In Case You Didn't Know

Chapter 48

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Nathaniel

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The sky has just faded to black when we enter the hotel, the smell of the sea wafting around us, the humidity sticking to my skin already. I peer down at Alex, still a little sleepy from the almost 6-hour long flight, clutching her travel pillow to her chest as she tries to fight a yawn.

We have just arrived to Martinique. We are here to celebrate Alexia's birthday. She couldn't believe her ears, and then her eyes, when I handed her the flight tickets last month on Valentine's Day. Her glistening eyes and her arms thrown around me a few seconds after told me that I had hit the nail on the head. I had been planning it for a few months —with Abigail's help, needless to say—, and we barely got to take a breather after the wedding last night before hitting the airport.

"Hi, I have a reservation for Nathaniel Rowlins." I address the receptionist on the front desk, handing her my passport and credit card. We are handed a map of the island, as well as list of all the hotel's amenities.

"Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous envoyer une bouteille d'eau gazeuse et des glaçons dans notre chambre?" Alexia talks to the receptionist with a now perfected French accent. Don't do this to me, it's too soon.

"Oui, bien sûr, madame."

"Merci. Oh, et est-ce que le service d'étage est-il disponible jusqu'à tard la nuit?"

"Oui, nous avouns un service d'étage 24h/24. Le restaurant est toujours ouvert, il ferme à 22h et le bar à 2h du matin."

"Parfait."

After getting our electronic keys, the concierge walks us to the elevator, followed with the bellboy taking care of our luggage.

"You okay?" Alex asks, her fingers seeking mine.

"You know what it does to me when you speak another language." I did not see this coming when I chose our destination. The pictures of white sandy beaches I saw looked a paradise, cozy and small and an island —as per Alex's request.

"This might be a good time to dust off your French."

"Only if you teach me."

"And the roles are exchanged once again." She gives me a mischievous look as we step inside the elevator, snuggling next to me.

After tipping our bellboy, I join Alexia inside the room, and let me just say how surprised I am that she has stopped firing all kind of different questions my way. I told her since day one that it was a surprise, that she should trust me, that our itinerary was perfect and that she was going to enjoy herself thoroughly. It was like talking to a wall anyway, because she managed to find the most imaginative ways, as she always does, to try to get the details out of me.

I endured, though, and she still has no clue –unless Abigail has betrayed me. I want to see her marvel herself, that child-like smile on her face, her hand flying to cover her mouth, as she always does whenever she discovers something she likes. This trip is for her, after all, and I intend to show her with the best time of her life.

A smile curves my lips as I watch her inspect our room; the king size bed, the small paintings on the wall, the bouquet of white roses that I ordered on one of the nightstands, a bottle of wine on the other.

"Wow, Nathan, come here." She perks up instantly when she walks out into the balcony, her mouth wide open as she looks at the hot tub. "Is it hot? We have to try it."