It had been two days since Gustave saw Rose. Two days his heart ached. However now it pounded in anxiety. The commotion in the hallway told him his family was off to the private beach to spend the afternoon with the Jones. It was part of their tradition, a day at the beach before the Jones returned to the city after their family holiday at Phantasma. However, he groaned and sank deeper into the couch.

"Gustave?" Christine stuck her head into the study. She sighed, "You are not going to the beach in that. Come on, everyone else is ready and The Jones are closer since they are staying at the hotel. Do you really want to keep your fiancée and her family waiting?"

"Rose is mad at me and rightfully so. She told me to leave her alone until she came looking for me! Oh Mother, I am awful just awful!" He smashed his face into the pillow and started to cry.

"So you think laying here and crying is going to fix it?" Christine grabbed her son by the shoulders and pulled him up. "Did you not learn anything from what happened to your father and I? I don't care what she said, you're going to go to her because that's what she really wants. She wants you to chase her down and prove your love is still real, that whatever happened was stupid and you didn't mean it."

"We are running late," Erik walked into the study. He stopped short upon seeing the scene, "Oh what do we have here?"

"You talk some sense into him. You tell him Rose really wants him to chase after her. I am going to take everyone else and meet them at the shore," Christine leaned in and kissed her husband lightly before heading back into the hall.

"Are we leaving, mother?" Arthur's excitement could be heard.

"Yes we are."

"What about, Dada?"

"He and Goose will be joining us later."

Father did not speak until the hall was silent and the front door closed.

"So are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I'm a grown man, I'm allowed to have secrets," Gustave crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Erik chuckled as he sat down next to his oldest son, "Ah that you are. God, knows this family has had its fair share. And God knows you'll ask for forgiveness for yours. However, I cannot give you any advice if I do not know what is the matter."

Gustave sighed and got off the couch. He walked to one of the windows and pushed the curtains aside. He watched the roller coaster cart and as raced around the track. Rose's favorite. "How can mother say Rose wants me to chase her when Rose told me not to come looking for her? Should I not respect Rose's spoken desire?"

A brash laugh filled the room, "I once did exactly what your mother said she wanted when she was angry."

"And what was that?"

"Spare Raoul's life."

Gustave turned and looked at his father and laughed.

"Exactly! That didn't turn out how any of us wanted…except for maybe Raoul. Even after everything he might enjoy being alive."

Erik groaned as he stood, "All I know, son is our life would have been completely different had I spoken my true feeling sooner to your mother and I had I apologized for any hurt I caused her being stupid and selfish. Was what you did stupid and selfish?"

Goose sighed as he returned his glace out the window," Yes."

"Did it hurt Rose?"

"In more ways than one."

"Well, then I'd go apologize regardless of what she said. Don't go empty handed. We'll stop somewhere on the way there."

"I don't think I can bring any kind of gift that will make up for…"

"Oh quit being so dramatic! Your father is the King of Fuck Ups! I left your mother pregnant with you and still got her back ten years later," He wrapped his arm around his son. "Come on."

When father and son reached the private beach, there arrival was not noticed. Branwell Jones was actually swimming in the ocean, Daisy and Christine walked along crashing waves, Matilda a few feet in front of them performing her dance moves barefoot. Sarah, Charlotte and Athur built a sandcastle.

"So Edgar really did move to Paris?" Erik adjusted his sunglasses.

"He did. He is much happier. He writes at least once a month. Asks me for recommendations as if ten-year-old me knows of wonderful places to go. I refuse to bother Mama with it." Gustave's eyes scanned the area until he saw a bench with a blonde hair girl in a sun hat not far from the sandcastle action. "Excuse me, Papa."

Gustave cleared his throat as he walked up to the bench, "Is this spot taken?"

Rose turned head away as she crossed her legs, "It is reserved for Sarah and Charlotte when they are done with their sandcastle."

"Well then they won't mind if I use it until they are ready for it," He looked up and down the lines of her blue cotton dress. "Are you not swimming today?"

"I started my menses this morning. I didn't want to come at all."

"Oh. Did I...or what we…"

She groaned and balled her skirt into her hands, "You are ridiculous! You need to look at those books again before we get married!"

Gustave raised his hands, "I'm sorry. I just worried upset something…"

"The only thing you upset was me," Rose crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Also why are you talking to me? Didn't I tell you not to look for me?"

"Yes, you did," The young man scooted his body closer to her. "However, I can't stop thinking about what I did to you. I hurt you, I was selfish, I ruined our first time."

"This is not the time or place to discuss such things," Rose looked out at the waves put placed her hand on top of his.

He looked down and watched the diamond of her engagement ring sparkle in the sun, "Then when, Rose? What I did to you cannot be forgiven…or undone."

The young lady laughed as she turned to look at him, "Oh you're so dramatic! For someone trying so hard to escape being like your family, you're just like them."

"This isn't funny, Rose," He frowned, tears in his eyes.

"It is, Goose," She continued to laugh as she turned her body towards him. She intertwined her fingers with his, as she raised her other hand to his cheek, "Yes, it cannot be undone, but not forgiven? Yes, it was nothing like I thought it would be…but it was only our first time. At least we'll know what not to do on our wedding night and during our honeymoon."

"And we'll have the rest of our lives," He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I see how happy my father makes my mother but there is one way I won't be like him. I will be with you from the beginning, like your father was with your mother."

He pulled his hand away and stuck it into his pocket, "I have something for you."

She sighed and rolled her eyes, "Goose, I don't need any jewelry."

"Very true, but what about a new hat pin?" He smiled wide as he held the long box out and open.

"Oh you know me too well! Give it to me!" Rose snatched the box from his hands to observe the trinket inside. "I will wear the whole time on my next weekend visit." She smiled coyly at him, "And I have a little gift for you. I know where your parents hide The Kama Sutra. Tell your parents you're a man now and want to see it before you go on your honeymoon. Your mother will understand."