Ben sat in his deck chair, umbrella overhead as his wife and their tiny daughter came out to sit with him. Albert, the always hungry dog, sat at his side, watching the waterline for any creatures that looked edible.

They were all at the Vogelsangs’s beachfront house, taking a break from the renovations going on in their new home. Mary’s parents were there too, truly enjoying life for the first time since they’d been young and full of dreams. They were all enjoying Portugal, and the joy Mary’s new daughter and husband brought them.

Walter and Lillian were the proudest grandparents on the planet and the Vogelsangs had all but adopted Alisha as their own grandchild. They often took her on their adventures to give her parents a break.

“I’m so glad we’re back in Portugal. I love home but this is just heaven.” Mary sighed as Ben took Alisha and kissed her face, making the baby giggle.

“Who’s Daddy’s girl? Hmm? Who’s Daddy’s little ray of delicious sunshine?”

“Oh she definitely is. She was screaming until she figured out we were heading outside to her favourite person. I think she has excellent taste.” Mary leaned over in her own chair to kiss her husband.

He kissed her back, before going back to Alisha to give her tiny little neck kisses as she giggled in delight. Mary watched them, amazed at the change in Ben. She knew he’d been a confirmed bachelor, a man with no plans, but she’d changed his life, she’d changed him. She was just glad he took what she offered with both hands!

“Your parents going out with the Vogelsangs?” Ben’s words were low, quiet as he looked at his wife in her two piece bathing suit, her ample breasts on display. The way his eyes went dark, and how his voice grew husky, had her attention quickly. They still couldn’t get enough of each other.

Mary’s smile was dirty but sweet. “Oh not yet, they’re waiting on me to bring Alisha to them. Then we have a few hours to ourselves.”

His grin told her the plans she’d made for their alone time weren’t going to be wasted. “How long?”

“About four hours, they’re going up to the middle of the country somewhere. It’ll take an hour just to get there. So, I’m guessing at least four hours of total alone time.”

“Give me a minute.” Ben stood up, walking into the house and quickly back out without his daughter. “I love her dearly but I need some of your attention and I do believe you need some of mine.”

“I do indeed. I can’t believe we’re here and we get to stay!” All of the paperwork was done now and no matter where they went, they’d be together from now on. No more separation, no more loneliness, and most of all, no more living without love. They had all they wanted now, together.

Mary went to him, the man who’d made all her dreams come true. Even if she hadn’t quite planned on having a child so soon, she didn’t regret a day of Alisha’s life. She hadn’t planned on marrying, or even considering marriage after Jason had left her, but here she was with a ring on her finger.

As for Jason, he and the woman he’d run off with had both been incarcerated and would be for a long time. She’d always known Jason had a weak side but had hoped he’d grow up. She’d come to realize the man had never really loved her, he just wanted his mother off his back.

Mary felt a twinge of sympathy for him now it was all over. He’d wanted peace in his life, he’d wanted to feel like a man, something she guessed she hadn’t done for him. Instead of feeling rejected, she knew Jason had just been incapable of making good choices.

Whether that was his own fault or his mother’s, she didn’t know, but she knew that Ben had taken away her pain and then some. He’d made her see her own worth. He’d crossed an ocean for her, made the world fall at his feet to have her cross back with him and their child.

Life back home had been pleasant, it had been predictable, but Mary had always needed more. She could admit now that Jason had been a mistake. The man just wasn’t what she’d needed.

Ben, on the other hand, was all she’d ever need. Gazing up at him made her heart race with love and desire. Mary knew that her own choices, though prompted by the choices of others, had led her to him. Ben had been meant for her, and she for him.

Together they’d made the world right again, they’d made a paradise for themselves, and now for their daughter. Their life together had been based on mishaps, trials, and quite a few tribulations. Mary knew Ben would never forget his first wife, but she’d given him a second chance at love, just as he’d given it to her. They both clutched at it as tightly as they clutched at each other. Life was for the taking, after all, it wasn’t for hiding away or taking crumbs where you could find it.

Mary smiled as Ben’s lips came down on hers. This was perfection.