Page 63
She flies out of bed and starts throwing her clothes on, stumbling into the bathroom to brush her teeth with only one pant leg on. “Where are we going?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.”
“Not even a hint?” She calls out to me, though I can barely understand her through the muffled sound of gargling.
I tap on my chin. “Okay, one clue. We’re flying to a different country.”
She peeks her head around the bathroom doorway, her toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. “Tropical climate or cold?”
“I said one clue.” I shake my head with a smirk, and she shoots me a playful glare.
Twelve hours later, we land in London. After grabbing our bags and picking up the rental car, I drive us to our next destination.
Halfway there, Odette’s eyes fly wide open and she gasps, “Madden!”
I turn my head. Her eyebrows are about as high on her forehead as they can go. I’m instantly concerned. “What? Is everything okay?”
“Kate packed my suitcase?” She asks slowly.
I breathe again. “Of course.”
She covers her face with her hands and groans.
“What? What could possibly be so bad about your best friend packing your suitcase?”
“You don’t know Kate.”
We arrive at our final destination after a few hours of driving: a beautiful, historic cottage nestled in the English countryside. The charming stone-walled cottage is surrounded by lush, green hills and is covered with a thick layer of English ivy. The windows and front door are rounded at the top giving the home a quaint look. It looks like Jane Austen herself could come walking out the door at any moment. It’s even more ethereal than the photos online made it look. I park our rental car and we get out to stand in front of the picturesque home, taking in the pastoral paradise.
I slip my hand around my wife’s waist and draw her against me. “I know it’s not Pemberley, but I think it’s the perfect spot for us to honeymoon.”
Odette nuzzles into me. “I couldn’t have imagined a better spot, not even in my dreams. Thank you for planning this.”
Walking inside the lovely home, I set our suitcases by the door, and we begin to explore the place. Somehow, the whole cottage smells like lavender and freshly baked bread. The painted walls are pale yellow adorned with charming paintings of English landscapes, and there’s a fireplace in the living room and the master bedroom upstairs. It's the perfect spot for a quiet honeymoon.
The house is a bit cold inside–as England isn’t known for balmy weather in November–so I light the fireplaces while Odette takes her suitcase upstairs. She mentioned something about a bubble bath, probably unable to resist the antique clawfoot tub any longer.
Suddenly, I hear my wife scream from the top of the stairs. I drop everything and take the steps two at a time, bursting breathlessly into the bedroom, “What is it?!”
She motions toward her open suitcase. “This is what happens when you ask Kate to pack for me.”
I look over and see the suitcase overflowing with delicate lace, feathers, and stilettos. I put it all together and burst out laughing. “Actually, it looks like she did an outstanding job. I'll definitely ask her to pack your suitcase every time we travel.”
Her jaw drops. “Says the man who has a bag full of jeans and comfy sweaters!”
I put my arms around her and breathe huskily into her ear. “It’ll be okay. I’ll keep you warm.”
“You better,” she whispers as she leans toward me.
“Always.” And then my lips claim hers
The End
Odette
Epilogue
A month after our honeymoon, Madden had to make his first of many trips to D.C. He has only been gone for two weeks and I already miss him so much that my entire body feels achy and nauseous. Maybe it’s just the January blues.
