[EX] Chapter - 5 (Valentine's Day with Invisible Woman!) [Part 1]

"Phew, done at last," I whisper with a smile, wiping the nonexistent sweat from my forehead. "How's it looking, D.A.I.S.Y.?" I ask quietly, smirking as I glance around the room.

"Do you want me to be honest, Luke?" A soft voice whispers from the phone in my pocket.

"It can't be that bad. I really did my best," I reply with a wry smile, feeling a little self-conscious.

"The decorations are well-arranged… and Luke, it's the thought that counts. I'm sure Susan would think the same," D.A.I.S.Y. says in an encouraging tone.

"Yeah, I hope so," I murmur, my eyes drifting to the bed where a beautiful blonde woman sleeps peacefully.

Susan's golden hair cascades across the pillows, the blanket covering half her body, teasing the curves beneath. A few loose strands rest near her collarbone, brushing against the tantalizing dip of her cleavage.

Even just watching her sleep, bathed in the soft morning sunlight, takes my breath away. She's so effortlessly beautiful.

I smile, feeling a sense of peace just looking at her. Silently, I sit on the bed, careful not to wake her.

"She looks exhausted. Did she come home late last night?" I ask, knowing she's usually a light sleeper. The fact that my movements haven’t disturbed her means she must be drained.

"Susan had multiple interviews, public appearances, and even meetings with government officials. She only returned to the Baxter Building quite late," D.A.I.S.Y. explains in a hushed tone. "Ever since the Doom fight three days ago, she has been constantly busy."

I sigh, already aware of how much pressure she’s under. The media hasn’t stopped talking about the Fantastic Four, and Susan, ever the professional, never complains about how tiring it all is. She updates me over texts, but she never mentions the stress.

Seeing her sleep so soundly, I almost don’t want to wake her… but I have to.

"Sue… wake up," I whisper, gently nudging her smooth, fair arm.

"Mmm…" She stirs slightly, her blue eyes fluttering open for a second before she sleepily shuts them again, turning away from me.

I chuckle at her adorable antics. Normally, she is the one waking me up, so this is a refreshing change of pace.

Leaning closer, I hover just above her face, smiling. "Will you wake up for me, my beautiful princess?"

"Mmm… let the princess shleep…" she mumbles, her voice muffled as she buries her face into the pillow.

I stifle a laugh. "At least open your eyes. I have a surprise for you."

"Five more minutesss," she mutters, squeezing her eyes shut.

I almost give in, but I know exactly how to wake her up.

"So… do you want me to eat all these croissants alone?"

Her lips part slightly as she stirs. "Croissants…?" she mumbles, her head slowly turning towards me. She attempts to open her eyes. "You brought me croissants?" she asks with a hopeful smile.

"No, I made them," I say with a grin. I press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Happy Valentine's Day, sleepyhead." Then I kiss the tip of her cute nose. "And… Happy 5th Anniversary, baby."

"Mmm…" Her blue eyes blink open fully now, gazing at me with warmth. A slow, sleepy smile spreads across her lips. "Happy Valentine's Day… and Happy 5th Anniversary to you too, love," she whispers, her voice filled with affection.

She looks so radiant in the morning light that I can’t resist—I lean in and capture her rosy pink lips in a soft kiss.

"You look absolutely adorable right now," I murmur against her lips.

She pulls back, rolling those beautiful blue eyes at me. "I haven’t even brushed yet."

"Like that has ever stopped us before," I tease with a wink, settling back beside her.

Susan laughs before her eyes widen, finally noticing the room. "Wait… what’s all this?" She sits up, looking around in delight. "Sunflowers? Heart balloons? Roses?" She turns to me with an expression of surprise and joy. "Luke… did you decorate the room for me?"

I smile, knowing how much she loves sunflowers. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? I—I love it!" she exclaims, throwing her arms around me. Her soft body presses against mine as she kisses my cheek with a bright, happy smile. "This is so romantic, dear!"

I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. "Anything for you, my love."

"But this is such a surprise! When did you do all of this?" Susan asks, looking around with a delighted smile. "And where was this romantic boyfriend of mine hiding all these years?" She smirks playfully.

"I just figured I would do something special for my lovely girlfriend on our fifth anniversary," I reply with a smile.

"Well, this is a really lovely surprise, darling." Susan picks up a sunflower and breathes in its scent happily. "I am glad my boyfriend has finally learned to be romantic," she teases, giving me a wink.

"...I do romantic stuff for you quite often, though," I mumble sheepishly.

Susan rolls her eyes. "I am the one who has had to drag you out on Valentine's Day all these years, so don't lie to me," she says with a grin.

"Well, this Valentine's will be different. I have got the whole day planned already," I say with a smirk.

"My baby is growing up," she coos, cupping my face and planting a soft kiss on my cheek. Then, her eyes narrow as she smirks. "Although... I can feel something else growing down there too."

I grin. "I have my half-naked girlfriend in my arms. It would be weird if I wasn’t hard."

Susan chuckles. "Well, let me freshen up first, and then we can do something about that," she says playfully, tracing circles against the large outline in my pants.

"Uh, before that, I have another surprise for you," I say, trying my best to resist jumping on her sexy body. "Wait here." I gently push her soft shoulders, guiding her to sit back on the bed.

"Another surprise?" Susan asks, her excitement growing.

"Yep, just a sec." I quickly step out of the room and return moments later, grinning as I present a small red table hovering behind me on an invisible forcefield platform.

"Coffee, berries, fruit, pancakes, and even croissants?" Susan's eyes widen as I place the table in front of her. "Did you really make all this for me?" she asks, stunned.

"My amazing superhero girlfriend needs her breakfast in bed so she has the energy for the rest of the day. And as her personal butler-slash-boyfriend, it’s my duty to serve her the most delicious one," I say with an exaggerated bow.

Susan's enchanting blue eyes lock onto mine, her lips curling into a beautiful smile. "Thank you, darling. I feel so happy right now."

I get lost in her smile, knowing that all the effort was worth it.

"But I still haven’t freshened up yet. Give me a minute to brush my teeth," Susan says, rolling out of the sheets. Before heading to the bathroom, she leans in and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "You’re the best," she adds happily before skipping away.

I sit back down on the bed, feeling elated. I also heave a quiet sigh of relief—I was really worried for a second that she might not like the decorations. As Susan always says, she is usually the one decorating my room and planning out our Valentine’s Day. We don’t usually celebrate the smaller days leading up to it, but we always make sure to celebrate February 14th—it’s special to us.

Just as I am rechecking some of my plans for the day on my phone, Susan comes out of the bathroom.

"I still can't believe you did all of this while I was sleeping," she says with a grin, looking around. She sits beside me and gives me a warm hug. "Tell me, did you really do all of this on your own?" Her blue eyes narrow at me in doubt.

"Yes—though D.A.I.S.Y. helped me out a lot," I admit, rubbing my nose against hers playfully.

"I just pointed out where things would look better, Susan. In the end, he really did all of this by himself," D.A.I.S.Y.'s voice chimes in from my phone.

"Still, thank you, D.A.I.S.Y. And thank you, dear, for all your hard work—it looks amazing," Susan says, before leaning in and pressing a sweet kiss to my lips.

"Glad you like it. Now, go eat your breakfast before it gets cold," I say, giving her a quick peck in return.

"Come eat with me. You must not have eaten anything since you were up decorating and making breakfast for me so early in the morning," she says, smiling sweetly.

"I had to remake a lot of things, so my stomach is actually full," I admit with a wry smile, remembering the taste of my burnt pancakes. "So this is all for you to enjoy."

"My boyfriend is sometimes so loving and cute," she teases, grabbing my face and kissing me with a chuckle.

"Well, you’re still the cuter one," I reply, kissing her cheek.

She giggles as she sits in front of the small table on the bed. "You even decorated the coffee with a heart! I don’t even know how to do that!" she exclaims in surprise.

"A friend of mine recently taught me," I say with a grin, silently thanking Liz, who picked up the skill while working part-time at Starbucks.

"Mmm… the coffee tastes delicious, and everything else looks lovely too," Susan says, beaming. "Thank you, baby. You are making me feel extra special today."

"Go on, try everything else too," I encourage, knowing that getting the coffee right was actually the easiest part of the breakfast.

She pats the space beside her. "Come sit with me. You know, this is way too much for me to finish—especially for breakfast," she says, smiling as she picks up a strawberry and feeds it to me lovingly.

I smile—this is how it always goes. Whenever I try to do something for Susan, she turns it around and makes me the center of attention. She is just like that—a beautiful, caring soul.

"Let me feed you too," I say with a grin, determined to make today special for her.

She smiles beautifully as we take turns feeding each other.

"Everything tastes so good—I might just get addicted to this," she says with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Well then, get ready to become fat, Sue," I tease with a chuckle.

She scoffs. "I won’t get fat—I will just give all the extra food to you," she says smugly.

We look at each other and burst into laughter, enjoying our little moment of happiness.

I carefully slice the croissant into small pieces and feed her, while she does the same with the pancake. However, I narrow my eyes when I realize that, even though I fed her the pancake, she refuses to feed me any croissant.

"Umm, Sue, baby, I haven’t tasted the croissant yet," I say, eyeing the last piece on her plate.

"Oh?" She raises an eyebrow, picks up the last piece with her fork, and just as I open my mouth, she pops it into her own instead.

I close my mouth with a pout.

She giggles, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "My boyfriend woke up early just to make my favorite croissants for me. Obviously, I can’t let you have any," she teases, sticking her pink tongue out playfully.

I smile and gently grab her soft cheeks. "You’re absolutely adorable, Sue," I say before kissing her lips softly.

She sighs contentedly. "I am so full, I feel like I could fall back asleep... but I have an interview at nine, so I need to get ready soon." She stretches before getting up from the bed. Then, with a sultry smirk, she turns to me, shaking her butt slightly. "I am heading into the shower. Are you staying here, or do you want to join me?"

The invitation is tempting. Very tempting.

"The offer is almost too good to refuse," I say, licking my lips as I admire her amazing figure. "But if I step in there with you, we won’t be leaving for hours."

She pouts playfully. "We could make it a quick one," she whispers, leaning in to kiss me again.

"Yes, but I don’t want you to be late... and I still have a surprise left for you," I murmur in her ear.

Her eyes light up. "Oh? Where is it?" she asks eagerly, looking around.

"First, take your shower. I will show you when you come out," I say with a wink.

"Okay! I can’t wait!" she says with a wide smile, pressing a kiss to my cheek before heading into the bathroom.

As soon as the door closes behind her, I get up and quietly leave the room.

This is the 33rd floor of the Baxter Building, where Susan, Johnny, Ben, and Reed have their own personal rooms. The top floors—34th and 35th—are mostly Reed’s lab, though it’s currently undergoing renovations after the last battle with Doom.

I reach the elevator and press the button for the basement.

As the doors slide shut, I close my eyes and go over my plan once more.

Valentine’s Day used to be simple—at least, it was for me until last year. I would send small gifts to a limited number of women I was close with. Since the list was still fairly long, I typically mailed the gifts, though I made an effort to deliver some in person during the week leading up to February 14th.

Most of them took it as a harmless gesture. The ones who wanted something more from me understood that I was spending the actual day with my girlfriend and didn’t make a fuss. But this year… it’s not so simple.

Recently, I have unbound myself—or rather, I have upgraded my 'in a relationship with' list. What started with Felicia has expanded into something much larger, especially after I gained my powers.

I mentally count the list of people I have gifts for this year.

Mom and MJ are family, so I always give them small Valentine’s gifts—usually jewelry or cosmetics, along with some roses. If I know they want something specific, I get that instead.

Aunt May and Penny are also like family, so they receive the same treatment.

I used to intentionally ignore Aunt Cass, but that changed recently. This year, she is getting a gift too and a special one at that.

The same goes for Maggie and her daughter, Cassie, who I have only recently gotten to know.

Depending on my individual relationship with each of them, the gifts vary in how special they are.

Liz and Gwen also have gifts waiting for them. Liz, in particular, is getting something extra special, with a bit more thought put into it.

Although I already had a date with Liz earlier this Valentine's week, I understand that women can get emotional, especially early in a relationship. Even Aunt Cass might feel a little lonely today, so I arranged a full spa day for them. A luxury spa resort is booked to give them a completely relaxing experience. In Gwen's case, I knew she might not be allowed to go alone, so her mother, Helen, was also invited. I’m not sure of the specifics, but they have all planned to spend the day together a plan spearheaded by mom, which gives me some relief.

But the list is still ongoing—with Sensei, Cassandra, Pepper, Hope, Marie, Stephanie, Christine, Skye, Betty, Jane, April, Alicia, Laurie, Sharon, Monica, Maya, Anya, and even the newly added Sage included.

For Jemma, we had our date recently, but I still gave her the spa treatment along with her two friends, Helen and Amara, so she wouldn’t feel alone. Many, like April, Alicia, and Sensei, are busy with work today, so even though we’re close, I can only make it up to them in the future.

A similar spa package was arranged for Patsy, her mother Dorothy, and Jessica, giving them a chance to bond. I took extra care to assign different spas to different groups so they wouldn’t bump into each other.

Some others were also given a spa day off, like Pepper, so she can worry less about Toni, and Laurie, to keep Ben from harassing her on this day.

Then there are the special cases—Shuri, who only wants in-game gifts from an online game she loves. Bobbi, who doesn’t believe in Valentine’s Day and prefers weapons as gifts. And even Logan, who silently enjoys receiving a Valentine’s Day bonus without ever saying thanks.

As for Felicia and her mother, I just spent the last night with them, so I know they are definitely satisfied. Still a mix of personal gifts and a spa day off should make sure they have no complaints.

There are still a few more ladies who receive their gifts via mail or online. This all hassle occurs because for me, Valentine’s Day has always been about appreciating the women in my life, showing them love in some way.

And despite all this, I still plan to spend the rest of Valentine’s Day the way I have done for the last four years—with my girlfriend, Susan. Until now, she has always had the whole day planned, so I never had to think much about it. But this year, there's a small twist.

I reach the empty basement and use my Earth Portal ability on the ground.

"Hope I can get back soon," I mutter with a wry smile before stepping into the portal.

---

"How much time has passed, D.A.I.S.Y.?" I ask apprehensively, stepping back into the Baxter Building basement and closing the portal behind me.

"You are cutting it close—almost at the one hour mark," D.A.I.S.Y. responds with a touch of humor from my phone.

"Hopefully, Sue is taking her time in the shower like she usually does," I say, heading to the public restroom in the basement. I wash my face, checking in the mirror to make sure there are no lipstick marks anywhere.

"I visited all the marked ones, right?" I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Today has been exhausting, running all over the city in the morning to visit the women who would definitely get upset if I didn’t at least see them today on the Valentine's day.

"Yes, Luke—except Cassandra, who took Anya out of the country for vacation," D.A.I.S.Y. informs me promptly.

"Good, that's good. And I am sure everyone has received their gifts by now," I say with a relieved smile. Man, how I wish I could be in multiple places at once—especially on a day like today. It could have easily turned into a nightmare if not for some advanced planning, a lot of money, and D.A.I.S.Y.’s help.

"You forgot one, Luke," D.A.I.S.Y. remarks as I step out of the restroom.

"Who?" I frown. My memory is impeccable—I shouldn't have missed anyone.

"Me, Luke. Where’s my Valentine’s gift?" she asks with a pout.

I chuckle. "You know those advanced parts we custom-ordered for you? Your upgrade is your Valentine’s gift," I say with a smirk.

"I now believe Susan when she says you have no romantic taste," she huffs.

I laugh, knowing that her emotional module is just messing with me.

Taking the elevator, I reach the upper floor and step into Susan's room. The built-in A.I. of the Baxter building, still a rudimentary version that Reed is working to upgrade, recognizes me and lets me through without triggering any security alarms.

As soon as I enter, I spot Susan drying her blonde hair with a blow dryer. She glances at me through the mirror, a smile forming on her lips.

"Hey, I was wondering where you had gone," she says warmly.

"I had to check if your surprise was ready," I reply with a grin as I walk over and wrap my arms around her narrow waist. The refreshing scent of her lemon shampoo fills my senses, and I notice how she has already arranged many of the sunflowers I got her in vases around the room.

"I hope it's not a car, baby," she teases, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "We both have plenty of those already." She gives me a wry smile.

"It's not a car," I chuckle.

She sets the blow dryer down and turns to face me, hooking her arms around my neck. "So, what is it?" she asks, her smile playful.

"The surprise comes in two parts. First, I wasn’t kidding when I said I had the whole day planned," I say with a smirk.

Her eyebrows rise in surprise. "You really planned the whole day?" she asks skeptically. "You know you don’t have to make up a last-minute plan just for me. I actually booked two tickets to the planetarium for us this evening, so we can just go there instead." She tilts her head with an amused expression.

I knew about her plans, but I had no intention of spending the evening at the planetarium—especially since I had just taken Jemma there a few days ago. "I really have everything planned out, Sue. You don’t have to worry," I say with a smug smile.

She hums in consideration. "Okay... but, baby, I have a lot of work today, including interviews and some meetings. Even the military is expecting me, and they won’t be happy if I just skip out on them," she whispers the last part about the army with a wry smile.

I cup her soft, fair face in my hands. "Do you really think I didn’t account for that? Don’t you know how powerful your boyfriend is? If I want my beautiful girlfriend all to myself for the whole day, not even the military can say no to Lucas Watson," I say with a smug grin.

Her mouth falls open. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. All your plans for today have been rescheduled. And that meeting with the military? Neither you nor the rest of the Fantastic Four need to worry about it anymore. You can still go if you want, but it won’t be a necessity," I assure her.

She blinks in shock. "But how? The news channels, I get... but even the military?" Her gaze sharpens. "Darling, did you make D.A.I.S.Y. do something illegal again?" she asks suspiciously, her hand reaching up to pinch my ear.

"Ouch—no, baby! And what do you mean ‘again’? D.A.I.S.Y. and I are law-abiding citizens!" I protest, putting on a fake pout.

A smug voice from my phone chimes in. "I don’t think the American government has started giving citizenships to A.I.s, so technically, I don’t fall under their laws."

Susan narrows her eyes at me.

"You’re not helping," I mutter, shooting a look at my phone. "But for real, Sue, this time neither D.A.I.S.Y. nor I can take all the credit." I sigh before continuing, "You know Osborn, right?"

Her nose wrinkles in disgust. "Yeah, that old guy Norman. I hate his slimy face."

"Well, he can be helpful when it counts. He introduced me to a military general, and she’s eager to form a connection with me. She promised that the military won’t be harassing the Fantastic Four anymore." I grin.

Susan crosses her arms. "She is that high up? Will it really work? And what if they ask for something in return?" she asks skeptically.

"Don’t worry about her. Even without her, the military would have backed off. According to D.A.I.S.Y., even S.H.I.E.L.D. has started moving." I let out a sigh.

Her expression shifts to concern. "Should we be worried?"

"Nothing major for now. We have powerful allies in the government, so there’s nothing to stress over," I reassure her with a smirk.

She exhales but still looks thoughtful. "You should ease up on making ‘friends’ through D.A.I.S.Y. in the government. You know it’s not safe or foolproof. This could all backfire on us one day." Her fingers gently toy with my red hair, her brow creased in concern.

"We have plenty of contingency plans for that sweetheart," I reply with a smile. "But getting back to the real topic—the first surprise is that I am spending the entire day with you. Just the two of us, no one else. We will be celebrating our fifth anniversary together." I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead, smoothing away her worries.

"Really?" Susan looks up, her blue eyes lighting up with joy. "You're really spending the whole Valentine’s Day with just me? No one else?" she asks eagerly, her hands gripping my hoodie.

I realize she might be worried that I will spend part of the day with Felicia. Even after our detailed 'talk' three days ago—during that very public sex session right before the Doom fight—she still seems to think I won’t give her as much attention now that I have new girls in my life.

"Yes, just me and you, dear, for the whole day," I say gently.

"Oh, that’s the best gift, Luke!" she exclaims, gripping my hoodie tightly in excitement. "I love you so much, darling!" She pulls herself up, pressing her soft pink lips to mine in a deep, tender kiss.

"I love you too, Sue, baby," I murmur, wrapping my arms around her slender waist, deepening the kiss as we get lost in feeling each other just through our lips.

As things start heating up—our hands slipping beneath each other's clothes, exploring the softness hidden beneath her loose outfit—I force myself to stop, breaking the kiss despite my raging cock screaming at me not to. "I still have to show you your second surprise, and this time, it's something real," I say with a smirk.

"Haa… Can’t we get to it later?" she pouts, biting her lip, her blue eyes burning with desire.

"Sadly, no. We need to get to the location as soon as possible," I say with a wry smile. "But we will definitely continue this later," I add, my voice husky, filled with my own voracious need.

"Okay, I will listen to you," she says, pecking my lips. "So, are we leaving now? Do I need to bring anything?" She walks to her wardrobe, grabbing a bag.

"No, you won’t need anything," I say, stepping forward and effortlessly lifting her into a princess carry.

"Ah!" she gasps in surprise.

"I just need to bring your sexy ass with me," I tease, giving her butt a playful squeeze.

"Alright, I’m ready then, baby," she giggles, wiggling her butt in my hand as her blue eyes sparkle with wonder.

"Let's go," I say with a grin, carrying her out of the room. The door closes behind us with a small swipe of Susan’s hand—she has gotten pretty good at using her invisible forcefield constructs.

"Where is everyone?" Susan asks, looking around the empty corridor while still in my arms.

"Hmm. I ran into Reed early this morning. He was rambling about some A.I. security reinforcement project, but before I could give any input, he vanished into his lab," I say with a shake of my head.

"That’s just how he is. Best to leave him alone when he is like that," she replies with a wry smile.

"As for Ben, I heard he is really into Spanish soap operas right now, so I doubt he is leaving his room today," I chuckle. I even made sure he gets a pizza delivered every few hours to keep him occupied today.

"Yeah, he was ranting about how some girl—her name escapes me—left her husband in that show," Susan says, resting her head against my neck.

We reach the elevator, and before I can press the button, she waves her hand. A small, cylindrical forcefield construct forms and presses it for her, opening the doors.

"You are getting pretty good at this, Sue," I say with an impressed smile. "Basement, please."

She smirks smugly and effortlessly manipulates the forcefield to press the basement button.

"And what about my brother, Johnny?" she asks curiously.

"As his big sister, shouldn’t you already know?" I tease, smirking as she rolls her eyes. "He is probably out partying and club-hopping, looking to hook up with women fresh from a breakup."

"He better not be messing around with his young fans again," she mutters, narrowing her eyes.

I cough at the mention of 'young', memories of who I was kissing not long ago flashing in my mind. Thankfully, the elevator doors open, sparing me from any awkwardness.

"Why don’t you close your eyes for me, Sue?" I say with a grin.

"Okay," she says, glancing around the empty basement before obediently shutting her eyes.

As soon as she does, I activate Earth Portal Creation, and a portal appears before us on the ground, I promptly step through it with her in my arms.

"You can open them now," I say with a smile.

She inhales deeply before her eyes flutter open. "Are we near the ocean? I can smell the sea breeze…" she trails off, blinking at the sight ahead. "Is that a yacht?"

"Yep. Her name is Empress, and she’s my anniversary gift to you—because you’re the empress of my heart," I say, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Are you serious?" Susan stares at me, mouth agape.

"Well, let me take you to it," I say, using my Forcefield Constructs to form a platform beneath us. With a gentle lift, we ascend smoothly onto the deck of the pristine, white luxury yacht.

I had made sure the harbor was empty—if anyone had been around, D.A.I.S.Y. would have alerted me.

Stepping onto the yacht, I set Susan down.

"Is this really just for me?" She looks around in awe. "But it’s so big! What would I even do with it? And it must have cost a fortune, dear," she says, her concern evident as she turns back to me.

"Money is just a number—especially when it comes to you," I reply with a grin, holding her hands. "And remember? You always dreamed about sailing on big boats. Well, it’s not just a dream anymore."

"Oh, baby, you remembered!" Susan gasps, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing it. "It feels like so long ago—sailing with you, Johnny, and MJ in that tiny boat back at my aunt’s house." She sighs contentedly, resting her head against my chest.

"You were adorable back then, and you’re even more adorable now," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her golden hair.

"Let D.A.I.S.Y. do the honors," I say with a grin. "But first, let's set sail—I’d rather not have this dock getting crowded." I glance around, noticing other private yachts anchored in the distance.

"Where's the crew, then?" Susan asks, looking around in confusion.

"D.A.I.S.Y. is the crew," I reply with a smirk. "Set sail, D.A.I.S.Y."

"Understood, Luke. Empress is setting sail," D.A.I.S.Y.'s voice comes through the speakers as the yacht hums to life, gliding smoothly away from the dock.

Susan watches in awe as the vessel moves on its own. "Is this fully automated?" she asks, wonder evident in her voice.

I chuckle, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Come below deck, and you will see everything for yourself," I say with a mysterious smile, as Empress picks up speed, cutting gracefully across the water.

As soon as we step below deck, soft ambient lighting automatically adjusts to our presence, and D.A.I.S.Y.'s smooth voice chimes in through the speakers.

"Welcome aboard the Empress, Susan. This sleek, modern 77-foot vessel is designed for both luxury and performance, featuring AI-assisted autopilot for seamless navigation. Luke has, of course, already familiarized himself with all its functions, but allow me to guide you through its many features."

Susan lets out a low whistle as she runs her fingers along the polished wooden railing. "Seventy-seven feet, huh? This ain’t just a boat, Luke. This is a damn floating mansion."

I chuckle, watching her take in the surroundings. "Only the best for my Empress."

Her lips twitch into a small smile before she shakes her head. "You’re too much, you know that?" She says hugging my waist with a smile.

D.A.I.S.Y. continues as we step into the main living area.

"The interior of the Empress is crafted for comfort and elegance. You will notice marble benchtops, hand-crafted parquet flooring, and a high-gloss timber finish throughout. Large saloon windows offer stunning 360-degree views while ensuring complete privacy."

Susan leaves my arms and presses a hand against the window, gazing at the endless stretch of ocean seen from the deck. "The view’s insane… You weren’t joking when you said I would get my dream boat. This beats anything I ever sailed before."

I slide an arm around her waist. "And we have only just started."

Leading her forward, we step into the dining area, where a sleek glass table sits beneath a modern chandelier.

"The Empress accommodates up to 36 guests for cruising and up to 8 guests for extended stays. For relaxation, the upper deck features a private jacuzzi, while a built-in dive station provides seamless access for deep-sea exploration."

"A jacuzzi?" Susan’s head snaps toward me. "On a yacht?"

I nod with a grin. "Thought you would like that."

She lets out a laugh, "You are sometimes too much darling."

"The yacht features a four-cabin layout, each with its own private ensuite, rainfall shower, and integrated audio-visual system. The expansive master cabin is equipped with BOSE surround sound, a walk-in wardrobe, and a minibar."

Susan’s eyebrows shoot up. "A minibar? You really went all out, huh?"

"You know me," I tease, nudging her side. "If I am doing something, I am doing it right."

I guide Susan into the master cabin, where the soft glow of surrounding lighting highlights the plush king-sized bed. She runs her fingers along the silk sheets, then turns to me with a sultry smile.

"Babe, is this king-sized bed really just for me?" she teases, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Well, I figured we would both enjoy the extra space," I reply with a smirk, already imagining her sprawled naked across the pristine white sheets.

Susan rolls her eyes playfully before stepping toward a door and pushing it open, revealing a fully stocked walk-in wardrobe. Her eyes widen as she runs her fingers over the rows of neatly arranged outfits. "Are all of these… my size?" she asks, glancing back at me.

"They are all tailored to your size, Susan," D.A.I.S.Y.'s voice chimes in from the speakers. "Luke requested everything to be ready in advance, so I placed the orders accordingly."

Susan lets out an impressed laugh, her fingers trailing over a collection of sleek dresses and colorful bikinis. "Wow, thanks, D.A.I.S.Y.!" she says happily, admiring her new wardrobe.

"See? Told you that you wouldn’t need to bring a thing," I say with a satisfied grin.

"This is incredible," she murmurs, holding up a particularly daring bikini which leaves little to imagination. Then she turns to me with a curious smile. "When did you even have the time to buy a yacht and customize it like this?"

I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well… originally, I was going to gift you a spaceship for our fifth anniversary. This yacht was just a backup plan."

Susan blinks at me before bursting into laughter. "A spaceship? Seriously?"

"Yeah, but after your little space accident, I figured that might be in poor taste," I add with a cheeky smile. "So, I settled on this instead."

She laughs beautifully, her eyes full of warmth. "Well, I love this gift—especially because it’s from the love of my life," she says, stepping closer and hooking her arms around my neck before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips.

"I am just glad you like it, baby," I murmur, savoring the moment.

She pulls back with a playful smirk. "Now, go up to the deck and wait for me while I change into something appropriate for this luxurious ship."

I raise an eyebrow. "But I don’t mind staying…"

"Go and get changed too," she says with a mock stern look before giving me a gentle push towards the door.

I chuckle. "I also don’t mind if you wear something inappropriate," I call over my shoulder, grinning as I remember all the naughty outfits I had D.A.I.S.Y. pick out for her.

"You will see," she replies with a laugh from inside the wardrobe.

Still grinning, I head to the adjacent room, where I find a wardrobe filled with clothes in my size. Not bothering to overthink it, I grab a pair of boxers and toss them on, deciding to go full shirtless mode for the occasion.

Once dressed—or barely dressed—I make my way to the deck. The crisp sea breeze greets me as I take in the vast ocean stretching endlessly ahead. We are already leaving New York behind, the distant silhouette of the Statue of Liberty watching over us.

"Are we on course, D.A.I.S.Y.?" I ask aloud.

"Yes, Luke. There will be no vessels in your vicinity for the next several hours," she replies smoothly.

"Good," I say with a satisfied smile, taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air. The water glistens in the morning light, lifting my mood even higher.

Just as I lose myself in the beauty of the moment, a voice interrupts my reverie.

"Hey, handsome."

I turn around—and my jaw literally drops.

Susan steps onto the deck, bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun. She is wearing a shimmering blue bikini that clings to her amazing curves perfectly. The deep-cut top accentuates her cleavage, while the small bikini bottom barely hides the perfection of her bubble butt. Her narrow waist and cute belly button are on full display, showing off her perfect sexy figure.

Her golden locks flow freely in the breeze, her fair skin glowing in the sunlight and her piercing blue eyes lock onto mine with a look that’s both sultry and loving.

She looks absolutely enchanting.

"You… You look like the goddess of the sea, Sue," I manage to say, my throat suddenly dry.

Her lips curl into a teasing smile. "Happy Valentine’s Day, baby," she says softly, standing before me in that dangerously hot bikini, making it feel like a dream come true.

To be continued…

***

This is a Valentine's Day special EX chapter! | The EX chapter featuring Aunt Cass's POV, which won the poll, will also be added later this month—so don't worry.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete this EX chapter in time, so I have decided to split it into two parts. At the very least, I can share the first part with you all on Valentine's Day!