�That�s not an apology.�

�Okay, I�m sorry I didn�t clue you in sooner.�

�Unacceptable. That doesn�t cut it,� Diane stumbled, �uh...Matisse.�

�It�s the best you�re going to get from me, Diane,� he crossed his arms and stared her down. �You had better take it.�

�Still negotiating, still driving those hard bargains,� Diane sneered, �Right, Matisse?�

�Call me Paul,� he smiled. She couldn�t help it. The corners of her mouth turned up. She tried to hold them at bay with her hand, but he saw it. Matisse leaned in for a kiss. She turned her head away. Undaunted, he clambered over an exposed root structure of a badly leaning palm tree in order to face her. He danced around her as she spun away, laughing. Finally, he found her face with his hands. She was out of breath, trying desperately not to laugh.

Matisse looked into her eyes, studying her face for any further sign of resistance. Finding none, he leaned in and gently brushed her lips with his. He felt her pushing her face upward toward his, hungrily seeking his mouth. They kissed as passionately as they could, both careful not to press their bodies together, afraid to disturb their sleeping infant. Diane pulled away suddenly and saw the disappointment cloud his eyes again.

�Your letter said �children.� Just how many sons did you promise them?�

�Are you already up for practicing for the next one?� Paul wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. Diane groaned for show, but she couldn�t get enough of that wicked sparkle in his eyes.

�Let�s try it my way this time,� Diane nodded and smiled up at him.

�Come, watch the sky with me,� he said, taking Diane�s hand and leading her onto the beach. The approaching sunset was creating an explosion of color on the infinite canvas above them. Matisse rolled out the mat, and the family sat down together to appreciate one of God�s greatest works. �There�s nothing like live theatre,� Matisse sighed up at the once-in-a-lifetime light show above them. He turned and watched the colors reflected off Diane�s pale skin. He brushed her auburn curls back over his shoulder and watched her look lovingly at her baby�s face as he was feeding.

�Who�s got it better than me?� he sighed, smiling.