RENEE I had no idea where Robert was taking me tonight, and I didn't ask him. He'd told me it was a surprise, and though I was used to him spoiling me, tonight's felt different. Was it because this was our first date in months or because we had much to celebrate? I couldn’t say. And so, when our vehicle stopped in front of a large automated gate that I instantly recognized from the first—and only—time he'd brought me here, I didn't even try to hide my confusion. "The hangar?!" I asked after we bypassed security, and the car crept forward to the main building. Robert got out, walking around to open my door. He held his arm out to help me down, but I ignored him and stepped out on my own. "Are we flying out for this date, Robert?" I asked again as we approached the building, its massive entrance doors sliding open. "Yes, we are, baby," he replied immediately, wrapping an arm around me from behind and guiding me through the doors. As we entered the hangar, which looked exactly as I remembered it with its bright lights, buzzing sounds, and numerous CLARK AIRLINES fleets lined up neatly, a nostalgic feeling hit me. I remembered the first time Robert brought me here. Back then, I was only but his girlfriend, and now? I was still his girlfriend but heavily pregnant with his babies—our babies. Oh, how time flies, I thought, my eyes filling with tears. I sniffed, forcing myself not to cry. It would be ridiculous to let my hormones get the best of me now. "I don't think it's okay for me to fly in my condition, though," I pointed out as we moved further into the hangar. Some maintenance workers stopped to greet us, and Robert waved them off with a smile before focusing on me again. "It's perfectly fine," he assured me. "I spoke with the doctor earlier today, and he said you and the babies are fit and safe for the flight. So don't worry, sweetheart." "Okay...but I'm still going to worry because I have no idea where we're flying to. Is the flight going to be a long one? A short one? Or a..." "I know what you're doing, Renee," Robert interrupted, laughing and shaking his head. "You want me to spill the location." There, he'd said it. And despite telling myself all night that I wouldn't ask him, I really wanted to. "But I won't," he continued, "it's a surprise. And you wouldn't want me to spoil it, no?" "No, of course not," I agreed reluctantly. "Exactly. So trust me, okay?" "Okay," I repeated after him. We stopped before a sleek, silver chopper and a middle-aged man, whom I assumed was the pilot, walked over to us. He smiled widely, showing a set of very white teeth. "Mr. Clarke. Ms. Renee. Welcome aboard the Lola," he said, gesturing to the chopper. "We're ready for takeoff whenever you both are." "Thank you, Captain," Robert replied politely. He turned to me, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready?" I nodded, and he helped me onto the chopper before climbing in himself. As I settled into the leather seat, Robert leaned over, pulling the harness straps over my shoulders and carefully positioned them across my stomach. His hands were surprisingly gentle as he adjusted the belts to rest comfortably above my belly, making sure they weren't too loose or too tight. When he finished fastening all the buckles, he looked up at me, his expression softening. "Are you comfortable?" he asked. "Yes, I am. Thank you." He pressed a kiss to my forehead and settled back into his seat. Gripping my hand tightly, Robert laced our fingers together and squeezed. "It's time," he said as the doors slid shut and the pilot started the engine, guiding the chopper toward the airfield exit. "Hold on tightly, " he said again, squeezing my hand tighter. I gave him a small smile. In mere minutes, we were airborne, the chopper lifting smoothly and carrying us away from the hangar and into the night sky. ~•~ Hours later, after sleeping for almost half the flight, we landed safely on a helipad atop a skyscraper—a building I later learned was one of Robert's properties in Miami. Miami, we were in Miami?! Color me shocked when I found that out. And color me even more shocked, when he told me that the building was a hotel and it was in this hotel he'd had the most amazing sex of his life. At first, I said nothing, choosing instead to let my cheeks burn with jealousy as I wondered who the lucky woman was. She wasn't lucky, I reminded myself that. The only lucky woman in Robert's life was me, I reminded myself again. However, when we arrived at the reception, and Robert was accosted by the hotel manager, who briefly snagged his attention, something dawned on me. I looked around, taking in the elegant surroundings of the hotel lobby and that's when its familiarity hit me like a tidal wave. I recognized this place. It was the hotel Robert had brought me to that fateful night last September—that day that I mindlessly and heedlessly followed him back to his suite. I could still see my naive self being led through this lobby, guided along winding corridors by the captivating mystery man from the beach. His words in my ear mere whispers as my stomach fluttered with desire and my heart raced in fear. With every step I took forward, a part of me had begged to turn back, to return to Nicole. But another, much bolder part had urged me on, telling me to forget all reasoning and take a chance on what could be the best night of my life. And I'd obeyed that part, that voice, that somehow inexplicably changed my life forever. "The woman you had the most amazing sex with was me!" I gasped. I hadn't realized I said that out loud until I saw Robert's eyes snap in my direction, a smirk curling his lips upward as he bid the hotel manager goodbye and rejoined me. "Have a splendid night, Ms. Renee," the hotel manager said, oblivious to my slip-up. I was grateful he hadn't heard me. I didn't—no, I couldn't reply because Robert pulled me close for a quick kiss and then whispered in my ear, "Well, it seems someone remembers something." I fought back a blush but didn't fight the giggle in my throat. "Why didn't you just say this hotel was where we first had...sex?" "And spoil the surprise?" He countered, "Or not let your ever-inquisitive brain make the connection? No baby." "Touché, touché..." I murmured. "Besides, it was fun watching you get jealous when I said that earlier," he teased. "That wasn't funny." "It wasn't?" He cocked an eyebrow at me, and I smacked his arm. "Seriously, it wasn't." He laughed. "Alright, alright. I am sorry." I rolled my eyes but felt the corners of my lips tugging upwards, unable to hold it in as I watched him laugh again. "Can we please go now?" "Sure, sure, my baby." He kissed my cheek softly before taking my hand and leading me out of the hotel. I wasn't expecting to fully find myself on a beach when we exited the hotel's revolving doors and walked a few blocks down the sidewalk. However, I did. And just as the hotel took me by surprise, this did, too. "Robert..." My feet froze as I registered what I saw. My eyes widened, and I stared at the gorgeous yet familiar view. "Is...is this..." "The same beach where I first saw you? The same place we first met?" Robert finished the question for me, answering all the same, "It is." "Oh my," I breathed, my hand going to my mouth. "You...you are doing it. You are bringing back memories of all our first times," "I believe that's my goal tonight." "And are we having our date here?" "Not quite, baby. Just a few miles from here." The tears that had been stinging the edges of my eyes since this evening finally spilled, falling freely down my cheeks. "Oh, Robert...God, why am I crying? I hate the way my hormones act every time. This pregnancy is turning me into such a mess. And I hate...""Shhh..." Robert hushed me gently, wiping my tears away and cradling my face. "It's alright. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to be a mess tonight. It's all good," "Is it?" I sniffed loudly, "Are you...sure?" "Positively sure. You are allowed to be a mess every day," He grinned. "My mess," he added, and when he said it like that, I couldn't help but laugh through my tears. "I love you." "I know." He smirked, softly kissing my lips before murmuring again, "Permit me." "Permit you to...?" Robert suddenly swept me off my feet before I could finish my sentence. I yelped in surprise. "Robert! Put me down!" I squealed, laughing. "I'm heavy, you know!" "No, you are not," he replied dryly and continued walking. “You weigh nothing." "Robert!" But he didn't respond, nor did he put me down. He simply carried me across the beach, which was strangely empty and almost quiet save for the ocean waves crashing gently. I closed my eyes briefly, enjoying the cool sea breeze against my flushed skin, when— "We are here." My eyes flew open immediately, my body tensing as Robert set me down. We were on a lone dock where a large yacht sat. It had the bold inscription RENEE ROYALE painted on its side, the two top letters lit up by a golden glow. And again, I recognized it. "The yacht," I whispered. "Yep," Robert confirmed, "Your yacht." "My...my yacht?!" I stammered, "You did name the yacht after me like you said you would." "I did." He smiled sweetly before snaking an arm around my waist, pulling me close to the yacht. "And your surprise is waiting on it, my sweetheart. Come on." Nodding, I walked beside him as he led the way into the ship. As we approached the deck, where he was obviously taking me, I noticed that every corner of the yacht, from the floors to the ceiling, had been carefully decorated. There were rose petals scattered everywhere on the floor, lights flickering about, and ... we came to a stop in front of a door that Robert opened with ease. It led out to the deck, where a romantic table for two sat. Nothing much was on the table except for two lit candle scones, a lone rose, and two glasses filled with sparkling white wine. The soft music playing in the distance added to the intimate scene before me, and I felt a fresh tear slip down my cheek. This wasn't lavish. It was simple but perfect, and I understood the message Robert was trying to convey with it. Not just with this but with every single thing that led up to this moment. He was trying to mirror all our first times, and this was "a perfect replica of the first date we had." I finished out loud. "And it is beautiful. So beautiful. Oh, Robert. I..." my words trailed off as I snapped my head towards him and...and I lost them. All I could do was stare. Because down on one knee, holding a velvet box open, was Robert. He held out the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen and proceeded to say the words that forever altered my heart and soul. "Renee Micheal, will you do me the honor of being my forever woman? Will you let me spend a lifetime loving you? Will you marry me?"