mikael. "Give a kiss to Nana," she said.

"How about a handshake instead?" Mikael asked, making a face and doing just that. "Nana, it was a pleasure and...thank you for everything."

"Yes," Nana nodded. "Take care of yourself, sexy man!" She gave him a playful wink, then watched as he made his way down the beach toward the seaplane with the bags.

Then she grabbed her phone and called her boss. "They're leaving!" She informed him.

"Perfect! What information do you have for me?" Klaus asked with a grin.

"I stole one of the pretty lady's combs," Nana said. "And the sorcerer of the island told me she will give birth to a boy and a girl."

Klaus sighed. "I would have preferred two girls, but one is better than nothing." He paused. "Thank you for your good work, Nana. You'll be well-compensated. I hope it wasn't too difficult putting up with my stepfather."

"It wasn't hard at all," Nana reassured him. "He's a gift to my eyes. Very sexy!" She was watching Mikael get on the plane.

"Ewww!" Klaus cried out in disgust. "That's too much information! I'm going to hang up now! Goodbye, Nana."

"Goodbye, sir," Nana replied, and put the phone back in her pocket as she watched the seaplane take off.