(CHRIS)
It's our last day in Paradise. And Mother Nature has seen fit to give us another beautiful day. The sky is an endless deep blue, with just enough of a breeze to make the warm temperature bearable. I've already been up and out for a swim while Morgan slept. Now I'm lying back at her side just watching her sleep. I've been urging her to get as much rest as she needs, knowing from experience how much we all count on her back home. She's usually the first one up and the last one to turn in at night. Plus the extra opportunity to relax has let her recover from the cold and sinus infection that plagued her when we arrived. This morning there's a slight smile on her face, her hair is tumbled all around her, my heart is just about bursting knowing that we've grown so much closer while we've been here.
That's not to say that there aren't a few worries about how this reconciliation will hold up once we get back home and reality sets in. Pam and Joe are both still going to be a big part of our lives. Will we be able to avoid the temptation to run to them if the road starts to get a little bumpy or will the progress we've made here be a strong enough glue to hold us together?
Pushing all that aside, I gently smooth the hair back off Morgan's face, then my voice barely above a whisper I start to sing, "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Morgan. Happy birthday to you."
Her eyes flicker open and when she smiles at me my heart swells even more. All the rejection of the past has been brushed aside and forgotten; but the lessons of all those mistakes and missteps will hopefully be with us forever. "Thank you," she whispers, her hand reaching up to caress my cheek.
Leaning in to her touch, I whisper a quick prayer of thanks. Thanks that we finally came to our senses before it was too late. I can't imagine m y life without this wo=2 0man at my side. And now I finally have confidence back; I have the faith that we've once again beaten the odds and turned all those people who doubted we could make it into naysayers.
One kiss turns into two and reluctantly I finally pull my mouth away from hers with a groan. "I ordered a birthday breakfast for you; it was delivered just before I came in to see if you were awake."
She loops an arm around my neck. "Why thank you kind sir. I suppose that means I should get up and go outside to see what you've chosen."
Twirling a long strand of hair around my finger, I shake my head. "Only if you want to. It's your day, we can do what ever you want."
"Hmmm, I think right now I'd like to lie here with you. Once we get back home we won't have that many opportunities to be lazy in the mornings."
"Then I guess we'd better take advantage of this opportunity." I smile. Scooting a little closer to her I put an arm around her waist and pull her as close to me as possible.
We lie there quietly, enjoying each other's company, the breeze floating in through the open windows, and the sound of waves lapping at the sand just feet from where we are.
I'd be content to lie here for the rest of the morning, but Morgan's stomach starts to growl. I laugh and she blushes. I like that I can still make her do that.
"Okay, hungry girl. Time for breakfast." Getting off the bed first, I hold a hand out to Morgan. "Come on."
She gets up; then makes a plea to visit the bathroom first. She goes that direction and I go to grab the birthday presents I stashed earlier in the week. Definitely going to put this resort on the list of places to come back to; the accommodations are great, the service unsurpassed and more than that, it's a place filled with good memories. And those have been few and far between the past year. Thank goodness that trend seems to have ended. Now the scales can be tipped with more good memories than bad.
"Wow, this is quite the feast," Morgan exclaims and I look up to see her standing in the doorway, clad only in a pair of panties and a tank top.
I start to rise from my chair, tossing the napkin on the plate. "To heck with the food, you're quite the feast for these eyes."
That earns me a giggle and she comes over, sliding her arms around my waist. "Ahh, you always say the sweetest things."
"I only speak the truth, baby." Nudging her chin, I gesture at the small pile of wrapped gifts on the table in front of her chair. "Happy birthday."
"Presents? Chris, you didn't have to," she exclaims but that smile tells me she's more than pleased I didn't forget.
"Of course, now what are you waiting for." I give her a quick kiss; then with a pat on the behind, I direct her toward her chair. "Open them."
Morgan sits down in her chair and reaches for the box on top of the pile, then much to my surprise she rips right in the gift. Normally she undoes the ribbon first, then each piece of tape holding the paper together, and folds each piece of wrapping paper after removing it from the box. It drives everyone insane. But today she's doing none of that.
Paper and ribbons go flying, and so does the top of the box, the only thing she doesn't throw behind her is the tissue paper covering the actual gift. That she folds aside neatly before exclaiming at what lies beneath the paper.
"It's a beautiful swimsuit Chris, but maybe you should have given it to me when we first got here when I could have actually worn it." She laughs as she holds up the top to a barely there red bikini.
"It's a down payment and promise that there will be many more getaways like this." I explain.
"Oooo, I'm definitely going to hold you to that promise," she says excitedly.
Setting the box aside she grabs the next box, it's the same shape as the one she just opened and she looks at me. "Did you buy me two?"
"Open it and see."
She does just that, making short work of the wrapping on the second box, just as she did the first. Lifting up the lid, she pulls out a colorful tropical printed tunic. "A cover up to go with the bikini. Now I've got the whole ensemble," she declares, running a light finger over the blue, red and green colored design on the neckline of the garment. "I'll have to model it for you."
I quickly interrupt. "What you're wearing now is perfectly fine.
"I'm surprised."
"At what?" I ask.
"That you're not suggesting I'm currently over dressed."
"Well there is that, but there's always later."
Morgan gazes across the table at me, and it's a look that's best described as smoldering. It's been a long time since I've seen blatant desire on her face, not counting the past few days, and I don't think I'll tire of it. To know I'm wanted by this woman is a powerful aphrodisiac.
"It's my birthday and what I want I get right?"
"You got it."
"Then what I want is for you to take me to bed. Right now." She stands up as if to emphasize her point. Like I'd ever second guess what she means. But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun first.
"But what about all this?" I frown and wave a hand over the table, gesturing at our breakfast.
Morgan matches me frown for frown, dismissing my concern. "It's mostly fruit, it'll still be here when we get back." She starts toward the door then stops and comes back to the table. Reaching for the platter of fruit, she gives me a saucy grin and says, "On second thought, let's take this with us. Might come in handy."
Now this is the Morgan I remember. The one who was always willing to go along with whatever crazy plan I had. This is the woman that made love in a car and on a balcony without a second thought. She's the woman I fell head over heels in love with, not once but twice.
"Ooooo you naughty little girl you." I grin right back at her. "I'm up for whatever you have in mind."
Morgan's eyes sweep over me. "I can see that."
Okay I might be blushing just a little but I'm definitely not going to let it bother me. But I do take several deep breaths and try to focus on the one other gift I want her to open before we do anything else. Reaching for the small gift wrapped box left by her plate, I set it in the palm of my hand and step toward her. "One more thing to open and then I'm all yours."
"Can't it wait?"
I shake my head. "'fraid not. This is the most important gift of all."
"What is it?" she asks, eyeing it curiously.
"Open it, and you'll find out."
"Just tell me. I'll open it later.
I shake my head gravely. "Doesn't work that way." Taking hold of her hand I set the box into it, and one by one curl her fingers around the cube so she won't drop it. "Open it."
Once more she doesn't waste any time unwrapping the box and as the paper falls to the floor and she lifts the lid, I slowly sink to my knees in front of her. Morgan looks from the contents of the box down to me, her mouth dropping open, her eyes widening. "Chris?"
"Morgan Long Gaines Ross Gaines, will you marry me?" I murmur.
"Chris?" She's confused now, her fingers trembling as she pulls the ring free of the velvet it's nestled in. I get to my feet, taking it from her before she drops it. "This looks just like my ring."
"This is your ring," I correct.
"But it was stolen. Mikey…."
I interrupt, taking hold of her hand. "Stole it and gave it back to me. I've held on to it until just the right moment and it needs to go back on your finger." There's a moment's doubt. What if this has all been an illusion? What if she doesn't want to be married to me any more?
"Yes it does," she whispers, her voice just a little shaky. She holds out her hand to me and I reverently slide the ring back on her finger. When it's securely back in place I turn her hand over and softly kiss her palm.
Letting go of her hand, I reach into my pocket and pull out my ring handing it to her. She looks at it lying there in her palm for a moment, then she's reaching for my hand.
"With this ring I thee wed. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part," she whispers as she slides the ring back on my finger.
It might be her birthday but I feel as though I've also been given a gift. I've got the love of my life back. And that's all I've wanted.
**************************
It's our last day in Paradise. And Mother Nature has seen fit to give us another beautiful day. The sky is an endless deep blue, with just enough of a breeze to make the warm temperature bearable. I've already been up and out for a swim while Morgan slept. Now I'm lying back at her side just watching her sleep. I've been urging her to get as much rest as she needs, knowing from experience how much we all count on her back home. She's usually the first one up and the last one to turn in at night. Plus the extra opportunity to relax has let her recover from the cold and sinus infection that plagued her when we arrived. This morning there's a slight smile on her face, her hair is tumbled all around her, my heart is just about bursting knowing that we've grown so much closer while we've been here.
That's not to say that there aren't a few worries about how this reconciliation will hold up once we get back home and reality sets in. Pam and Joe are both still going to be a big part of our lives. Will we be able to avoid the temptation to run to them if the road starts to get a little bumpy or will the progress we've made here be a strong enough glue to hold us together?
Pushing all that aside, I gently smooth the hair back off Morgan's face, then my voice barely above a whisper I start to sing, "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Morgan. Happy birthday to you."
Her eyes flicker open and when she smiles at me my heart swells even more. All the rejection of the past has been brushed aside and forgotten; but the lessons of all those mistakes and missteps will hopefully be with us forever. "Thank you," she whispers, her hand reaching up to caress my cheek.
Leaning in to her touch, I whisper a quick prayer of thanks. Thanks that we finally came to our senses before it was too late. I can't imagine m y life without this wo=2 0man at my side. And now I finally have confidence back; I have the faith that we've once again beaten the odds and turned all those people who doubted we could make it into naysayers.
One kiss turns into two and reluctantly I finally pull my mouth away from hers with a groan. "I ordered a birthday breakfast for you; it was delivered just before I came in to see if you were awake."
She loops an arm around my neck. "Why thank you kind sir. I suppose that means I should get up and go outside to see what you've chosen."
Twirling a long strand of hair around my finger, I shake my head. "Only if you want to. It's your day, we can do what ever you want."
"Hmmm, I think right now I'd like to lie here with you. Once we get back home we won't have that many opportunities to be lazy in the mornings."
"Then I guess we'd better take advantage of this opportunity." I smile. Scooting a little closer to her I put an arm around her waist and pull her as close to me as possible.
We lie there quietly, enjoying each other's company, the breeze floating in through the open windows, and the sound of waves lapping at the sand just feet from where we are.
I'd be content to lie here for the rest of the morning, but Morgan's stomach starts to growl. I laugh and she blushes. I like that I can still make her do that.
"Okay, hungry girl. Time for breakfast." Getting off the bed first, I hold a hand out to Morgan. "Come on."
She gets up; then makes a plea to visit the bathroom first. She goes that direction and I go to grab the birthday presents I stashed earlier in the week. Definitely going to put this resort on the list of places to come back to; the accommodations are great, the service unsurpassed and more than that, it's a place filled with good memories. And those have been few and far between the past year. Thank goodness that trend seems to have ended. Now the scales can be tipped with more good memories than bad.
"Wow, this is quite the feast," Morgan exclaims and I look up to see her standing in the doorway, clad only in a pair of panties and a tank top.
I start to rise from my chair, tossing the napkin on the plate. "To heck with the food, you're quite the feast for these eyes."
That earns me a giggle and she comes over, sliding her arms around my waist. "Ahh, you always say the sweetest things."
"I only speak the truth, baby." Nudging her chin, I gesture at the small pile of wrapped gifts on the table in front of her chair. "Happy birthday."
"Presents? Chris, you didn't have to," she exclaims but that smile tells me she's more than pleased I didn't forget.
"Of course, now what are you waiting for." I give her a quick kiss; then with a pat on the behind, I direct her toward her chair. "Open them."
Morgan sits down in her chair and reaches for the box on top of the pile, then much to my surprise she rips right in the gift. Normally she undoes the ribbon first, then each piece of tape holding the paper together, and folds each piece of wrapping paper after removing it from the box. It drives everyone insane. But today she's doing none of that.
Paper and ribbons go flying, and so does the top of the box, the only thing she doesn't throw behind her is the tissue paper covering the actual gift. That she folds aside neatly before exclaiming at what lies beneath the paper.
"It's a beautiful swimsuit Chris, but maybe you should have given it to me when we first got here when I could have actually worn it." She laughs as she holds up the top to a barely there red bikini.
"It's a down payment and promise that there will be many more getaways like this." I explain.
"Oooo, I'm definitely going to hold you to that promise," she says excitedly.
Setting the box aside she grabs the next box, it's the same shape as the one she just opened and she looks at me. "Did you buy me two?"
"Open it and see."
She does just that, making short work of the wrapping on the second box, just as she did the first. Lifting up the lid, she pulls out a colorful tropical printed tunic. "A cover up to go with the bikini. Now I've got the whole ensemble," she declares, running a light finger over the blue, red and green colored design on the neckline of the garment. "I'll have to model it for you."
I quickly interrupt. "What you're wearing now is perfectly fine.
"I'm surprised."
"At what?" I ask.
"That you're not suggesting I'm currently over dressed."
"Well there is that, but there's always later."
Morgan gazes across the table at me, and it's a look that's best described as smoldering. It's been a long time since I've seen blatant desire on her face, not counting the past few days, and I don't think I'll tire of it. To know I'm wanted by this woman is a powerful aphrodisiac.
"It's my birthday and what I want I get right?"
"You got it."
"Then what I want is for you to take me to bed. Right now." She stands up as if to emphasize her point. Like I'd ever second guess what she means. But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun first.
"But what about all this?" I frown and wave a hand over the table, gesturing at our breakfast.
Morgan matches me frown for frown, dismissing my concern. "It's mostly fruit, it'll still be here when we get back." She starts toward the door then stops and comes back to the table. Reaching for the platter of fruit, she gives me a saucy grin and says, "On second thought, let's take this with us. Might come in handy."
Now this is the Morgan I remember. The one who was always willing to go along with whatever crazy plan I had. This is the woman that made love in a car and on a balcony without a second thought. She's the woman I fell head over heels in love with, not once but twice.
"Ooooo you naughty little girl you." I grin right back at her. "I'm up for whatever you have in mind."
Morgan's eyes sweep over me. "I can see that."
Okay I might be blushing just a little but I'm definitely not going to let it bother me. But I do take several deep breaths and try to focus on the one other gift I want her to open before we do anything else. Reaching for the small gift wrapped box left by her plate, I set it in the palm of my hand and step toward her. "One more thing to open and then I'm all yours."
"Can't it wait?"
I shake my head. "'fraid not. This is the most important gift of all."
"What is it?" she asks, eyeing it curiously.
"Open it, and you'll find out."
"Just tell me. I'll open it later.
I shake my head gravely. "Doesn't work that way." Taking hold of her hand I set the box into it, and one by one curl her fingers around the cube so she won't drop it. "Open it."
Once more she doesn't waste any time unwrapping the box and as the paper falls to the floor and she lifts the lid, I slowly sink to my knees in front of her. Morgan looks from the contents of the box down to me, her mouth dropping open, her eyes widening. "Chris?"
"Morgan Long Gaines Ross Gaines, will you marry me?" I murmur.
"Chris?" She's confused now, her fingers trembling as she pulls the ring free of the velvet it's nestled in. I get to my feet, taking it from her before she drops it. "This looks just like my ring."
"This is your ring," I correct.
"But it was stolen. Mikey…."
I interrupt, taking hold of her hand. "Stole it and gave it back to me. I've held on to it until just the right moment and it needs to go back on your finger." There's a moment's doubt. What if this has all been an illusion? What if she doesn't want to be married to me any more?
"Yes it does," she whispers, her voice just a little shaky. She holds out her hand to me and I reverently slide the ring back on her finger. When it's securely back in place I turn her hand over and softly kiss her palm.
Letting go of her hand, I reach into my pocket and pull out my ring handing it to her. She looks at it lying there in her palm for a moment, then she's reaching for my hand.
"With this ring I thee wed. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part," she whispers as she slides the ring back on my finger.
It might be her birthday but I feel as though I've also been given a gift. I've got the love of my life back. And that's all I've wanted.
**************************
