She didn't know what had come over her, but she was feeling in a particularly giddy and playful mood. Maybe it was the champagne, or maybe it was the fact that she was deliriously happy. Either way, she liked it. And apparently, so did Phoenix.

After finishing the last of her drink, she set the glass down and smiled at him. "Well, I wouldn't mind the grand tour. I'm sure I haven't seen every room in your house yet. And well, if I'm gonna be living here soon, I better get myself acquainted with it."

Phoenix smiled, and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Good point."

He led her down the hallway, showing her each room in turn. He hadn't been exaggerating; he truly did have a rather large house. By the time they returned to the living room (about an hour later-wink-wink) the sun had set and the beach was now empty.

In a flash of impulsiveness, Mari grabbed Phoenix's hand and led him to the glass doors leading outside. They stepped out onto the deck and down the stairs to the sand below. Close to the water's edge, someone had set up a little sand pit with some half-burned logs. Phoenix spotted it, and motioned to it. "Feel like a little beach bonfire?"

Mari smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah, that sounds lovely."

They hunted around a bit for some dry twigs to use as kindling, and Mari even stumbled across a half-full book of matches. Phoenix soon had a decent-sized fire going, and the two of them cuddled up in front of it. The moon was just beginning to rise, casting a soft glow on the sand and making the dark blue waters of the Pacific sparkle like diamonds. Mari sighed contentedly and snuggled up closer to Phoenix's chest. "Absolutely perfect."

"Just like you," he commented, placing a kiss on her forehead and lacing his fingers with hers. They sat in a comfortable silence, just enjoying the atmosphere around them and each other's company. After a while, Mari's playfulness returned, and she turned her head up and started kissing him along his jawline. He was stunned for a moment, glancing down at her. She just smiled somewhat innocently, though there was a bit of a mischevious glint in her warm brown eyes...