A/N: Hello again, everyone! 2023 is about to come to an end in a matter of weeks—my year had some serious ups and downs, and I can't wait to start anew in 2024. I still hope to have a little bit of my mojo back despite writer's block, laziness, semi-depression, and anxiousness, which can totally suck; I think I picked up some weight as well—I've said this before, and I'm totally not afraid to repeat it. Plus, my life offscreen can be a lot. Again, I'm still taking one day at a time, hoping—and praying—for the better of things as time passes.

The flight's captain announced that they landed after leaving Washington D.C. early morning (it was about eight minutes to eight and then the hour layover stop to St. Thomas for the six-hour flight), the Bastien-Reid family touched down at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, a public airport located southwest of Christiansted on St. Croix.

Unfortunately, they had to make the decision to leave Opal with Maeve and Bobby. While she was vaccinated and had all her shots, Spencer and Élise thought it would be best for everyone's safety that she stayed in the States.

"Whoo!" Spencer really felt the heat, and he was from Las Vegas, and even in December, the weather would be balmy. "Here we are…"

"Oh, thank you, God Almighty!" Élise extended her limbs out to stretch and roll her neck. After drinking the rest of her bottled water and making sure Séraphine and Isaac had some, she got up and helped Spencer grab and unload everyone's bags from the overhead. While the kids were still seated in their plush leather seats, she glanced through the window, and there was beautiful St. Croix. For the next week until the day after New Year's Day, it was going to be nothing but warm temperatures, breezy trees, the clearest and bluest ocean waters, sandy white beaches, and a number of fun activities to do.

Once Spencer and Élise got the luggage, they unbuckled the children from their flight seats, held their hands once the hatch was opened by their two flight attendants, Nora and Candace, and the family scaled down the wobbly staircase together onto the asphalt runway.

"Oh, Lord…" Élise used her handcrafted paper fan to fan herself and the kids from the heat slowly coursing through her body. "One thing about here is that it's always warm during the day, and when night falls, the temperature goes down a bit but not to the point of freezing cold."

Being at the airport terminal brought back distant memories for Élise. Everything here felt like it was the same as the last time she'd been here. The same square and marble tiled flooring, the same plain white concrete-masonry walls, the same cyan blue seat waiting area, the same small snack shack.

With one leg over the other, while sitting in the waiting area, Élise groaned while she, Spencer, and the kids were waiting for her Uncle Titan and cousin Karim. She paused typing on her Samsung personal phone (her work phone was safely secured in the tiny Faraday case smoothly in her tote bag. She promised herself that unless it was work-related, at least two or three max a day would she look at it) and wondered, "Man, where are they?"

Spencer had Isaac on his lap and was watching him play with his hands—Séraphine sat beside her head. "Ah, they're probably just running a little late."

Élise stared at her phone again but changed her mind. "Ah, you're probably right…"

"Lili!"

Élise had an immediate smirk on her face; she picked her head up and twirled it when she heard that voice. There was a tall, athletic man with a deep brown complexion, shaved head, soul patch facial mustache, a simple T-shirt, army cargo shorts, and outdoor work boots. Behind him was a younger man with deep brown skin, plaited hair, a 3-Day bread, dressed in a causal shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

"Uncle T!" Élise got up and held her arms out, and her uncle instantly; next did her cousin. "Karim! It's been far too long."

Titan chuckled lightly. "Great seeing you!" He had a Caribbean accent—he soon turned his attention to Spencer, who greeted him with a handshake before giving him a brotherly hug. "How've you been?"

Spencer shunted a hand into his pocket. "Ah, I've been good…"

"Séraphine, Isaac, this is your great uncle Titan and your cousin Karim from grandpa's side of the family." Élise motioned her hand to introduce the children to her extended side of the family.

"Hi…"

"Hey!"

Uncle Titan opened his arms and allowed his great niece and nephew to hug him before Élise passed them to Karim, who also hugged and squatted down to hug his first cousins, once removed. "You look so much like your ma, Fee," the latter cutely bopped her nose—Karim, too, had a Caribbean accent.

Séraphine giggled as Titan complimented his great-nephew. "Aren't you a handsome little man?" He pushed his open palm out, and Isaac slapped it. "Alright!"

"Y'all got your luggage?"

"Yup." Spencer clutched one of the luggage bags and held it mid-air.

Titan and Karim led the family out of the airport and into the parking lot, where there was a black Suburban waiting for them. The inside smelled clean, along with scents of lemon and ocean water. Spencer and Karim packed the luggage in the back while Élise strapped the kids in their seats. Once everyone got in, Titan and Karim sat up front after getting in, and Titan stepped on the gas.

Élise laid back in the backseat and stared out the open window, as did Spencer and the kids—though they seemed a little bit more interested in their Christmas toys. A few cars coolly passed by, as well as a couple of middle-aged-looking elderly women in tropical clothing. She was still amazed by the breezy island scenery, even though it's been years since she's been here—when Titan asked, "So, how is it in D.C.?"

Élise scratched her temple. "Everything's been decent, despite the occasional traveling and dealing with this and that, that and this."

"What about you, Spencer?" Titan looked up for a second into the rear-view mirror. "How've you been?"

"Same as ever before: traveling for work and catching the unsubs."

Karim spoke up next, "What made you two want to switch up, coming to St. Croix for the holidays?"

"Mmm…just a change of scenery," Élise continued, staring out the open window. She really smelled that ocean sea in the air. "Mix it up every now and then. I mean, I love the snow every now and then, especially during Christmas time, but not all the time during the winter season. But we rarely got snow this month; just on and off cold rain and sunshine."

Soon, Titan veered off from the asphalt roads, taking the car onto a bumpy dirt and cobbled path. More tall tropical trees came across their way, and they soon found themselves in front of a wrought iron fenced gate. Titan was a few feet away from it before he propped his head through the open window, grabbed a remote, and extended his arm out. The gates opened, and Titan passed through them. A winding paved road came their way, and there it was, their vacation home.

Just as Ms. Geneva said, it was a large yellow-painted concrete-masonry mixed Caribbean villa-style house surrounded by acres of land (about three acres), mature and tropical trees, exotic plants, and gorgeous landscaping. The front porch with the white stone cast balusters and columns and swing bed reminded Élise so much of her late paternal grandmother's house. When everyone got out, they could hear the distant roars of the ocean.

"Are we right by a beach, ma…?" asked Séraphine as she and Isaac were unbuckled from their car seats.

"Oh, most definitely," Élise scooped Isaac out first and set him outside by the vehicle before her. "And if you're good enough, we'll be spending a lot of time at the beach."

Spencer, Titan, and Kiram got their luggage from the backseat. She held their hands, trailing behind as Titan unlocked the front door, and the men placed their bags into the marble-tilted flooring foyer. The inside smelled like fruit and coconut with a dash of sand. Glancing up, along with the high-coffered ceilings, was a crystal chandelier and a white fan.

From how the house was before her parents (mostly her mother) made the renovations, it was an enormous improvement. The living room had a grand TV, along with a formal dining area and wet bar. The gourmet kitchen had stunning granite-limestone counters, custom cabinetry, high-end top-of-the-line appliances, including an ice maker, beverage cooler, an adjoining breakfast area, and beautiful views of the land—even hints of the beach. The home was even hooked up with the best cable TV, high-speed internet, and air conditioning. Also, there was even a newly built wood-paneled library/office lined up with loads of bookcases and a gym with heaps of exercise equipment.

"I already feel so calm and so at ease…"

Élise's moment of tranquility was interrupted by the children dashing into one of the rooms. "I wanna see my room…!"

"Wait for me…!"

Élise opened her eyes again and sighed with slight exhaustion. "Well, that was nice while it lasted."

Titan handed Élise the keys to the house, the gate, and a black SUV that was in the garage. Élise remembered that her mother brought one and always kept it there in case she wanted to travel around. "Well, we filled up the fridge with some foods in case you want to cook anything, but you can head over to the local farmer's market or head out to some restaurants tomorrow."

"No problem, and thanks again." Hugs and brotherly handshakes were given again. Spencer and Élise watched the latter's uncle and cousin walk out the front door and, through the cedar window, waved to them again as they pulled out and drove off, leaving the grounds. Once they left, via the security app on the iPad tablet, Élise was able to close the gates.

Spencer and Élise got settled in one of the bedroom suites. The room had peach-champagne color painted walls, a king-size canopy bed, a solid hardwood framed dresser with matching frame, and a cream-colored rug. While Spencer got the kids arranged in their room, she began unpacking and hung up her Caribbean wardrobe—the latest designer Cruise collections, ranging from dresses and skirts to blouses and polos, some heels, comfortable Converse sneakers, and sandals she got on sale during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

She placed some of them in the walk-in—it seemed of mothballs, and Élise lit the scent with a couple spritzes of sandalwood when Spencer roamed back in. "Well, the kids are watching some TV right now."

Élise smirked cutely and sighed. "You wanna get dinner started?"

"Well, Titan said there's some rice, bread, and vegetables in the fridge right now, so maybe some fried rice and fresh fruit."

"Well, at least we won't have to worry about buying too much produce in the future," Élise signaled her head towards the window. "My mom did say she's planting an organic garden and eating fresh from the land when she comes in, so…"

Spencer rested his hands around Élise's waist and his head on top of hers. Her hand always felt so velvety. "So…what do you wanna do right now…?"

"No sex…" Élise singsonged what Spencer was probably thinking and joked. "At least not until the kids are asleep."

"No…but that could be a second thought," Spencer replied coyly, and it got him a light slap on the shoulder by Élise. "I really meant, what do you think we should do while we're in St. Croix."

Élise gave Spencer a cheek peck and a double pat before he let her go and went back to unpacking. "I've been researching some restaurants, both in Frederiksted and Christiansted, you know, sample some of the local cuisine. And maybe do some sailing, go to some beaches, museums, a horseback riding experience…"

"Well, I do like horseback riding…this is going to be the best vacation week ever." Spencer smooched Élise's head.

As promised, it was another bright and sunny sunny day; the sky was this beautiful shade of blue with only spotted white clouds. About an hour and a half after the children woke up, Spencer and Élise took the children to a restaurant in Christiansted for breakfast, Frescos Kitchen & Pub House. They sat outside where there were blue umbrellaed teak tables and matching blue rattan chairs.

"Mmm…" Isaac licked his mouth while chewing on the first of the three fresh blueberry pancakes with maple syrup.

Élise enjoyed a Uruguayan chivito sandwich, which is the country's national dish, that had two sunny side eggs, seared strip steak strips (short loin), sauteed onions, provolone, garlic aioli, tomato, lettuce, and fresh chimichurri sauce. "You like your breakfast?"

"Uh-huh…"

Spencer had one of the yuca home fries placed in the middle of the table while having the same breakfast as Élise. "Is it as good as Mommy and I's blueberry pancakes?" He had a sip of his hot coffee.

"Maybe…" Isaac answered with demure after he swallowed a mouthful.

"Wow…" Séraphine and Isaac stared with such amazement at Fort Christiansvaern, a yellow Danish fort built to defend the Christiansted harbor.

Élise read info about this historic site from her personal phone. "This fort was built to protect shipping and attacks from foreign invaders, privateers, and even pirates."

"Pirates?" Isaac asked again.

Spencer massaged and ruffled his hair. "Yup."

Now, on the streets of Christiansted, it was another trip down memory lane for Élise. All these preserved centuries-old pastel color Danish-style buildings (St. Croix, along with St. Thomas and St. John, were known as the Danish West Indies), the cobblestone sidewalks. There were some local boutiques and shops where the family was walking around.

The family stopped at a couple of local boutiques and a quick stop at the island's only independent bookseller store at Spencer's request when the family passed. One was owned by a local artist and designer known for her tropical textured décor, fashion, and accessories, along with silk paintings. It had an eclectic island chic vibe and smelled of the essence of mango coconut. Séraphine saw a pink and yellow printed mixed dress hanging from the ranks, tried it on, and liked it so much that Élise bought it for her. The other was known for fine hand-wrought jewelry and being the home of the original St. Croix hook bracelet. Spencer and Élise purchased some souvenirs and gifts to give out to their family when they returned to the States.

The following day, Spencer and Élise took the kids to the beach that was just nearby. No surprise it was another sunny day; they figured, what not?

"Whoa!" Élise's back and most of her petite body were thrust by the rumbling brush of blue water just as she emerged onto the shore. She was amazed she didn't slip and had her legs buckled. She half ran up to Spencer, who was busy making a sandcastle with Séraphine and Isaac. Séraphine and Isaac spent a little time in the water (all with Élise by their side) before they wanted to make a sandcastle.

Spencer lay half his body up, and his legs crossed on the purple towel. She pushed his black Ray-ban sunglasses down his nose with his two fingers. "Looks like somebody's enjoying the ocean a little too much." Without looking away from Élise, he had his hands in the wicker picnic basket and pulled out a plastic-wrapped sandwich. He unwrapped it and gave his two slices to the kids.

"Why, thanks, babe. And it's not every day I get to see you looking like a lifeguard minus the inflatable float, visor, belt bag, and whistle." Spencer was tastefully attired in a plain T-shirt, swim trucks, and Havana flip-flops. "And looks like somebody's been working hard," Élise complimented, swayed to her towel, and squeezed out her wet hair.

"Thanks, ma!" Séraphine poked the sandcastle with a stick, using it as a quasi-flag.

"Ma, Dad, look!" Isaac caught his eyes and picked up a small bluish-greenish seashell, which he then passed to Spencer.

"Mmm…it looks like a keyhole limpet," Spencer returned the shell to his son.

"And this is coming from someone who doesn't like the beach due to sandy food, pink skin, limited and unengaging topography, and mostly because of the unappealing drug-resistant bacteria spread by seagull soils." Élise recapped Spencer's thoughts about the beach minus replacing feces with soils. It was not surprising she remembered that word for word.

Élise lowered to her son's height, had her hands on her knees, and asked him, "You wanna go see if we can find some more?"

"Yeah!" Isaac grinned and hopped up, but not enough to make the sandcastle break. He took Élise's hand and tugged her forward, hoping to find more seashells.

"Where are we headin' now, ma?" asked Séraphine, sitting in the backseat alongside Isaac; Élise was in the front passenger seat, and Spencer drove.

"We're gonna go to where your great-grandparents lived," Élise swallowed the small lump developing in her throat. Even just the mentioning of her paternal grandmother more than a decade after her passing made her eyes tear ducts.

"Are we going to meet 'em?" asked Issac now.

Élise sighed. "Your great-grandparents, no, but there's a chance we'll see and meet more of your great-aunts, uncles, and cousins."

Spencer whispered to her, politely correcting her, "Actually, first cousins once removed."

Élise shrugged her shoulders. "Same indifference."

"I remember the first time I met your father's side of the family…" Still concentrated on the open free road, Spencer began pondering when Élise introduced him to her Caribbean residency family members. It was sometime in 2010 after the two were still engaged, but it was before the wedding. Titan and Karim picked them up from the airport and drove them to stay at her late paternal grandparents' white concrete house (the same house she'd stayed in whenever her family visited the country until they were able to propose land). Spencer helped carry their luggage through the house.

"Yello!" Élise called for someone once she stepped in. "Anyone home?"

"ÉLISE!"

Someone came out from one of the rooms. It was one of her aunts, Nina, her father's sister—especially with how much they look alike. She was a portly woman in comfortable clothes and her dark hair in plaits. She threw her arms around her, embracing her in a bear hug, and smooched her cheek. "Oh, it's been a while…"

"Yeah…" Élise hid the crock in her throat and tried to sound upbeat. She swung her arm when she began introducing Spencer to her aunt. "Spencer, my aunt Nina."

Spencer held his hand out, and she gently shook it. "Pleasure to meet you."

Nina had the same goofy smile Mr. Micha would have sometimes. Élise hinted that her aunt Nina would take a liking to him. Pretty soon, about ten-fifteen minutes top after they got settled in, more family members dropped by the house, and Élise introduced them; she knew they would take a liking to him, too.

Finally, Spencer swayed the Mercedes G-Class into the open black iron gates and put it in parking gear. While Spencer got the kids out, Élise placed a free hand on her hip and her other on the hood. The house was the same as when she was here for her late paternal grandmother's funeral. The tall tropical and banana trees surrounded most of the place, where her mother would sometimes pick out the fresh fruit. The exterior looked the same despite the recent updates, the front porch with the white stone cast balusters and columns and the little swing bed. There were still the same stone ramps on the sides of the patio for her late paternal grandfather, George, when he was in a wheelchair. Élise wiped the corner of her eye when she thought about the first time she cried when seeing him.

"Lise!" Spencer shouted, snapping Élise out of memory lane. He held the children's hands as everyone walked up the stone steps, and Élise knocked three times on the black vinyl screened white front door. Spencer counted to himself it was about ten seconds before someone answered the door.

It was Nina. From the last time she saw her, she looked less portly but still had a full figure and was nicely dressed in relaxed clothes.

"Hey, Élise!" Nina flailed her hands and first hugged Élise before she, Spencer, and the kids stepped inside the house. Again, the interior looked the same, minus the updated furniture. "So, how's everyone been?" Nina closed the door behind her.

"We're good…" Élise quietly fanned her hand. "Getting a break from the cold the States often offers."

Nina smiled and turned her attention to Séraphine and Isaac. "Aw, and these are little Séraphine Celeste and Isaac Dylan?"

"Hello…"

"Hiya…"

Nina used her index fingers to examine the children's faces further. "Mmm…you have a little bit of your Daddy, Fee. And you got a little bit of your Mama, Ziggy."

The children giggled just as everyone heard another door opening and closing. "Hey, what's happening…" a curious yet heavy Caribbean dialect tone filled the room. Out came a man who had a saddle brown complexion, a black durag covering his head, and dressed in Nike sweats. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped.

"LIZZY!" His arms opened for Élise to hug him, and he pulled back after about ten seconds. He took her hands and had to have a look at her. He even gave Spencer a bro's-styled handshake. "Oh, my, look at you…"

"Hey, RJ. Long time no see," Élise patted his shoulder and gently pushed the children forward. "Séraphine and Isaac."

"Pleasure to finally see you two!" RJ bent down to his first cousin's once-removed height and held his hand out; Séraphine shook his hand and hugged him while Isaac slapped it and hugged him as well. "You definitely got that good-looking Bastien gene!" RJ's comment made everyone laugh.

"You wanna stay for lunch?" Nina offered. "I can still make a good roti with the usual fixings."

"Absolutely!" Spencer embraced Élise closer to him. "Just as long as you don't include any fish. Or pork. Or chili." He had his hand over his stomach, hoping the nausea would soon be over.

Élise whispered, "You really don't want to know why…"

There was one thing Spencer and Élise wanted to do together before heading back to D.C. in the next few days, knowing their schedule would be back to hectic and occasionally unpredictable: have one last date night alone for the two of them before the year ended.

Titan and his wife Maia were more than happy to babysit Séraphine and Isaac. Élise researched and found one of the best restaurants on the island: Galangal. It was this tan 1729 House across from Fort Christiansvaern Park. The restaurant's sign was made from wine corks by a patron. Pushing the aubergine door open, Spencer and Élise could smell the potent scents of exotic Asian spices, red wine, and cooked beef. The inside had original paintings, Indo-Colonial architectural elements and decorations, and a leather sitting and white-table dining room.

Spencer dressed nicely, wearing a simple dark purple collared dress shirt, black pants and belt, and oxford sneakers. Élise couldn't help but wear this lovely ballet pink dress from Ralph Lauren's latest Cruise collection, which had a bit of a romantic feeling and matching heels. Once they sat at their table and got their menus, Spencer thoroughly examined the restaurant's French Asian fusion cuisine; automatically, he vetoed any kind of fish, pork, and chili and ordered Edamame, Goi Cuon – Vietnamese Summer Rolls, Mixed Field Greens, Pad Thai, Belgian Chocolate Flourless Cake for dessert and coffee and tea for beverages.

"Mmm…" Spencer ate a summer roll, chewed it slowly, and swallowed it. "You could really taste the flavors and how they muddle well together."

Élise also had one, and her mouth swooned. "With two perfect bites, you're right."

"When am I not?" Spencer joked, having a sip of his coffee; Élise made a face that said 'You're cute' all over it. "But seriously, this is delicious."

"I can't disagree," Élise couldn't argue with that. She held her teacup mid-air, as did Spencer with his half-drunk coffee cup, and their drinks clucked. "What a year we had…I became AG, Fee started school, Alex left, you with…" she took a second to pause and fluttered her eyes. "What happened in Texas…"

"And think about what's going to happen next year," Spencer took Élise's hand across from the dining table. "Ziggy's gonna start school next year, we'll be married five years, and us possibly…being adoptive parents…"

Élise smirked distantly. "Next year's gonna hold some surprises for us. Are you ready for those surprises?"

"Ride or die?" Spencer remembered their motto.

"Ride or die."

Another warm night in St. Croix was in the mid-high seventies. The sunset sky turned misty, passing windingly puffs of violet and lavender along with a russet and auburn sunset, and finally came a beautiful midnight blue with dark brief clouds. Spencer and Elise invited family members who could come over for an improv get-together-mixed-potluck, with almost everyone bringing in something to eat: saltfish, soup and stew, Johnny cake, spiced poultry and veggies, and ice cream from Armstrong. Spencer and Élise were enjoying themselves. Séraphine and Isaac were playing with a couple of their newly discovered distant cousins around their toddler age.

"I'd like to propose a toast," Karim held his glass bottle of ginger beer in the air. "2014 is coming to an end. Thank God every day for every moment we have with our loved ones on this blue and green Earth. Let us be blessed with good memories next year will have. Hears to 2015!"

"2015!"

2023 is coming to an end.

Here's to 2024!

See you next year!