AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M.

SPRING BREAK

PROMISES

"Come on, Addie! We're taking the catamaran. You love that boat!" Bucky whined as they sat around the pool eating breakfast.

"Love the boat, despise the company. It's not happening Bartholomew."

"Don't call me that!"

"Then stop trying to get me to spend time with Graham!"

"Babe, maybe you should just let this one go..." Eliza said from her lounge chair before mumbling too low for him to hear, "Wish I could get out of this too."

"Fine." Bucky threw his hands in the air. "He's tried to apologize numerous times. I just don't get why you can't forgive him? I thought you were better than this, Addison."

"Bucky..."

He held his hands in front of him, cutting her off. "You gave me a second chance, why can't you give him the same?" he whispered as he grabbed his backpack and the cooler. "I'll just see you guys later."

They all watched as he walked out the gate towards Graham's house.

"I'll work on it," Eliza groaned standing up. "And for whatever it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing," she said to Addison before walking off to catch up with Bucky.

"Well..." Zed said, wrapping his arms around her on the lounge chair they were sharing. "I guess they're finished with breakfast."

Addison smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "It would appear so...whatever shall we do with an entire day to ourselves?"

He silently laughed, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Actually, Gorgeous...we already have plans."

"We do?" she asked turning her head towards him and kissing his jaw.

"We sure do."

"Any chance you're going to tell me what these plans are?"

Zed laughed again. "Not a chance." He glanced down at his watch. "But we do need to get going. We have a bit of a drive ahead of us."

Addison let out a loud yawn. "And here I was thinking I'd get to spend the day in bed with you."

They drove along the coast eventually turning inland until they arrived at a local river cruise.

"It's pretty here. Are we going on a boat?" she asked as they walked to the ticket office.

"Yes, we are. I read that this is where parts of that old show "Fantasy Island" and some of "Lost" was filmed." He leaned forward over the counter and said. "I have a reservation for two under Necrodopolus."

The girl smiled at him and then started typing. "Yes, here you are, Mr. Necrodopolus, aannnnndddd…." she eyed Addison up and down, but easily disregarded her, focusing her attention back to Zed with a flirty smile.

Squeezing Zed's hand, she answered confidently. "Mrs. Necrodopolus." As the words left her mouth, she silently went into some minor form of shock. She turned around quickly to walk away, embarrassed for acting so jealous, but Zed stopped her retreat, gripping her hand tighter in his then bringing it up to his lips and placing one sweet, slow kiss on her knuckles. A gentle smile played on his lips as he took the tickets without any further acknowledgment of the girl behind the counter.

Addison didn't say anything as they walked hand in hand down the long sidewalk to the pier where the boat was boarding. He glanced her way several times, trying to hold back a smile. After finding their seats on the boat, in the back, he couldn't resist any longer.

"Mrs. Necrodopolus, huh? His gentle smile turning into a smirk. Her face flamed with heat. "Oh, stop freaking out, Gorgeous. I liked the sound of it. Addison Necrodopolus..."

She dropped her head into her hands. "I'm sorry I got jealous and blurted that out. But did you see how she was eye-flirting with you?"

"I think it's cute that you said that and no, I didn't notice her 'eye-flirting' with me. And it's okay...You know I get jealous too."

As the boat traveled leisurely toward their destination, there was a cool breeze coming off the water. She leaned back against Zed, resting her hand on his leg, and appreciating the view. The natural beauty surrounding them leaving her peaceful and calm.

"So..." Zed said, breaking her from her daydream. "How do you like the name?"

"Name? Oh, as in your name? I love your name, Zed," she stated simply.

He laughed and kissed her nose. "My last name, silly?"

"Necrodopolus is a great name. What do you think about Donnelly?"

"You're being difficult," he smiled. "What about changing your name one day for the man you're madly in love with?" He gave her his best-crooked smile and draped his arm across the back of her shoulders as she sat up.

"I think I'd be willing to change it as long as it wasn't to a more boring name than mine like Smith or Jones."

Sitting up and turning to face her directly, he whispered, "What about Necrodopolus specifically? Is that more boring than Donnelly?"

"I like Necrodopolus. I already told you that," she winked, leaning in and kissing him softly.

They both leaned back again and let their minds wander back to the breathtaking scenery along the river. When they docked, they walked up a long pathway surrounded by tropical flora. Music wafted through the air, and Zed threw her a wink. "We're here. This is the Grotto."

Looking ahead, she could see a large open cave structure with ferns hanging from the upper rock covering. "This is beautiful! How did you find this?"

Zed shrugged. "What can I say...I did some research before we left town. And, Addison..."

"Yes?"

"It's beauty pales in comparison."

She smiled up to him. "I love you."

"I love you too. Let's go get a closer look."

They walked with the group to the grotto and sat on one of the ledges that were used as seats to watch the Hawaiian quartet play their ukelele's and a woman singing in her native language. When she finished the song, she announced that the next song is the traditional marriage song, explaining, "In ancient and modern times, couples came to the Grotto to be married. Instead of speaking their vows, this song was played and when it was over they were officially married."

Just as she began to sing, Zed took Addison's hand in his, glancing at her, then focusing back on the music.

The song was long, but it was easy to feel the love in it. When it was over, the other tourists started to meander around the Grotto. Zed scooted closer to her. "You know, in the Hawaiian culture we're now married." A mischievous look crossed his eyes. "May I have a kiss, Mrs. Necrodopolus?"

Addison took her hands from his and slid them around his neck, pulling him closer. "Is a kiss all you want from your new wife?"

He sighed, arching his eyebrow and tilting his head to the side. "I do want more, but I also don't want to be arrested."

She kissed him before he could say any more. Her tongue moving smoothly past his open lips and melding with his mouth. His warm breath enveloped her as his hands slid from around her back to her ribs and his thumbs pressed purposely against the side of her breasts.

It didn't matter that they were in public. The world around them disappeared like it always did when they were together.

Their make-out session was interrupted by an older woman who promptly cleared her throat, getting their attention. They both looked up.

"It's so lovely to see newlyweds," she said. "You're a very attractive couple and will be blessed with beautiful children. Congratulations."

In his most charming tone, Zed said, "Thank you. I'm a very lucky guy."

Addison playfully swatted at him and corrected him, "I'm the lucky one.

They all giggled at the playful banter. Addison caught his smile as it reached his eyes, making her smile in return. In that moment it really did feel like they were starting their forever together.

The woman clutched her bag. "I lost my husband of forty-one years three years ago and I still miss him every day. We used to say the same thing about the other because we both thought we were the lucky ones." She laughed to herself. "Cherish each other and every day you have together." She smiled. "And don't ever listen to anyone who tells you, you shouldn't be together. They don't know the love you have." She smiled once more and walked off to join the group tour of the grotto.

They started down the path, but Zed pulled her back. His smiling eyes had turned serious, desperate even. "From now on, we're officially married in Hawaii." He kissed the fourth finger on her left hand then slid a ring onto it.

Addison gasped loud enough to draw attention from the people surrounding them. Cupping her hand over her mouth in surprise, she whispered, "Zed..."

He slowly shook his head, answering her unasked question. "This is just a promise for Someday… Someday will you make me the happiest man in the world and officially become Addison Necrodopolus?" He watched her intently, trying to read her emotions through her reaction.

She leaned her head against his chest, staring at the rose gold Plumeria flower ring with a diamond in the center that was now on her finger. "Absolutely. It's beautiful, Z. Thank you."

He rubbed her back, tracing his finger down over her spine, drawing circles on her lower back. "You're welcome. I'm glad you like it."

"I love it. It's perfect and thoughtful, and...I love you."

He spun the ring around on her finger, a peaceful smile playing on his lips. "I love you, too...It looks good on your hand."

She touched his cheek with the same hand. "It's stunning."

"Just like you, Gorgeous."

"When did you…."

"At Hilo Hattie."

"So that's where you disappeared to," she giggled.

Zed pulled her hand back up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her ring finger. "I can't wait to put the real one on you."

Small talk filled the boat ride back to the dock. As soon as Zed got into the car, Addison asked, "So...where to next?" She couldn't help but be giddy. He was beyond amazing and romantic. She knew she shouldn't admit it, but it did kind of feel like they were newlyweds.

"Over to the canyon and then dinner." He revved the Maserati's engine and squeezed her knee. "You ready?"

"So ready," she answered as nonchalantly as possible, trying to hide the fact that him revving the engine was the equivalent to him revving her engine. She tried to restrain herself from attacking him while he was driving again.

The drive was higher up on the island, giving them a bird's eye view of the canyon when they got there. The view did not disappoint. They stood against the barely there railing and stared out onto the great expanse of the canyon. Looking off to the right was the ocean in the distance.

The wind was strong and Zed wrapped his arms around her as they watched mountain goats play on the ledges and a random chicken walk by. The colors of the canyon varied from green to brown to rust to orange, and the distinct smell of salt water filled the air.

Walking around the platform several times, they took in the view from all angles before they decided to leave. As they drove back down the winding road, Addison unbuckled her seat belt and stood up, throwing her hands in the air and yelling into the wind, laughing as she sat back down.

"You're so beautiful when you laugh." His tone was serious and he pulled the car onto the side of the two-lane road. His hand came around to the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. Their lips were about to meet when he whispered, "I love you, Addison." Leaving no option to return the sentiment, he pressed his lips firmly against hers and began exploring her mouth with his tongue.

Dazed when they pulled apart, she opened her eyes and saw his staring deep into hers. "I love you, too, Zed." They kissed again, deepening it, before they sat back, a bit breathless, and he started driving once more.

A few miles down the road, he pulled the car into a small paved parking lot. He jumped out and rushed around, opening her door before she had a chance. "Right this way, my love."

"Why thank you, kind sir." she hooked her arm around his as he led her down a path lit by tiki torches. As they made their way down the path, Addison gasped. "Z...this is amazing," she whispered as she looked at the restaurant on the beach, the tide gently rolling up onto the small private beach. "This is heaven on Earth."

They were led to a private table for two out on the back patio. As he held her chair out for her, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for bringing me here, Handsome."

"You're quite welcome. It came highly recommended by the agent I called about the river tour."

They enjoyed the catch of the day and local vegetables, ending the meal with a homemade pineapple upside down cake.

They were walking back to the car when he stopped and kissed her in the moonlight. Her body heating from his touches and her insides alight with fire for him as his hands slid down her bottom, pulling her tighter to his body.

Her hands grazed over his length, she could feel it harden beneath his shorts. He picked her up abruptly and tossed her quickly over his shoulder. After setting her down, she ducked into the seat and when he got into the car, he leaned in next to her ear and whispered, "Don't think you'll get away with making me hard. You know what they say. 'Revenge is sweet.'"

Her head was thrown against the headrest as he peeled out of the lot. She watched him carefully as he commanded the car and the road while smiling deviously, definitely having more than just the road on his mind.

A sudden turnoff led them to a dirt road where he parked in the dark between two sugar cane fields. His seatbelt snapped open and hers went flying. Suddenly they were all hands and wet lips, moans, and sensations.

"Why can I never get enough of you...ever," she moaned against his collarbone as she stretched the collar of his shirt, exposing more skin.

The top was open and their clothes came off. Soon after she was rocking gently back and forth on top of him. They both closed their eyes, lost in the feeling as they balanced between falling and bliss, then giving in wholly.

Zed dropped his forehead against her chest, his breathing ragged as they came back to reality. "We're in a sugar cane field."

Addison shook her head, laughing with him. "I'm never going to look at sugar the same way now."

Companionable silence filled the drive back to the house. Addison fell asleep in the car. She was vaguely aware of him carrying her to bed and sliding in next to her, his cool skin against hers.

He kissed her sweetly, then whispered, "You're my future and my everything. I love you."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I really hope everyone is enjoying reading about their Hawaiian vacation! I'm having so much fun writing it! It's definitely making me long for warm weather and a beach! Stay tuned to the Instagram page this weekend for some pictures that inspired this chapter.

If you haven't already done so, you should TOTALLY check out the one-shot by WildFlowerChildGrace, Confidence in Imperfections!