Hidden Love

Chapter 20

*A/N*

Hey guys, I just want to give you a heads-up about this chapter. I've time jumped in this one to move the story along. I may do this from time to time with some of the chapters but not all. Thank you to everyone who reads, votes, and comments on my stories. You have no idea how much I appreciate you all.

10:30. Thirty minutes. That's how long I've been sitting here gazing out at the cloudless blue sky or scanning the same paragraph of the document resting on the desk before me. I have a stack of paperwork to get through but I can't seem to focus. My mind keeps going back to the mini vacation my love and I went on. Everything that happened keeps circling in my head, including the conversation we had the night before our departure. I've been making plans ever since and before you know it, it'll be time for us to depart for our tropical getaway as we embark on our journey to officially becoming one. Or in our case, three. Everything is in place except for a few minor details that will be taken care of as soon as we get there. I can't wait to see the look on Moe's face when we arrive at our destination. Every day since we've been back, Moe's tried getting me to tell her where we're going but I've stayed tight-lipped. She even tried asking my brother but he wouldn't tell her either which surprises me because usually, she can get anything out of him with the promise of food. I tell her that she will know when the time is right. With thoughts of my love filling my head, I think back to our wonderful time in the mountains and the drama that greeted us when we got back.

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Enjoying our secluded time in the mountains, Moe and I are reluctant to leave but reality has a way of pulling you back into the everyday scheme of things. After packing and making sure that we aren't leaving anything behind, Moe and I take a last look around the cabin before heading to the truck. Putting our luggage in the back, we climb in and begin our ride to the airport. As we descend the mountain, Moe seems to be a little preoccupied. Reaching over and laying my hand on her thigh, I give it a gentle squeeze causing her to glance at me. She gives me a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes before turning her gaze back to the window. I give her a few minutes with her thoughts before speaking. "Amour, what is it, why do you seem so sad? Are you not happy to be heading home?" Shifting sideways in her seat, I can see tears in her beautiful eyes. "Of course, I'm happy to be going home but I enjoyed our time here, especially spending it alone with you. Being up here, I didn't have to worry about anything but being with the man I love in our own little bubble and I'm not ready to lose that. And it's just something about the mountain air and being surrounded by nature's beauty that made me feel so serene, I'm really going to miss that." As her tears fall, I reach out and brush them away wishing there was something I could do to make her feel better. A thought comes to mind and it will surely put a smile on her face.

With a huge smile on my face, I look at her and say, "My love, I've been thinking about something and I have a suggestion." Having her full attention, Moe pulls her gaze from the passing scenery and turns to face me. With a questioning look, she says, "What is it baby and what is that smile about?" When she doesn't get an answer right away, Moe narrows her eyes and asks, "What are you plotting, Mr. Bourgeois?" With a hand on my chest, I feign innocence. "Me? Whatever do you mean, my love?" After a minute of her staring me down, I chuckle and tell her. "Well, I've been thinking about our upcoming trip and the reason for it. We're both going to need clothes for the ceremony but we're also going to need them for our time there before and after so I suggest that we go shopping. As you know, I love shopping for clothes more than you do so I say we take a day and shop for everything we're going to need while we're there. What do you say?" Seeing the light in her eyes at the mention of shopping lets me know that my idea is spot on and I love seeing that look in her eyes. Just as I'm about to make another suggestion, Moe cuts me off. "I think that's a great idea baby, but how will I know what to buy if you won't tell me where we're going?' I see the hopeful look in her eyes along with her gorgeous smile and I almost crack but then I think about what's going to happen when we get there and how happy she's going to be so I toughen my resolve.