Vanderburg Squared: Chapter One Hundred

The Vanderburg twins had arrived on the gorgeous tropical island of Isla Paradiso for Anastasia's honeymoon. Ordinarily only the bride and groom go on these trips, but given the nature of the union and also Anastasia's relationship with her twin sister, she couldn't leave her out. Besides, Isla Paradiso would keep Alexandra plenty enough occupied without even interfering with the honeymoon.

Alexandra was all too happy to leave Hidden Springs, too, but for a very different reason. It had been two weeks since leaked photos appeared in a gossip magazine showing her dancing with an unidentified woman at Anastasia's bachelorette party, and no one at the palace seemed to be able to talk about anything else, even after she'd given a rousing address at Fort Starch Military Academy. She'd hoped that by the time she returned home, all of this would have blown over, and they'd find something else to occupy their time and energy.

Early on Sunday morning, mere hours after a gorgeous wedding ceremony in Hidden Springs' Vanderburg Palace royal chapel, the newly married couple arrived at their pre-chosen honeymoon destination, Isla Paradiso. Bright sun rays and warm tropical breezes greeted them as they arrived, in stark contrast to the crisp mountain air with which they'd grown up and to which they'd been accustomed.

Their limousine pulled up to the Sparkling Sands Resort Hotel and Spa, which, according to its website and brochure, was 'built on the best sand money could buy.' Its clientele included movie stars, the rich and the restless, and families. Hopefully Anastasia and Lucian could buy a little bit of privacy and r and r while on their honeymoon.

"Where is the clerk?" Lucian wondered.
"You'd think they'd have them lined up at the ready to check people in," summed Anastasia.

Two hours later, Frances Adams, wearing a suit, emerged from the back of the building. Frances had hazel eyes and red ribbons holding up two black braids. "May I help you?" she asked with a businesslike tone.

"Yes, we'd like to check in," replied Anastasia.
"And you are --"

Anastasia took a deep breath. She knew that if she checked in under her real name her mother would try to find her. It was her honeymoon, after all. So, after a frustrating two-hour wait, Anastasia checked herself and Lucian into Sparkling Sands in a luxury suite under the assumed names Annie and Luke Van Hollen.
"Annie and Luke Van Hollen it is," Frances repeated. "I've got you down for three nights, enjoy your stay here at Sparkling Sands."

Anastasia took the room key from Frances and walked to the back of the property to have a look around. The suite was small but luxurious and comfortable, and had excellent views of the ocean.

Meanwhile Lucian had whipped out his sketch pad and began drawing something --
"Hey," Anastasia whispered, looking down at her bridegroom's pad. "What are you drawing?"

"This sculpture they have in the hallway is -- interesting."
Anastasia laughed. "It looks like it wants to be an octopus."

Anastasia got into one of Sparkling Sands' many hot tubs and relaxed her cares away. Hopefully her mother wouldn't be able to track her down now.

While Anastasia and Lucian had checked themselves into a luxury resort for their honeymoon, Alexandra and Patrick opted for an adventure fitting their character. They rented a houseboat from one of the ports and set sail for parts yet unknown.
"Nice bag trick, Patrick," Alexandra mused while watching him balance the kicky bag off one foot.
"I learned it from you," he replied. "Hey, you still haven't answered my question."
"What question?"
"The question."
"Patrick, it's much too soon --"
"Is it? In my opinion it's getting pretty late in the game."