{Author's Note: Jessica and Seth have decided to cut short their honeymoon at the Hazlitt Estate at Riverton Gardens to avoid a coming storm. Their last night at the beach cottage found them atop the hill, next to the fragrant huge white blooms of a Moonflower vine where they sat overlooking the Sea while sipping champagne and nibbling caviar as the silvery light from the full moon shone down upon them. And then… }

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Seth woke up roasting.

What on earth? Why is it so hot? his still half-asleep brain wondered. Slightly cracking his eyes open to the dim light of the bedroom it slowly dawned on him that the reason for his personal heat wave was that all of Jessica's covers were piled on top of him.

Hmm, and that's why she's still sleeping comfortably and I'm not… his groggy mind deduced after glancing over at his wife, who was softly lit by moonlight from the upper window, and sound asleep in nothing but her silk shortie set.

After pushing all of the covers over the edge of his side of the bed Seth rolled over to snuggle up closer to Jessica and settled back to sleep thinking, Yep, she'll let me cuddle up with her for most of the year, but I think all bets are off for any hot August night. I'd better enjoy this while I can… was the last thought to flit through his mind as he fell back to sleep with his wife in his arms and a smile on his face.

The unusual and harsh sound of the wind whipping against the roof line brought them both awake three hours after dawn's first early light filtered through the window blinds.

"Mmmmm," murmured Jessica as she stretched the sleep out of her limbs. "I feel so lethargic, like I could just stay in bed all day."

"Sorry, you can't. We have a plane to catch at three this afternoon, so rise and shine," encouraged a drowsy Seth as he warded off the outstretched arm near his nose.

"You first!"

"Eh, I was afraid you were going to say that. Well, good morning Jess!" he greeted as he kissed her fully and then heaved himself over to the other side of the bed.

Perched on the edge of the mattress with his feet resting in the pile of covers that had been pushed off of the bed in the night, Seth grumbled, "It must be the humidity along with the heat wave coming in before the blow. I can hardly clear my head and I'm stiff all over."

"So am I, and it did get warm!" added Jessica as she moved to the side of the bed and also sat up. A soft, plaintive "uhhh," escaped her lips.

"Jessica, are you okay?" Seth turned to look at her.

"Yes… But I wish we had more time. All of our activities seem to have caught up with me. Another soak in the hot tub would feel wonderful."

"Say no more," Seth commanded as he came around and, taking her hands, helped her up. "Why don't you put together a little breakfast and I'll set up the hot tub. We do have a bit of time since we don't have to leave until later."

"My dear, thank you! I need it and I really appreciate it."

After donning his clothes Seth went off to complete his chore as Jessica gingerly walked into the kitchen to complete hers.

Just as they were finishing breakfast Jessica piped up, "Ah, I'm looking forward to the spa but it's going to be a problem packing wet bathing suits in our luggage."

"Then let's just not wear any. We can go skinny soaking."

Smiling wryly Jessica retorted, "I wouldn't mind, and I know it's unlikely, but I'd hate to be surprised by anyone with a telephoto lens. Especially since we know that there have been reporters looking around for us again."

"Not a problem! The gazebo has blinds that you can raise from the bottom up. Have a gander and see how I have them set."

Stepping over to the window Jessica was pleasantly surprised to see the hot tub partially enclosed from the ground up to five feet, with the doorway the only full opening.

"And once we get inside, we just pull the panel over the entrance and voila! Privacy, while we still have a view of the sky above and we can adjust the blinds to let a little light in below," finished Seth.

"You've sold me. Let's grab our towels and go!" cheerfully approved Jessica.

In short order they were enclosed and protected from any prying eyes as they doffed their clothes and slipped into the hot, bubbling water.

"Ohhh, this feels sooo good. Thank you for setting it up. It's just what I needed most," contentedly sighed Jessica as she closed her eyes and relaxed in the effervescence.

"Hey! I thought I was what you needed most," teased her husband as he slid over on the bench, closer to her.

Looking over at Seth through slitted eyelids Jessica retorted with a sly smile. "You are. Why do you think I'm a bit sore in such uncommon places…"

It took Seth a moment for her comment to sink in. Once it did he immediately turned to look at his wife with an expression of alarm on his face.

"Oh, Jessica. I'm… sorry. I didn't even think… You should have said something earlier," he stuttered as he took her right hand in his and pressed it gently.

"Seth Hazlitt! Don't you dare apologize for one of the most wonderful, romantic, and magical times of my life," she admonished. "If you recall, I was a most willing participant…"

"Indeed you were," interjected Seth with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes," she allowed with a bright smile. "It's just that, well, it had been a very long time, and we've had so much… um, fun."

"For me too, Jess," Seth said as he cuddled closer and put his arm around her. "When we go back inside I've got some anti-inflammatories in my suitcase that will help us both. You know, maybe we should also consider putting one of these in the back yard. For medicinal purposes, of course," he added suggestively.

"You're positively incorrigible!" Jessica laughed aloud as she smacked him gently on the arm before leaning over and kissing him and then bobbing around so she could settle back against Seth's chest. She drew his arms around her midriff and hummed, "You know, I just love it here. It seems like a second home even though we've only been here a few days."

"I'm with you on that. Maybe it's because it's pretty much the same view of the Sea that we have at Cabot Cove."

"Mmm, perhaps. Whatever the reason, can we come back here sometime? I'd really like to."

Leaning forward a little Seth said softly into her ear, "We can come back anytime you'd like, my love. We have dibs on the place."

Jessica floated about onto her knees into the well of the spa, the water lapping about her shoulders, so she could look directly at his face. "'Dibs?!' What exactly do you mean by 'dibs?'" she asked, staring up with wide eyes as Seth lightly rested his hands on her shoulders and then gently began to massage small circles into her skin with his thick fingers.

"Well, of course that's not the legal term, Woman! In the proposal I made to Rob and Evelyn I offered to give up everything I had inherited but with one caveat; the right to use this cottage whenever we want for the rest of our lives with the estate taking care of all maintenance. Of course, Kendall agreed to everything right off."

Seth slid his left hand gently up against Jessica's cheek and looked softly into her eyes. "I didn't want to say anything until it was all settled. But now that it has been, well, I saw how you took to the cottage right off and I wanted to give it to you as a wedding present."

"Oh, Seth. How wonderful! Thank you, darling," Jessica exclaimed just before pulling his head down to hers and pressing a warm kiss against his lips. Seth slid from the submerged bench and knelt into her arms, tugging her closer to him as his pulse quickened from her touch.

Pulling back for a scant moment Jessica murmured, "It's our own little slice of paradise," before covering his mouth with hers again and snuggling even closer while the bubbles happily gurgled about.

The kiss grew even hotter that the waters that swirled around them. When they finally broke for air Seth gazed into the depths of his wife's eyes. "Jess," he said in a strained voice, "I think we'd better quit now. The last thing I ever want to do is to cause you pain."

"The only way you could hurt me right now is to stop…" sharply exhaled Jessica as she leaned over to whisper into his ear. "I'm fine, let's just take things slowly and if we need to take extra doses of ant-inflammatories later, then let's do that. But let's not let this moment, this passion, go unrequited…" she insisted as her senses overloaded and she pressed even closer into Seth's arms in the frothy foam before running her tongue against the underside of his left ear and gently tugging on the earlobe.

A low, ragged groan from somewhere deep in Seth's soul acknowledged his surrender as their ardor rose like the spuming waters around them, bubbling away all else but the love they had for each other.

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

Several hours later found Jessica, dressed in a raspberry linen blend pantsuit with a cream toned blouse, her ears adorned with demure ruby stud earrings, and Seth, attired in dark brown dress slacks, an ivory dress shirt, and a brown and tan speckled bow tie, enjoying a beverage as they sat on the porch swing overlooking the ocean. Jessica's matching bolero jacket, with a gold rimmed ruby pin fastened on the left side, and Seth's summer weight sand colored sports coat lay neatly over the adjacent wicker chair; the lapels fluttered in the warm breeze.

"How are you feeling after our, uh, soak and the anti-inflammatories?" asked Seth, ever the physician.

"Just as fine as frog hair, split in two," replied Jessica, trying hard, but failing, to keep a straight face.

"Heh, heh, heh!" chortled Seth. "Where in the world did you hear that old chestnut?"

"At the gas station in Riverton," Jessica smiled as she looked over at him and reached a hand out to adjust his bow. "My, don't you look dapper. Although, it's a little strange to see you in a tie again."

"A-yuh, it actually felt a little funny putting one on. And may I say that you're looking lovelier than ever in that outfit."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Jessica chuckled. "By the way, thanks for making the drinks."

"I just couldn't see wasting the rest of last night's champagne. I hope you like my version of a mimosa."

Turning from watching the foam tipped waves falling endlessly onto the shore to look lovingly at her husband Jessica commented, "It's the prefect ending to a perfect stay. In fact, here's a toast to this beautiful place!"

"And to our return!" added Seth.

And with that they clinked glasses and finished the last of their fizzy drinks and then leaned in for a champagne kiss.

Seth touched his forehead against hers. "I hate to say it, but we really should be going."

"I know," Jessica sighed resignedly. "Let me take these in and wash them."

"Okay, I'll put the luggage and our jackets in the car. The key's on the kitchen counter along with the remote for the gate."

Shortly, Jessica stepped out of the cottage, locking the door behind her. She and Seth inhaled a deep breath of the floral perfumed air while taking one long last look around at the surrounding gardens and the ocean before Seth reached down and tipped the pot of azaleas on the porch over slightly.

"Under it goes," grinned Jessica as she slipped the key beneath the pot.

"And off we go," said Seth as he held the car door open for her.

Once ensconced in the rental they drove down the sandy hill, passing the palms and the magnolias and the lilacs, and stopped for just a moment to unlock and then re-lock the gate after they passed through, and then followed the dirt road down past the River Road and over the old bridge.

As they drove under the canopy of the southern live oaks it seemed to Jessica that the hanging Spanish moss swayed to wave Farewell, until next time... to them. "A right turn here will get us back to Charleston," she said aloud, once again taking up her navigational duties.

Jessica then fell quiet as Seth steered down the windy country road; the vibrant, early summer green leaves of the trees dancing with them along their way, thanks to the wind.

"Penny for your thought, Jess," offered Seth.

"Hmm, I was just thinking that I'm happy to be going home, but a little sorry to be leaving here, even though I know that we can return whenever we'd like. This has been marvelous in every way. I'd hate to see it ever change."

"The larger things don't seem to change much around here. Oh, the people and the towns do, but it's always seemed to me that there's something… timeless… about the South. I can't quite put it into words," mused Seth.

Faster than they thought it should, the road led them to the small terminal for private aircraft where they returned the rental car and left their luggage in the hands of the porter before checking in. Upon entering the private jet they were happily surprised to be greeted by Maurice, who had been the steward on their flight down.

"Welcome, Dr. and Mrs. Hazlitt. I'm pleased to see that you're flying with us again. I trust that you enjoyed your honeymoon in the Charleston area?" he politely inquired as he ushered them to their spacious seats on the right side of the plane and got them buckled in.

Jessica and Seth looked at each other and both smiled. "Yes, we did indeed, it was magical," Jessica replied. "But we thought we'd head home before the storm came in."

"A very wise idea," complimented Maurice. "Your luggage is aboard and we have a few moments before we take off so, if I may have your full attention for the safety procedures." Just as that task was completed the pilot indicated that they would begin taxiing to the runway and soon they smoothly took off, winging their way north along the Atlantic coastline.

Once they reached cruising altitude the pilot again came over the intercom to apprize them that their estimated flight time to Portland, Maine would be two hours and twenty-five minutes.

Maurice appeared and explained, "Lunch will be served on this flight. We have balsamic glazed chicken with rice and mixed vegetables or medallions of pork with polenta and broccoli and, of course, wine to accompany the meal. May I ask your preferences and when would you like lunch to be served?"

A quiet rumble caused a small smile to appear on the steward's face.

"Oh, dear! I guess I'm ready, if you are," Jessica laughed a little self-consciously as she looked at Seth.

"I could eat. Now, would be fine, young fellow," instructed Seth, after which they gave their orders. Turning to Jessica as Maurice retreated to the galley Seth chuckled, "I'm glad it wasn't my stomach rumbling, for once!"

Mouth watering smells from the galley soon changed that, as a loud gurgle emanated from Seth's middle causing Jessica to laugh out loud.

"Nuts, foiled again!" cheerfully groused Seth.

While the enjoyed their meal they watched the Eastern Seaboard go by through the elongated windows and amused themselves by trying to pick out prominent points.

"You know," Jessica reflected contemplatively, "I really love the coast."

"Oh?" prompted Seth as he dug into his cherry cheesecake dessert.

Looking over at him, Jessica asked, "Would you mind terribly if we continued our honeymoon in Maine along the coast? In addition to going out fishing with Caleb, of course."

"Not at all. What do you have in mind?"

"When was the last time you were to Acadia National Park? It's been years since I've been there. It's still early for tourist season. If we're lucky perhaps we can get in at the Bar Harbor Inn. It has such history, and great views, and it's so close to the park entrance."

Smiling broadly, Seth enthused, "That's a great idea! I was in Bar Harbor for a medical conference a few years ago, but it's been ages since I've been to Acadia. We could watch the sunrise from Mount Cadillac."

"Or the sunset," added Jessica. "Oh, Seth, let's do both!"

"Okay, just probably not in the same day," agreed Seth with a smile. "We need to be back in town next Saturday to go out with Caleb. How about if we hide out at home for a couple of days and then head on up and come back on Friday?"

"That would work out well. We do need to repack and attend to a few things. Oh, darn…"

"What?"

"We forgot to get a gift for Mort and Adele, to thank them for all they did for us."

"A-yuh, like tying that 'FINALLY MARRIED' sign in reflective paint to the back of the station wagon," fussed Seth, shaking his head while a grin fought its way to his mouth.

"Well," Jessica smirked, "you have to admit - that was pretty funny."

"I don't have to admit it," said Seth as the grin won. "But they did help us out a lot. Say, do you think they'd enjoy a long weekend at the cottage? We could throw in airfare, too."

"That's an excellent idea!" exclaimed Jessica. "Can we do that? I mean, is it part of this 'dibs' agreement?"

"I don't see why not. I'm sure neither Rob, Evelyn, nor Kendall would mind having an upstanding fellow like our local sheriff and his wife on the property for a few days."

"Yes," snickered Jessica, "and coincidentally out of your hair for a few days."

Looking at her and chuckling, "See! Everyone's a winner!" Seth declared as he raised his wine glass to hers for a toast.

After lunch Maurice came by to offer them warm, moist, lemon scented small towels to refresh themselves as he cleared away the clutter.

While dabbing at her lips, Jessica also found the cloth useful to stifle a yawn. "Ahhh, I could use a nap."

"Me, too," Seth admitted. "Here, let's lift up these armrests between us and recline our seats. You just cuddle right up against me." Leaning over he whispered into her ear as he patted his ample torso, "There are also parts of me that make for a good soft pillow, although they're not as nice as yours…"

Giggling at the double entendre as Seth put his arm around her and drew her close, Jessica snuggled into him, cozied her head against his shoulder, and fell asleep.

Ever attentive, Maurice noticed that his charges had become quiet and came forward to gently drape a blanket over the snoozing pair as the jet whisked them back home to Cabot Cove.