I wasn't originally planning to do this but there has been interest in this weekend getaway so I will add this chapter in before continuing on with the story…hope you enjoy...any other ideas feel free to leave reviews and I will try and add them.

Chapter 7 – Birthday Weekend

Stef sat on her kitchen counter as Lena was packing some snacks and sighed. Lena looked up from her task and knew that look well.

"See it's not so simple now is it," Lena said with a sympathetic smile on her face.

"I know it is just two nights but I am going to miss our little nuggets. I trust my mom 100% and have no doubt she will be fine this weekend, but this is the first time we are both leaving them…..I know they will be fine though."

"Well hopefully there won't be much time to miss them too much," Lena said stepping between Stef's legs and placed a kiss on Stef's lips.

"Hmm you're still not getting any information out of me about your birthday weekend," Stef said with a laugh.

Lena pouted and finished making the snack for their mini trip and weekend stay.

"I don't even know where we are going," Lena continued to pout.

"We will not be driving longer than two hours."

"Oh thanks for all the help in two hours we could be in LA or Mexico."

"Well you won't be needing your passport, but you also won't get to see the Hollywood sign either."

"You better remember this moment because when it comes my turn to plan a weekend away I am going to torture you."

"Oh love I am not really into the whole bondage thing," Stef said with a laugh as a carrot came flying at her head.

"Very funny Stef."

"Hello is anyone home," Sharon called out from the front door.

Before Stef could respond she heard their kids yelling in excitement for grandma. Lena loved that Sharon was so great with Callie and that Callie took to Sharon so well.

"Hello ladies."

"Hi mom," stef said hopping off the counter and giving her mom a kiss on the cheek.

"Hello Sharon. Thanks so much for watching the kids this weekend."

"Oh it is my pleasure….I remember what its like to be young and in love,' Sharon said with a bright smile.

"I don't know about young anymore mom….it is this one birthday….another year older."

"Huh who you calling old….your older than I am," Lena said sticking her tongue out at her partner.

"And your bother younger than me and still in your prime so let not make an old woman feel older."

Stef was about to respond when their kids came running into the room.

"Grandma grandma grandma," Brandon yelled out while running full speed at his grandma.

"Whoa there buddy,' Stef said intercepting him and scooping him up in her arms. "What did I tell you about running in the house?"

"But grandma is…

"No buts now what did I tell you about running in the house?

"No running in the house."

"And when mama and I are away this weekend you are going to be on your best behavior and follow all the rules from grandma right."

"Yes mommy."

"Thank you," Stef said setting her son down.

"Grandma come play with us."

"Please," Callie added.

"Well how can I refuse that? Why don't you two say bye to your moms and let them get on the road and then we can get down to some serious playing."

Callie and Brandon gave their moms big goodbye hugs and kisses and promised not to miss them too much and listen to grandma. They wanted a good report when they got back.

"All right you too have a great weekend and don't worry about a thing here. If anything comes up I have your numbers and I know where you are staying."

"Thanks mom we will call tonight and say goodnight to the kids."

And with the Stef and Lena finished putting their stuff in the car and they were off. Stef of course was driving since Lena had no idea where they were going. Trying to figure out where they were headed Lena paid attention to every sign they passed.

"So we aren't going to LA but we are headed towards LA."

"You have to be the most impatient person ever," Stef groaned out.

"We are going to the beach," Lena stated as matter of factly.

"And how did you come to that conclusion?"

"You're not denying it."

"I am not confirming it either."

Stef leaned over and turned the music on louder than normal to let her partner know she was not discussing this anymore. She would never admit it but she loved seeing Lena pouting. Over an hour later Lena knew they were getting close because they had exited the highway and were making their way along local roads.

"Happy birthday baby," stef said pulling into their hotel parking lot.

"The Island Hotel…are you serious this is where we are staying," Lena asked almost bouncing out of her seat.

"No we are actually staying at that little motel across the street."

Lena quickly turned her head but realized the motel Stef was talking about didn't actually exist and she was just joking.

"You're lucky I am so happy right now that you get a kiss rather than a punch," Lena said kissing Stef.

"Violence never solves anything."

"There is an exception to every rule."

"Well unless you want to spend the weekend in the car what do you say we check in."

Stef checked them in while Lena gathered their bags. It was only a short weekend so there were only two bags. By the time Lena walked in Stef was done checking them in and quickly took the bags from Lena.

"It's your birthday you shouldn't be carrying the bags."

"Can it be my birthday every weekend," Lena teased as they stepped into the elevator.

"Hey I do a lot of things for you."

"I was joking baby….I know you do a lot for me and I appreciate everything you do."

Stef took the key out and opened the door to their room before allowing Lena to go in first. She smiled hearing her partners small gasp. The room was a junior suite with king sized bed and balcony with a view of the ocean.

"Stef this is amazing," Lena exclaimed spinning around and jumped into her arms.

Stef laughed as she caught her and held her close.

"I am glad you approve but you haven't seen anything yet. What do you say we get out of here and see what Newport Beach has to offer us."

After spending a few minutes getting refreshed from their drive the ladies headed out to Balboa Island to stroll through their shopping district. Normally Stef wasn't a fan of this activity but she knew Lena loved it and Balboa offered the small town feel and family friend environment so it wasn't as bad as going to a local shopping mall. It was great to have a "boardwalk loop" of shops they could bounce in and out of that kept them busy for a couple hours.

"So love it is your birthday what are you in the mood for," Stef asked looking at the row of restaurants they were approaching?

"You," Lena said leaning down to place as kiss on Stef's exposed neck.

The unexpected answer caused Stef to stumble a little before regaining her balance.

"I meant for dinner….sounds like we are going to need it for all the energy we will be spending tonight."

"Lets get some Italian….do a little carbo loading."

Stef had done her research and they headed to Amelia's. The food, the wine, the conversation was all great. Stef remember when they first started dating how nervous she felt about having dinner with Lena. She worried the conversation was stall and become awkward….something that never happened with these two. They could talk about anything everything and nothing at all and it would never be awkward.

On the way back to the hotel the ladies called home to say goodnight to the kids. It sounded like they were having a great day and the moms had nothing to worry about. By the time they got back to the hotel it was past 9pm. Both were tired but when stef opened the door again to their room suddenly any feelings of exhaustion were out the window…literally.

"Stef….how…..when," Lena questioned looking around to see the candles, roses and bottle of wine.

"That is for me to know and you to enjoy love."

"I love you," Lena whispered stepping into Stef's arms.

"And I love you," she said initiating a kiss that would set the tone for the night.

The next morning Stef was the first to wake. She loved these moments where she could watch Lena sleep…moments of total peace and relaxation. She couldn't help but kiss her bare shoulder a couple times causing the caramel beauty to stir.

"Hmm morning," Lena purred as she started to wake up.

"Happy birthday,' Stef whispered again placing a kiss to her shoulder.

"Best birthday ever."

Stef couldn't help but giggle.

"We haven't even done anything yet."

"No…but you're here….waking me up….best birthday ever."

"Well hopefully I can add to the day. I called room service they should be here soon….I figured we could have breakfast on the balcony."

Lena picked her head up slightly to look outside and see the bright sunshine glistening off the ocean.

"Sounds perfect."

Lena and Stef got up a few minutes later and slipped into their robes moments before room service arrived. Stef was torn between wanting to stay in the room all day long and actually going out and exploring more. Knowing it would be much easier to steal bedroom time at home than it would be to explore when kids were around she continued with her plan to show Lena the best birthday ever.

"These are so cool," Lena said as they walked along the beach looking at the professional sandcastle contest going on.

"It really is amazing what people can do with sand. I have issues getting a sand castle to stay put with the buckets and these people are creating master pieces."

"I could never do this….besides the fact I have little sculpting talent….it would break my heart to see all my hard work destroyed."

"I don't have the patients for this."

"You don't say,' Lena said laughing. "So what else is on the agenda for the day?"

Stef looked at her watch to see they had been walking on the beach for over an hour.

"Well we should had back soon we have an afternoon at the spa waiting for us."

"Really," Lena asked getting excited.

"Yup a whole afternoon of us getting totally pampers…massages, wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and I am sure they can fit us into other things if you want to try something else."

Lena was in heaven. She never really pampered herself like this before. Sure she would get the occasional manicure and pedicure….but the full spa day was just what she needed. The ladies had never felt more relaxed after their time in the spa. It was made all the more special that they got to experience everything together.

Not having too much time to do anything before they needed to get ready for dinner they spent some relaxing time at the pool soaking up a little sun. Stef told Lena to get dressed to the 9's for dinner and neither was disappointed with the final results. Stef was in a full length blue dress which she knew Lena loved because it brought out her eyes. Lena meanwhile was rocking her LBD…the killer Little Black Dress.

"Hmm you make me not want to go to dinner at all," Stef said kissing her neck.

"Don't tempt me," Lena said with a sigh as Stef's lips felt so good on her neck.

"Let's go before we get ourselves in trouble."

They arrived a short while later at Tamarind of London and Lena had to admit she was impressed. She knew going fancy was not really Stef's things but loved that she would occasionally take her out to such places. Lena never needed the finer things in life but it was nice to get all dressed up and have a night on the town. Dinner was in full swing once again with delightful food and wine when Stef pulled out a small box and placed in on the table.

"Happy Birthday."

"You didn't have to get me anything Stef this weekend itself is enough."

"I know but…well just open it."

Lena smiled and carefully opened the box and gasped.

"This is the necklace I was looking at yesterday….when did you get this?"

"When I said I had to go to the bathroom…I snuck off and get it. I saw you eyeing it up and knew you really liked it."

"I love it….thank you so much it is perfect."

"I am glad," she said picking Lena's hand up and kissing it.

"This really has been the best birthday ever….I don't know how you're going to top it next year," lena joked.

"I don't know either but I am going to….I have 364 days to think about it."

After dinner they headed back to their hotel and placed an order for wine and some chocolate covered strawberries. They could barely keep their clothes on long enough to get the delivery. The couple spent the rest of the night enjoying the wine, the strawberries and each other.

"I can't believe we have to leave today….this has been the best weekend," Lena said snuggling into Stef side refusing to fully wake up yet.

"Yeah it has been pretty perfect….but I am starting to miss our little nuggets."

"Me too….they are going to love all the stuff we got them."

"And here I thought they would just be exited with us coming back," Stef laughed.

"That and presents."

"Presents makes everything better…come on let's get up and we can hit up brunch at The Cannery before heading home."

"Sounds good."

"Dressy casual," Stef informed before Lena could ask.

"Thank love."

The weekend really had been magical. They had the perfect combination of exploring the beach and surrounding area, fine dining and alone time. Lena would never forget this birthday as long as she lived….her first birthday celebrated with the love of her life. She truly appreciated how much thought Stef put into everything…it meant a lot to her. They knew once they got back home they would go back to the real world and with work, the kids and other unexpected life events. A weekend away every now and then would certainly serve them well.