After several hours, the plane finally landed smoothly. Lance gently called to his sleeping wife beside him, "Honey, wake up!"
Deanna opened her eyes in confusion, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings with a puzzled expression. "Where are we?"
"I won't tell you yet. You'll know once we get off the plane."
Lance said as he helped her off the plane, and they walked hand in hand out of the airport. Outside, their driver's car was already waiting by the street.
Once in the car, Deanna couldn't help but ask again, "Where are we going next?"
"First, let's get you something to eat. You must be starving," Lance ordered the driver to start the car and head to the best nearby restaurant.
Deanna nodded; she was indeed hungry, having eaten little before their long flight.
At the restaurant, they were guided to a private room by a waiter. Shortly after ordering, the staff brought out exquisite dishes. Lance took care of Deanna as they dined in a warm and sweet atmosphere.
During their meal, Deanna's phone rang. It was a call from home. "Mommy, where did you and Daddy go?"
The voices of their two children came through the phone. Deanna felt a bit guilty and said, "Ahem, Mommy and Daddy went out for something important. We'll be back in a few days. Be good at home and listen to your grandparents, okay?"
"Hmph, I bet Mommy and Daddy went off to enjoy some alone time!" The children saw through Deanna's lie immediately.
Deanna looked helplessly at Lance for support. Lance took the phone and said, "Daddy and Mommy are on their honeymoon. We'll bring you gifts when we return." With that, he hung up the phone.
On the other end, the children stared at the disconnected call with chubby cheeks turning dark. "Bad Daddy," "So bad!" they exclaimed in unison.
Julia came over and noticed their unhappy faces. Concerned, she asked, "Gregory and Chloe, what's wrong? Who made you upset?"
"Godmother, Daddy took Mommy away and left us behind!" The children complained to Julia with teary eyes.
Julia was stunned. "Ran away?" She looked at their red eyes and felt a pang of sympathy. "How about I call your Mommy to ask?"
"Thank you, Godmother," the children quickly agreed, looking hopeful.
Julia felt like she was being manipulated but still took out her phone to call Deanna.
As soon as the call connected, she asked, "Deanna, Gregory and Chloe said you and Mr. Mercer left them behind. What's going on?"
"We didn't leave them behind. Lance just didn't want to bring them on our honeymoon. Don't worry; just leave them with their grandparents," Deanna awkwardly explained for Lance.
Julia was speechless. She thought, 'Is Lance afraid that their children will distract Deanna's attention on their honeymoon? That's why he doesn't bring them?'
After hanging up, she looked at the two kids and reluctantly told them the truth. "Your Mommy said I should take you to your grandparents."
"As expected, even Mommy has betrayed us!" The children lowered their heads in disappointment.
Julia found it amusing and tried to comfort them. "Don't blame your parents too much. After all, a wedding and honeymoon are rare events in life; they naturally hope not to be disturbed."
"But we're not just anyone; we're their love's fruit," Chloe corrected Julia's wording with her head held high.
Julia was at a loss for words again.
Meanwhile, Deanna put down her phone and sighed. "This time, Gregory and Chloe will probably be very upset."
"Let them be upset. We'll buy lots of gifts when we return and make it up to them," Lance said confidently, knowing their children's weaknesses.
Deanna had no words for that. Since Lance would be the one to appease them later, she felt relieved and asked about their next plans. "Where are we going after dinner?"
"We'll head to Provence," Lance smiled gently at her.
"Okay!" Deanna responded enthusiastically.
After finishing their meal, Lance drove Deanna towards Provence. Two hours later, they arrived at the outskirts of Provence.
"Wow, it's really beautiful!" Deanna exclaimed as she stood in a lavender field, taking a deep breath. "I never imagined Provence would look like this."
Lance walked up to her, wrapped his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "Do you like it?"
"Yes!" Deanna shyly nodded, her eyes filled with purple as she gazed at the sea of flowers.
They reluctantly left as evening approached. The couple rented a bed-and-breakfast in a nearby town.
The B&B had an elegant environment with simple yet comfortable decor.
In the evening, Deanna sat on a deck chair on the balcony, basking in the night air and looking at the lavender fields with a smile of happiness on her face.
Lance spent a long time in the kitchen before bringing out delicious food and gently waking his wife on the deck chair. "Honey, come taste the dinner I made."
Deanna perked up with interest and walked over with a smile. "This seems like the first time I've seen you cook since I met you."
"It's not the first time; I made porridge before," Lance emphasized.
Deanna paused for a moment. "Isn't porridge something anyone can make?"
She teased him playfully.
Lance knew she was deliberately poking fun at him and retorted, "Are you going to eat or not?"
"Of course I'll eat! How could I not eat my husband's lovingly prepared dinner?" Deanna quickly appeased him.
Under the warm yellow light, they laughed and played in the cozy B&B, chasing each other around in simple yet happy moments.
After dinner, they stood on the balcony admiring the night view outside, fingers intertwined.
"Honey," Deanna whispered.
"I'm here..."
Their soft murmurs added sweetness to the serene space.
Deanna looked up at Lance with bright eyes and said word by word, "We must be happy for a lifetime."