Early the next morning...

Charlie and Jordan sat in the taxi. They turned and waved at Alan, Don, and Riley as they pulled away from the curb. Jordan wiped her eyes. "Are we being selfish to leave Riley for a week?"

"No. No we're not. Dad and Don are going to spoil her rotten. Dad said they're taking her to the zoo, and, knowing those two, they probably have planned plenty more that they didn't tell us." He grinned. "It'll be fine." Charlie squeezed her hand. "We needed this."

"Yeah, we did," she agreed. "It's going to be great. I can't wait." She paused. "I hope we didn't forget anything."

Charlie grinned. "At least one decent suit for me to lecture in?"

"Yep."

"Swimsuits?"

She laughed. "Yep."

"Dramamine for the flight, Miss Queasy?"

Jordan punched him playfully. "You know I can't help that. Yes, of course I brought it. Hard not to bring it when you make a big point of buying it, and then you keep making your little comments." She stuck her tongue out at him, then grinned.

"Good. Well, I think we have everything covered. Don't forget to take the Dramamine as soon as we get to the airport. I would prefer to not watch you turn green fifteen minutes into the flight."

Jordan eyed him. "You think you are so funny."

Charlie grinned at her, as her put his arm around her. "But you love it," he whispered into her ear.

Jordan felt warmth in her belly, and she closed her eyes and smiled to herself. This was going to be one awesome "math-date".

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An hour later Charlie and Jordan were sitting in their first class seats, waiting for take off. Charlie fit their carry on into the overhead, and tucked his lap top at his feet.

Jordan was nervous. She had only flown once before, when she'd first came to L.A. nearly six years before. At Charlie's insistence, she took the window seat. She fastened her seat belt. Charlie grinned at her and patted his pocket. "I have the Dramamine right here if you need it." He winked at her.

"Brat."

Charlie laughed.

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Charlie was going over his notes for the lectures. He was pretty pleased. He looked over at his sleeping wife. Jordan had slipped her feet out of her sandals, and even in her sleep, she had turned her body towards him. Charlie smiled, as he reached over and touched her. She murmured in her sleep, but didn't wake up. Charlie wished she was awake to enjoy the flight with him, but Dramamine always made her fall asleep. He sighed. He got out the Sudoku puzzle book Jordan had bought him, and started solving the puzzles.

Later

Charlie couldn't help but smile. Jordan squeezed his hand tightly as she peered out the window. "Look Charlie! We finally made it! Miami International Airport!" She turned to grin at him. "What a long flight! I didn't think we'd ever get here."

He rolled his eyes. "You slept over half the flight, so I'm sure it wasn't too bad."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "I can't help that. You know what Dramamine does to me."

He grinned. "Yeah, I know."

The plane touched down. He winked at her. "You ready?"

She leaned over and kissed him. "Let the math date begin."

A short time later, the Eppes had gotten their luggage, picked up the rental car, and started driving towards their home for the next several days.

Twenty minutes later, they found the cottage.

Charlie pulled the car into the narrow driveway. The Eppes looked at each other and grinned. It was exactly what they had wanted.

The cottage was clapboard, and painted white. There were two huge picture windows facing the street. Charlie immediately counted seven steps leading up to the long front porch. A huge orange tree was on the side of the house. Huge palms, thick with fronds, surrounded the small front yard, giving the house a secluded feeling.

Charlie fished the key from his pocket, and unlocked the front door. Together they hauled in their luggage, and set it down inside the front door.

Just inside the door on the left, was a small, eat-in kitchen. To the right, was the living room. There was a television, a solid blue couch and loveseat, and two matching wing chairs. A low coffee table, covered with rings from years of use, was in front of the couch. The room was paneled, and decorations were minimal. Charlie noticed two decks of cards on top of the coffee table.

"Well, if we get bored, there's always strip poker," he teased.

Jordan snickered, and moved through the living room into the hallway.

To the left was the master bedroom and bathroom. Jordan was surprised how big the room was. One wall had another huge picture window like the living room. A vertical blind hung over the window. There was a huge king sized, four poster bed, a long bureau, a tall chest of drawers, and a large stereo cabinet. Jordan opened the stereo cabinet. She grinned at Charlie. "I brought our CD's."

"I knew you would," he commented.

Jordan ignored him, and stepped back into the hall.

Charlie flipped on the light, and peered inside the walk-in closet. He was about to comment on the size of the closet, when he heard Jordan call him.

"Charlie?"

"Yeah?" He joined her in the doorway of the other room. He peered inside.

The room was tiny, and windowless. A small, sheetless, double bed was in the room, and a single, small table.

"Looks like a jail cell", he commented.

"Not exactly cozy," she agreed.

Charlie put his arm around her, pulling her close. He pressed his mouth against her ear. "That's where I'll put you if you don't behave," he teased.

She grinned. "Promises, promises."

Charlie pulled her by the hand, towards the living room. He smiled, "Want to go out for dinner? Or order something in?"

"Let's go out," she smiled back.

Charlie opened the front door for her. "Good. I'm starving. Let's go."

A few miles away, Charlie pulled into a restaurant parking lot. "Cuban food okay with you?", he asked.

"Sure," she nodded.

The sun was setting when the Eppes walked into the spacious, airy restaurant. Within minutes they were seated at one of the long wooden tables. Looking around, they saw that there were whole families sitting at the tables; lots of children, and even grandmothers holding babies. Jordan looked across the table at Charlie, with tears in her eyes.

He smiled, and took her hands in his. "Riley will be fine. It's just a few days."

"I know." She pulled a hand free to wipe away a tear.

"We'll call her after dinner, okay?"

She smiled at him. "Okay."

The Eppes ordered bistec palomilla, which were long, thin steaks. They ate slowly, enjoying the hot dinner, and listening to the families happily chatter. A little girl at the next table waved shyly at them. Jordan was amused, and waved back. She grinned at Charlie.

"Looks like you're ready to go call," Charlie smiled. "I am too. Let's go."

Charlie kissed into the phone for his daughter, and then passed the phone to Jordan. He mouthed the word 'shower' at her, and headed into the bedroom.

He turned on the shower, and began peeling off his clothes. He was exhausted. Stepping into the shower, he adjusted the temperature to get the water as hot as he could stand it.

He stood, with his eyes closed, enjoying the pulsating hot water between his shoulder blades. He sighed deeply. He couldn't wait to go to bed.

Jordan walked into the bedroom, to find Charlie in black boxer briefs and a tee shirt, perched on top of the bed, looking at his lecture notes, wet hair combed back.

She smiled at him, and began peeling off her clothes, as she walked into the bathroom to start the shower. A moment later, she popped her head out. "Brat."

Charlie looked up at her. "What'd I do this time?"

"Your dirty clothes, as usual.."

"Oh. Sorry, Jordan. I forgot again," he smiled sheepishly.

She eyed him. "Good thing I like you."

He chuckled, and went back to his lecture notes.

Charlie was finished with his lecture notes, and set them aside. He pulled back the sheet, and slid his legs under the blanket. The bathroom door opened, and Jordan walked out, wearing one of his tee shirts and a pair of panties. He grinned at her appreciatively. "Nice pajamas."

She laughed, and started rummaging through the case, looking for the small battery powered alarm clock. "What time do you have to get up?" she asked.

"Too early," he frowned. "So what are you going to do tomorrow while I'm gone?"

She grinned at him, and set the clock on the dresser. "Shop, of course. What else would I be doing?"

He laughed. "It figures. Well, do you want me to leave you the car? I can just call a cab or get a ride."

She shook her head. "Oh, no, Charlie, don't do that. I'm going to go to the Miracle Mile, and it's not that far at all. It'll be a nice walk."

He looked at her dubiously. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," she smiled at him brightly. She scooted into bed next to him.

Charlie laid down, and pulled her close. "So, what's this 'Miracle Mile'?"

She stifled a yawn. "It's actually just a half mile, but it's nothing but a ton of little boutiques, bistros, book stores… you name it. And you know how I love the 'tacky shops'."

He laughed. "I do indeed."

"I want to get something for Riley."

"I know," he said softly, closing his eyes.

She smiled. "Shall I get on my side?"

He opened one eye, and pulled her tight against him. "This 'is' your side."

She giggled, and snuggled against him.

They were asleep in minutes.