Chapter Thirty-Seven
Cade
For three months now, life has been absolute bliss. Serena and Alan moved into my house and we redecorated the whole place as a family. I never imagined myself with a kid, but here I am with an awesome son that I have loved every minute of getting to know. The icing on the cake is his amazing mom, the woman I’ve waited my life for. And I have to say, she was well worth the wait.
My publicist wanted to arrange big media blitz when Serena and I decided the time was right to announce that Alan is my son, but after discussing it together, instead we opted for a low key announcement on mine and Tyler’s show. Of course, the announcement was quickly picked up by other media outlets. So, word spread like wildfire.
At first there was a lot of buzz because it was the newest gossip, but it died down pretty fast. We get followed around from time to time, but for the most part, our boring family life just doesn’t fit with their need for scandalous chatter.
Tyler and I are filming a special post NFL draft special today, and then tomorrow, Serena and I are flying to Hawaii for an adult-only three-day trip. It’s been great spending time with her and Alan as a family, but we haven’t been on too many dates just the two of us since she and Alan moved in. For the most part, we’ve been trying to get adjusted and learning to navigate our new life together. Since Ashley just closed a showing at her gallery — a very prestigious one at that — she is taking some time off to relax and offered to keep Alan for us for a few days.
I’m fidgeting nervously on set as I wait for Tyler to finish in wardrobe. I reach into my pocket and finger the small velvet box nestled in there. Turning away from the few crew members on set, I pull the box out and flip it open.
“Whoa!” Tyler says loudly from over my shoulder. “Are you serious?”
“Shh!” I admonish him, flipping the ring box closed and stuffing it back into my pocket. “Keep your voice down.”
“Sorry. Just wasn’t expecting to see that. When did all this come about?” he asks.
“I’ll tell you after we film.”
“Yeah, you better,” he says, giving me a look as he walks to his chair. I try taking a few deep breaths as our producer steps on to the set, and I try to focus as he goes over the agenda. Thankfully, when the cameras swing toward us and the red light goes on, it’s like a switch is flipped, and I move into work mode and get lost in the back and forth of the show with Tyler.
A few hours later, we’ve managed to wrap up, and Tyler and I head to grab a bite to eat.
“So?” he says expectantly after being patient enough to wait until the waitress has taken our order and walked away before bringing up what he had seen over my shoulder.
I glance around to see if anyone might be listening — just in case — but we’ve been seated in a quiet corner and there isn’t anyone seated at the tables near us. “I think I’m gonna ask her to marry me,” I announce to him.
“You think?” he replies sarcastically.
“On our getaway this weekend.”
He nods thoughtfully. “How long have you had the ring?”
“Three weeks. Although, I’ve been looking at them twice as long. I found this one three weeks ago and knew it was perfect.”
“This is why you decided to plan a last minute romantic Hawaiian long weekend?”
I nod. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“You’re sure about this?” Ty questions.
“About her? Absolutely. I can’t imagine there being anyone else but her. Just living with her doesn’t seem like enough of a commitment, you know? I want it all because she’s it for me.”
He smiles. “Congratulations, man. I’m so happy you found someone like Serena. She’s really great. And, Alan is a good kid.”
“He is because he had a great mom raising him. I intend to try to be as good in my role as his dad.”
“So, what’s your plan?”
“Plan?”
“To ask her. You know, pop the question.”
“I... I don’t know. I haven’t, um, worked that out completely.”
“Dude, you bought the ring, you’re carrying it around with you. Now you just ask.”
“I want it to be memorable.”
“Cade, I think anywhere you decide to propose in a tropical paradise like Hawaii will be memorable. Furthermore, I don’t think Serena needs all the pomp and circumstance of some huge production of a proposal. That’s not her style. Keep it simple, stupid. I asked Tamara in our kitchen after a loss while we made dinner.”
“Really?”
“Really. There was just something about the moment that felt like the perfect time to me. Just like knowing you found the one, you’ll know the right moment to ask her because it’ll feel right, too.”
“Thanks, Ty.”
“No problem, man. Just make sure Tamara and I are the first to take you two out to celebrate the happy news when it comes.”
“You got it, man,” I agree.
***
I watch as Serena turns in a slow circle, taking in the extravagant surroundings of the resort lobby. “Cade,” she breathes out, “this is so beautiful.”
“Tyler brought Tamara here a few years ago, and he said it was the best getaway they’ve ever had.”
“Tamara called and told me to make sure we booked a couple’s massage.”
“Already done. Ty told me the same thing. Come on, let’s get checked in so we can enjoy ourselves.”
We make our way to the front desk and while I get everything situated, Serena continues to look around the lobby as she mindlessly fidgets with the colorful lei we were given when we arrived. A bellhop appears to take our luggage, and after the front desk clerk hands me two rooms keys, we follow him to the elevators and up to our room.
As he quietly unloads our things, Serena soaks everything in. I do, as well, and I can honestly say I am beyond impressed with the room. We enter a living room first with access to a balcony which has some spectacular ocean views. On the table is a vase with a fresh floral arrangement. A bedroom with a plush king-size bed is set off from the living room. In it is another set of doors leading to the balcony. The bathroom naturally sits adjacent to the bedroom. When I peek in, there is a huge, oversized marble tub and a separate shower, and I’m already thinking about taking a long, relaxing bath with Serena.
I thank our bellhop and tip him as he leaves. When the door closes, I turn to Serena. “What should we do first?”
She lays down across the bed and sighs as she sinks into it. “Stay here forever,” she murmurs.
I lie down beside her. “Mmm, I could definitely get used to this,” I agree. “But since it’s so early in the day, I was thinking we could go hang out by the pool for a little while and then go on a little hike.”
“A hike?”
“There are some gorgeous private waterfalls nearby in the Manoa Valley on some land the resort owns. It’s supposed to be a fairly easy thirty minute hike. The resort can have a picnic lunch ready for us when we go.”
She rolls toward me and kisses me sweetly. “You've thought of everything, haven't you?”
“Maybe,” I say flirtatiously and kiss her lips gently. “After we get back from the hike, I have massages lined up at the spa and then dinner. So, yeah. I guess I do think of everything,” I joke.
“That sounds fantastic. Let me change first. I’m ready to get out of these airplane clothes.”
***
At the pool, I can’t help glancing over at the beautiful woman next to me. Serena’s simple navy blue bikini is incredibly sexy on her. My eyes follow everywhere she moves, and I can’t keep my hands to myself when she get close enough for me to touch her. We’re both lying in lounge chairs in the cabana with drinks after taking a dip in the pool. Just looking at her still takes my breath away, and I find myself trying to work up my nerve to ask her to marry me right then and there, but then I look around and realize I don’t want to do it in front of anyone else. I want the moment to be just the two of us, so I convince myself that now isn’t the right time.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you in all the mayhem of packing and getting Alan off to Ashley’s,” Serena starts. “I heard from the publisher yesterday. They’re greenlighting our project.”
“Your project,” I correct.
“I can’t write Science of the Superbowl without you, Cade. You’re my co-writer.”
“Contributor, my love. You’re the star of this. I could never explain the science aspect the way you do,” I say.
“I never would have had the idea without you, though.”
“You’ll think of a way to thank me one day, like maybe with a book dedication to the most amazing man on the planet,” I say with a sly grin.
“I can think of better ways to thank you,” she smirks, a wickedly seductive glint in her eyes. “Do you think if we closed the curtains of this cabana anyone would notice if I had my way with you?”
My mouth falls open, and I gape at her. “Umm, are you serious?” I ask, ready to jump up and close every curtain in Hawaii if I need to.
She looks around, surveying our surroundings. “Maybe this isn’t the best place to fulfill my secret fantasy,” she says somewhat quietly.
“Secret fantasy?” I ask. “Oh, please...do tell.”
“Well, I’ve always wanted to have sex in a somewhat public place. But I mean, not out in the open where people could see us. Someplace public, but hidden where there’s a little risk of getting caught if we aren’t quiet enough.”
I raise an eyebrow as one corner of my mouth turns up. This is not something I would ever have expected from Serena. I never would have guessed she secretly harbored such a fantasy, but it’s super hot knowing that she does. “You know I’m going to be on the lookout for someplace to make this happen for you now, right?” I whisper in her ear as I nibble on it.
“Maybe that was my plan,” she smiles slyly.
“Maybe when we go to Disney next month with Alan, I’ll sneak you into Cinderella’s castle and ravage you.”
“Well, it is the happiest place on earth, after all.”
I chuckle. “That’s what I hear. We’ll have to put it to the test, perhaps.”
“Perhaps,” she agrees. “Now, what about this hike? Are you ready to head out?”
“Head up to the room and get ready, and I’ll check with the front desk to make sure our picnic lunch is good to go. I’ll meet you up there.”
She nods and stands, bending down to pick up her room key and phone. I slap her butt lightly.
“Cade!” she squeals.
“It’s a nice butt, babe. Besides, I have to make sure every man out here knows what’s mine.”
“Silly man,” she winks before sashaying away. I watch until she disappears into the resort, then head to the front desk.
Five minutes later when I arrive at the room, Serena is pulling her hair up in a ponytail. She still has her bikini on, but has pulled a pair of shorts over it and slipped on a tank top and tennis shoes. I quickly get changed, and then we set out on our excursion in our rental car. We reach our destination in just over ten minutes. I’ve been told the hike is easy and that carrying the picnic basket won’t be a big deal, so we set out on the trail walking side by side.
Serena stops to take pictures of all the native plants and flowers we see on the hike. As we near the falls, we can hear them. She picks up her pace, clearly excited to see the view. I walk behind her as she follows the path and descends a hill. A few minutes later, the trees open up into a clearing and the waterfalls come into sight.
The falls are spectacular, and we spend an hour just sitting and eating our lunch and enjoying the chirping of the island birds and sounds of rushing water. Serena, of course, takes pictures, too, and we manage a selfie together in front of the falls.
The concierge was right when he said the place was pretty private. We haven't seen anyone else the entire time. It’s also really nice because since we came out officially as a couple, Serena has become more recognizable, so it’s been harder to go out in public. Not to mention, her previous gig doing the occasional science education interview on the local news has led to a few more high profile appearances on TV and the emergence of Serena as one of the leading science educators doing outreach like she loves.
The setting is perfect for a proposal, but I can’t find the words for it. Instead, we just enjoy each other's company as we relax on the blanket the resort provided for us. Serena sits between my legs, resting back on my chest as I lean against a tree.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Cade. This is beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“Sweet talker,” she teases me.
“I was thinking,” I start, moving the hand that’s resting at her side to her stomach, fidgeting with the edge of her tank top until my fingertips brush her soft skin.
“You were thinking what?” she whispers as I let my fingers drift south and just under the waistband of her shorts.
“I was thinking that I don’t think you can be quiet enough for outdoor sex.” My hand slips further until I cup the soft mound between her legs, and she breathes in sharply. I run one finger down the front of her bikini bottom and back up. Instinctively, she bucks into my touch and moans.
“You have to be quieter than that if you want me to take you here,” I whisper in her ear.
“Right here?” she squeaks, looking around nervously.
I take in our surroundings and point to a cluster of trees just to our right. “Actually...right there.” I pull my hand away and stand. Reaching down for her, she takes my hand so I can pull her to her feet, as well. I begin packing our stuff, but leave the blanket out. I grab the blanket and toss it over my shoulder, pick up the basket in one hand, and take Serena’s hand with the other.
“You trust me?” I ask.
She nods.
“Then let me make all your fantasies come true,” I say as I lead her to the trees.