*This chapter, previous chapters and subsequent chapters are all works of fiction.*
*****
A few weeks before the fall semester ended, the Professor wanted to talk to Laney about the upcoming holidays.
"I've been thinking about doing something special for Christmas." He remarked one afternoon as they were coming back from a walk in the woods behind his house.
Laney instantly got excited. "Like what?"
"Well it's a surprise. But can you take a week off?"
"Um, yeah I will find out but probably. What are we going to be doing? Are we going on a trip?"
He chuckled. "Just let me know the dates you are free."
She was able to get time off from work, and the Professor made some plans for them. He was so secretive. Laney had a feeling they were going away somewhere. She really hoped so.
About a week before the vacation, he gave her some money and asked her to get some fancy new clothes. He told her to be prepared for a warmer climate. She smiled all the way to the local mall.
She could barely sleep the night before. They were leaving before the sun rose, and finally she dozed off, only to be woken up soon after by the alarm.
"Ugh. I feel so tired." She complained when he tried pulling the blanket off of her.
"We are on the first flight out. Come on. Once we get down there you can sleep on the beach."
That got Laney motivated. They got ready and went to the local airport.
A fresh faced young woman greeted them at the counter. She checked them in and reviewed their itinerary.
"To Miami, Sir?" She asked the Professor.
"Are you serious!" Laney cried out. The woman gave her a weird look, then passed the boarding passes to the Professor.
"Oh my God!" Laney said as they dropped off their luggage then went to stand in the security line.
"Are you excited?" He asked her with a laugh.
"This is the best gift in the world." She had a huge smile on her face.
They got through and walked towards their gate. They stopped at a local coffee shop for breakfast, ate, then went to sit at the gate.
They sat facing the window so they could look east. The sun was so beautiful as it rose from the dusky cloud cover. Beautiful blues slowly melted into purples, then pinks and finally oranges streaked the sky. They sat quietly for awhile, watching the progressive changes as the sun started to claim the sky.
"Why did you plan this?" She asked him finally.
He looked down, then over at her. He tentatively reached out and touched her hand. Then he held it, thinking. Then he squeezed it.
"I know you are okay with hanging out at home and not going out together. And I fully understand and agree that we should not take a chance being seen together." He started stroking her palm lightly. "But sometimes it bothers me a little bit. And I just want to be in a place where none of that matters. If even for a little while."
It was beautiful. His words so meaningful and more thoughtful than any gift she could have asked for. It was the first time they had really touched in public. It felt nice to be able to just touch him and not worry about the consequences.
A little while later they stood to go to their gate for boarding. They didn't let go of their hands until they got to their seats. Laney sat back with a blanket the stewardess kindly provided her, closed her eyes and started dozing. The Professor put his earbuds in and started listening to an audio book.
After a few hours, they finally landed. Laney opened her eyes and feasted her eyes on the evergreens and palm trees that dominated the landscape beyond the airport limits.
They got off the plane, grabbed their luggage and picked up their rental car. Then they started driving.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"Well, check-in isn't until two at the earliest, so I was thinking we could go to the beach for now."
Beaches were all over the place. He drove in the direction of the hotel and they soon found one fairly close to where they were staying.
The coastal city was so beautiful. There were tall skyscrapers nearby, white sands and aqua water that sparkled like millions of glittering diamonds. They changed in the public rest area, then spread out some towels. She laid down, relaxing and taking it all in.
Suddenly she felt something cold and wet hit her belly. "Ohh!"
The Professor started rubbing the sunscreen all over her. "Don't want you to burn." He remarked.
It felt so good to have his powerful hands rubbing her muscles in the hot sun. After she was done, she put some on him, then they laid down.
She had her eyes closed and tilted her head up towards the sun. Suddenly she felt his lips on hers. It felt so weird to be affectionate in public. It didn't occur to her until just then, but she realized the Professor really liked PDA. She put a hand to the back of his head and pressed him harder against her. She thought about stroking his tongue with hers, but at the same time didn't want to get both of them aroused. That would be funny - to fly so far away only to be arrested for something which they tried so hard to conceal at home.
They swam, and sunbathed. At lunchtime they decided to change and find a place to eat. They went to a local diner, and then finally it was nearly check in time. They found the hotel and checked in at the lobby.
"Congratulations." The front desk clerk said, smiling as she handed them the key. They got into the elevator and went up to the sixth floor.
"Why did she say congratulations?" Laney asked as the Professor swiped the keycard.
He smiled and pushed the door open. Laney's eyes fell upon a beautiful bouquet of red roses on the front table of their suite. She picked up the card next to it which read, "Congratulations on your marriage!"
"i booked the honeymoon suite." He explained casually, putting his luggage down.
"Why?" She said with a laugh.
He went to the fridge and pulled out a box. "So we could have some chocolate covered strawberries."
