Judith Eastman's beach house, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

about 8 PM

It was the kind of pleasantly warm summer evening that Carl always liked. A gentle ocean breeze blew in, and the waves gently crashed against the sand as the sun slowly set.

The onetime athlete - though he didn't look the part - came out of the water and found his wife on the shore.

"The water's starting to get chilly," he let her know.

His mother was at the house, set to head back with some cocktails. Just past his 10th anniversary with Ry, Carl was still trying to balance her relationship with Judy.

Ryannon Sage opened her eyes and smiled at her husband. It was the sort of smile she reserved for those closest to her, a smile that radiated pure love. She had begun to doze while Carl had splashed about, the warmth of the night mixed with the sounds and scents of the ocean were the perfect combination to lull her into a state of semiconscious bliss.

She raised herself into a sitting position from where she lay on a towel atop the sand and laughed happily. They'd been together for over a decade now and their love had only grown. "Help me up," she said, lifting her hand to grasp his. Like a key to its lock their hands fit together and when she was standing, she let her fingers intertwine with his and led him back to the shoreline.

The waves lapped against her feet, the cool water flowing across the tops of her brightly painted toes. "You're right, it is getting cool," She said with a wistful sigh. She hadn't been doubting Carl's words, she was just the type of person who liked to see things for themselves.

"I hoped this place could remain perfect forever," She continued, leaning over to kiss the man of her dreams on the cheek.

The Eastman vacation home was very nearly that - perfect. Dropping water temperatures aside, the only flaw Ryannon could find with the place was with their hostess. In the ten years that she and Carl had been together, her relationship with his mother had not gotten any easier. "Did your mother say how long she'd be?" She didn't particularly wish to see her mother-in-law, but Judy was the one with the alcohol.

Carl took Ry's hand in his and gave her a pull. Sometimes he thought she just wanted his touch - she was nimble and took great care of herself - but then he cherished her just as much.

He followed dutifully back to the water, standing right beside her as she dipped her toes. She looked so stunning against the setting sun, the gentle breeze flowing through her ginger hair.

"There are days you just need a time turner for, to live them twice."

Everything seemed to have gone right so far - the weather, their moods, the quiet she had from her work, and the way his mother entertained the kids.

But soon enough, his mother would make her return.

"If we're lucky, Rosemary asked for a bedtime story."

His bathing suit - swim trunks with a dinosaur print - had been the six-year-old's choice. Especially during the off-season, he did his best to be the best father he could be, both in terms of fun and of discipline.