A/N I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I think I only have one more chapter to write for this story, so if you have any suggestions for another please let me know! Reviews and comments are always appreciated! Enjoy!
With the sun filtering in through the blinds Henry stirred awake, looking over to admire the beauty that was his wife still asleep, while the sun beams danced across her face subtly. He had a casual, fun day planned for them, but first he was going to cook her breakfast in bed. Not wanting to disturb the sleeping beauty beside him, he slowly moved from the bed and headed down to the kitchen. Carrying the breakfast, consisting of a vegetarian omelette and some orange juice, into the bedroom he found her still asleep. He crawled back into bed, setting the tray on the night stand beside him, and leaned over her caressing her cheeks, eyes, and lips with kisses. She slowly opened her eyes as a smile danced across her lips.
"You know, a girl could get used to a wake up call like this." she said to him as she leaned into his kisses deeper. "Good morning babe."
"Well I thought you'd like a wakeup call like that, I also bought you breakfast in bed." he said sitting up against the head board, leaning over and grabbing the tray.
"Mmm this smells wonderful Henry! Thank you, you never cease to amaze me!"
"Well keep that thought in mind, because after we eat this we have a few things on the itinerary today." Knowing she would start to protest the fact that they had things to do today, when it was to be a relaxing weekend away, he fed her a forkful of omelette.
"This tastes amazing! Thank goodness you can cook, otherwise we'd never know what good home cooking tastes like" she said with a laugh. "but what on earth could we have planned for today? I thought we were to be relaxing and spending time together alone, on the beach."
"Well I found an activity that is in your area of expertise and thought you'd enjoy doing it along the waters edge, not wanting to give away to many hints" he said winking at her, knowing it was driving her crazy not knowing what he had planned. "Why don't we finish up, get showered and head out?"
"Okay, but you know, the shower in there is awful big, and I'd be lonely by myself in there." she said, fluttering her eyes at him, flirting like a love struck teenager.
"Well, I think I could help you with that, I wouldn't want you to feel lonely in there" he flirted right back. Two can play this game baby, he thought to himself.
After their HOT and STEAMY shower, they dressed in jeans and t-shirts, Liz pulling on a long sleeve button up shirt, as it was still cool outside. Still not knowing where they were going, she played along, trying to break him, but it just wasn't working.
Pulling into the driveway of the ranch, she finally realized what he had planned for them today. Since they had moved into the city and sold the farm, she didn't get to ride like she used to before the big move. There was hardly a day that went by that she wasn't saddling up one of the horses and riding thru the trees and across the fields, without a care in the world. She felt so at peace when she was one with the horses, and she missed it dearly. He knew this is something she needed to help deal with everything that had been going on in their lives at the present time. He didn't really enjoy riding, and when they had first started dating and she finally introduced him her horse, he was a little afraid of him, but because he loved her he set aside his fears and learned to ride. They had often taken rides together Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when the time allowed. Even the kids would tag along and they would make a day out of it. Trail riding through the woods and across the open fields. They all missed it.
"Oh Henry! Thank you so much for this!" she exclaimed, trying to push away the crackle in her voice as she fought back a few tears. Even though these were not their horses, she was still thrilled none the less to get to ride on the beach, at the waters edge. What could be better than riding with her love on the beach.
"I had a hunch you'd like the surprise" he said, leaning over to kiss her, while wiping the lone tear that escaped down her cheek.
They rode the coast line for hours, taking a few breaks here and there to check out their surroundings. They rode until the sun started to set, getting closer to the ranch, they stopped their horses, side by side looking out over the water watching the sun disappear, the sky a vibrant array of purples, reds, and oranges. It truly was a breath-taking sight.
"Thank you for this absolutely wonderful day Henry, you always know exactly what I need, and I will forever be grateful for that, and for you." She said, as she inched her horse closer to his, leaning over to kiss him.
"You are absolutely welcome baby, I enjoyed today maybe more than you'll know. Just being able to see the true, sincere smile displayed across your lips was enjoyment enough." he replied leaning over to return her kiss. "Lets get these horses back to the ranch, and go get some dinner. It's our last night alone here, so what would you like to do for dinner?" He threw at her.
Deciding that they both would enjoy having dinner on the beach with a bonfire, they stopped to pick up some dinner from a local restaurant. Something that was easy to eat out on the beach. Sitting there enjoying each others presence they were fully relaxed and were able to talk more about things that they didn't have the time to talk about lately. The kids for one, they both had been worried about Jason and his sudden obsession with football, Ally and her budding career in journalism and fashion, and Stevie with her finally deciding on a career path and sticking to it and her classes. It was good to catch up with each other, to talk about the kids and what had them concerned or worried about each one. Knowing this night was not going to last forever, and in the morning they would have to head back home, Henry got up, pulled his wife up to standing, and kissed her passionately.
"Dance with me baby" he requested of her.
She complied with his request, after all, he had done so much for her this weekend, the least she could do was dance with him, on the beach. They danced to the music of the crashing waves, the insects chirping in the dune grass, and the crackling of the fire. Perfection was the word to describe this day, they both had only hoped that once they returned home tomorrow that they could continue down this path, and keep the wedge between them away.