Sliding the glass door closed behind her, Alexandra padded through the sunroom and headed for the kitchen. Off in the distance, the sound of clinking silverware filled the halls as a tiny voice squawked above the din. As she turned the corner, she paused at the sight before her. Gemma and Elsa were in the midst of their weekly vegetable stand-off.

“Just try it.” The elderly woman placed a hand on her hip.

“It’s green, it’ll taste yucky!” Gemma huffed.

“Green is not a flavor!” Elsa threw her hands up in exasperation.

The four-year-old snorted, sticking her tongue out in response.

“Try that again and it’ll be tongue soup tomorrow!”

Eyes wide with horror, the child threw her head back and wailed loudly. “Mommy!”

“Eat your lima beans, Gemma.” Alexandra chuckled as she entered the kitchen.

“No!” came the stubborn reply.

“Just like her father, this one!” The older woman shook her head.

“Where is her father?” Alexandra sat down beside her daughter.

“Oh, you know Lucius.” Elsa tilted the salt-shaker over her potatoes. “Probably double checking something at the office.”

“This late in the evening?” Alexandra furrowed her brow.

The phone rang suddenly, interrupting their conversation. Sliding her chair back, the younger woman crossed the room and plucked the cordless phone from its cradle. “Hello?”

“What are you wearing?”

Alexandra burst into a fit of giggles. “Where are you?”

“Old Town,” came the reply. “Not far from where we met.”

A tingle ran down her spine, followed by a slight hardening of her nipples. They used to stroll through the area on a semi-regular basis, just to reminisce about their first steamy encounter. But that had been ages ago, before Gemma was born. Nowadays, she counted herself lucky to get a full eight hours’ sleep, let alone spare time for a romantic walk with her husband.

“When will you be home?” She wandered out of the kitchen and into the formal dining room. “I was hoping we might get a head-start on our anniversary.” She could hardly believe it would be five years tomorrow.

“As a matter of fact, I’ve just paid for your gift.” He sounded mysterious.

Alexandra bit her lip in anticipation. “Go on …”

“Come see for yourself.”

“Now?” She eyed the clock on the wall. “It’s almost Gemma’s bedtime.”

“Elsa is more than capable of handling a sleeping four-year-old.” Lucius chuckled. “Meet me under Charles Bridge in an hour.”

“How shall I dress?” She was bursting with excitement.

“Sparingly.”