Chapter 22: A Rose for a Rose

The island welcomed them. The moon watched. The rose was gifted. The bond deepened. And beneath the stars, love bloomed—as the legacy stirred within. When the sun’s light broke through the early morning cloud, there was little or no movement from the bedroom upstairs for the following days. Gradually, someone was stirring before the water in the shower started. Finally, Luca and Rosa were up and getting ready for the day. Still, to Rosa’s surprise, Luca was already packing the bags again and heading toward the car. Rosa, looking confused, asked her new husband, “What are you doing?” Luca replied, “We are going on our two-week honeymoon, and Stefano and Gianna will be in charge of the pack while we are away. Rosa looks at him. “Where are we going?” she asks her handsome husband. He then informs her, “I can’t tell you because our destination is a surprise until we get to the airport,” as they get into the car and drive off to enjoy their honeymoon. Rosa was excited to go but curious about where they were going. She knew she would not get any answers from her husband, so she sat there as he drove towards the airport. They arrived at the airport an hour later and parked the car in the long-term parking area, intending to retrieve it upon their return. Luca got their bags and entered the airport terminal to find the correct airline for their flight, wherever they went. They arrived at the airline counters, retrieved their tickets from their hand luggage, and handed them to the airline staff, who processed them and sent them to the plane. With that done, they headed towards the plane’s departure lounge and waited until it was time to board. Forty minutes later, an announcement came over the speakers: it was time to board the plane. Rosa still did not know where they were going. Luca was not saying a word and would not even show her the destination written on their plane tickets. Talk about frustrating. The flight attendant looked at their tickets and pointed to their seats. They are in first class on the plane. After thanking the attendant, they sat and walked to their assigned seats. Rosa could not wait to find out where they were going. Her husband was determined to keep his mouth closed. As they waited for the other passengers to board the plane, Luca turned to Rosa and said, “Not much longer now, sweetheart,” and noticed the bewilderment on her face, as if she did not know where they were heading. Before continuing, “Just wait, the pilot will announce where we are going,” he said to her. Rosa could finally breathe and relax better once she heard Luca say that. She kept busy and looked forward to finding out where they were going. The suspense was making her quite anxious. Forty-five minutes later, the passengers were on the plane as the flight closed the aircraft’s door. At the same time, another crew member went over the safety procedures in case of an emergency. Then, the pilot’s announcement came. He said they had clearance to leave, fly towards their destination, and land in the Hawaiian Islands. Luca turned his head and watched his wife’s reaction to the announcement. Rosa’s eyes and mouth had gone wide with shock as she looked at her husband, tears threatening to spill. Luca just smiled at her as she returned his smile, saying thank you, to which he replied, “You’re welcome.” The plane started down the tarmac, then picked up speed and took off. Once they were in the air, Rosa quietly inquired of her husband how he had managed to make this possible. Luca told her he had help from Stefano and Constantino in organising the details when she was not around, so as not to arouse her suspicions about their behaviour. Rosa then told him they certainly fooled her, so their secret was safe from her hearing them discuss the details. Hey, they both discussed where they would stay. The Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort at Poipu Beach is part of their Meritage Collection. Luca then showed her the activities and places they could visit. Rosa was excited to hear the news and could not wait for the plane to land and for them to start their honeymoon. Neither could Luca, but he had other ideas of how they could spend their time in Hawaii, too. The plane finally touched down at Honolulu airport four and a half hours later. As they disembarked from the plane and entered the warm 23-degree temperature typical of May, they slowly descended the stairs and into the airport terminal, where they found their way to the resort where they would stay for the next two weeks. Once Luca retrieved their suitcases, they took the shuttle to the resort. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the resort, paid the driver with a ten-dollar note, and checked in. After being welcomed to Hawaii by the concierge, “Aloha (Hawaiian for hello), Mr and Mrs Ferrera, and congratulations on your recent marriage,” the lady from behind the front desk said to them. Luca and Rosa replied with smiles, “Aloha and Mahalo (Hawaiian for hello and thank you),” as they registered as two bell boys. The bellhops retrieved their belongings from the airport shuttle driver and waited to escort them to their suite. When they had finished writing, the lady gave one of them the key and told him to take us to our suite. The bellboy then placed their suitcases in the bedroom for later unpacking. We both said, “Mahalo.” After Luca handed him a ten-dollar note, he replied, “Mahalo,” and left for their suite. Luca and Rosa then explored the suite, unpacked their suitcases, and relaxed on the couch. While not tired, they walked along the beach before getting something to eat for dinner at the resort’s restaurant. Rosa put on a light jacket; Luca grabbed a sweater in case the weather got colder. They strolled down the beach, one arm around each other’s waists, taking in the spectacular views of the ocean and joining the other people walking along. After walking for thirty minutes, they returned to the suite, freshened up, and then headed to the restaurant for dinner. They met the restaurant’s manager, Kalani Kahuna, who congratulated the couple when they arrived fifteen minutes later. Luca and Rosa politely thanked him as he took them to the reserved table and waited for them. They sat down before the manager asked what they would like to drink. They both asked for a glass of non-alcoholic champagne. Kalani went to fill their drink order while discussing what they wanted to see and what activities they could do. Rosa just wanted to relax for a few days before doing anything else. Luca agreed with her, remembering that she was still in the preliminary stages of her pregnancy and did not want to risk anything dangerous to Rosa and the growing baby inside her. He still could not believe he would be a father, and Rosa would soon be a mother. Rosa will be one hell of a mother, and he thought to himself, looking lovingly at his wife and mate as they looked over the menu. Kalani returned with their drinks and placed them in front of them. They both thank you. Kalani then asked if they were ready to order yet. They nodded and asked for the day’s roast: beef, roast vegetables, broccoli, and gravy, followed by chocolate-mint mousse for Rosa and the chocolate cheesecake with strawberry sauce for Luca for dessert. Both sounded delicious. Kalani returned with their orders twenty minutes later and put them on the table. They thanked him before eating the delicious-looking food. They were eating when a young lady named Valencia approached them, asking if they would like a photo and a rose. Luca and Rosa looked at each other and nodded at the girl as they prepared for the picture. Valencia took the picture and told them it would be ready for pickup the next day. Luca then bought a pink rose and handed it to his beautiful wife, saying, “A rose for a beautiful rose,” who thanked them both. Luca and Valencia said to her, “You are most welcome,” as Valencia congratulated them on their marriage. They both smiled at Valencia as she left them to finish their meals. They had finished eating and sipped the non-alcoholic champagne before getting up from the table and paying for their meal. Somebody had told them that Kalani had already paid the bill as a present for a late wedding. They both thanked the manager who saw them before they headed out. Luca then suggested they go for a short walk along the beach to help the food settle and enjoy the sunset before retiring. Rosa agreed with his idea as they slowly descended the coast. They had gone for fifteen minutes before heading towards their suite and retiring for the night. Or so she thought, but her handsome husband had other ideas. Luca made Rosa a nightcap of hot chocolate to help her relax before heading towards the bedroom. As he slid his arms around her waist, he asked her if she was getting tired. Rosa shook her head. Before she knew it, Luca had picked her up, put her over his shoulder while she was trying not to make a noise after she had finished her hot chocolate drink, and tossed her on the bed. Rosa giggled as her husband quickly and quietly divested himself of his clothes, and she followed suit. Once they were both undressed, Luca touched and caressed his mate and her body, keeping in mind her delicate condition as she carried the next Alpha in her womb. Luca slowly made love to his wife, careful of her delicate situation throughout the night. The next day, they didn’t wake up until lunchtime and decided to go out. They were strolling along the beach, taking in the ocean views and watching others walk along the shore. It’s lunchtime, so they tried one of the local eateries, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, since Rosa cannot have seafood while pregnant. They ordered the classic nachos, while Luca chose the fish tacos for two, and wild teas to drink with their meals. While eating, they discussed what to do next before Rosa got too tired. The next place they went to was Poipu Beach Park. They walked around, looking at the scenery, before returning to the resort so Rosa could rest before dinner. When they returned to the hotel, they went straight to their suite. As soon as they entered, Rosa lay down until it was time to head to the restaurant for dinner. Three hours later, rested, they headed to dinner. The manager welcomed them back and led them to the same table they had occupied the previous night. They sat down before looking at the menu as Kalani filled their water glasses. They ordered their food and asked Kalani where they should go while in Hawaii. He suggested going to see the favourite surfing spots on the island, including Poipu Beach, Salt Pond, Allerton’s, Kukuiula Harbour, Davidson’s at Kekaha, Pakala’s, Lawani Beach (also called P.K.’s Centre and Acid Drop), Shipwrecks Beach, Nawiliwili Harbour, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels Beach, and Cannons. Kalani also suggested visiting the beach’s bonfire night to take in the sunset and stars, spending an evening in an oversized Adirondack chair beside the Ko’a Kea Fire Pits’ warm flames and natural island wonders, and exploring the island’s south shore. Visit the Spouting Horn, a natural phenomenon where you can see a massive plume of water, accompanied by an outlandish local legend, or explore the Lithified Sand Dunes. A historic, hidden landscape lies on the cliffs. Alternatively, if we are interested in an artful display of flora and fauna, we should visit Allerton Garden and explore other local parks, gardens, and natural sites. For any shopping they might be interested in, they should visit the Poipu Shopping Village, which is home to art galleries, clothing and swimwear boutiques, gift shops, crafts, jewellery, souvenirs, and more. Rosa and Luca thanked him for the suggestions and said they would keep them in mind. Rosa was especially interested in the jewellery and souvenir stores, thinking of the others back home who would appreciate a little trinket from their honeymoon. After the server served their food, they ate and enjoyed every morsel. They decided not to order desserts and returned to their suite after finishing their meal. Once in the suite, Rosa showered, brushed her teeth, and changed into bedclothes. Luca did the same after Rosa got into bed, but came out in his pyjama pants. Looking lovingly at his wife and mate, he slipped between the sheets and kissed his wife. Before long, their nightclothes landed on the floor; that was it, another endless night of lovemaking. It was close to early morning before they fell asleep, with Luca saying, “That was better than any dessert I’ve tasted before in my life.” Rosa sighed contentedly and agreed with her husband and mate. Over the next two weeks, they followed Kalani’s suggestions. During the day, they visited all his suggestions—the nights belonged to them, making love until the early hours of the following morning. It was time to head back home. Before they knew it, their time in Hawaii had ended, and it was time to return to the pick, resume their duties, and wait for the next generation to be born. Rosa and Luca will never forget Hawaii and their friends, and they will recommend the resort to their family. They packed their bags, and the bellboy came to retrieve them and take them downstairs. Luca and Rosa finished, left the suite, and headed towards the elevator and the lobby. After exiting the elevator and entering the lobby, they went to the counter to check out. Since somebody had already paid for the booking before they left the pack, the desk clerk only needed Luca’s signature on the checkout card. Luca signed the card and handed it back to the front desk. He left a large tip for the resort’s services and assistance and said they would return soon. The lady behind the desk was pleased to hear that she had processed the checkout for the newly married couple, then said goodbye as they left to catch the airport shuttle back to the airport, after the bellboy had placed their luggage into the vehicle. Luca tipped the shuttle driver and reached for their bags as they arrived at the airport. As they entered the terminal, they proceeded to the front desk and collected their flight tickets. They had twenty minutes until they had to board the plane, so they got coffee and tea at the cafe. Before long, somebody called their flight number to board. They went to the line and boarded the plane; they were in first class again for Rosa’s comfort. The flight attendant closed the hatch door as soon as the passengers boarded. In contrast, another flight attendant reviewed the safety instructions in case of an emergency. The plane then began travelling down the runway, gaining speed until it could lift off into the air. Four and a half hours later, the plane landed at the Seattle-Tacoma airport. They disembarked from the aircraft at the airport terminal, retrieved their bags from the baggage conveyor, then got their car and drove home to pack. As soon as they could get their luggage, they headed towards the long-term parking desk and got the keys to the car. Once inside the vehicle, Luca drove out of long-term parking and headed straight home. They were both exhausted by the time they got back to the packhouse. No one was expecting them home yet, so they had time before the entire pack knew they were there. They ascended the stairs to their room as quietly as possible, but with no luck, as a door further down opened. Stefano walked out of his suite and saw them entering theirs. He nodded in acknowledgment as they went through the door and said he would catch up in the morning.