Abby sat on the sand with Emma and Josif, while Luka, Dmitri, Ana and Tatjana played football. Her wedding band reflected the sun onto her book as it lay on her swollen belly.

She watched Luka for a while, running around, laughing, pretending to be beaten by Tatjana. She smiled happily as she watched him, so contented. It was something different about him in Croatia, he was so much happier. He'd do something on the spur of the moment, no matter how weird it would be.

They'd been living in Croatia together for just over six months, and she had to admit that she'd never been happier. It had been scary at first, being somewhere totally new and not speaking the language, but Luka and his family had helped her, especially Dmitri and Emma. She could now speak quite a bit of Croatian.

After Luka had come back to Chicago, she'd gone back to Croatia with his for the first time. She had fallen in love with it. They'd stayed for a month, before going back to Chicago. Luka had left after three weeks, because he had to go back to work, but on his last night he had proposed. Abby had said yes, and also that she wanted to try living in Croatia, at least for a while. Abby had stayed in Chicago for another two months, tying up loose ends, before joining Luka in Croatia.

'Okay come on kids.' Emma called, looking at her watch, 'time for lunch.' Abby unpacked the food, spreading it out on the blanket as Luka, Dmitri and the girls came over.

'You okay?' Asked Luka, flopping down beside her, breathing heavily and kissing her softly on the cheek.

'Yeah. Have fun playing?' She smiled, handing him a bottle of water. He nodded while gulping down a mouthful of water.

'D'you wanna go out for dinner tonight or are you letting me cook?' He asked, lying down on the sand.

'Maybe I'll cook.' She said defensively.

'After what you did to the chicken last week?' He smiled. Abby hit him with her book.

'Well what about those steaky things you did on Friday?'

'That wasn't my fault. Dusan jumped up onto the counter and started to eat one of them.'

'Hey, newly weds?' Asked Emma loudly. 'Are you gonna eat any of this, 'cos I think if you wait any longer this lot'll eat it all.' Luka sat up and took some cold chicken, sharing Abby's plate.

'I'm still not gonna let you cook.' He muttered, and Abby threw an olive at him.

'If I didn't love you so much, and I wasn't carrying your baby, you know what I'd go to you.'

'I'm shaking with terror.'

'And so you should be.' She replied smugly, leaning her head on his shoulder. Luka kissed her forehead and she held his hand, interlacing her fingers with his.