A Trip to Paradise

[eve]

Sarah came from money…though much to her mother’s dismay, she didn’t marry money. She married Tim Reynolds. He worked as a mechanic for a major auto dealership, seeming quite content there and Sarah adored him. She loved him from the moment they’d met and she knew he’d lay down his life to keep her safe.

They were married for a little over three months when she realized other things about him. He had set ideas about how marriage worked and obviously meant them. That day he’d come in from work and laughed when she ran to jump into his arms, kissing him over and over. “Babe…you’re going to be filthy. I need to get out of these clothes.”

“I missed you….and I don’t care if I get dirty.”

He gave her bottom a pat and set her on her feet. “I’ll be down in twenty…and then, Mrs. Reynolds, we’ll pick up from here,” he winked.

She gave a playful pout but hurried to the kitchen to get dinner on the table. Cooking was something new to her…but she loved it. Tim’s mom gave her a few recipes of her son’s favorite dishes and while they weren’t perfect, he did eat them and pretend they were just as good.

“Dinner’s ready,” she called out fifteen minutes later, relieved to hear him come down the stairs.

He leafed through the mail and said, “Be right there, babe.”

Sarah put the pot roast on the table and turned on the coffee pot, just settling in her chair when he came in frowning.

“You charged three hundred dollars on the Visa?”

She frowned back. “I…well, I guess so. There was a sale and I didn’t have the money.”

“Sarah. We’ve gone over the fact that we have a budget how many times?”

She blushed, squirming indignantly on the chair. “I’m NOT a child. Stop lecturing me.”

“Sarah Leigh…you’re this close,” he warned holding up a finger and thumb, “to going over my knee. How many times did we go over the need for a budget we stick to?”

She blinked in shock and whispered “M-Many.”

“I know you’re used to buying what you want ‘when’ you want. But you married me. I make good money—enough to live on comfortably. IF we stick to a budget. Am I clear?”

She gave a nod, eyes unable to meet his.

He cupped her chin and her eyes met his at last. “Are you sure?”

“Y-Yes, Timmy.”

He smiled at last and kissed her forehead. “Good girl. You can keep the things bought, but know it means our vacation for this summer is no longer an option.”

She blanched. “B-But we planned to go to the beach for a long time!”

He sat and placed his napkin on his lap. “I know, hon. But we blew the budget.”

And as Sarah watched him eat the pot roast that was much too dry, she felt deflated. How could three hundred measly dollars mean that much? Tim deserved a real vacation.

“Eat, Sarah. This is great.”

She’d talk to her dad, she decided, picking up her fork at last.

The following week she was all smiles when Tim came in from cutting the lawn. “Guess what?”

“You love me,” he winked.

“Definitely that…but something else too.”

He poured a glass of ice water and looked at her. “Tell me.”

“We’re going to Hawaii!”

He nearly choked on the water before scowling at her. “Pardon me?”

She beamed, taking his glass to set it on the counter, hugging him tight. “Paradise…you…me…and absolute bliss!”

He pulled her back and frowned. “Sarah…”

“No…listen!” She mentally crossed her fingers and blurted, “I won a contest! All expenses paid. Tennnnnnnnn days in Hawaii! “ Hugging him again so he couldn’t see that she was fibbing she gushed, “Isn’t that wonnnnnnderful?”

“What contest?”

She heard his suspicion and forged ahead with the lie. “An advertising one…I came up with a name for a baby seal…and it was so common I never thought I’d win. Saaaaaaaammy!”

He started to believe her and smiled. “Imagine that.”

“They’re to send everything by mail! I’m so happy, Timmy! Can you get off work next month? Say yes!”

He gave a nod and hugged her tight. “You bet I can, baby.”

And whatever guilt Sarah felt she struggled to ignore. They were going to Hawaii! If anyone deserved it, Timmy did. He worked so hard for so little! And it was all expenses paid but if he ever found out it was from her daddy he’d probably divorce her…so she’d just make sure he never did.

They were basking in the sun in Waikiki, drinking umbrella drinks as soft music played on the beach. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure it wasn’t a dream. And Tim…he was having such a good time.

“Are you looking at those babes in bikini’s?”

He chuckled and said, “No..I’m watching for guys ogling my wife.”

She snuggled closer on the lounge they were sharing and sighed in contentment. “I love you so much, Tim.”

He kissed her forehead and whispered, “I love you more.”

He still couldn’t believe how lucky they were. Who’d have thought she could win all this with a silly contest for naming a seal? But she’d shown him the letter that came with the tickets inside…and he felt ashamed for ever doubting her. If he could he’d give her the world—but based in their reality, he could only give what they could afford. She’d given up so much for him. It endeared her to him even more.

“Babe…I’m going to run up to the room a minute,” he said, kissing her again. “Just forgot my shades.”

“Hurrrrrrrry back, mister. I’ll miss you.”

He smiled and went quickly, finding an envelope just inside their door. It had Reynolds on the outside and he opened it to scan it…then stopped dead and read it again.

“Your Mom and I wanted you to know we booked a special dinner for your last night. Don’t fret about the cost, little one. We’re tickled to give you the vacation of your dreams. Dad.”

He felt shock first…then anger. She’d not only went to them for this vacation…but she out and out lied to him about it all.

Tim sank down on the nearest chair to think…thoughts swirling.

Sarah finished her drink…and Tim’s too…before realizing he’d been gone much too long. She felt her calm mood vanish as she realized something could be wrong. Maybe he got sick…or fell and hit his head. She jumped up and ran to their room, a bit breathless when she entered and found him looking out the windows at the beach.

“Tim? What’s wrong, honey? Are you okay? I was worried.”

He remained in place, not even looking at her. “Tell me again about the contest, Sarah.”

She felt her heart trip and knew without a doubt he knew she’d lied. “W-Well…you see…”

He faced her, eyes like shards of glass. “No lies this time, Sarah…or so help me—“

She was heartsick over the tone he used. She’d never heard him use it before. Chin quivering she whispered, “D-Daddy paid for everything.”

He studied her for so long she feared he’d never speak again…then regretted his finding a voice. There was no anger in it. Only a deep sadness that brought her to tears by the time he’d finished.

“When we first met I knew you were out of my league. I fought against falling in love with you, but you made that impossible. You were everything I dared hope for and ten times more.” He shook his head as if that would shake free those illusions. “You were the one that swore you didn’t need material things other than what I could provide. You made me believe it, Sarah. That makes me the fool.”

He walked toward her and she sniffled back her tears, reaching out to stop him. He crumbled the message in her hand and said, “Enjoy the dinner.”

She heard the door close and just sobbed.

Tim sat at the bar on the beach, drink in front of him virtually untouched. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been there, but the sun was starting to set. He barely noticed when Sarah sat a few seats down at the bar but then he heard her voice.

“Bartenders give advice, I’ve heard.”

He looked at her to find she wasn’t speaking to him, but to the tanned Hawaiian behind the bar.

The man grinned showing off white teeth that sparkled more against his tan. “You’re much too pretty to sound so sad,” he chided.

Tim started to rise only to hear her say, “I am sad…I hurt someone that I love more than life itself…” Her voice cracked and she added, “…but I d-don’t know how to f-fix it.”

It was killing Tim to hear her pain. He’d never seen her cry before today.

“You must tell the one you love that you were wrong.” He set a drink before her and smiled softly. “If he loves you, he will be anxious to make things right once more.”

Tim took a swig of the drink, sorry he remained.

“B-But I lied. Why would h-he believe anything I had t-to say?”

The bartender looked from her to Tim, knowing they were a couple. “Because none of us is perfect all the time. Not even in paradise.”

Tim stood and Sarah followed suit, her heart in her eyes. “Pl-Please…don’t leave me.”

He struggled for a moment between fisting her hair and kissing her breathless or walking away because his feelings were justified. “We need to talk.”

She gave a nod and hurried ahead of him, struggling with tears.

“She is a fine woman,” the barkeep said as if Tim needed reminded.

“Yeah…I know.”

Tim went into the room to find her waiting, her expression desperate. “I kn-know I was wrong. I j-just felt so bad b-because I used the charge…and I m-messed up our vacation…and y-you work so hard—“

“Stop.” He glared at her. “Don’t you dare use ‘me’ as an excuse.”

She whimpered, “I made up that contest so w-we could come here…and y-you wouldn’t feel obligated to my parents.”

“I don’t feel ‘obligated’! I feel betrayed, Sarah.”

She couldn’t hold back the tears as she begged, “I’ll n-never make y-you feel that again…I s-swear it.”

He ran his fingers through his hair and knew he loved her too much to allow her to cry. It was water under the bridge. He looked at her and whispered, “Come here, baby girl.”

She let out a cry of relief and flung herself into his arms, clinging to him like a lifeline. “I’m sorry…oh, Timmy…I’m s-sooooooo sorry.”

He exhaled as he held her close then kissed her tears away. He then sat on the bed to hold her on his lap. “I want to know the exact amount this vacation cost. We’re paying them back, understand?”

“Y-Yes, Sir.”

“And from here on out, we live on what I bring home.”

She nodded, dashing at her tears.

“If you ever lie to me again,” he warned, needing her to understand how important trust was, “you won’t sit for a month of Sundays.”

Her bottom clenched as she whispered, “I un-understand.”

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply, everything forgiven because he knew she regretted what she’d done. “Come on, babe. Let’s shower and get ready for dinner.”

She whispered, “Timmy?”

He smiled at her. “Yeah?”

“I…I need you to s-sp-…” Sarah blushed and felt vexed that she couldn’t even say the word. “You know.”

He did—and he was genuinely surprised, but touched, by her asking. “It’s okay, honey. It’s over with.”

“No…it’s not. I feel so b-bad. Inside. Please?”

He tipped her chin and asked, “Were you ever spanked?”

She blushed and whispered, “No.”

“It’s not something you will enjoy, Sarah. It’s meant to be a deterrent.”

“I kn-know…and because of me, our budget is really going t-to be a mess until we pay the money back. I..I deserve what you promised would h-happen, Timmy.”

He ran the back of his fingers over her face and gave a nod. Sarah felt her tummy knot as he moved to the desk and pulled out the chair, setting it in the clearing. She felt a moment of panic wondering if she were crazy for insisting on this.

He sat and said, “Come here, Sarah.”

She hesitated for a moment then moved timidly, stopping just in front of him, eyes lowered.

There was so much he wanted to say in that moment but to prolong her wait would be cruel. He took her hand and eased her over his lap. She whimpered as he positioned her better, her hands circling his ankle as he gave her sweet bottom a reassuring rub.

“Ohhhh,” she whined as he then hooked his fingers in her bikini bottom to tug it down to her knees. “T-Timmyyyyyyy!”

He wasted no time in giving her what she needed, his hand clapping off her jiggling bottom as she bucked and sniffled, babbling how sorry she was. He didn’t spank her as hard as he might have…but it was enough to make her ivory bottom pink. He then stopped and ran his hand over her warm flesh, letting her gather herself back in. “It’s over, honey.”

She released his ankle and sniffled, flushed when he helped her back to her feet. “Th-Thank you,” she managed, rubbing her bottom gingerly.

God, he loved her.

He stood, cupping her bottom to pull her close. “I don’t like spanking you…so try and keep that in mind the next time you feel the need to name a seal,” he teased.

She let out a watery giggle and nuzzled his neck. “I will never lie to you again.”

“Good girl.” As he kissed her he scooped her up to carry her to the bed, dinner forgotten.

The bar tender smiled when he served them a few hours later, their relationship obviously back on track.

“I give good advice,” he winked, setting two drinks before them.

Tim smiled and Sarah blushed happily.

Their trip would be over in a few more days…but their love created a paradise that would sustain them forevermore.