I nodded, grinning ecstatically. “I’m serious. Your parents are booking the vacation as your Christmas gift. They’re getting it booked by the end of the day, apparently,” I confirmed, watching as her face went from shock to complete happiness. I chewed on the inside of my mouth because of how beautiful she looked when she smiled.

“You mean we get to go away? Really? You’re not tricking me, are you? Because if you are, that’s seriously mean,” she asked, eyeing me curiously.

“I’m not tricking you, Baby Girl, I promise. I get to take you somewhere hot, with a beach. Just the two of us and no far guard,” I confirmed.

She squealed excitedly and jumped up and down on the spot. “Oh my God! No far guard either? I can’t believe you! How did you do that?” she cried as her eyes filled with tears.

“I must be the best boyfriend in the world,” I joked, shrugging as if it was nothing.

Before I could either react or prepare myself for impact, she jumped onto my lap and hugged me tightly. “Thank you, Ashton. Oh God, this is going to be great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she squeaked, hugging me as I grunted from the sudden weight being thrust upon me.

“You’re welcome, Baby Girl,” I replied, grinning. In all honesty, I couldn’t wait for some me and her time, with no one to act normal or pretend for. This was going to be the best Christmas ever.

Suddenly, her eyes widened and she pushed herself off my lap. “Oh man, I need to go to the gym!” She didn’t even wait for an answer as she turned and streaked into the bedroom.

“Anna, where the hell did that come from?” I asked, getting up to follow her into the bedroom. She was just pulling on a pair of sweats and riffling through her drawer, coming out with a tank top. She was still practically bouncing on the spot. “Why are you going to the gym?” I asked, confused.

“Oh, come on. We’re going to lie on a beach, I need to look good in my bikini,” she explained, grinning like a mad woman.

I practically choked on her absurdity. “Look good in your bikini? Are you joking?”

She shook her head. “Are you coming or can I go on my own?” she asked as she walked past me.

I grabbed her hand, making her stop as I stared down at her in disbelief. “Are you serious? You’re going to the gym so you’ll look good in your bikini?”

She nodded and shrugged. “Well yeah. I know I can’t do much in a week, but I’ve put on like four pounds since you stopped me running like I used to.”

I scoffed and shook my head in disapproval. “You have got to be kidding me! You’re perfect; you don’t need to suddenly start running off to the gym! Honestly, you’re the most beautiful thing in the world, Anna. And I happen to like the extra four pounds.” I wasn’t just saying that because I was in love with her.

She made a little aww sound as she went up on tiptoes and planted a little kiss on the corner of my mouth. “You’re so sweet sometimes with these little comments of yours,” she mused, pinching my stomach gently. “But of course you think I’m perfect, you’re biased and are probably paid to say that,” she replied. She nodded over her shoulder towards the door. “We would have gone to the gym later anyway, so what’s the problem?”

I groaned and rolled my eyes. She never seemed to take me seriously when I told her how I felt about her. Maybe one day the information and hints would finally sink in.

“Are you coming or not?” she asked, stepping away from me and grinning.

Admitting defeat, I nodded in agreement. “Fine, just let me change first. I suppose I need to look good on the beach too.”

She grinned. “Pretty Boy, you look way better than good all the time!”

After an hour at the gym, we were back at our apartment. Anna went in for the first shower while I opened my laptop because Maddy had texted to tell me that she’d emailed me the itinerary for our trip.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Agent Taylor,

Please find below details of your trip. Tickets will be waiting at the check in desk; passports will need to be shown to obtain them. As you will notice, I have amended Annabelle’s name, as per her father’s instructions. I have arranged for some local currency to be delivered to your apartment tomorrow. I trust that you can get a ride to the airport from one of the far guards, if not then let me know and I will book a car for you. Transfers have been arranged for when you get there. Weather should be delightful, so make sure you take plenty of sunscreen. No injections required. Have a marvellous time.

Maddy.

Duration: 14 nights

Flight time: Depart :10:45 Saturday 21st Dec

Return :14:00 Saturday 4th January

Destination: Maldives (South Male Atoll)

Hotel: 5* Deluxe Over water suite

Board: All inclusive

Transfer’s: 20 minutes by speedboat

Passengers: Mr Ashton Taylor. Mrs Annabelle Taylor

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My breath caught in my throat at the last line. They’d put us as married? I actually loved the sound of that. Annabelle Taylor. I’d never heard of anything more perfect in my life. But I knew Anna wouldn’t like it. For some reason, she was really touchy about marriage and always seemed to clam up or go quiet whenever I made jokes about it. Needing to sort it out before she saw this email, I grabbed my cell phone and was just about to dial Maddy’s number, but Anna walked out of the bedroom behind me.