Serenity (Inevitable #5)(152)

She gave him a quick kiss as he joined her at the edge of the verandah. "A little after five, I guess. It's hard for me to sleep late at this time of the year since the sun rises so early. And we have a busy day ahead of us, since my parents want to drive down to Poipu today."

Matthew snorted. "If that's your idea of a busy day, then I think we've already spent too much time here. You're starting to think like a Hawaiian after just a couple of weeks."

She grinned. "Come on, admit it. You kind of love that idea, don't you? As far as spending too much time here, you've earned it, Matthew. You could spend the next two years here and not have it be enough time."

He yawned, stretching his arms wide as he lifted his face to the early morning sun. "I won't argue with that idea," he admitted. "Though I suppose Casey will have to go back to school at some point."



       
         
       
        

She linked her arm through his, resting her head on his bare shoulder. "Well, we have weeks and weeks before that happens. And a pretty long guest list of people visiting us over the next couple of months. So let's enjoy it, hmm?"

Matthew pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I will. I am. It's still taking me a little time to get used to the idea that I'm officially unemployed. After all, it's been less than a month."

He had completed the sale of MBI a scant three weeks ago, after months of negotiations and complex paperwork. Matthew's main priority in finding a buyer for the company had been ensuring that all of his employees would remain in their current positions, with zero layoffs or staff reductions. He had also agreed to retain his position on the Board of Directors, as well as take on various consulting projects on occasion.

With Casey still finishing up his freshman year of high school, this was the first opportunity they'd had to get away since the sale of MBI had been finalized, and they had arrived at their beach house in Kauai just three days ago. The beach house that had been Matthew's wedding present to his new wife.

He'd grinned sheepishly upon presenting her with the deed to the house she'd fallen in love with at first sight. "I'll freely admit to having stolen this idea from Ian," he had joked. "He bought that house of theirs on the Sonoma coast for Tessa as a wedding gift. But while this might not be a very original idea, it's a darned good one. Don't you agree?"

Sasha had laughed, hugging the deed against her. "I absolutely agree! I knew the minute I saw this place from the road that it would be the one. And as soon as I walked through the front door I could feel all of the good vibes surrounding us. I know you think it's silly to believe that a house or an object can actually talk to you, but I felt like that place was calling me home." She had kissed him then, her green-gold eyes shining. "I love that house. And I love you for giving it to me. And I already know that we're going to have many, many happy times there."

They had been married in March, on the first day of spring. Sasha had declared it was the perfect time to marry, since the Spring Equinox was a time for rebirth and renewal, and, in Matthew's case, a second chance at love. Their wedding had been a simple affair - at her insistence - with fewer than fifty people in attendance. And despite Katya's attempts to interfere with the plans, the wedding ceremony had been held outdoors, on a Mount Tamalpais ridgeline in Marin County. The weather had been clear and unseasonably balmy, the views breathtaking, and the guests had been regretful when they had been ushered inside the luxury inn for the start of dinner. 

Enzo had beamed with pride when he'd given his daughter away, while Katya hadn't been able to stem the flow of tears that trickled down her cheeks. The two of them had been on their best behavior that day, having vowed to get along for once since it was their only child's wedding, and they had thrilled the guests with their dance skills. Polina and Maxim had flown over from Paris, and Enzo's brother Joaquim from Brazil. Linda, too, had called a truce with her undeniably charming ex for the day, and had even danced with him a time or two.

A heavily pregnant Tessa had been Sasha's matron of honor, while Matthew's brother Patrick had handled the duties of best man. The elder Bennetts had been thrilled to welcome Sasha into their family, and Maureen had whispered to her that this time they had actually looked forward to seeing their son get married.

All of Sasha's former roommates had been at the wedding, along with several of her co-workers at the yoga studio. A few of Matthew's employees had also been invited, including a beaming Elena. And of course, both of Matthew's children had been there - an overjoyed Casey and a subdued but accepting Hayley.