"Julia Ada, cut it out." I turned towards the backseat to face her. She was getting out of hand with her little tantrum.

We were on our way to see the horses so Ju could learn about them and hopefully ride. This was day two. We lounged yesterday, roasted marshmallows, and played a few board games.

She's been a little whiny all morning since we left the cabin.

"I wanted to wear my other pants. I hate these jeans. They look ugly." She frowned up her face and had the nerve to have tears in her eyes. "They're old people jeans. The pockets are gigantic."

"We're going to the stables to learn about horses and help out. This is not one of your little photo shoots." I turned back around, facing the front. Zo was driving us, Ju was in the back.

"Don't see the difference in wearing these verses my jeans I picked." She mumbled before turning to face the window. I pretended as if I didn't hear it. Knowing she would have a fit if one of her favorite pair of jeans got messed up.

I chose to wear all black, Zo chose a blue jean button-up and pairing jeans. Ju wanted to match him, of course, but she wanted to wear her favorite jeans to go with her button-up. I wasn't having it so that she could cry later about ruining them.

The closer we were to the place, the more excited I became. I didn't care about whose pouting about what or why. I'm on vacation.

I think the last time I was on a horse was when we took that trip to Phuket for the first time.

"Why are you cheesing so much?" Zo chuckled while taking glances at me.

"I'm just happy. I'm glad we chose this trip over anything else. It's very relaxing." I stretched out in my seat as we were pulling in to the parking area.

"I love the braids, baby." He ran his fingers through them, shaking them up. Char was able to squeeze me in for some quick braids. Something simple to keep me from having to do it myself while I'm here.

"Thank you."

We found a parking spot near the front. We could already see the horses.

"Oooouuu, I want to ride that black one. It's shiny." Julia peeked her head out the window, pointing. "It's so pretty."

"It is beautiful. —I want to get on that one right there with the white stripe going down its face. The tan-colored one." I gleamed, looking out the passenger window. "She looks so calm and steady."

"Watch me be the one to bust my ass." Zo chuckled unbuttoning his seat belt. "I like that brown one with the black mane, tail, and feet."

"Ouuu, that one is beautiful. But yeah, you might bust your butt. She's a little feisty. Probably won't be able to ride her with her bucking like that." I unfastened my belt and told Julia to do the same.

Arriving at the entrance, the crew greeted us and showed us the way to get the day started. They knew who we were, and they mentioned they were huge fans and thanked Zo for all he's done for the state of Califonia. "It's an honor to meet you and your family. Your journey together is truly inspiring."

"Thank you. And you have a beautiful ranch. The accommodation has been amazing so far. We're excited about today." Zo shook the man's hand.

"Well, wait no more. Let's get on with it."

The sun was shining, and we even had a gentle breeze to keep us cool. The only sounds heard were small conversations amongst the staff and nature.

Zo bent down to sit Ju on his shoulders so she could see everything. The first up was a tour of the ranch.

"Ok, before we head inside, we need to make sure all phones are on silent, and we don't want to get too rowdy around the horses. You will get dirty today, so please be sure to leave anything of true value either in your vehicle or not pass this line." Our guide went down the list of requirements. He was a little on the older side, but his spirit wasn't. I could already tell we would have to keep up with him. With his overalls, and speckled grey hair flowing underneath a huge cowboy hat.

We silenced our phones and were all ready to explore.

****

Julia and Zo had just finished riding. It was my turn. From grooming to saddling the horses, we all felt like little pros for the day. Participating helped with Julia's nerves on getting on the horse. She had spent most of the day maintaining her favorite black horse. The one she was able to ride.

Zo, on the other hand, acted like he was a professionally trained equestrian. Thinking he knew everything. But was scared when the horse sped up.

He didn't ride the brown horse with the black mane and tail. She has that strong-spirited personality of a domestic horse. He decided on the horse I was about to ride.

"Aight pretty lady, your turn." Zo tapped me on my butt. He had Ju in his arms; she was getting tired.

I placed some of my braids on the top in a little ponytail out of my way. Then I made my way over to where Tilly, my chosen horse was. She came to me easily and stood in front.

Zo took his phone and snapped a few pictures.

"I'm in love, Zo. Let's sell our home and live on a farm." I pout in a child-like way. Man, this kind of love melts my heart. I don't want to leave this place.

"We don't know the first thing about farm living." He tucked his phone back in his pocket.

"We could learn. After you retire from the NBA, we could do this babe. I'll have my own practice. We could have our farm to raise animals on acres of open land." I looked him over, grinning.

"You and all that damn smiling." He shook his head, chuckling.

The crew helped me get on Tilly. She was steady as possible while I situated myself.

Being on her almost felt like being on top of the world. Placing my trust in her and keeping my control at the same time.

"That's it, Di," Zo smiles, walking beside me. "You sure you want a farm?"

" I think it would be good to raise our kids in this environment. Why not?" I smoothed my hands over Tilly's mane.

She's a beauty.

"Hmph." He gazed around at all the open space, taking it in.

Just wait, I'll wear him down.

Riding Tilly was the most thrill I had in a while. Well, aside from my husband lately.

"Baby girls knocked out. I have a little surprise for you. Since it's Valentine's Day. We can leave her with Rose for the night. Zo strapped Ju in her booster seat. The day was whining down, and we were all ready to go back to the cabin.

"Ok."

We usually spend Valentines at the All-star games and celebrate there with the family. He knows I'm not big on this holiday, so I'm curious to see what he has in mind.

"Give me kisses." He leaned in over the center console. We were all buckled in.

I met him halfway. "I love you," is what I whispered to him before meeting his lips. He placed his hands on the sides of my face.

He surveyed my face looking me over. "Don't ever let others get to you like that again. When I met, you were never into all that girlie stuff. I don't ever want you to change who you are because of someone else. Or doubt how special you are."

His lips landed on mine again. I nodded through kisses. "Deal. However, I do have my dress for the Hall of Fame Ceremony already."

"Oh yeah?" He lightly pecked me then tugged my bottom lip. "What else you got?" His hands moved down to my torso.

"Mmm," I tapped my chin with my index, thinking. "I have that charity event for the hospital. Jade has a dress for me for that."

"Oouuu, I can't wait to take it off of you." His hands slid further down, cupping my butt. I tilted my head a little so he could access my neck. He began making light kisses along my jaw, working his way down. I giggled, glancing in the backseat at Ju squirming.

"Alright, let's go big head." I jerked back from his tickles on my neck, laughing. He made a growl, trying to bite me. I cackled, pushing him, "you're so weird."

He adjusted his jeans before sitting back.

We made it back to the cabin and dropped Julia off to Rose at the hotel down the street.

The shower was calling our names. We raced to it. I won, so I had the master bath. He used the one down the hall.

Zo finished first and snuck outside to do whatever he was planning. I snuggled on the couch, watching tv waiting for him.

We stopped at a McDonalds on the way, so we were full.

"Aight, I think I'm ready," Zo announced as he came back inside.

"Nothing too fancy, babe. You know I don't like that." I stood up.

"I got this. Bring that blanket. It's chilly." He turned off all the lights and tv. I followed behind him out the door.

"Aww, I love it." I squealed as we walked hand in hand towards the tent. "And you know I'm obsessed with pillows."

"I put it up all by myself, including the lights in the tree." He gleamed at his finished product. "There's your chocolate, your wine, and I even wrote out a little game in that envelope."

I was proud of my husband. He knows how much simplicity meant to me. And to our relationship.

"I think we have everything except wine glasses." I looked around for them.

"Be right back, " Zo helped me inside the tent with my blanket wrapped around me.

He ran back toward the cabin.

I glanced down at the envelope curiously. Wondering what kind of game Zo had in mind.

I laid back, deciding against opening it.

The crickets were chirping, the frogs were croaking, and the birds were tweeting. I was in heaven, well close to it.

"Glasses," Zo ran back, holding them up. He placed them by the bottle and laid beside me.

I covered both of us in the blanket and leaned my head on his chest. We gazed at the stars in silence for a little. Something I missed about us. Stillness.

I remember Zo used to come to my condo to escape the chaos. We used to meditate. I had all of my oils and stones everywhere.

My thoughts wandered further.

"I want another baby." The words manage to escape my mouth.

He turned me to face him. "For real?"

"Yes. I know our lives are crazy, but I want to enjoy it. I don't want Julia too old before we decide to expand. What do you think?"

"I want that too, but we're just getting back to us. I don't want you forgetting about taking care of you. If you can promise me the workload won't be the same as before, then we can consider it." He wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my tummy.

"Three years is a long wait for more kids. I don't want to wait for the end of my residency. I feel like something will always be in the way. I don't want to be old having babies." I placed my hand on top of his.

"You're only twenty-nine. But I see what you're saying. We need to get them out the way so they can be out of the house before we fully retire."

"Exactly." I peeked at the small envelope.

He reached in and picked it up. "You need a few glasses in you before I open this."

"This game better not be one-sided. I know that." I grabbed the bottle of Rosé and sat up.

He chuckled, grabbing the glasses, and sat up as well. I opened the bottle and poured.

"Cheers to more babies," he raised his glass, and I follow suit. "Cheers."

We took big gulps so we could get hit with the effects quicker. Drinking glass after glass until there was no more.

"Now, let's play." He opened the envelope pulling out a folded piece of paper. "It's different things I came up with randomly."

I was all giggly. "Sure."

"First thing on the list." He examined it, making a clicking sound with his mouth. "And you have to answer. If it's a challenge, you have to agree to it. Also, if it's a question and you get it wrong, then the consequences for all of this is stripping."

"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever." I motioned my hands in a way to tell speed it up.

"First one's easy. What're my average points per game?"

"That's easy, twenty-three point six, and this isn't fair. How come I don't get to ask you anything?" I folded my arms.

"That's because I don't know any of that doctor shit. Besides, this is my Valentine's gift. Well, ours." He laughed.

He asked the next question. "Where was Julia's first debut game and during what part of the season?"

"Another easy one. The finals at home in Los Angeles, the Staple Center."

He searched the list for the next one. "Those were warm-ups. Name something that gets you nervous every time. Specifically during sex."

"Oral." I rushed to say. Both of us knew that, but I've gotten better over the years. "Giving, not receiving."

"Why?"

"Is that on the sheet?" I leaned over to take a peek.

He held it back. "No, but answer it."

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "I don't think I'm good at it. Probably average at best."

"You want to know what I think?" He waited to see, I nodded. "You're much better than when you started. I love it when you're staring at me while you're doing it. That's sexy. —But just like how we are when we get lost in it, you have to stay that way then too. —Do you like it?"

I nodded while connecting our eyes and I slowly replied. "Mmm-hmm."

He laughed, then cleared his throat, focusing on the next question. "This one's a true or false. Have You faked an orgasm?"

"True, but not with you. You took the time to get to know my body. When I was with Nels—" I tried to finish, but he cut me off.

"Please don't explain that. I especially don't care to hear about your past sexual experiences. Never have."

"That's fair." I nodded as I watched him search for the next question.

"If I can name something that would freak you out more than when you give me oral, would you do it? Right now?" He squinted his eyes then smirks.

I sucked my teeth at him. I knew this game would be something crazy.

"I think I'll strip for this question." I stood, taking my slippers off my feet. He laid back, cackling loud. I took my seat on the blanket. "Why do I feel like that was a trick, and you're going to ask me that again?"

He searched the sheet with his devilish grin. "Same question."

"This isn't fair." I stood again, pulling down my pajama pants then plopped back on the blanket.

"My game, my rules. Now same question." He smirked, sitting back, watching me.

"I'm going to the All-Star game next year. I'm not doing this again." I pulled my shirt over my head.

He laughed while holding the sheet up to his mouth, covering it. "Same question."

"Let me see the sheet. If you didn't write it, then I'm not doing it." I folded my arms.

He placed his hands over the other questions so he could show me. They were on the sheet. He already knew I would refuse.

"Same question."

"Ugh, " I unhooked my black lace bra and took it off. I was down to one more item. "Thank you, bottle of Rosé. I couldn't have done this without you." I raised the empty bottle. He laughed again.

"Ok, this is the last time before the final question. And you have to agree to my last question because you won't have any more clothes. Now same question." He leaned and kissed both of my nipples.

I stood one last time to rid myself of the last article of clothing. My black lace panties. I'm not going to lie I was immensely turned on by all of this. Us outdoors, slightly inebriated and alone.

He set the paper down and eyed my bare skin. Thank goodness I got rid of all my unwanted hair.

I smiled, seeing how mesmerized he was with my body. "Can I read the next question?

"Sure." He handed it to me, then started taking off his clothes. Stripping down to his bare nothingness.

Well, this escalated quickly.

I waited to read the paper until he finished taking everything off. I got distracted.

To hell with this game. I wanted him.

He laughed, looking down at himself. "Read the question, and remember you have to do it."

"Ok," I knew it had to do with something sex-related. I was ready to get this show on the road. I'm down for whatever he had for us, at this point.

I stared down at the paper looking at the bottom of the page and read, "This one's a dare. With clothes off, both you and your spouse will masturbate in front of each other until you cum. Who can hold out the longest?"

My mouth dropped to the floor. Say what now?

He sat down on the blanket and grabbed his pants pocket, taking out a small red bottle of oil. He unscrewed the top and peeled the seal off then squirted a significant amount in his hands.

"Was this what you were going to ask me initially with that other question?" I scanned the paper again, finding the question. "I knew it was a trick question."

He chuckled as his eyes hung low as he leaned back, massaging the oil on his friend below. Making sure it was fully coated. "Come on."