"Oh my, what a beautiful evening," Lisa said to Jack as she stepped out onto the oceanfront master bedroom balcony where Jack had taken up residence while she'd gotten a shower. He looked up at her and gestured for her to sit by him, and she smiled warmly as she moved around to do so, Jack handing her a cup of tea he'd made. Jack eyed her with a warm nod as she took up residence, her comfortable silk pajama pant set with a matching robe over it, Jack still in his traveling clothing, the jeans the perfect weight for a breezy evening on the balcony.

"We definitely wouldn't be doing this at home, at least not without heavy coats and blankets," he said as Lisa got comfortable. Jack put his arm around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "The sound of the ocean is rather soothing."

"Hmm, isn't it?" Lisa asked, sighing. "I'm very happy to be here with you. Thank you for coming."

"I can say the same," he added with a single nod, squeezing her shoulder. "Thank you for prodding me to come. I should have done this a long time ago."

"What exactly?" Lisa eyed him.

"Travel with you," he gestured. "I know I balk at any travel, but the plane is always more pleasant with you. The fact everyone speaks English helps. I suppose I can admit that after France I just hated the idea of going anywhere until I had to go to Arizona for my health, and that first year without you was miserable. Arizona, though, has been nice the few times we have gone. This is nice too, not that I want to live in this kind of heat and humidity, but for a few days in December while it's completely freezing at home, sitting here on this balcony with you, enjoying the evening breeze and listening to the ocean," he nodded, leaning over to kiss her, "pretty good deal. So, thank you. Don't get any crazy ideas I want to travel around the world, but as we both said, this trip is much more my speed."

"I'm glad you think so," she told him, patting his stomach. "I'm very glad to be here with you. It gets lonely having to travel so much, and that's for work. Traveling with you is a lot more fun. I enjoyed our day today, even with a lot of it in airports and planes. That shower felt amazing after the long day of travel. That's always my favorite thing, a good hot shower when I finally get to my destination. Thank you for the tea. This is a perfect way to wind down this day."

"Pretty great dinner," Jack nodded. "I liked my snapper."

"Yes, it was, and I enjoyed the scallops very much."

"Pretty ingenious of you to order groceries ahead of time," Jack nodded. Lisa smiled at that, patting his stomach again.

"I knew we'd want a few basics when we got here, and luckily, we could have things delivered even late tonight. Not quiet like at home where we are too rural," she chuckled, and Jack nodded, chuckling too. The two settled into a comfortable silence, enjoying the balcony and the ocean sounds. They'd both been impressed with the house. Not only was it oceanfront, but the small cluster of homes right around it were in a gated community, oceanfront, so there was a lot of privacy here, more than they had expected. The homes were not too close, even beachfront, and while it was a grand home, it was decorated in a cozy manner. They had liked the master bedroom's balcony and commented they could see a lot of their week spent there. Lisa's friend had told her that the cleaning lady would be by after they left, not that they expected to make any sort of mess, but they truly were on vacation without anything that needed to be done.

"So, Mrs. World Traveler," Jack asked in a teasing tone as he kissed her head, "what are the plans for tomorrow?"

"Nothing," she shook her head. "That's the beauty of it. Nothing. We can do whatever we like. I suppose the only thing I'd like to do is take a walk with you on the beach. That's it. I suppose we can do a lot more of this," she gestured to where they were sitting together, both with a cup of tea in their hands. "I brought a book to read, and I know you did too. I'm very content relaxing."

"I can get on board with that," Jack nodded as he sipped his tea. "Our fishing trip is toward the end of the week, correct?"

"Yes, Thursday," she told him, nodding. "They will even filet it out for us if we want to come back here to the house and cook it. This really is a lovely home. I can't believe she just told us to use it."

"It's something," he nodded. "I'm good with a walk on the beach tomorrow." He sighed, "Suppose I'll have to wear my Florida clothing," he grumbled, and Lisa laughed quietly as he said it.

"Suppose you will. Look at you, a first time for everything. Jack in shorts on a beach," she nodded. "I like it. We have been saying we'd try new things."

"Only for you," he chuckled, squeezing her shoulder again.

"What would you like to do? I mean, do you have any plans?"

"Well, here's the thing," Jack said, and with that, Lisa, sensing he had something to discuss, shifted slightly, Jack's arm still around her, but she shifted to look up at him. He gestured with his hand on her shoulder, "I thought we could meet up with Val while we are down here. She heard we were here and sent me a text about it."

"What?" Lisa said, now sitting up and looking at Jack, her facial expression, dumbfounded. "Val Stanton? Are you serious?"

"No," he started to laugh, nodding at her, pulling her back to his side. "I'm just teasing." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"That's mean!" Lisa exclaimed, smacking his stomach. "The thought of our first real vacation outside of our normal range and having to get together with Val," she grumbled. "I can't believe you did that, teasing me like that."

"It was fun," he continued to laugh. "Even all these years later, she still gets you all worked up."

"That's because even all these years later, if she had the slightest inclination she could snag you, she would," Lisa huffed. "Val," she grumbled, laughing herself. "That was cold, Jack, bringing her up."

Jack laughed more as Lisa stewed. He kissed her forehead and patted her shoulder, "Come on," he nodded at her. "You can sit out here by yourself and continue to stew about Val, or we can head to bed. It might be cool enough to leave this balcony screen open and listen to the ocean if you like."

"Now," she sat up, looking at him as he stood, "I like that idea. You mention Val Stanton anymore, and you might be out here on your own."

Jack pulled her into an embrace as they stood there, looking toward the dark ocean. He held her close to him, "You know there's only been you. I never even took a glance at Val, and we both know she tried."

Lisa swatted at his chest, "I know, just my usual reaction to the woman who does anything to drive me crazy. Yes, let's head to bed, and maybe tomorrow, we can find somewhere for you to relax, try some Key Lime pie, and have a drink, even beachside. That sounds our speed."

"I really am an idiot," he chuckled into her hair. "A vacation with you where we hang out together then entire time, eat pie, and drink wine. What have I been thinking?"

"I wonder that myself, Cowboy," she smacked at him. "Come on," she reached for his hand. "Let's head to bed."