{Author's Note: In keeping with the Thanksgiving season, this is a bountiful chapter. So, make a fresh cup of tea (Earl Grey with a little sugar, thank you), or pour another glass of your favorite beverage and settle in comfortably for a long read.}

{Many thanks to MinervaDeannaBond for her kind words and for noting a discrepancy in a previous chapter. I've amended it in this one. It's always great hearing from the readers. Hint… hint, hint.}

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

... ... ... ... ...

After stowing their luggage in the trunk Seth held the rental sedan's door for Jessica. Once they were securely buckled in Jessica asked, "Seth, do we need a map or do you know the way to the cottage at Riverton Gardens from here?"

"Unlike two years ago, I got directions from the fellow at the rental desk while you were in the powder room. He even gave me an area map and drew the route out on it."

"Wait! You actually asked for directions? Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" teased Jessica.

"Har, har, har, Jess. Now are you done with your Don Rickles impersonation? If so, would you please take this map and be the navigator?"

"Of course. But you do realize that you're putting someone who doesn't drive in charge of getting us to our destination?"

"Woman, with your deductive skills you could find a black cat with its eyes closed in the woods at midnight."

"Where did that come from - and what on earth does it mean?" asked Jessica with a grin.

"It means that you're very good at locating things that no one else can," explained Seth. "Being down here reminds me of a lot of the sayings I heard as a kid when we'd come to visit."

"Well, I think it's charming. Odd, but charming. Turn left up here at the light and then we follow the road quite a way out of town."

"Before we get too far out we should stop and pick up something for dinner," mentioned Seth. "Evelyn said that she would stock the fridge for us but you never know, and I'd like to get there before we lose the light. Just like at home it gets mighty dark out here at night away from the city lights."

"Look, up there at the corner, it looks like a chicken shack. How about that?"

"Mmmmm, A good idea, I can smell that fried chicken from here. I hope they still have some greens," said Seth as he pulled into the parking lot.

In short order they were back on the road again with a jug of tea and the delicious smells of fried chicken, greens, cornbread, biscuits, and hushpuppies making their mouths water and driving them to distraction.

"These roadside shacks have some of the best fried food," commented Seth. "We must have been hungry - we made short work of that appetizer plate of fried oysters they made up for us while the chicken was cooking."

"They were irresistible," agreed Jessica, "and I know that you do love your oysters. Although, at this rate we're going to have to have oatmeal every day for the rest of the year if we keep eating the way we have been for the last few days! Oh, there's our last turn up ahead on the left."

"No, the other left," said Jessica with a grin as the car then swayed from right to left.

"It's a good thing we're getting close. The aroma from our dinner is about to make me crazy," Seth said while unconsciously licking his lips.

After they make the last turn both fell silent in awe of the four majestic southern live oaks, draped with Spanish moss, that lined the gently curving, sparsely travelled road and formed a canopy under which they drove.

"These look like scions of the live oaks lining the road up to the plantation manor," noted Jessica.

"A-yuh, they probably were planted by Buford's daddy. He did a lot of the designing of the landscaping on the property as a young man. I know he was happy to see Buford continue in his footsteps."

Coming out from under the trees' shade they crossed an old, but sturdy bridge spanning a fairly wide river bubbling along its bed before coming to a four way stop.

Jessica looked expectantly at Seth. "What, no quip about not wanting to be at this crossroad at midnight?"

"I don't need to make a deal with the devil, Jess," he answered, looking over at her and winking. "I already have everything I could possibly want."

"You old smoothy," Jessica grinned, giving his arm a light nudge.

Turning her attention back to the map she directed, "The River Road runs roughly north and south from here. Straight ahead onto that private road is the way we want to go."

Seth pulled onto the hard packed dirt road and stopped shortly as they came up to a locked wrought iron gate, winged on each side by fencing delineating the property line.

Getting out of the car the newlyweds approached the formidable looking lock. "Don't worry, I remember the pass code. It's Christmas!" Seth said as he dialed in the four digits for the holiday.

"Well, we won't forget that," agreed Jessica, as she helped slide the gates back.

"Evelyn said she'd leave a transmitter on the kitchen table for us so we won't have to do this manually," said Seth as he climbed back into the car and moved it past the gates. Jessica easily pushed them together again and they locked with a faint "clang."

Jessica slid back into to car and they continued up along the gently curved road. "This small hill is a rarity around here, being so close to the ocean and the low county," commented Seth.

"I'm amazed by the variety of trees!" exclaimed Jessica. "There are palm trees, magnolias, orange and lemon trees, and look, even a banana tree. Several of the varieties I don't even recognize, and as we go up the vegetation seems to be getting shorter. Oooh, just look at those lovely white lilacs and pink rhododendrons."

"There are a lot of old growth trees on this part of the property, along with a lot of species from the surrounding area that Buford and Kendall liked and some variations that they developed."

They continued up the road until they crested the hillock and pulled up in front of a small cottage.

As he opened Jessica's door and helped her out Seth remarked, "As I recall the story there was always some sort of shack standing here, either for storage or maintenance, or such. Buford's daddy had it fixed up as a little get away spot so he could come and think. It looks like Buford did a lot more upgrading. I hardly recognize the place."

Jessica and Seth stood on the pavers that encircled the cottage in an eight foot ring and admired the small house of red cypress with a pale red tiled roof and a covered wrap-around porch complete with swings at both ends. "How lovely!" Jessica exclaimed, "You can watch the sun rise or set from those swings."

Gazing to the east they had a wide view of the ocean in the distance while looking in the opposite direction rewarded them with a view of the sun sinking lower in the sky toward the tips of the great oaks and leaving sparkles on the river below.

"I should say it's been recently upgraded. I believe that's a hot tub enclosed in that gazebo behind us," motioned Jessica to the small structure at the north end of an extension of the patio.

"Well, let's go in and have a look-see," said Seth as he tilted a small pot of azaleas slightly to reveal the shiny key underneath. "Aha! Just where Evelyn said it would be," he noted as he stepped up and opened the front door.

Walking inside revealed a tidy cottage done in colors of white and sea blue with accents of moss green and sand. Various pieces of cushioned wicker furniture were arranged about. Through to the other side was another door that led into a screened-in section of the wrap-around porch.

As they wandered about they noticed a small kitchen to the left complete with a drop leaf table against a large window overlooking the beach below. On the right was a small sitting area with a cozy couch and coffee table. Large, screened windows all around assured that the inside was well lit, cheery, and breezy.

A hallway led to a large bright bedroom with a king size bed, dresser, and matching wicker nightstands. A little further down the hall revealed a bathroom fitted with a long counter with double sinks and an ornate old-fashioned claw foot tub and shower combination.

"My, this is cozy. It's perfectly set up just for two people," approved Jessica, looking around as she then walked out the back door onto the screened in sun porch. "Seth," she called, "come and look at this gorgeous magnolia tree."

Seth promptly joined her on the porch to take in a tall southern magnolia just tree covered with creamy full blooms. "Wow! and that scent - it's wonderful. It's perfectly situated to shade this area, too."

Stepping down from the porch they continued their circuit back around to the front trying to identify the foliage as they went and passing by a small shed along the way.

"Just look at these flowers," admired Jessica. "There are white and fuchsia peonies, purple iris, deep red azaleas, and roses of every color."

"A-yuh, more pretties that you can shake a stick at. I'm not even sure of what some of these are." Reaching past the unknown flora he plucked a perfect magnolia blossom from a low bush and stepped close to Jessica. "A pretty for my beauty," he whispered as he tucked the creamy bloom behind her left ear.

"You're so sweet," thanked Jessica with a peck on his cheek.

Continuing their amble they arrived back at the car and Jessica surprised Seth by turning around and throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him close. "It's our own Garden of Eden, Seth. That's what it is!" she claimed just before kissing him lovingly on the lips.

Pulling back slightly to catch his breath and bringing his forehead in to touch hers, Seth breathed, "It certainly is, and with no one else around for as far as the eye can see, it's just the two of us."

"It's just perfect!"

They stood together, smiling while in a loose embrace as the scent of flowers surrounded them. After leaning in for another soft kiss Seth sighed, "Well, I'd better get our luggage in before it gets dark."

"Let's have our dinner on the swing and watch the sun go down," suggested Jessica. "I'll set everything up while you tote our bags."

"Good idea," agreed Seth as he started pulling luggage from the trunk. In short order the car was emptied and Seth joined Jessica on the west facing swing to the tantalizing aromas from their delicious feast.

Sitting closely together they hungrily munched on the fried chicken and tasty side dishes. Jessica paused to add some sugar to her iced tea which sat upon a short wicker table in front of them. But Seth stilled her hand before she could dump the white granules into the glass.

"Better taste it before you do that. Remember it's different down here. 'Tea' means sweet tea. If you want unsweetened tea you have to ask for it. Unless they guess you're a Yankee, then they'll ask for your preference."

"Oh yes, I remember. Wow, this tea is sweet," claimed Jessica after taking a sip of the iced liquid. "Mmmm, it's perfect with our picnic."

"A-yuh and the greens were some of the best I've ever had. I can't wait to dig in to the biscuits. Oh good, they included honey," Seth said as he generously smeared a biscuit with the bronze sweetness before taking a big bite out of it.

"Mmm, mmmm," was the only thing heard for a few moments as they enjoyed the last of their meal. Then Jessica looked over at Seth and giggled, "Honey, you've got honey on the side of your mouth."

Reaching over with her left hand to gently cradle his cheek Jessica leaned over in close to Seth and delicately licked the golden glistening drop from the corner of his lips on the left side.

"Yum, you're delicious as well. Oh dear, I've smudged your cheek with my greasy fingers. Here, let me amend that," she said turning Seth's right cheek closer and kissing the spots off of it.

Seth gulped in air as Jessica finished her ministrations. "Ah, Woman, your touch takes my breath away." He took her left hand in his and began softly nuzzling her slippery finger tips, then bent his head slightly to plant a kiss on the finger that wore the sparkling engagement and wedding rings he had put there.

Jessica sighed deeply as she turned Seth's face up to hers and captured his mouth in a deep, languorous kiss. Their arms came around each other as the kiss deepened while the sun set over the old grand oaks just beyond the river, lighting the sky in a soft rosy glow.

After a long while the kiss broke and Seth moved over slightly to nibble on his wife's earlobe. "Jessica, aren't you getting a little chilly?" he asked in a low, husky voice.

"No, it's very pleasant out here. Why do you ask?" replied Jessica, caressing Seth's neck.

"Well, it is my job to make sure you don't get cold. And if you were getting cold I'll insist on taking you inside to, er, warm up."

Chuckling a little at his hidden meaning Jessica pulled back and looked into Seth's face with a great big smile. "Oh my, I think I did just feel a cold breeze. Brrrrr."

They both started laughing in each other's arms.

"You make me feel positively young again," gleefully noted Seth with a lopsided grin.

"I can't believe we're playing silly lovers' games at our age. And it's wonderful!" exalted Jessica.

"Speaking of play, shall we continue… playing inside, my dear?" her husband suggested with unmistakable desire flaring in his eyes.

"Oh yes, let's," Jessica eagerly agreed as she again leaned in for a soft kiss before they rose and gathered up the remnants of their dinner before re-entering the cottage.

Soon they gleefully continued their lovers' game in the middle of their own secluded hide-a-way.

... ... ... ... ...

The sharp laughing cries of a small group of seagulls above the cottage brought Jessica and Seth awake simultaneously. They had slept spooned together with Seth's left arm wrapped possessively around Jessica.

"I see one of nature's alarm clocks has decided it's time to get up," mused Jessica philosophically.

"Let them squawk," muttered Seth as he cuddled Jessica closer. "We're on vacation." And with that they dozed off again until Jessica yawned and stretched out her arms.

"What would you like to do today dearest?" asked the low voice into her left ear.

"Hmm, let's have some beach time before the afternoon sun gets too hot and then wander through the lovely gardens surrounding this place."

"Sounds good. But first, breakfast!" said Seth as he removed his arm from around Jessica and then leaned in and kissed her cheek with a loud smack. "Good morning!"

"Well, hello sunshine! My, but aren't you the chipper one this morning," kidded Jessica.

"And why shouldn't I be?" demanded Seth with a smile. "I'm here with the woman I love - my wife - on our honeymoon, in our own bit of paradise. It just doesn't get any better than this!"

"Careful, Seth," cautioned Jessica as she swallowed the small lump in her throat. "Keep this up and you'll lose your reputation as a curmudgeon," she said as she stepped close to Seth and kissed him. "And good morning to you too!"

"Jess, I'm so happy I'll even cook breakfast. Let's see what we have stocked up front."

A quick evaluation of the kitchen shelves and refrigerator revealed a pleasant surprise.

"Why, this place has enough food in it to feed a small army," observed Jessica.

"A-yuh," agreed Seth, "how about grits, eggs, toast, and orange juice for breakfast?"

"What, no oatmeal to counter all that bacon we've eaten recently?"

"We're Down South, Jess. You eat grits here. And you're in luck - even though I'm a northern boy I know how to cook them. Besides, I really, really hate oatmeal."

"You do!?" exclaimed Jessica. "But you're the one who's always touting oatmeal as a panacea to all of your patients."

"Well, I didn't say it wasn't good for a body. And I do eat it. I just can't stand its cardboard taste and texture. Yuck! Uh, maybe it would be better if you didn't mention that to anyone…" Seth plaintively requested.

"Oh, it's our secret," agreed Jessica with a grin. "Besides, no one would believe me anyway."

Jessica began to set that table when she noticed a piece of paper under a small black box lying there.

After a quick glance, "Seth, here's a note from Evelyn."

"Please give me the highlights, I'll read it later," said Seth as he stirred the grits.

Jessica scanned the missive and began, "She sends her congratulations; regrets that neither she nor Rob could be here; Kendall Ames is in the final stages of his research and would appreciate an hour of your time to discuss an important issue; this black box is the remote control for the gate; there is a beach box with mats, towels, various equipment, and a rake at the end of the boardwalk; remember to close the blinds facing the ocean at dusk since the loggerheads nest in this area; she hopes that we find everything to our liking and gives us her best wishes. I know that we close the blinds so as not to mislead any turtle hatchlings away from the water but why would we need a rake?"

"You'll see when we get down to the beach," Seth cryptically answered. "In the meantime, breakfast is ready, let's eat."

Once their meal was over and the dishes done the happy couple donned their bathing suits and their thongs, grabbed their sun glasses and some water and headed down the long boardwalk to the beach.

As Jessica neared the beach she cried out to Seth, "Good heavens, the whole beach is covered with sea shells!"

"So it often is, as I remember being told. This is private property and adjacent to a conservation area so no shelling goes on for quite a ways up and down the beach. That's the reason we need a rake," Seth explained as he secured the tool from the beach box.

While Seth cleared a path closer to the water as well as a space to lay down Jessica plucked two beach mats, towels, an umbrella, and a fresh bottle of sun block from among the various contents of the box and toted them down to the small clearing.

After setting down the woven mats with the rest of their gear and spearing the very large beach umbrella into the sand at just the right angle to shade their heads, Jessica scooped up a hand full of the shells to examine them more closely while Seth puffed into a flat beach ball.

"I've never seen such a collection of shells in my life. There are whelks, angel wings, pen shells, cockles, jingles, coquina, and pretty olive shells all around us," admired Jessica while fingering the ocean's bounty.

"Good thing there hasn't been a storm here lately so I don't have to move too many of them. Well, let's go for a swim!" encouraged Seth as he picked up the freshly inflated beach ball.

With that they scampered down onto the sandy part of the beach and eased into the unfamiliar waters before being sure of its safety and then gleefully played in the warm shallow waves tossing the striped ball back and forth and eventually having great child-like fun dunking and splashing each other.

"Whew, I need a rest. You're wearing me out, Woman!" complained Seth as he took Jessica's hand and led her back to the beach mats.

"We've been playing like kids so I guess we should take a nap, too."

They took off their shades and toweled off before they sat on the mats to dry. Then Seth asked, "Speaking of kids Jess, it's too bad young Frank couldn't make it back from his grandparents' house in time for the wedding - I know you missed him. How do you think he'll will react to having siblings?"

"I did miss him terribly but I know Donna's parents were overjoyed to have him for a visit. I think he'll get a kick out of being a big brother. At six he's old enough to enjoy a little responsibility and be a great help to his mother. I'm sure having twins will be… a challenge."

Jessica stilled as she gazed out over the water's edge. After a moment, Seth glanced her way and softly asked, "Are you thinking about how it would be to have twins?" as he gently covered her hand with his.

Dropping her head slightly before taking a deep breath Jessica looked at Seth and replied in a hushed, strained voice, "I didn't know you were also a mind reader, Seth Hazlitt."

"'Twasn't hard, seeing that far away look on your face. Truth be told, I don't think that there's any newly wed couple that doesn't at least wonder what it would be like to have children together. Regardless of their age."

Jessica gasped slightly. "Would… would you liked to have had children together?"

Seth answered directly, "What man doesn't want to have a child with the woman he loves? Not that I could have given you that," he said as he shook his head a little.

"Wait, what? You know that I couldn't ever, and certainly not at this age. Yet, for a man it's possible even into his later years. Look at Charlie Chaplin. Why do you say you couldn't?" Jessica looked at him quizzically.

Seth silently laughed mirthlessly a little to himself before looking over at Jessica. "It's not by intent that Susan was an only child, Jess. Shortly after she was a year old I contracted mumps. Mumps for any adult is no fun but for a male… Well, after a few years of trying with no results I got suspicious and had myself tested. No more children were in the cards for me. At that point Ruth was ailing, so I didn't tell her. In fact, I've never told anyone before. Until now."

Jessica looked deeply into Seth's eyes while trying to blink back the tears in her own. "So then, you really do understand what it's like to want something so badly, for so long, and never get it?"

Seth sat quietly for a moment, pursing his lips, before taking a deep breath and, looking with undisguised love into Jessica's eyes while gently squeezing her held hand replied, "Yes, I do know what it's like."

He paused a moment longer before continuing with misty eyes of his own, "But I also know that every once in a while in this life you do get something you've wanted so badly and waited for so long…"

"Oh, Seth!" Jessica exclaimed as she flung herself into his arms and let loose the tears she had held in for ages. She felt extra wetness on her left cheek and realized that it was from Seth.

They held each other silently while their tears flowed.

Tears that washed away any regrets that either had ever felt about what might have been.

Healing tears, the kind that are a balm on the rents that life sometimes gashes into one's soul.

Restorative type tears that leave a deep, comforting peace in their wake.

After a while Jessica pulled back and murmured to her husband, "You dear, sweet, wonderful man! I love you with my whole heart and soul."

In reply Seth pulled her to him and captured her mouth is a warm kiss.

After a long moment the kiss ended and Jessica sniffled a small chuckle as she drew back and said, "Well, even if neither of us could have given the other children we can give each other grandkids and you know the old adage, 'If we'd have known grandkids were so much fun we'd have had them first!'"

Seth laughed out loud as he dabbed the tears from Jessica's cheek with his towel before blotting his own face.

"A-yuh, that they are! And it's good to have someone to spoil them - just a little."

"According to Susan you're quite good at that. You'll have to give me lessons," grinned Jessica.

"With pleasure, my dear," agreed Seth.

Their chuckles over this pleasant prospect continued as they gathered up the gear and stowed it back into the beach box before taking their beach towels and heading back to the cottage.

"I'm all sandy; I need a shower but I'd hate to track all of this into the house," remarked Jessica once they got to the top of the mound.

"Hang on a minute. I wonder if that small shed around the side is for maintenance equipment or for…" Seth's voice trailed off as he unlatched the door of the enclosure. "Ah, great! It's an outdoor shower."

Jessica came up behind him and peered in. "And a good sized shower, too. It even has a changing bench. I'll bet those containers in the corner have soap and shampoo in them."

"Right you are, and there are hooks inside and outside for hanging towels and clothes. Well, ladies first," said Seth as he stepped aside for her.

"Hmm, it's big enough for two. Why not join me?" Jessica winked at her husband.

"Oooh, best offer I've had all day!" chuckled Seth as they crowded in and closed the door.

Once the warm water was flowing over them Jessica noted, "Darn, no wash cloths," as she began rubbing soap over her arms to get the gritty sand off.

"Let me help you with that," offered Seth with a most impish smile as he took Jessica's arm and began massaging the soap onto it.

"How kind of you, dear," Jessica returned his grin. "Let me do the same for you."

After an unnecessarily long, but greatly pleasurable, shower they dried themselves thoroughly and, wrapped up in the large beach towels, hung their wet suits outside on hooks before heading into the house.

Seth covered his mouth as his jaws stretched open in a mighty yawn, "I'm plumb tuckered out. I need that nap."

"That's a good idea. I can hardly keep my eyes open," agreed Jessica. "I guess it was all that fun we had on the beach."

"And in the shower," added Seth with a wry grin.

"Now you're just bragging," said Jessica as she snatched off Seth's towel and snapped it at his backside.

"Ouch! Hey, watch that," he grinned as he took Jessica's and his towels from her. "I'd better put these weapons in the bathroom to dry before you do any more damage."

Seth returned to find Jessica asleep on the bed and slipped under the sheet to join her in his dreams.

Sometime later Jessica awoke to find Seth beside her snoring away softly with her hand held in his.

I think I'll get dinner started and let him sleep a little longer, she planned as she slipped out from under the cotton covering, dressed, and headed to the kitchen.

The faint scent of tasty cooking aromas drifted into Seth's dreams and cause him to waken. Mmm, something smells interesting. I'd better make tracks and find out what it is, he happily mused to himself.

Shortly Seth entered the kitchen to find Jessica busy about the stove.

"Oh good, you're up. I was about to come in and wake you for dinner. Would you please get a bottle of wine out of the fridge. A pinot grigio, perhaps."

"Your wish is my command, my dear," said Seth as he moved to take the chilled bottle out of the refridgerator. "What are you making? It smells wonderful," his stomach giving a rumble in agreement.

"We're having shrimp scampi with a tossed green salad. "I thought we'd eat an early dinner since we skipped lunch, and then let's go for a walk in the gardens."

"Excellent idea," agreed Seth as he popped the cork from the bottle and poured wine into two stemmed glasses.

Dinner was a delicious affair, accompanied by candles against the diminishing sunlight, and the rest of the bottle of wine.

"That was wonderful, thank you Jess. Let me clean up and then let's have that walk before I fall asleep again. I still feel groggy."

"I feel it, too. The last few days have been exceptionally busy. I think it's just catching up with us. Let's have an early bed time tonight, shall we? By the way, does it feel like it's warmer that it was this morning to you?"

"Now that you mention it, it does. A little more humid, too. I wonder if there's a storm coming. Let's keep a weather eye when we go for our ramble."

While Seth was clearing away the dinner dishes Jessica retreated to the bedroom closet to search for something cooler to wear than her pajama set. I should have thought to bring a short nightgown; oh well, I'll have to make due. Hmm, what's this? crossed her mind as her fingers came upon the boxed gift that Adele had given her.

Reading the card again made her smile as she tore the wrapping off. Eyeing the contents after she lifting the lid made her laugh out loud. Oh Adele, I'll have to remember to thank you for this, she thought.

With everything tidy Jessica and Seth went out into the gardens and walked about the narrow paths between the plantings, admiring the various flowers and shrubs until twilight descended.

"Oh, look! They have small tags near their bases identifying what they are," discovered Jessica while digging around amidst the leaves of an unknown plant.

"That help a lot, but I still don't recognize most of these. That reminds me, I wonder what Kendall wants to talk to me about."

"An estate issue, perhaps?" suggested Jessica.

"Probably," said Seth while straightening up. "Say, I don't care for the look of those dark clouds on the southeast horizon. What do you think?"

"The breeze has picked up, and we noticed earlier that the temperature and humidity have risen slightly, and it smells like rain on the air," sniffed Jessica. "Yes, I'd say we'll be having rain soon."

"I agree, let's get back to the house. I believe you mentioned something about an early bed time? I know I had a nap but I like the idea," said Seth, barely stifling a yawn.

They wound their way back to the house as it got darker and just entered the house when a distant rumble caused Seth to remark, "Looks like we got back just in time. Would you like the air conditioner on Jess, or just the fans?"

"I love the sound of the rain. It'll be warm but lets's leave the windows open and the ceiling fans on. I'm sure we'll be comfortable."

"Why don't you have your turn in the bathroom while I open the windows and close up the east shutters a bit. We don't want to mislead any loggerhead hatchlings."

"No we don't. I've only seen a few of that species of turtle in Maine. I'm glad to hear their nesting ground is protected down here," replied Jessica as she went down the hall to the bathroom.

After finishing his chore Seth thought, It's going to be too warm for jammies tonight. Guess I'll have to make due with a fresh pair of skivvies, as he stepped into the bedroom and rummaged around in his suitcase. Oh, I forgot about this, he said to himself when he found the present Mort had given him. Let's hope Mort wrapped up something in good taste. After ripping the paper off and looking inside the box he thought, Nope, guess not, but Jess'll get a laugh out of these.

Just then Jessica returned from the bathroom and Seth took her place. While he was polishing his pearly whites Jessica changed into her night garb, giggling all the while, and settled herself in bed with a book.

She quickly became engrossed in the middle of a murder scene and so didn't notice Seth peeking around the door jamb at her before he jumped through the door and loudly yelled, "Ta-Da!"

Jessica looked up in to find Seth standing there with his arms outstretched and flaming red boxers with pink and white hearts adorning his portly shape.

Taken by complete surprise Jessica froze for a second and then burst into peals of laughter while Seth did a little dance over to her side of the bed.

Nearing hysterics, Jessica grabbed a downy pillow and hid her face in it to cover her out-of-control giggles as Seth sat himself down next to her. Just as she got her chuckles under control and lowered the pillow, Seth piped up with a wide grin, "So you approve of my fashion sense?"

Jessica completely lost it and hid her face in the pillow until she had to lift her head up to gasp for breath.

"Easy Jess," cautioned Seth, "we don't want you getting hiccups, now." But he was caught up in Jessica's infectious laughter and was heartily chortling along with her.

Finally regaining control of herself, Jessica wiped her eyes and blew her nose before asking, "Don't tell me, let me guess. That was Mort's present to you, wasn't it?"

"Good Gravy! Of course it was! I hope you don't think I'd actually buy anything like this for myself, do you?"

"Well, it wasn't a difficult guess," said Jessica as she pushed him off the edge of the bed. "How do you like my present from Adele?" she asked, sliding out from under the sheet and standing up.

Seth howled with laughter when he saw Jessica's white nightshirt generously bedecked with red and pink puckered lips in all sizes. Caught up in his hearty chortles, Jessica began giggling again.

Seth managed to gasp out, "I must say, you do look good with lips all over you. I just wish they were mine."

"Seth, you rascal!" Jessica cried out as she took her pillow and whapped him on the arm with it before stepping to the side and giving his derrière a soft smack.

"Whoop!" he yelled as he jumped slightly with the hit. "Woman, you do realize that your sneak attack means war, don't you?" grinned Seth.

"Hah, I've got you outgunned, er, out-pillowed!" said Jessica with a sly smile as she thumped him gently on the back with the downy weapon.

Seth ran to the other side of the big bed to grab his own pillow while Jessica pursued him with her menacing bag of fluff, giggling all the while.

Seth grabbed up the two remaining pillows and turned to Jessica with a gleeful smile stretching his face from ear to ear.

"Now you're going to get it!" he chortled as he softly thumped her from the left and the right.

"Ahhhh!" Jessica yelled. "Retreat! Retreat!" and she turned to run back to her side of the bed. Piff, she felt on her backside just before she rounded the corner and turned to mete out fluffy revenge to her pursuer.

Just then Seth softly swung the pillow in his right hand and its edge caught the corner of the bed post and snagged. He instinctively tugged and it let loose with a ripping sound while slipping from Seth's grip.

As the pillow flew over their heads it let loose a snowstorm of white, fluffy feathers. Jessica and Seth froze from their antics, facing one another with mouths open in surprise, as the cloud of down gently descended upon their heads, the bed, and the floor.

After a moment, Jessica stepped closer to Seth and ran her fingers through the feathers that had rested in his hair. "Gee Seth, you look very cute with curly hair. Perhaps we should have Loretta give you a perm on a regular basis."

"I don't think I'd care for that, but if I was wearing a chapeau I'd literally have a feather in my cap!" grinned Seth.

Jessica sighed loudly, "Enough with the groaners! I surrender already!"

"Hah! Victory is mine!" proclaimed Seth. "And to the conquerer go the spoils," with that he drew Jessica to him and kissed her.

After the kiss broke Jessica remarked, "Are you saying I'm spoiled?"

"Not yet," Seth replied, still holding her close, "but give me time and I'll do my best to make that happen."

"How about holding the love talk until later," Jessica retorted, tapping his nose with hers. "We'd better get this mess cleaned up. I'll take the sheet outside while you vacuum the floor."

"Hey, you surrendered. I get to order you around. So, I'll get the floor while you shake out the sheet."

"Yes, that's sooo much better," agreed Jessica with a greatly exaggerated eye roll that had them both giggling again.

When all the downy bits were finally cleared away the happy couple climbed into bed and cuddled comfortably together.

"Seth," Jessica asked with an impish grin, "does this count as our first fight?"

"I guess you could count a pillow fight as such. May all of our battles be such fun!"

"Oh yes!" heartily agreed Jessica. "And I hope that they all end up like this," she said as she snuggled more into Seth's embrace and felt her eyelids getting heavy.

"Amen to that, Jess," Seth murmured as he placed a kiss on her brow just as he heard the soft patter of rain began to fall which lulled them into a night of restful sleep, arms and legs entwined together.