Nola was relieved that her morning sickness had subsided, but she was very worried about fitting into her dress as she rubbed her swelling belly. When she originally chose the form-fitting, silk satin, couture Badgley Mischka gown, she never dreamed she would be three months pregnant when the ceremony date arrived. Nola picked through her warm weather clothing to find some nice things for Florida that would flatter and fit her changing figure.

As the special day approached, she could not help, but be nostalgic for the early years in her courtship with Quinton. Since they recently discussed it, she kept remembering the transatlantic cruise that she and Quint took from Tanquir a few months before they wed. Their relationship had grown so much in that one week. It was the first time that they were totally alone for such a long period of time. It was an extremely intense week for both of them. Quint had since joked, calling the cruise--the cruise of frustration. But at the time, he was the perfect gentleman about her decision to wait for them to consummate their relationship. Nola chuckled to herself when she admitted that Quint was not the only one frustrated on that cruise. She vividly recalled how by the very next day, she had wondered what possessed her the night before to make such an insane decision.

Cruise back from Tanquir, April 1983

They hadn't gone to bed until almost 6AM in the morning. On the deck, Quint had held and kissed her, as they watched the sun rise. The sun peaked over the endless miles of ocean, and the ship slowly made its way back to the states. Nola looked at the clock on the tiny bed stand and realized it was just after noon. With all the time changes in the last week, her internal clock was completely off, and it was no wonder that she could sleep so soundly during those off hours. She saw some light filtering through the small porthole in her room, but it looked like it would be an overcast day. She had hoped she could enjoy some time by the ship pool, sunning and swimming, but the weather was not going to cooperate. She lay still as she enjoyed the gentle rocking of the ship through the calm seas. She was able to detect the unique sounds of the ship through the ocean, and it calmed her. She focused on the quiet within her own small quarters, and she detected some sounds coming from outside her door in the main part of the suite. She smiled when she realized that the sounds were coming from Quinton.

She loved this man more than she ever thought it was possible to love another human being. She never imagined, just twenty four hours ago, that she would be on a cruise ship back home. And the love of her life was just outside that door, and there was no one to interrupt them. He was the most generous man she had ever met. He gave her everything that she or Stacey ever needed or wanted. His gifts were always lavish and thoughtful. He would not discuss it when Nola had approached him around Christmas time about a financial issue. Nola noticed that the balance in her checking account was growing beyond what she expected based on her usual paychecks. Fritz, Quint’s butler of sorts, had deposited the weekly checks from Mr. McCord directly into her account from around the time that she and Quinton had started traveling together. Quinton had insisted that Nola had other things to worry about, and it would be simple enough for Fritz to handle this weekly transaction for her. When she investigated her checking account, she discovered that Quinton had quadrupled the amount of those weekly deposits. He nonchalantly brushed her off when she questioned him about it, only saying that she needed spending money and savings for the baby's future. But she knew well and good that he had also started a trust and college fund for Stacey. Then there had been the issue of the gold credit card he gave her before they went to Hollywood. It had been part of her Christmas gift when he gave her plane tickets to Los Angeles. After the trip, she left the credit card in an envelope on Quint’s desk. Somehow it always magically wound up back in her room with her name clearly written in his distinct handwriting on the envelope, and a note inside that said, "It makes me feel better to know that you have this." Quinton would never discuss any of these financial arrangements, finding such discussions crass. He only wanted to make Nola happy and comfortable. Nola never took advantage, and it would be years until she learned how to really give the gold card, that turned to a platinum card, which turned to a black card, a real and proper work out. In the early days, if she would charge something larger on the card, she would always leave him the requisite note to take it out of her next weekly check. He never acknowledged those notes from her and never deducted anything.

Her mind drifted back to the sounds of Quint in the other room. She rolled over in her bed, thinking how nice it would be for Quinton to be holding and kissing her at that very moment. Then it suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks. Oh no, she thought. What was I thinking? This amazing and sexy man worships me. We are going to be at sea for another five days and will have literally no annoying and ill-timed interruptions. I already have a baby, so the jig is up. Today is going to be a cloudy, overcast day, a perfect day for marathon lovemaking with a new lover. And I told him last night that I wanted to wait. Was I insane? Was I completely mental? Her thoughts tormented her, as she fantasized that he would crash right through that door naked, and take her that instant. I bet he is so bummed out, she thought. But he would NEVER say anything. He would never crash through that door, naked or otherwise, after she told him that she wanted to wait, unless it was to rescue her if there was a mutiny onboard. He would never disrespect her wishes.

Good going, Nola Reardon!!! You think you can reacquire your virginity? Fat chance, especially not with a fourteen month old baby toddling around!!! So do I just tell him? Quinton honey, I changed my mind. Let's do it like bunnies. I can't do that. I would die of embarrassment. Maybe I just give him signals? Yeah, I give him signals. That's it. Today when he kisses me, I will breathe a little louder, and snuggle up to him a little closer, and let him go a little further, until . . . Nola was very happy indeed that she had come up with this brilliant compromise.

Later in the day, it started raining heavily. The sound of the raindrops pounding on the deck was almost hypnotic. Nola wore a sheer, gauzy dress that she picked up at the ship boutique. Quint was casually dressed in khaki pants and a light shirt. It was overcast, but still very warm outside. Nola turned up the air conditioning in the suite when Quint wasn't looking, and deliberately went braless. She revealed herself in the new dress while Quinton was busily mixing them drinks at the bar. She hummed, as she flitted about the room looking at the furniture and the flowers, easily attracting his attention. He turned to her at the first sound of her humming.

"Nola darling, how was your shower?"

"It was refreshing," she sang.

Quint took in Nola's form with his eyes, realizing that he could see straight through her dress even in the dim lighting of the cabin. He held his breath for a moment, wondering how he was possibly going to handle this provocative situation in light of her wishes from the night before. He thought that obviously she had no idea, and he was certainly not going to tell her. Not only did he believe she would be extremely embarrassed, but also he was enjoying the view.

"Nola, is that a new dress? I don't believe I’ve ever seen you in it before."

She spun around to face him, "Oh yes, I got it at the ship boutique, while you were discussing the menus with the chef. Do you like it?"

"It's lovely on you," Quint stuttered, as he noticed Nola's small, chilled breasts almost poking through her dress. "Is it a little cold in her?" Quint slipped in a Freudian way, as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"No, it feels fine in here, but it’s certainly muggy outside." Nola flirtatiously spun the auburn tendrils of loose hair that hung down from the knot she tied her hair into.

"Yes," he continued to stammer, trying to gain his composure, and not so blatantly stare at the clearly visible, but subtle curves and details of her body and skimpy panties under the gauzy dress.

"Quinton, are you okay?" she innocently inquired. “You seem flustered.”

"I'm fine, really," he assured. "You take my breath away."

"I do?" she coquettishly exclaimed, briskly sashaying toward him.

"Absolutely," he said with intensity, moving in her direction. "Oh, Nola," he gasped as he took her full into his arms. God, give me the strength, he thought to himself.

She relaxed her body against his, nuzzling and kissing the nape of his neck. "I love you so much," she whispered. She directed him backwards to the couch. Her lips met his, as their kissing quickly grew in fervor. She pulled him down onto the couch with a seductive giggle.

"Nola," he said with surprise, but was immediately hushed by her lips and tongue caressing his. She undid a few of the buttons on his shirt, and let her hands wander along his chest. She pulled back from him for a moment to watch him and see his face. She wanted to burst out that it was okay, and that she wanted him completely, but she just couldn't. She knew that her efforts were working, and Quinton was looking very intently at her in the dress, seemingly mesmerized. She glanced down at herself and noticed that the dress was low cut enough and gaped open so much that she could almost see her whole nude body right down to her panties. As if an involuntary reaction, Quint reached out to touch her breast that was just barely concealed by the loose, sheer material. She smiled at him as his hands just barely grazed her, inviting him and letting him know that it was okay. He smiled back with intensity and undid a few of the top buttons of the dress, revealing the pink of her erect nipples. His eyes roamed with appreciation over her exposed breasts. She sighed loudly and melted into him, as his finger tips first made contact with the tight, sensitive flesh. Each of his touches seemed as if they were magnetized and aroused every nerve of her body. Her body flushed with warm pleasure, and over the next few days, she learned that Quint was an excruciatingly respectful man of his word.

Nola's mind drifted back to the present time while she picked out a few comely, breezy sun dresses for their trip. What a wonderful time the journey had been, but what wonderful times they still had ahead. She had so much more self-confidence now, and she found it hard to believe that she could have ever felt so shy around Quint.

"Mom?" Stacey called out from the bedroom.

"I'm in the closet," Nola responded back.

Stacey entered Nola’s closet, "What’re you doing in here?"

"Getting together some things for our trip to Florida."

Stacey commented in disbelief, "Mom, I really can't believe you cancelled that fantasy trip to the Seychelles islands to drive down to Florida.”

"We decided we didn't want to spend so much time flying, and we thought a little road trip would be something different."

"I don't buy it, Mom. We have been to Florida hundreds of times, and you and I have always dreamt about going to the Seychelles."

"Sweetheart, trust me. Your father and I want to go to Florida this time. It’ll be different without you kids.” Nola took her daughter’s chin in her hand, “We’re not going any where near Disney World."

"All right, if you say so," Stacey commented skeptically. "There was something else I wanted to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Seamus and I still have our plans about the apartment together. When do you think we should talk to Daddy about it?"

"I’ve tried to prepare him in my own way without telling him, but it’s going to be a shock for him. Please try to do it as soon as possible before the ceremony,” Nola requested. "Also, I think that you should ask him without Seamus. It’ll make him feel too pressured, if Seamus is there when you ask."

"That’s what I thought, but I wanted to make sure you were okay with it." Stacey noticed her mother's stunning cream gown for the ceremony, carefully covered in a clear garment bag. "Oh, Mom, the dress is gorgeous. Wow, Badgley Mischka. I see I taught you well."

“I love it,” Nola gushed, gazing at the dress. "You know, your brother should be here any minute."

"I can't believe you let him go with his friends alone to the house in Santa Barbara. I hope you're not sorry."

"It’ll be fine. He promised me."

"Mom, do you know how relieved AJ and I are about you and Daddy being so happy."

"We are happy and so glad that everyone will be here to celebrate with us. And the weather is supposed to be warm and perfect for the next couple of days."

Later that evening after dinner, Stacey approached Quint in the study.

"Hi honey, where are AJ and Seamus?"

"Seamus is upstairs with Mom watching a movie that she talked him into, and AJ was going to meet Bill at a bar for some drinks."

"I'm happy to hear that AJ is doing things with Bill. Family is very important, and I always wanted those two boys to be close. And your mother must be thrilled to have someone new to introduce to her old films."

"Yeah," Stacey happily exclaimed. "Daddy, I have been meaning to talk to you about something really important."

"What is it, baby?"

"You know how important Seamus is to me,” Stacey hesitated, “right?"

"I think so," Quint paused with his own reservation.

"I think I really love him, Daddy,” Stacey bravely revealed, barely able to look up at Quint.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to be hurt."

"I know. He’s so good to me, Daddy. I grew up with such good role models. You and mom love each other so much, and I do believe this is special."

"I really want you to be happy, as difficult as it is for me to see you so grown up."

"I know, and I hope you’ll understand what I'm about to tell you."

"I wish you would tell me soon, because I'm starting to think the worst," Quint nervously probed.

"It's nothing bad, Daddy. Seamus and I want to get an apartment together, and I wanted to make sure you knew and were okay with it."

"That's a very big step, Stacey," Quint remarked, trying to breathe and not reveal how upset this revelation actually made him.

"I know. We know it’s a big step, but it's so hard on our student incomes and . ."

"Stacey, I don't want you making decisions like this based on money. Your mother and I will give you whatever money you need, whenever you need it. I always told you that."

"I guess, we really don’t want to do it just because of that. We want to do it because we love each other. We want to be together. We want to see what it’s like to live together."

"Does your mother know about this?"

"I told her, but I want you to be okay with it. I love you so much, and I don't want to let you down." Stacey started to break down. "You’re the most perfect person I know, and I have always tried to be just like you, but this is something I really want to do."

Quint never could handle either Nola or Stacey crying and his resolve dissolved instantaneously. He moved over to his daughter, "Honey, I'm sorry. I don't want you to cry and believe me, I'm not perfect."

"You are to me," Stacey whimpered.

"I get so worried about you. And I know you think you’re so grown up, and in some ways you are, but 23 is still very young."

"Mom was 23 when you met her."

"Well, that's true. But things are much more complicated now and . . ." Quint stopped and admitted, "Granted, you have a point."

Stacey wiped the tears from her face, as she watched Quint struggle.

"Stacey, I'm really having a problem with this whole connection that Seamus has to Silas."

"But Daddy, Seamus hates him. He has no contact with him. He is nothing like that Silas Crocker just like I’m nothing like . . .."

“I know,” Quint interrupted. "Stacey, if you really want to do this, I'm not going to stop you."

"That's not good enough for me, Daddy. I want your blessing."

"I don't know that I can do that," Quint turned away.

"Hey, what are you two up to?" Nola happily chirped, entering the study. "I couldn't tear Seamus away from the repeat showing of "Dark . . . ." Suddenly, Nola noticed Stacey's tear strained face. "Stace, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Mom," Stacey sniffled.

"Oh, I think I know what this is about," Nola said, reading Quint's tense body language.

"Nola, I think you should be here for this conversation."

"Mom, I wish you would stay too," Stacey pleaded.

Nola tried her best to be diplomatic, "Now, everyone is going to have their own opinions on this. I know how you feel about this, and I know how your father will feel about it too. My personal opinion is that I don't know if this is right or wrong, but I do think Stacey is old enough to make her own decisions. She has always made good choices for herself in the past, and I think we have to extend that trust to her personal life."

"Thanks, Mom," Stacey smiled.

"Nola, I think Stacey is partially doing this because of financial issues. And as much as I understand she wants to be self supported, I don't want her making this kind of decision based on money, when we are more than in a position to help her."

"Daddy, I told you that it was only part of it, and maybe it was just easier for me to say that. I know you still want me to be a little girl."

"Quinton, I think this is really hard on Stacey."

"Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I think two people should be married before they live together, and not that I am in any way suggesting that they get married, but that is what I think. And don't say that we lived together before we were married, because you know that was a totally different situation."

"I wasn't going to say that," Nola defended herself.

"It’s this Silas thing,” Quinton vented. “I like the kid, I do, but . . .damn it, it bothers me. I know I shouldn't be bothered, but I am."

"Quinton, you can't blame Seamus for Silas."

"I'm going to protect my daughter in every way that I have to, Nola."

"We really should be careful on what we say in case Seamus comes down," Nola warned in a hushed voice. "He would be hurt to hear this."

"Daddy, please," Stacey begged.

"Quinton, we talked about this," Nola firmly reminded him. "I think you need to calm down a little and think this out."

"Daddy, I'm sorry. I don't want in any way to cast a negative shadow over these next few wonderful days. But I had to be honest with you."

Quinton tried to relax after Nola's gentle reprimand. "I think your mother is right. This is a surprise to me, and I just need some time to think it over."

Nola nodded, "I think that's best."

Despite himself, Quinton smiled, "You know? No matter what, I am very very lucky indeed to have two such wonderful women in my life."

"Wow, Daddy, you called me a woman," Stacey grinned.

"Just barely, Stacey, but yes a young woman," Quint said, putting his arms around Nola and Stacey.

"Speaking of being a woman, Daddy, did I tell you that I have been asking people to call me Anastasia now? Stacey sounds so childish."

"I always loved the name your mother picked for you. But it might take some time for me to get accustomed to using it all the time."

"I guess, it’s okay if my daddy calls me Stacey some times," she teased. "So when are you and mom going to ‘fess up to why you decided not to go to the wonderful Seychelles, and instead are going to lame old Florida?"

"Florida is not lame, Anastasia,” Nola chided. “And especially not where your father is taking me."

"Oh I'm sure it’s a top, five-star, luxury American hotel, but you know as well as I do that Florida will never compare to the Seychelles. One of my friends from school was just there with her parents, and she said it was amazing."

"And no place is lame with your mother," Quinton added, squeezing his wife and kissing her head.

"You guys are so cute," Anastasia enthused. "So I see you are going to avoid the Florida question again."

Quint hinted, "You'll know soon enough."

"Aha, so there is something behind this," Anastasia exclaimed.

Nola looked for Quint's positive reaction, as she added, "When your brother gets home, we'll tell the two of you together."

"Now you really have my curiosity up. You know I’m going to call AJ on his cell to get his butt home."

"You can do that," Nola replied sheepishly.

"Oh and tomorrow, Aunt Vanessa and I are going out shopping for dresses for the ceremony. I think she wants to drive to Chicago for some decent stores. She also said there was this great, new Vietnamese French fusion place she wanted to take me to. "

"Feel free to use the credit card on whatever you want," Quinton offered.

"Quinton, I'm sure Vanessa’s going to want to treat her," Nola reminded her husband.

"You are one lucky girl, Miss Chamberlain," Quint remarked.

"I know and in soooo many ways," Anastasia sincerely concurred.

Anastasia managed to get AJ on the phone to tell him to get home as soon as possible to hear their parents' big secret. AJ was not nearly as interested in pulling himself away from cold beers to find out what was going on, but he also could not say no to his big sister. He decided it was a slow night at the bar anyway, so called the driver on his cell phone to come and pick him and his cousin up. AJ convinced Bill to crash at Thornway Road, so they could hang out the next day.

Seamus and Bill put in a DVD while the Chamberlains had their family meeting in the study. AJ walked around the study, checking the place out.

"Dad, are you guys serious about these tusks?" AJ joked.

"Very serious, AJ. Those tusks bring back a lot of memories for your mother and I."

"You guys can be so whacked out sometimes," AJ shook his head.

"Quinton, do you remember that one time in here when we, ahem . .right by those tusks," Nola seductively batted her eyes, trying to rile up AJ.

"Sure, Mom, I guess you missed your calling," AJ quipped.

"Come on, AJ. Daddy and Mom have some big secret to tell us."

"Dad is the master of secrets, so what's the big deal," AJ scoffed.

Nola moved toward Quint, as they prepared to reveal their big news to the children.

"Actually this is something very big, but we wanted to tell you kids first, before we told anyone else," Quint explained.

"What is it, Daddy?" Anastasia anxiously inquired.

"You're really not going to believe this," Nola interjected.

Quint tenderly instructed, "You tell them, honey."

"No, sweetheart, you tell them," Nola bantered, mischievously looking up at her husband.

"Would SOMEONE please tell us," AJ pleaded. "What's the deal? God, you'd think it was news of another Chamberlain heir."

"What?" Quint gasped. Nola's raillery stopped.

"I'm only kidding," AJ retorted.

Both Anastasia and AJ examined their parents’ stunned expressions.

"Please, tell me that I'm only kidding," AJ shot back. "Oh, come on. You can't be serious. You guys are too . . . ."

"AJ, shut up," Anastasia demanded. "Tell us, what it is? Is it true?"

"Yes," Nola excitedly announced. "Yes, you guys are getting a baby sister at Christmas time."

"Mom, that is amazing," Anastasia jumped up to hug her parents. AJ sat on the couch in shock.

"We're so glad that you're happy, Stacey," Quint exclaimed.

"But Christmas time," Anastasia quickly did the math. "Why did you wait so long to tell us?"

Nola explained, "We wanted to make sure the baby was healthy and everything, before we got anyone's hopes up. But it looks really really good now. And it's a baby girl."

"We want you to be happy about this," Quint pointedly said.

"I just never expected this. You guys never do things like normal people. Everything is a drama."

"AJ, don't be rude. There is not a normal way or time for people to have children. This just happened. You know how much your mother and I wanted another baby, and this is a very happy time for us."

"I know. I just don't want a repeat of . . . ." AJ liked to appear that nothing bothered him, but the loss of his baby sister years earlier had taken a toll on him that he never admitted to.

"Everything is going to be just fine with this baby, AJ," Nola assured her son, understanding completely the reason for his negative reaction to the news. "She came through all the tests with flying colors, and we’re going to take every precaution which is one of the reasons I can't fly, and we changed our vacation plans. I'm not taking any risks. I promise."

"OK, cool. I just don't need any dramas. You know?" AJ tried to appear unfazed. "I don't want to see you hurting, Mom. That's all. But it's cool. It's a little weird, but I'm used to weird in this family."

"I'll try not to embarrass you, AJ," Nola said with a loving smile. She wrapped her arms tightly around Quint and gave him a lingering kiss.

"You guys are way too much," AJ rolled his eyes. "So does this officially put you in the Guinness Book of World Records or something?"

"I'm not that old, you brat," Nola admonished her son.

"I think it's great. A baby sister will be so much fun. Did you decide what to name her yet?" Anastasia inquired.

"We did," Quint responded and then turned to Nola to let her give this tidbit of news.

"We're going to name her Ava Grace," Nola revealed.

"Ah yes, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly, two of your favorites,” Anastasia said, knowing her mother well. “That makes sense and it's a beautiful name. It fits in with the 'A" theme. We'll all have the same two initials."

"You know, I never even though of that. But it was chosen after Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly." Nola admitted.

"Of course," AJ moaned.

Nola reminded, "Also there is my good friend, Gracie."

"Gracie is a hoot," Anastasia chimed in.

"You know, It's pretty late, now, and I'm tired," Nola yawned. "And tomorrow is a very big day. Helena, Mrs. Renfield, Gracie and Tony and his family will be arriving."

"The house is going to be full," Quint happily stated. "We're going to tell everyone else right before the ceremony."

"But we wanted to tell you kids first. And I can't hide anything in my dress, so better to tell people first before they start talking."

"Mom, are you showing already?" Anastasia asked.

"Oh yes, feel," Nola took Anastasia's hand to feel her slightly expanding tummy.

"Oh my, I certainly couldn't tell with what you're wearing now," Anastasia remarked. "I'm so happy for you both."

The moon shined down brightly on the gazebo. Anastasia deeply breathed in the fragrant air of the temperate June evening. The landscapers had done a beautiful job preparing the grounds for the ceremony, and Mother Nature had made everything green and lush. Her mother had carefully chosen all the pink and lavender blooms that adorned the white latticework of the gazebo. Anastasia was disappointed that her father had reacted the way he did to her plans to move in with Seamus. She had been hopeful, but it was really not much different than she realistically expected. She avoided bringing up the conversation to Seamus. She knew that he would ask for details, and she wanted to come up with something to tell him without revealing that Silas Crocker’s name had been mentioned. Being in the gazebo alone at night was relaxing, and she couldn’t help remember all the stories her mother and father had told her about its significant meaning. What would her life have been like had her mother not, by chance, answered that advertisement in the paper that day over twenty three years before?

Off further on the grounds, she was enticed by the steaming, glowing pool. It was such a gorgeous night, and such a gorgeous pool, and a dip might relax her and clear her mind. She made her way over to the pool house to change into her suit. A midnight swim was just what she needed.

Anastasia easily entered the warm pool and swam a few laps. Unbeknownst to her, Seamus had come looking for her, knowing that the gazebo and pool would be obvious places to find her. He watched her swim a few laps, before she realized that he was watching her.

“Hey, what’re you doing?” Anastasia said with surprise.

“Watching you,” he simply responded.

“I figured that.”

“Anastasia, why didn’t you tell me that you were going outside?”

“I don’t know. I guess I needed some time to think.”

“Are you going to tell me how the talk went with your father?” Seamus queried.

“It went as expected. He’s uncomfortable with it, but I think I took him by surprise, so he said he needed some time. He didn’t tell me not to do it.”

“We didn’t think he would do that. But you wanted his blessing.”

“I’m not sure if that’s going to come right away,” Anastasia remarked with disappointment.

“We don’t have to do this, you know.”

“No, I want to, and I know he’ll come around. My mom will talk to him. She has great influence over him.”

“I don’t want to push you, and I know how important your father’s approval is to you.”

“I’ll work it out with him.” Anastasia grinned, “I know how to work him too.”

“I bet you do,” Seamus knowingly added.

“Why don’t you come in? It’s beautiful. ” Anastasia splashed some of the warm water at him.

“Maybe, I will,” Seamus eagerly replied. He started to slip off his pants.

“My father will kill you if you do that,” Stacey smirked, unable to take her eyes off her beau’s familiar physique.

“Don’t worry about it. Your mom and dad came to say goodnight to your cousin and I before they went off to bed. And Bill had a little something to share with your brother, so they are otherwise engaged, and should be hitting the pantry anytime now.” Seamus stripped down nude and dove into the pool.

“You’re crazy,” she squealed. “What if someone sees us from the house?”

“That’s just a chance we’ll have to take.” Seamus swam under the water to where Anastasia was treading water. He surfaced, took a deep breath of air, “And now you’re looking like quite the beautiful prude.” Seamus pulled at the strap of her suit, “Come on, take it off.”

Anastasia teased, “And if I do that, I’m not sure what would happen first, my dad killing you, or him having a heart attack.”

“I’m sure he has his hands full with your ma,” Seamus assured, trying to persuade Anastasia.

Anastasia willingly wiggled out of her suit and flung the wet, rejected garment to the side of the pool.

Seamus coaxed, “That’s the spirit.”

“You’re a bad influence on me,” Anastasia giggled.

“I can’t help it. I know we do it out of respect for your parents, but somehow knowing that I can’t have sex with you here, makes me want you even more.” Seamus whispered temptingly in her ear, “If that’s possible.”

“There’s definitely something alluring about the taboo,” Anastasia wrapped her legs around him and her lips met his. They managed to control their desires and continued to splash and play.

Read an alternate ending to this section (Sexual Language & Drug Usage)