Starting over

Honeymoon vibes

After the legal storm surrounding Charlotte's case, Rachel and Ross realized how much time had passed since they'd had a moment to breathe – let alone be together. Their personal time had evaporated between court appearances, school meetings, and managing Rachel's new atelier with Jacqueline. It wasn't until Ross was working late one evening that he realized something startling: their first anniversary was just around the corner.

Ross couldn't help but smile to himself. A year had gone by, a whirlwind of emotions and challenges, but he felt stronger with Rachel by his side. He glanced out of his office window, the city lights twinkling against the night sky, and decided. They needed time – time away from the pressures of work, family, and the city itself.

.

Two weeks later, Ross stood in the kitchen of his apartment, holding two steaming mugs of coffee. Rachel, wearing a soft cream-colored robe, was seated at the table, flipping through fabric samples for her latest project. The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the subtle scent of jasmine from Rachel's perfume.

"I was thinking," Ross began, sliding a mug in front of her, "we haven't had much time to ourselves lately."

Rachel looked up, her blue eyes catching his.

"That's putting it lightly," she said with a soft laugh, but Ross could see the fatigue on her face.

He took a seat beside her, leaning closer.

"How about we fix that? Just the two of us. Maybe two weeks off."

His voice was gentle, but there was excitement behind it.

"Someplace romantic, where we can relax and not worry about anything else."

Rachel blinked in surprise, then smiled.

"You mean... like a first-anniversary trip?"

Ross grinned, pleased that she remembered.

"Exactly."

She set her fabric samples aside, her smile growing.

"I like the sound of that."

.

One month later, Ross and Rachel found themselves stepping off a plane into the beautiful, sun-drenched streets of Positano. The Amalfi Coast stretched out in front of them, the vibrant blue of the Mediterranean meeting the colorful cliffs and cascading houses of the village. The air was warm but not stifling, carrying the faint scent of the sea and citrus trees. It was early evening, the sky streaked with shades of pink and gold as the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon.

Rachel took a deep breath, feeling the tension she hadn't even realized she'd been holding slowly ease away.

"This is...perfect," she whispered, taking in the view.

Ross smiled, adjusting the sunglasses on his face. He wore a light linen shirt, unbuttoned at the top, and a pair of tailored beige trousers, effortlessly stylish yet relaxed. His dark hair tousled slightly in the breeze as he turned to Rachel.

"I thought we could use a little paradise."

Rachel, dressed in a flowing white sundress that moved softly in the wind, her blonde hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, glanced at him with a playful grin.

"You have no idea how much."

They made their way to the hotel – a boutique luxury spot perched on the cliffs with stunning views of the coast. The entrance was framed with blooming bougainvillea, and the stone pathway led them to a room with a private balcony overlooking the sea. Inside, the room was airy and elegant, decorated in soft pastels with a four-poster bed draped in sheer, white curtains. The windows were wide open, allowing the warm breeze to fill the space.