The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the loft as Bunny stirred in bed. Her eyes fluttered open, and instantly met with a wave of excitement—it was her birthday. The air was warm with the familiar scent of coffee brewing, and she could hear Wolfe moving quietly somewhere in the loft, always the early riser.
Bunny stretched lazily under the sheets, her body still relaxed from the night before. She smiled to herself, wondering what Wolfe had planned. He wasn't one for grand gestures, but when he did have something in mind, it was always perfect in its own way—precisely tailored, never over-the-top. This birthday, however, felt different. There had been an undercurrent of anticipation for days, a sense that something special was coming.
As if on cue, Wolfe's figure appeared at the doorway, his silhouette backlit by the soft glow of the kitchen light. He leaned against the doorframe, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, watching her with those sharp, calculating eyes that always seemed to know more than he let on.
"Morning," he said, his voice low, warm. "Happy birthday."
Bunny sat up, her smile widening as she tucked her legs beneath her. "Thank you," she replied, her eyes narrowing slightly in playful suspicion. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to make me guess, or do I get to know?"
Wolfe crossed the room with slow, deliberate steps, sitting down on the edge of the bed. His hand found hers, fingers grazing her knuckles in a way that sent a familiar thrill up her spine. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, voice carrying the weight of unspoken promises. "But I need you to pack a bag. We're leaving in an hour."
Her eyebrows raised, curiosity piqued. "Leaving? Where are we going?"
"That's part of the surprise," he said simply, rising to his feet again, clearly enjoying her growing curiosity. "Pack light. A swimsuit, maybe something comfortable for the evening."
Bunny bit her lip, trying to piece together the puzzle, but Wolfe was always good at keeping her guessing. She threw the covers off, eager to get ready, but as she did, Wolfe's hand reached out, gently catching her wrist. She turned, her breath catching at the intensity of his gaze, the way his fingers lingered just a moment too long.
"And Bunny?" he added, his voice dropping slightly, a familiar tone that sent heat rushing through her. "Trust me. You'll like what I have planned."
An hour later, they were on the road, Wolfe behind the wheel, Bunny comfortably nestled in the passenger seat with her bag tucked in the back. The car hummed steadily along the highway, with the landscape gradually shifting from the concrete sprawl of the city to the open stretches of the coast. Wolfe had the windows slightly cracked, letting the crisp, salty breeze filter in.
Bunny turned her head to the side, her curiosity bubbling over. "You're still not going to tell me where we're headed?"
Wolfe gave her a sidelong glance, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Patience, Bunny. I promise you'll love it."
She crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat, trying to feign a pout but failing miserably. "You love keeping me in suspense, don't you?"
Wolfe chuckled, the sound low and warm, vibrating through the car. "You wouldn't want it any other way."
She let out a soft laugh, knowing he was right. Part of what she loved most about Wolfe was his ability to maintain a balance of control and surprise, always leaving her wondering what would come next. It was the little things, like this drive, that kept their relationship dynamic.
They fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words. The sun was beginning to climb higher, and Bunny shifted to open the window a bit more, enjoying the way the wind whipped through her hair. She glanced at Wolfe, admiring his quiet concentration as he navigated the road. It was one of those moments where she felt acutely aware of just how in sync they were. Without needing to speak, there was an understanding between them—a mutual trust that had only deepened over time.
"What's this song?" Bunny asked, breaking the silence as a soft acoustic melody floated through the speakers.
Wolfe's lips curved slightly as if anticipating the question. "One of your favourites."
She tilted her head, listening closer, and then recognition dawned. It was a song they had listened to on one of their earliest trips together. Her heart swelled at the thought that he had remembered. Wolfe always paid attention to the little things.
For a while, they reminisced about old road trips, shared memories of their adventures, and laughed about moments they'd almost forgotten. Bunny felt herself relax completely into the flow of the drive, a lightness settling over her as the miles stretched ahead of them. The combination of Wolfe's presence, the music, and the scenery made the world outside seem far away, as if nothing else mattered but this weekend they were about to embark on.
As the road began to curve closer to the coast, Bunny could feel the air changing, the unmistakable scent of the ocean growing stronger. She shifted excitedly in her seat, trying to get a glimpse of what was ahead. Wolfe had said it was a surprise, but now she could make an educated guess.
"We're going to the beach, aren't we?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Wolfe didn't respond right away, but the slight twitch in his jaw told her everything she needed to know. A grin spread across her face as she realised her guess was correct.
"I knew it," she said triumphantly. "But I still don't know where exactly."
"You'll see soon enough," Wolfe replied, his voice teasing, but there was a warmth in it that made Bunny's heart skip a beat.
The road began to wind through small coastal towns, their streets lined with quaint shops and cafes. Bunny leaned closer to the window, watching the sea glistening in the distance, her excitement growing with each passing mile.
The car wound down a narrow, tree-lined road before emerging into an open stretch where a secluded beach house came into view. Bunny's eyes widened as they approached the house, its pale wood siding blending with the sandy dunes that framed it on either side. The ocean stretched out just beyond, waves crashing softly in the distance.
Wolfe pulled up to the house and parked. Before she could say anything, he was already out of the car, moving with that same calm, deliberate energy that Bunny had come to expect. He opened her door for her, and she stepped out, still taking in the view.
"Wolfe, this is incredible," she said, turning to him with genuine excitement. "You really didn't need to do all this."
He shrugged casually, though there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's your birthday. You deserve a proper getaway."
As they carried their bags inside, Bunny marvelled at how perfect the beach house was. It was simple but elegant, with large windows that framed the ocean like a painting. The interior was all soft whites and warm woods, creating a cosy atmosphere that instantly made her feel at home.
Wolfe set their bags down and motioned toward the open deck at the back of the house. "Why don't we take a walk? The beach is just waiting for us."
The sand felt cool beneath Bunny's bare feet as they walked side by side along the shoreline. The sun was beginning its descent, casting golden light over the waves. She stole glances at Wolfe as they walked, appreciating the peaceful silence that hung between them. There was something comforting in these quieter moments, a sense that they didn't always need to fill the air with conversation to enjoy each other's company.
Wolfe finally broke the silence, his voice thoughtful. "We've been to a lot of places, haven't we?"
Bunny smiled, nodding. "We have. It's one of my favourite things about us—there's always a new adventure."
He glanced at her, his eyes steady but warm. "Do you ever wonder what's next? What else is out there for us to see?"
"All the time," she replied, the ocean breeze tugging at her hair. "But I don't need to know right away. As long as we're doing it together, I'm happy to see where we end up."
Wolfe's lips curved into a rare smile, and Bunny felt a flutter in her chest. There was something about seeing that side of him—the part of him that didn't need to be in control or calculating—that made her feel closer to him. It was in these moments, away from the bustle of their lives, that she felt like they could truly connect.
They walked for a while longer, their conversation shifting from memories of past trips to dreams of future ones. Wolfe mentioned a few places he'd been considering—mountains in Switzerland, the markets of Marrakech, and the temples of Kyoto. Bunny's eyes lit up with each mention, her excitement bubbling over as she imagined all the adventures they still had ahead of them.
By the time they returned to the beach house, the sky was streaked with shades of pink and orange, and the sound of the waves had grown softer in the twilight. Inside, Wolfe had arranged a simple dinner—a fresh salad, bread, and seafood he'd picked up on their way to the beach.
Bunny sat at the table, watching as he moved about the kitchen. "I didn't know you could cook," she teased, raising an eyebrow as he expertly sliced through a lemon.
"There's a lot you don't know about me," Wolfe replied with a smirk. "But I like keeping you on your toes."
They shared the meal together, their conversation easy and full of laughter. There was no need for any grand declarations or promises—they simply enjoyed being in each other's presence, the way they always did when it was just the two of them.
After dinner, they moved to the deck, where Wolfe had set up a fire pit. The flames crackled softly, casting a warm glow over them as they sat close, listening to the sounds of the night. Bunny leaned her head against Wolfe's shoulder, her body relaxed and content.
"Thank you," she whispered. "This is perfect."
Wolfe's arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
The next day was a blur of sun, sand, and shared moments. They spent the morning kayaking along the shoreline, Wolfe pointing out little coves and hidden spots as they paddled through the calm waters. Bunny laughed as the waves splashed against the boat, her playful energy contrasting with Wolfe's calm focus.
In the afternoon, they explored the nearby town, wandering through little shops and sampling local food. Bunny found a handmade bracelet she loved, and Wolfe quietly bought it for her while she wasn't looking, slipping it into her bag as a surprise.
As the sun began to set once more, they returned to the beach house, tired but happy. Wolfe suggested they watch the stars, and they lay out on the sand, side by side, the sky above them a canvas of twinkling lights. Bunny's hand found his, their fingers entwining as they lay in comfortable silence.
"I think this is my favourite birthday ever," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Wolfe turned his head to look at her, his eyes soft in the dim light. "Good. But I'm already thinking about where we'll go next."
Bunny laughed lightly, squeezing his hand. "Of course you are."
The weekend had been everything she could have hoped for—adventure, connection, and moments that reminded her why she loved travelling the world with Wolfe. No matter where they went next, she knew they would continue to find new ways to grow together, to explore not just the world but each other.
And that was the best part of all.