Olivia was fast asleep on the couch in Ethan's office, wrapped up in a blanket with the warm afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows. Her peaceful expression made Ethan smile as he sat at his desk, finishing up some paperwork.
Alex walked in quietly, holding a box of freshly baked croissants. He raised an eyebrow at Olivia, still sound asleep, and glanced over at Ethan. "She's out cold, huh?" he whispered.
Ethan chuckled softly, putting a finger to his lips. "She's not used to napping during the day, so she's going to be wide awake later tonight."
Alex set the box of croissants down on the table and sat beside Ethan, pulling out the files they needed to review. They worked quietly for a while, the occasional rustling of papers the only sound in the room. Ethan was focused but occasionally glanced at Olivia, making sure she was comfortable.
After a couple of hours, Olivia stirred, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. She stretched her arms, feeling groggy from the unexpected nap. She stood and wandered into Ethan's office, confused by how long she had slept. Her eyes landed on Ethan and Alex, who were wrapping up their work.
"Did I really sleep for that long?" Olivia asked, her voice still groggy. "How much work do you guys have?"
Ethan looked up and smiled. "Just finishing up. Don't worry, nothing piled up—just the usual."
Before Olivia could respond, the smell of freshly baked croissants filled the room, making her stomach growl. She spotted the box on the table and without a second thought, grabbed one. She took a big bite, and a soft moan of satisfaction escaped her as the buttery flavor filled her mouth.
It wasn't until she opened her eyes that she realized both Ethan and Alex were holding up their phones, recording her indulgence. Olivia froze, her cheeks puffed with croissant, as Ethan grinned from ear to ear.
"You look like the cutest little panda with your puffed cheeks, babe," Ethan teased, laughing.
Olivia's face turned bright red. Embarrassed, she quickly tried to hide behind the curtains, her voice muffled as she chewed. "Ethan, stop recording!"
Ethan's laughter echoed through the room as he approached her, phone still in hand. Alex, sensing it was the right moment to excuse himself, quickly grabbed his things and darted out of the room, not wanting to get caught in the playful banter.
Ethan pulled back the curtain to find Olivia still hiding her face, her cheeks still full of croissant. He leaned in and kissed her cream-filled lips with a chuckle. "You're adorable," he whispered, watching as she hurriedly chewed and swallowed the rest of the croissant in one big gulp.
"I couldn't resist, Ethan," Olivia said sheepishly, "but seriously, delete the video."
Ethan shook his head with a mischievous grin. "No way. This is going into the vault so one day I can show it to our kids on Christmas family night."
Olivia's eyes widened in horror. "No! Ethan, give me your phone!" She lunged for it, but he dodged her effortlessly, laughing as she made several failed attempts to snatch it from his hands.
As the playful chase continued, the clock ticked closer to evening. Eventually, Ethan scooped her up in his arms with ease, carrying her out of the office despite her protests.
They walked to the car, and Olivia noticed Ethan was driving in the opposite direction of their home. Confused, she looked over at him. "Where are we going?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ethan smiled, kissed her hand, and simply said, "You'll see."
After nearly two hours of driving, they pulled up to a breathtaking beach resort, surrounded by swaying palm trees and lanterns lighting the path. The soft sound of waves crashing against the shore was accompanied by live music playing in the background. Olivia's eyes widened in awe as she looked around.
Ethan parked the car, stepped out, and opened her door with a charming smile, extending his hand to her like a prince. "My lady," he said with a bow.
Olivia blinked, still trying to process everything. "Ethan, what's going on?" she asked, completely confused.
Ethan didn't answer right away. He simply smiled as they walked hand-in-hand toward the resort entrance, greeted by staff and musicians who played a soft, romantic tune. The path was lined with lanterns that flickered gently in the evening breeze, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
When they finally reached their room—a luxurious suite with an ocean view—Ethan pulled her close, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"It's our honeymoon, Liv," he whispered, his voice full of love.
Olivia's jaw dropped, panic setting in. "Honeymoon?! Ethan, why didn't you tell me earlier? There's so much left to do for tomorrow!"
Her mind raced as she thought of all the responsibilities waiting for them, but Ethan was completely calm. He smiled at her gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I've taken care of everything," he reassured her. "I've already handled things at both Pierce Enterprises and Carter Couture. And I've asked Emma to oversee anything that comes up. We're only a couple of hours away, so if anything goes wrong, we can get back quickly. But right now, Liv, I just want to be here with you."
Olivia looked into his eyes, still feeling overwhelmed, but Ethan's calm confidence began to soothe her nerves. He held her close, his arms wrapped protectively around her as she leaned against him, letting out a deep breath.
"Ethan," she whispered, "you're impossible. But thank you."
He chuckled softly, his lips brushing against her forehead. "That's what I'm here for, Liv—to be impossible and make sure you have the best surprise honeymoon ever."
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the horizon, Olivia realized that despite all the chaos and the surprises, there was no place she'd rather be. With Ethan by her side, everything felt just right.