Chapter 11

"Oh, hi!" Emma exclaimed.

"You'll get to meet Isabella when we do the girls trip in March," Kelsey said.

"I can't wait," Emma said.

"Me either," Isabella said, chuckling. "So tell me, Emma. Does your mom not usually sound happy like this?"

"Not at all! She sounds so carefree now," Emma said. "She usually has several projects going and sounds kind of stressed."

"Let me remind you that those projects are paying for your education," Kelsey said.

"I know, I know," Emma droned. "Whatever you and Isabella are doing, I hope you keep doing it because you sound happy, Mom. You deserve happiness and a girlfriend!"

"Oh no, no, no. It's not like that, Emma!" Kelsey quickly protested. She glanced at Isabella and her grin showed how much she was enjoying this.

Emma laughed. "I was just teasing you. I can imagine your face is bright red right about now. Merry Christmas, Momma."

"You little brat," Kelsey said, realizing her daughter had teased her on purpose.

"I didn't want you to miss me too much. It's nice to meet you, Isabella. You two have fun," Emma said.

Isabella chuckled. "You, too."

"I love you, Em. Merry Christmas," Kelsey said, shaking her head and smiling at Isabella.

"Love you, too."

Kelsey ended the call. "Before you came in, Emma told me she missed me and didn't like being away from me and her sister at Christmas."

"Aww," Isabella said.

"You see how quickly she got over it. That girl loves to tease me."

Isabella chuckled. "We are going to have so much fun with them."

"They're pretty awesome kids," Kelsey said. "Well, they aren"t kids any longer, but I haven't screwed them up too much."

"Give me time, my boys are still young." Isabella chuckled.

"I can tell you're a great mom. They'll be fine," Kelsey said. She took a moment to look at Isabella. She was wearing a pair of baggy shorts and a sleeveless top. "Don't you look comfy and cute."

"Thanks." Isabella smiled. "I can do casual."

Kelsey noticed she had her hair up in a messy bun and could tell it was still damp from her shower. "Yes, you can," she murmured and quickly turned away so Isabella couldn't see her cheeks turning red once again. Kelsey took a deep breath and busied herself looking for the room service menu.

They ordered their food and Kelsey found a chilled bottle of wine in her mini-refrigerator.

She raised her brows at Isabella. "Wine?"

"Oh, yes. That sounds perfect."

"Carmen thinks of everything," Kelsey said, finding two glasses on the counter next to the refrigerator.

Isabella chuckled as Kelsey poured the wine. "Let's sit on the beach. I think we can just catch the sunset if we hurry."

They watched the sun set over the water and neither said anything, simply enjoying the show.

Their food arrived and they ate dinner on Kelsey's back deck. They took turns talking about the day they'd spent together and the things they enjoyed most.

"What do you want to do in the morning?" Kelsey asked.

"Mmm, I don't know. I'll talk to the boys after they open their presents. After that how about breakfast?" Isabella suggested.

Kelsey nodded and stared at Isabella for a moment. "Are you okay? Tomorrow could be kind of rough."

Isabella smiled. "It could be just as hard for you."

"I'll call Dana sometime tomorrow, but talking to Emma tonight eased my dread somewhat. That, and you," Kelsey said with a soft smile.

"Me?"

"Yep. We've been having such a good time that I haven't thought about spending Christmas without the girls. It's not that I don't miss them. I do, but I'm not moping around about it. What good would that do?"

Isabella stared at Kelsey. "Hmm, you're right. It's up to us to have our own merry Christmas. I'll miss watching the boys open their gifts, but it's just one Christmas." Isabella shrugged. "Thanks, Kels. We're both going to have a great time tomorrow."

"We are." Kelsey finished her wine and let out a contented sigh. "I don't know how we both ended up here together and how this year-long adventure will turn out, but I'm glad we're here."

"Merry Christmas, Kels." Isabella took Kelsey's hand.

"Merry Christmas, Bella." Kelsey squeezed her hand and smiled.

Kelsey watched Isabella walk the short distance to her bungalow and go inside. She sat back down and thought about how nice it had been to hold another woman in her arms. When the girls were away at school she had dated a few times, but she hadn't been dancing. Bella had surprised her when she asked her to dance, yet once Bella's arms were around her neck, it was just the two of them and the music.

Kelsey sighed. What a strange Christmas. She'd made a new friend—make that several new friends—and now she couldn't get Bella out of her head. All those thoughts and feelings had to be caused by the events of the past few days.

She'd enjoy the rest of her stay on the islands and the time she'd spend with Isabella. Once she was at home in Denver, her life would go back to the way it always was. These once a month adventures would be something to look forward to and she'd view them as the escapes they were meant to be. After all, that's exactly what they wanted to portray: an escape from everyday life.

Kelsey went inside and got ready for bed. Now that she'd been able to put things into perspective, she looked forward to going back to Peaches tomorrow. She didn't have to worry about what was happening in her heart. It was all part of the adventure. They would have fun then go back to their lives. Everything would be just fine.

A little voice inside her made Kelsey wonder if she was fooling herself, but she didn't have to try and silence it. She simply fell asleep instead.

The next morning Isabella heard a light knock at her back door. She tossed her phone onto the bed and slowly turned around to see Kelsey through the glass. Isabella tried to smile and knew it wasn't her best effort. She opened the back door and instead of letting Kelsey walk inside, Isabella put her arms around Kelsey's neck.

She felt Kelsey's hands splayed across her back and she pulled her close.

"Merry Christmas," Kelsey said softly.

Isabella didn't let go right away. She took a breath and was grateful that Kelsey let the hug continue. Finally, Isabella stepped back and this time her smile was genuine. "Merry Christmas." She walked back into her bungalow as Kelsey followed behind her.

"Sorry about that," Isabella said. "You caught me just as I hung up with the boys."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Kelsey said. "I'm glad I was here to give you a hug."

Isabella chuckled. "I kind of blindsided you."

"I'll always be ready from here on out." Kelsey smiled. "I can give you a minute if you want."

"Nope. What I need is to be with my merry friend."

"Um, I'm not sure merry is a word used to describe me," Kelsey said with a wince. "That would be you."

Isabella smiled. "You were merry when I needed it, so don"t argue with me."

"Yes ma'am," Kelsey replied with a little salute.

Isabella chuckled. "Wyatt and Gus are having a great time, but they miss me."

"Aww, Bella."

"I know," Isabella said as tears pooled in her eyes. "I'm glad they miss me, but I don't want them to be sad."

"Have they already opened their gifts from you?"

"No, Spencer is bringing them home on New Year's Day. I explained they'd get to have two Christmases, one in New York and one at home. I think they're just ready to come home," Isabella said. "Have you already opened gifts with Dana and Emma?"

Kelsey smiled. "We're doing the same thing as you. Emma flies home New Year's Day and Dana comes off the mountain that day. They'll spend the rest of their break with me."

"I thought I'd go over to the gift shop and get the boys something from the Virgin Islands," Isabella said.

"Do you mind if I come with you? I'd like to get the girls T-shirts. I noticed a couple of cute ones the day we got here," Kelsey said.

"Would I mind?" Isabella looked at her with surprise. "We are still a couple, Kelsey Kenny. It's you and me, babe. Remember?"

Kelsey laughed and that's just what Isabella needed to raise her spirits.

"I will never mind you being with me, Kels. Just so you know."

Kelsey nodded. "How about breakfast and a little retail therapy?"

Isabella held out her arm for Kelsey. "Perfect."

They had breakfast then went to the gift shop. As they browsed the souvenir options, Kelsey held up a turtle to show Isabella. "I only know Gus from what you've told me, but what about this sea turtle for him?"

"Oh, that's cool. I think he'd like that," Isabella said.

"Didn't you tell me Wyatt plays baseball? I saw some nice caps over there. I may get one for myself," Kelsey said.

"Okay." Isabella started towards the caps and stopped to look through a rack of T-shirts. "Kelsey, take a look at these. They're cute."

"This one looks like Emma and…" Kelsey looked through the other T-shirts until she pulled out another. "This one is for Dana. Thanks, Bella."

"What about this one for you?" Isabella said, holding it up.

Kelsey grinned and reached for it. "I love it."

Isabella snatched it back. "Wait a second. I want a picture of all three of you in these on New Year's Day," Isabella said with a bright smile.

"Aren't you going to get one?" Kelsey asked. "Wait… Let me find yours."

Kelsey handed Isabella the other shirts and went to another rack. "This one"s for you," she said, holding up another T-shirt.

Isabella smiled. "I'd choose that for myself."

"I know you would." Kelsey grinned.

Isabella raised her eyebrows. "So you think you know me?"

Kelsey nodded. "You know me already." She took the shirts from Isabella and held them up. "And you know my girls."

Isabella chuckled and shrugged. They went to pay for their purchases and Isabella was struck by how well they had gotten to know each other in such a short time. The shirts they had chosen for each other were totally different yet fit them individually, but that wasn't so unusual since they'd seen each other's styles from what they'd worn so far. However, it was a little surprising that they had both chosen gifts for each other's kids that they would like. I guess we listen to each other.

On the way back to their bungalows, Isabella slung her arm over Kelsey's shoulders. "Thanks for cheering me up this morning."

Kelsey looked over at her and smiled. "I was simply returning the favor. This entire trip has been amazing because of you, Bella. I don't have time to think about things at home when I'm gazing at these amazing views and snorkeling and dancing."

Isabella chuckled. "It's not because of me. We need to thank Carmen. She's the one who set this up for us."

"She may have set it up, but she's not hanging out with us," Kelsey said.

"Well, partner," Isabella said with a lilt to her voice. "How about putting these in our bungalows and hanging out at our favorite spot on the beach until Carmen texts us?"

"I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas, or anyone else I'd rather spend it with."

"Same for me."

"Oh, by the way. I haven't missed the mountains or snow one bit. I knew Christmas at the beach would be lovely."

Isabella chuckled. "It feels a little unreal to me."

Kelsey stopped and stared at Isabella. "I thought the same thing last night."

"It's like we're living another life while we're here, but in a good way. I think that's the concept we're trying to sell with these monthly vacations."

"I didn't know it would feel like this, but I'm embracing it. Don't people do things on vacation they wouldn't normally do?"

"Yes," Isabella said, drawing the word out. "I think I see what you mean. Don't question so much, just do and live it."

"Yeah, live it. I like that, Bella. We should use that in our videos and blogs."

Isabella smiled as they stopped in front of the bungalows. "Meet you at our place."

Moments later, she tossed her purchases onto the bed. "Live it," she murmured.