Dancing in the Florida Sun (Completed)

30- FS Fear

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     "This is your room." Jacob held out his arm for Brooke to enter and her eyes immediately went to the wall of floor to ceiling windows framing the turquoise water beyond.

     "No, you should have it. It's the largest room, and you paid for the place. You take it."

     "Nope. I insist. You deserve to be pampered for a couple of days. You're a working mom, and rarely have time to travel. I do that for a living, and am constantly staying in enormous suites in the nicest hotels in the world. It's your turn to live a little. Let me spoil you." Jacob laid her overnight bag at the foot of the bed and watched as Brooke examined the room.

     Brooke pressed her lips together, and finally relented. "Okay, thank you so much. I still can't believe you're doing all of this for me."

     Jacob smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it back with a look of frustration. He pointed to the bathroom. "You should check that out too. It looked nice online."

     Nodding, Brooke moved to see what he was talking about. Peering in she squealed in delight. "Jacob! This bathroom is to die for!" He followed her in and grinned. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She ran up to him and threw her arms around him, before turning around to check out the freestanding tub in an alcove with window overlooking the water. Peering into the tub she relayed, "It's jetted! I'm definitely having a late night soak in there. Just imagine, the moonlight and stars reflecting on the water!" She turned back to find he was standing right behind her, and she suddenly felt nervous and softly repeated, "Thank you."

~~~

     Noah's little arms were sticking out as he pointed to the things they passed on the road. He looked so proud sitting on the back of Jacob's bike in the little child's seat as they explored the area.

     All the seafood they had for dinner had left Brooke stuffed, but ready to do something more active. Sounds of crickets chirping as the evening approached was music to her ears. They passed an older couple on the sidewalk who smiled and waved. Noah cheerfully waved back, and it felt like perfect domestic bliss. An aching twinge filled Brooke as she registered the fact that this was only temporary, but the more she experienced with Jacob the more she longed for it to be real.

     Returning to the beach house just in time for the sunset, they parked the bikes and took a stroll out to their beach chairs. Noah had no intention to stand still and they followed him to the edge of the water.

     "Look! A crab!" Jacob pointed to the little white crab that nearly blended in with the soft white sand.

     Noah squealed and chased it until it buried itself in the sand out of sight. Following with her phone in hand, Brooke captured it on video, then switched to photos so she could get stills of the sunset in all its orange and pink glory as it sank down closer to the water. Jacob swooped Noah into his arms and pulled Brooke close for a group selfie.

     The whole day had been perfect. Time spent playing on the beach upon arrival, then after lunch, while Noah was sleeping, Brooke and Jacob slipped away to go kayaking. Then more beach time with Noah before dinner. It was a pleasant surprise to find their section of the beach relatively empty and quiet. Jacob's travel agent had done a great job. With the tub in her room still to look forward to later, Brooke couldn't imagine anything better...except for Jacob to feel the same way she did about him. That would be a thousand times better.

~~~

     "Come sit outside on the balcony with me," Jacob urged after they laid Noah in bed.

     The tub could wait, and hopefully her heart could handle being alone with him. Brooke anxiously followed Jacob out and they settled in loungers with a view of the gulf reflecting the night sky out before them. Leaning back they stared at the stars, and listened to the sound of the surf gently washing against the beach.