Page 44 of Only Time Will Tell

He just smiled. “Thank you. Congratulations and enjoy your stay in Bali.”

Charlie grabbed the laptop bag and my hand while I wheeled in our giant suitcase. “Think you brought enough clothes?” I asked him as we merged into the guest check in line.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but now I’m thinking most of this trip will be clothing optional. Plus, you didn’t tell me where we were going so I had to pack for all weather,” he huffed.

“Well, while in our room, it’s clothing optional. But for some of the excursions I have planned you will need clothes, or you’ll regret the sunburn and potential chafing later.”

He winced. “You’re probably right.”

“Next,” the desk clerk called. “Good morning and welcome to Bali. How may I help you?”

“Good morning. We have a reservation for DuBois-Travers,” I told her, retrieving my license and credit card from my wallet.

“Yes, Mr. and Mr. DuBois-Travers. Congratulations and thank you for choosing our hotel for your honeymoon. I see you’re booked for ten nights, all-inclusive, and have several excursions planned while you’re here,” she glanced between me and Charlie. Who, by the way, was still bouncing beside me.

“Yes, sorry, he’s a little bit excited.” I signed the forms and handed them back to her.

“I love it, his excitement will be contagious and great for the other guests. Here are your room keys, sir. The restaurant menus are in your room. On the days of your excursions, the buses will pick you up where the taxi driver just dropped you off. There are various other activities we offer as well, all of which are noted in the binder on the desk in your cabana,” she continued.

“Cabana?” Charlie finally piped up. This man was gonna be a handful during this trip.

“Yes, sir,” she told him. “You have a cabana booked for the length of your stay. You’re at the end of the pier overlooking the ocean. I hope you enjoy your time here.”

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” Charlie chanted all the way to the golf cart waiting to deliver us to our temporary home.

The brisk, morning salty ocean air greeted us as we stepped onto the golf cart. We shared the back seat that faced out, taking in the gorgeous views. Charlie’s hand never left mine while our eyes drank in the various blues in the ocean water. Between this view and Charlie’s excitement, I knew Bali had been the right choice for us.

“What does all-inclusive include exactly?” he asked me.

“As long as we eat and drink in the restaurants and bars associated with the hotel, we need only pay out-of-pocket for gratuity. But once we’re offsite, we’re on our own financially,” I informed him as we got off the cart and tipped the driver.

We stood on the pier for a few moments, basking in the morning sun before entering our cabana. “Alex, this must have cost a fortune,” Charlie said as he walked inside.

“I know people, who know people,” I teased. “Come on, babe, let’s unpack and order room service. Airplane food just doesn’t do it for me.”

He walked ahead of me, scanning the kitchenette and living areas then the bedroom and bathroom. Charlie screamed. I dropped the luggage and went running after him, “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a huge-ass bathtub overlooking the ocean in our bedroom,” he squealed again.

“Charlie, you have got to quit screaming. You scare the absolute shit out of me every time you do it.” I tried not to sound mad, but damn, it set my heart racing every time.

“I’m sorry, but this is just,” he turned, appreciation shining in his eyes, “you really outdid yourself. I can’t believe you did all this for me. For us.”

I drew him into my arms. “You’re worth every penny of it.” I tilted his head upward to kiss him which our protesting stomachs put an end to anything more. “Come on, lets get some food before we hop in the tub and relax after that long flight.”

I ordered room service while Charlie unpacked, continually gasping at the views as he passed each window. About twenty minutes later, our burgers and fries arrived, which we inhaled in record time. He went to run the bathwater, and I turned the sign on the door to Do Not Disturb before joining him.

He leaned back against me. “Can anybody see us?”

“Does is it really matter?” I bit into his shoulder.

“Fuck no,” he moaned.

We barely made it to the bed after drying off before we passed out, leaving a trail of towels in our wake.

The sound of thunder woke us, which was a blessing in disguise. Jet lag was a bitch, and we had no desire to get dressed, let alone leave the room. Charlie read to me off and on throughout the day, when sleep didn’t claim me, from the latest installment in the series he was binging. Room service became our best friend and when the need arose, we made love to the sound of the falling rain. Absolute perfect first day in Bali.

“Charlie, baby,” I woke the next morning, pulling him tightly against me, “time to get up. I have a special surprise planned for us today.” I trailed my lips along his neck.