The sun was high in the sky when I woke up. Feeling the sheets beside me, Owen wasn't there.
I sat up and stretched. "Owen?" I called out when I noticed the van was too quiet.
I moved across the van to look out the door.
His back was to me. He stood by the edge of the lake, tossing stones into the water.
I looked around quickly for my jacket, but settled on one of Owen's sweatshirts thrown on the small couch.
The cold air hit my face as soon as I stepped outside.
"I was beginning to think you were going to sleep the whole day." Owen spoke without turning around when I approached him.
"It felt good to actually sleep."
He nodded.
I stepped directly behind him, letting my fingers slide up his arms. He shivered and I smiled knowing it wasn't the cold that made him do that. Taking one more step closed the space between us. My arms snaked around his waist and I kissed the back of his shoulder.
He raised his arm and I ducked under it to be at his side. He rubbed my back as we looked out at the calm lake.
"It's so beautiful out here." He sighed.
"It is." I agreed. "Wouldn't it be nice to find property like this and build a house? Maisie would have tons of land to run around on. We could be away from the world in our own piece of paradise." The image in my head made me smile.
Owen shrugged. "We can find a different place each night that's even better than the last. Why settle down when there's so much to see."
I looked up at his face at the same time he looked at me. His eyes sparkled as his smile crept across his face. "I'll show you! We'll drive a little further today. We'll find something even better than this place. You'll see." He said excitedly. I knew this tone well. He had his mind set on something and I was along for the ride whether I liked it or not.
I laughed when he scooped me up into his arms. "I'm going to show you the world, Mrs. Grady."
I brought my lips to his. "I've already go it." My whole world was Owen. Because he was so excited to take this time and travel with Maisie and I, I decided to give him his happiness. If this is what he needs then I will be there every step of the way.
We walked back to the van and got ready for the day. Owen drove further along to find a new destination for us to spend the night.
He reached over and took my hand in his, bringing the back of my hand to his lips. "I've been thinking of what your sister said before we left."
I glanced at him, confused. "What did she say?"
"Let's have another kid." He spoke quickly, so I didn't have a chance to cut him off. I snapped my mouth shut as I listened to him. "I know Maisie wasn't technically planned, but there's not way I would ever want to live one second in a world where she doesn't exist. Between your work schedule and mine we never even discussed having another kid. We've got all the time in the world now, Claire. Let's do it!"
I could only shake my head, mouth gaping at him.
He quickly took his eyes off he road to look at me and laughed at the expression on my face. "Come on, just think about it."
"I have and I don't know, Owen. Maisie is eight. I think the baby ship has sailed."
"Says who?"
"Me!" I laughed. "You're job making a baby is pretty easy. I have to do all the work for nine months. I just don't think it's a good time. We need to focus on Maisie right now."
Owen was quiet for a moment. "Ok," he sighed placing my hand on his leg and patted it. "I'll give you this one, but only because you're right about Maisie needing us."
I gave his leg a light squeeze and he jumped. "Doesn't mean we can't still do the fun part of making a baby."
With a growl he pulled the van over and threw it in park.
"Owen—" I started, looking out the window. Though this was a main road there weren't many cars. His lips on mine made it difficult to finish my sentence.
He unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me out of my seat.
"Here?" I shrieked when he yanked his shirt over his head.
"Benefits of a traveling bed."
My cheeks flushed red at the thought of cars driving by or worse someone stopping to see if we broke down or needed help.
He reached for the hem of my shirt and I tried slapping his hands away. I couldn't hide my heavy breathing though and he knew I didn't really want him to stop. He fought against my hands and smiled at me before bringing his lips to my neck. I tilted my head to give him better access.
"I've ripped shirts off of you before." He mumbled against my skin.
I couldn't help but laugh.
He brought his hands to my stomach, fisting the fabric of my shirt. "You're choice."
"I like this shirt." I couldn't hide the need in my voice anymore. I raised my arms over my head and he quickly moved his hands to grip the hem of my shirt again to lift it over my head. The rest of our clothes were shed in record time.
His hands reached for my hips, palms warm against my skin, and lifted me onto the table.
I wrapped my legs around his hips and threw my head back as I laughed. "Because the bed is too far away?"
He hummed against my neck. "Way too far."
Owen leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around his neck. His lips pressed against my shoulder as he fought to catch his breath.
There was a knock on the door and I shrieked, stiffening every muscle in my body.
"Claire!" Owen hissed, sinking his teeth into my shoulder.
"Sorry!" I gasped, letting my legs relax.
"You guys need assistance?" I males voice spoke loud, knocking on the door again.
"Not anymore!" Owen called over his shoulder.
I hid my face against his chest to try and keep my laughing as quiet as I could.
"Ok then!"
We listened as the footsteps disappeared and we could hear a car start up and pull away.
I slapped Owen's chest. "I told you this was a bad idea!"
He stepped back, letting me slide off the table and search for my clothes.
"It's not like we haven't done anything like this before!" He winked at me before pulling his pants on.
"What are you talking about?"
"Remember when you had to watch the screening of the new IMAX movie at the park? I do recall you were the one to instigate that little escapade."
I turned red at the memory. "We were in a dark theater and alone. This is out in the middle of a highway!"
He shrugged. "I see no difference."
I smiled as I watched him climb back in the drivers seat. The tension between us was completely gone. I was falling in love all over again.