Chapter 2

The couple managed to take a steamy, hot shower and got dressed again before it was time for the plane to land. The flight went by quicker than they wanted, but they most certainly made good use of their time. When they landed, Kate noticed an older man waiting for them by an SUV and the wide grin on her girlfriend's face. Lucy jogged over to him and he chuckled as he gave her a hug.

"It's great to see you, Lucy. I have to admit I was surprised when my presence was requested in Maui for a vacation."

"I'm sure the boys just loved that." He gave her a knowing smile.

"Your brothers say hello."

"They know my number hasn't changed. They can say hello themselves. Thank you for coming."

"Well, technically I was originally assigned to you, not them."

"Kate, this is Beau. He was the head of my security detail when I was younger. Beau, this is Kate, my girlfriend," she proudly introduced and Kate shook his hand with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you. I guess that means you have a lot of interesting stories about Lucy."

"And am more than happy to share them," he said as Lucy nudged him.

"Hey, none of that, I'm on vacation. No embarrassing me," she whined.

"I'll do my best. The property is secure and everything you requested has arrived. We can head there shortly. Ladies, welcome to Maui," said Beau before walking over to speak with the pilot. Lucy could practically see the wheels turning in Kate's brain.

"It's a precaution that my mother refuses to not allow. If any of us are on vacation, whether domestic or international travel, she prefers at least one member of our security detail. I gave mine up years ago, but after the past week, I figured it wouldn't hurt to be extra safe. Beau is very good at his job and I trust him with my life."

"That, I understand, when your father is as infamous as mine, security details can be a must at times. I'm more curious about these stories of my girl. I bet college Lucy was a handful."

"No comment," quickly said Lucy as she got into the SUV and Kate laughed.

Maui was absolutely breathtaking with its white sand beaches, scenic bays, waterfalls, and hidden coves. Beau was not only their security for the weekend, but their driver. Kate could tell he missed Lucy and watched the two of them interact as they cruised along the scenic roads.

"When's the last time you had a vacation," asked Lucy.

"Your family is quite busy. You know that."

"Beau, this can't be your vacation. Your vacation needs to be a time just for you with your guard down, not a care in the world."

"I always have cares. Your brothers are a handful, so this will most certainly feel like a vacation compared to them. That is, as long as you don't steal the car again," he said with a smile as he glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

"You stole a car," asked Kate with a laugh.

"Okay, that's not exactly what happened. He didn't want me to go to a party and I wanted to go."

"So she stole the car," he added.

"Borrowed the car," corrected Lucy.

"And I thought I was the bad influence on you after last weekend," teased Kate.

"I'll have you know, my college party days were quite tame. A few drinks, a few girls assuring themselves they were just experimenting…"

"Okay, that's enough of that," said Kate and Lucy laughed as her girlfriend plugged her ears. Beau chuckled at their interaction.

"I assure you, Miss Whistler, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, I can't remember a time when Lucy planned a romantic getaway just for her and someone special. You must be an amazing woman," complimented Beau and Lucy blushed as Kate smiled even more.

"Thank you, Beau, and please, call me Kate." He gave a nod and smile as they turned down a secluded road and onto an expansive property. Kate's eyes widened when she saw the front gates open to reveal a luxurious compound with a breathtaking oceanfront view. It sat on four acres of land that were nestled by the turquoise waters of Ahihi Bay. Kate was in awe of how beautiful the three story mansion was with its multiple pools, expansive terraces, and rooftop deck. It screamed modern luxury and yet had a sense of serenity that she didn't expect from such a large home. The waves crashed into the shore in the distance and the palm trees swayed in the lush landscape. Lucy bit her lip nervously and laced their fingers together.

"What do you think" she asked and Kate shook her head in disbelief and awe.

"For someone who hates the water, you sure do have access to a lot of it. This place is absolutely beautiful. How many bedrooms does it have? Five," guessed Kate and Lucy shrugged nonchalantly.

"Eight."

"Bedrooms, eight bedrooms, for the three of us?"

"Actually, Beau will have his own place on the compound. It's eight bedrooms in the main house." Kate was stunned into silence as Beau parked in front of the house.

"Welcome to Pono Tara," he said as Kate openly stared at the place they would be staying for the weekend. Lucy grabbed their luggage and Kate followed her into the house as Beau drove away to the east side of the compound. The house was pristine, spacious, and bright. The living room on the first floor had two floor to ceiling glass, sliding doors that opened to the backyard and ocean view. A crystal clear pool was situated in the main backyard with a hot tub and fire pit off to the side. Lucy watched her girlfriend as Kate took it all in. She walked into the kitchen and her jaw dropped when she looked through the glass door of the refrigerator.

"It's fully stocked already and you even made sure to have my favorite wine? Luce, I can't believe you did all of this."

"Pono Tara is usually a lot busier than this and meant for more guests, but it has always been my favorite vacation home. I wanted it to feel comfortable for you too. Our favorite snacks are in the pantry, but I plan on us sampling the best cuisine Maui has to offer too."

"Wait, so when Beau called it Pono Tara, he wasn't joking. You didn't just rent this place out for us. You own it?"

"My family does," she said as she put her hands in her pockets and walked over to Kate. She was pleasantly surprised when Kate captured her lips in a tender kiss. Lucy melted into her embrace and pulled her closer.

"What was that for," she asked and Kate gazed lovingly into her eyes.

"I know you aren't big on showing people this side of you. Thank you for showing it to me."

"I love you. I want you to know all of me and while I'm not always proud of my family, I do enjoy treating my girl to nice things. You deserve the world, Kate." Kate tenderly kissed her again and slipped her hand back into her girlfriend's.

"So, which bedroom," she asked and Lucy smiled mischievously.

"Well, I plan on having you in all of them, but I have one in mind for sleeping," she teased and Kate giggled as Lucy pulled her deeper into the house.

After hours of pleasure and a much-needed nap, Lucy and Kate sat outside on the back porch enjoying the spectacular sunset and dinner together. The stars were already starting to brighten in the sky as the sun took its place beneath the horizon. The fire crackling in the fire pit and music playing set the tone on their romantic night in.

"I can't believe you had all this delivered. It's delicious and you remembered my favorite."

"Pacific Salmon Polynesian, it's pretty easy to remember."

"And Haleakala Beef for my Texan."

"You're the surf and I'm the turf." Kate sighed happily as she looked around.

"I have to admit. I'm more than impressed. I can't believe you did all this for us. You thought of everything, thank you." Lucy held her hand out to Kate across the table and Kate beamed with happiness as she laced their fingers together.

"I don't know if you can tell, but I'm kind of head over heels in love with you, Whistler."

"I can kind of tell," agreed Kate.

"Damn, I thought I was being subtle," teased Lucy before taking sip from her glass of red wine.

"Since you've been so amazing to me today and done your fair share of opening up, ask me anything," encouraged Kate as she grabbed her glass of wine as well. Lucy thought for a moment and smiled.

"When did you know you were gay?"

"Pretty early on, I seemed to always have a crush on most of my friends and really was into those bad early 2000s teen movies with the slumber parties and pillow fights in skimpy clothes."

"Definitely a sign."

"I was terrified of telling my parents. They both came from the typical, conservative, traditional families and even though I now know there were plenty of people in my family tree that were gay, you just didn't talk about such things back then. Noah was the one that helped me come to terms, though. He caught me and one of my friends and I was so sure he was going to scream and yell and be so disappointed, but he wasn't. He was more disappointed that I was scared to tell him. He thought he somehow failed me as a big brother. Of course, it had nothing really to do with him, but he took it upon himself to make sure I knew no matter what, he would always have my back and he did. It took me a while to tell my parents. I snuck around and Noah covered for me. He even was my wingman once when I was trying to figure out how to date this girl my freshman year of college. I eventually told my parents and they were actually okay with it. I think my mom knew, but wanted me to come out in my own time, and my dad cared more about my grades and future than who I was going to bring home."

"I'm really glad your parents were there for you. That's amazing."

"What about you?"

"I knew pretty young too. My mom definitely knew for a while, but wasn't around enough to talk about it. She was jet setting and keeping up appearances while my dad did whatever he was doing. I came out to my sister first and she understood, then my brothers. They were all cool with it, except for wondering what people would say. In my family, appearances mean everything, so once they talked to their people and got feelers out about how our acquaintances in Texas would feel, they fully accepted me. It's funny, they actually gave me the green light, as if I was asking for their permission instead of just telling them who I was. It's never about that with my family. It isn't about any of us. It's about what we represent. Once they realized it wouldn't tarnish our reputation because we have too much money for it to, they gave me their blessings, even my dad. You would think that would be such a happy memory, coming out and not being shunned or shamed, but it was just another part of me they wanted to handle, to make and mold into the perfect Tara image. That's when I knew I would never be who they wanted and I stopped trying."

"I'm sorry, Luce. As for them, screw 'em. I, for one, am very happy that you stopped trying. You're amazing and strong and fierce in ways your family could never be. You're brave and not because you came out. You're brave because you live your life unapologetically and I'm so damn in love with you." Lucy smiled at her as tears filled her eyes.

"You're way too far away right now," said Lucy. Kate stood up and closed the distance between them before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. She pulled her up to her and back toward the house.

"I need you," she whispered in Lucy's ear and Lucy nodded happily. She jogged back over to the table and Kate laughed as she grabbed the bowl of whipped cream and strawberries that were meant to go with their dessert.

"You thought of everything," giggled Kate and Lucy winked at her.

"Nope, just you naked," assured Lucy as they hurried back inside to enjoy their night in bed.

AN: It is serving my Kacy shipper heart to have them talking and connecting and casually just being together without all the drama and tense moments. In other words, damn it feels good to write them just being a couple.