Home is who you are

Part Seven

                                                                                                7

Tony planned their trip very carefully. He wanted it to be romantic and unforgettable. It was the weekend before Valentine's Day and he thought Gabi could use some excitement. She seemed a little down lately. The move, the winter, he wasn't sure, but he would do what he could to make her happy.

He told her to pack enough warm clothes for two days and to be ready by the time he came home on Friday evening. She played along and never asked for hints, but he could see her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

They arrived at Gare du Midi only ten minutes before boarding time, but Gabi was oblivious. Tony checked the screen, grabbed her hand and they ran to the platform.

"Here, this is it!" He said, panting.

"Ha! I thought we were going to Paris!"

"Too obvious." He grinned and leaned down to give her a quick kiss as the escalators went up.

They arrived in Amsterdam just before 11pm and went straight to the hotel. Tony carried their suitcase up the stairs, found the right door and slid the key to open it. He showed Gabi in and waited for her reaction. She let out a slow and soft "Woooow", looked around and smiled. "This is amazing. When did you arrange all this?"

"Let's not spoil the moment with boring details. Happy Valentine's Day, love."

"Happy Valentine's, babe. Thank you, I love the surprise."

The room was lit by candles and there were red roses, chocolates and champagne on the bedside tables. Gabi stepped closer to Tony, put her arms around his neck and, with her face so close to his that he could smell orange candy, she whispered I love you and they kissed.

They popped the bottle and toasted "To many years together". They kicked their shoes off and sat on the huge, soft bed eating chocolate, kissing, drinking and letting the bubbles tickle their brains.

"Don't you just love champagne?" Tony said, and filled up their glasses.

"Hold on. Wait here." Gabi got up clumsily, fidgeted in her suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Gab, are you okay?"

"Yes! Don't come here!" She came out five minutes later wearing a new set of black lacy underwear. The push-up bra made her breasts look bigger and the cheeky panties were a perfect fit for her wide hips and round bum. She had also let her hair down from the ponytail she wore all day and dabbed some perfume behind her ears. The long winter hadn't affected her natural tan. Gabi hadn't worn special underwear in a while, maybe since the beginning of their marriage, and she suddenly felt powerful and sexy.

Tony's eyes widened and he set his glass on the nightstand, grinning. Gabi climbed on the bed, sat on his lap and swiftly took his shirt off. As they kissed and touched each other, the rest of their clothes found their way to the floor and they both knew what the other was thinking: "We haven't done this since..."

The clock showed 2:47am when Gabi fell asleep in her husband's arms, thinking about how amazing it felt to be loved and desired.

On Saturday morning they rented two bikes and bought some snacks and drinks. They cycled through the city center, took pictures in front of canals and the "I AMSTERDAM" sign and then went to the Vondelpark for a picnic. It was cold but sunny and they sat down on the grass by a pond. Gabi took out the sandwiches, juice and apples she had bought, while Tony restudied his plans.

"We could go to the Anne Frank museum later. Or Van Gogh's?" Tony said. He took a bite of his sandwich. "Which one do you prefer?"

"Don't you wanna see the Red Light District?" Gabi teased. "Oh, I have a better idea. Let's go to the Sex Museum!" She suggested, knowing how shy he was about those things. She had never been able to drag him to the one in New York.