Her wedding band glittered in the sun as she lounged in the chair on her balcony. The view of the beach was glorious from their little house on the mountains. The sun touched everything she could see. The sea rushed forward and slid back, creating waves the crazy surfers chased and rode down with wild enthusiasm. It wasn't quiet, but Cassandra didn't enjoy quiet, so she appreciated the noise more than anything. The noise from the birds and animals around, from the children and adults that littered about, from just about anything. It was beautiful to her.

Her wedding had gone through without a single hitch. All her friends had been present, as little in number as they were. Her mom's friends found their way there, followed by her employees, and Uncle Ruben had officiated the wedding. The whole church had been in attendance. Invite or otherwise. Everything had come full circle that day, right down to her wedding night when she finally got to be with the man she loved. Three years down the line and they had twins to deal with now.

The small cross glittered off her neck, and she smiled as she ran her fingers down through it. Her fingers slid lower over the medallion that laid in the middle of her bra. Her life wasn't like she thought it would be ten years ago or when she was younger, but she wouldn't change a single thing. Harrison had left her, she married another Harrison, and now she had a life she rejected more than a few years ago. It had been stupid, she thought as she opened her eyes to look at the sky. It was liberating to look back at the past and not feel hurt or disappointed.

"Hello, angel." Harrison popped up from behind her and smacked a loud kiss on her forehead.

She leaned back and laughed with open arms as he moved on top of her, supporting his weight with his elbows. She looked up into his eyes and smiled at him; her fingers gripped him lightly around the waist. It was their first real break since getting married, and there were no words to explain how much they had been praying for it. Their children were in Santa Montes with their grandmothers while they cooped up in a beach house miles away from home.

"What are you planning to do with the rest of the time you have here. Tanning looks good on you, but the beach is calling to me."

She lifted her head, looking over his shoulder to spy the beach that laid a few kilometres away from the house. Aside from the enthusiastic surfers riding the waves, there was only a handful of other people loitering around the beach. She could spot a few choice places that would suit them down on the beach, so she dropped back against the seat with an eye roll.

"I guess we can stroll down there for a picnic or whatever, but I don't want to leave my phone behind like last time."

Harrison leaned forward and smacked a quick kiss over her lips, making her smile. "I feel I am not doing my job right if you are still thinking of work."

Without wasting time discussing her business life, she turned around and made her path for the stairs. Already dressed in a bikini, she dropped by the kitchen and threw whatever she could find into the basket on the table. Harrison joined her a few seconds later, his shoulder against the door frame as he watched her pack up for the beach.

"You sure you alright?"

She smiled and nodded, a stray hand flattened against her stomach, where she had another life growing in her. Harrison had been worried for a while because of their little baby, but she was more than excited. She turned on her heel to flash a smile as her answer. There was no way having a third child didn't excite her.

"Come on then, I'll help you with the basket, and you can carry the blankets."

Harrison took care of the remaining arrangements and walked out with her into the sun. After making sure their door was safely locked, she pushed open the umbrella and hung it above their heads as they made their way down the plush, white wooden steps. With the umbrella in one hand, she dragged her free arm through his elbows and held on tightly, moving alongside him as they manoeuvred their way through the hot sand.

Three years, a full three years to get a break from everything. H.W had returned to his wife and even came over for her child's baptism. Forgiveness was hard, but she did it. Her best friend, Shantel, had gotten married to her doctor, Jacob. The two of them were more than meant for each other. Her mother had also become an active part of the company, and the money just kept flowing in. In all of that, she had not once had a break to relax from everything.

Some women hollered from their hammocks, waving at them with their feathered fans and long nails. The women who stayed there were expensive; the gold and diamond lifestyle is what they lived in. Real housewives, as they are called. Cassandra mostly stayed out of their way. They were nice when she needed company, but she prefered to be alone most days.

Harrison, as usual, agreed with her decision to stay away.

"Where?"

Cassandra stopped for a while, turning her head left, and right then, she noticed a free area and moved towards it. Tiptoeing her way through the bodies of laughing children and families. They secured their spot, and she pushed the umbrella into the sand then kneeled to spread the blanket open so they could sit underneath the shade.

"I can't believe we have a whole month more to go on enjoying ourselves. I don't think I know what to do with the rest of my time here."

Harrison nodded, turning the lock on the basket and watching the lid flip open under his fingers. He reached into it and began to pull out some of the food and drinks. As he busied himself with the arrangements, she pulled out the bottle of sunscreen lotion and poured some of its content on her palm. Then she rose on her knees and dropped back down behind him to massage it over his skin.

"You need this more than I do, little Vampire. I've seen you avoid the sun so much I am scared you are allergic."

Harrison laughed, pulling her hand over his shoulder and bringing her palm to his lips. "Don't get ahead of yourself here. It was my suggestion to even come out and enjoy the beach, so calm down with your investigations into my species."

With a deep sigh, she leaned back on the blankets and set her arms to the back of her head so she could relax on them. She watched the wind spin and ruffle the leaves of the palm tree. Harrison continued to arrange the food and drinks on one half of the blanket. When he was done, He crawled over on his hands and knees then settled his head on her stomach, keeping the pressure as low as he could.

With her eyes to the clouds, she played with the tips of his hair, twirling, tugging and smoothening it over her fingers. When his hand came up, it had a small sandwich in between it, lowered to her lips, and she ate it with a smile. Holidays were something she desperately considered doing more often. Next time, she would bring her beautiful babies along, and if her heart could handle it, she would invite Shantel as well.

Till then, she was going to enjoy the rest of her vacation. Life was good for her now. No matter what trouble came her way, there was no doubt that she was never going to give fear the permission to set foot in her life again.

Not ever.