Emie first saw Chris, who was wearing a dark dress shirt, sleeves rolled up over his big forearms, leaning up against a pillar in the hotel lobby.  He had on light pants, and dress shoes as he stood waiting all by himself.  He was a formidable figure, tall and broad, and big everywhere.  His light, sandy blond hair was still a bit long and smoothed back behind his ears.  He was handsome and Emie could easily see why her sister had fallen for him so quickly.  When he saw her, his face broke into a big smile.  He held his arms out, beckoning her in for a hug.
       “Emeline Harris.  So nice of you to join us.” Chris said, his deep voice booming.  She laughed, throwing her hands up as she walked into his arms and hugged him back.  “If you hadn’t come on time, I swear Lucia would have murdered someone, so thank you.” Chris murmured into her ear, making Emie laugh. “Especially since it most likely would have been me.”
       “I’m sorry, I really am.  But it’s only normal that I muck things up a bit.  Keeps things interesting.” Emie stepped back, her silky dress shifting slightly in the light breeze.
       “It does, indeed.  You look lovely.’’ He said easily. Emie smiled and shrugged.
       “This old thing?”
       “How was the flight?” Chris asked, crossing his arms over his chest. 
       Emie smiled.  “It was good.”
       “Lucia is running a bit late as usual, but she’s going to meet us at the restaurant.  It’s a bit of a ways across the property, but if you’re up for a walk, I am.” Chris offered.  Emie nodded, smiling.  “Are you set?” Chris asked, holding out his arm.  Emie smiled, taking his elbow and wrapping her arm around it.  Chris was quite a bit taller than her, and she knew they must have made an interesting looking pair.
       “This place is breathtaking.” Emie said, looking around as they made their way out of the lobby.  They started down a dimly lit path.  The resort grounds were perfectly manicured and made to see as if they were part of the landscape.  The pathways were well lit without being intrusive.  It all felt very intimate and private.
       “The price is also breathtaking.” Chris joked, shaking his head.  Emie laughed.
       “You are a good sport to go along with all of Lucia’s plans.” She patted his arm.
       “Well, I am the lucky one.  I would do whatever for that woman.  She just needs to ask it, and I will do whatever it takes to get it for her.” Chris looked down at Emie briefly, his face open and full of love.  She felt her heart thump gently, and felt an overwhelming happiness for her sister.  Chris was amazing.  He was genuine and honest, and seriously loved Lucia.  She wasn’t sure there was anyone else better suited for her sister.
       “That’s so good to hear, Chris.  Really.  You’re lucky to have each other.” She smiled softly, and looked back at the winding path they were on.  They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound was the soft rustle of the light breeze through the trees and plants.  Emie breathed in, feeling the air brush past her bare shoulders.
       “You seem to have a lot on your mind lately, Emeline.” Chris said in his deep, serious voice.  She smiled, but there really wasn’t much mirth in her expression.  They kept walking, through the darkened path.  She hadn’t known Chris long, only for the few years Lucia had dated him.  They weren’t particularly close, but Emie had always felt comfortable around him.  He’d always been kind to her, and she’d never heard him speak ill of her sister.  It was like he was a true brother.  She took another deep breath.
       “Do you worry? About you and Lucia…and the future?” She asked carefully, trying to find the right words.
       “What do you mean?”
       “Just that…you both work a lot, and if you have children- what will you do? Make them travel with you? Or…one of you has to stop working and put your career on hold…” Emie trailed off.  She had never really even asked Lucia this question.  She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt she could ask Chris.  It was rather personal.  Perhaps she knew Chris would tell her the truth.  Lucia would most likely sugar coat it.  Emie wanted to hear the truth.
       Chris was quiet for a minute but she could tell it was because he was thinking, not because he was offended at her inquiry.
       “We do want children.  We’ve talked about it.  Maybe within the next year or two.  It just depends on our careers.  I would drop everything if I needed to.  Lucia and the family will always come first.  Maybe when they are young they will travel with us, but after that…perhaps we’d just take few gigs, or jobs closer to wherever home is.” Chris offered, speaking candidly.  Emie nodded, taking it in.
       “You’d stop acting for Lucia and the kids?” She asked, gently.  Chris hesitated.
       “I don’t know if I’d want to give it up completely, but I’d work less.  Take smaller roles.  This is my job, I love it, but I love her more.” He shrugged.  Emie swallowed.
       “Do you feel like you’d have to choose?  Would you regret it or resent Lucia for making you stop?” She managed.
       “No. Because there’s different paths to take and I know at some point I will want nothing more than to go down that path.  And because she would do the same for me.” Chris shrugged, as if it were very simple.  Emie nodded as they rounded a bend, which brought them to a wide opening. The restaurant was set right on the beach, and from where they were, it seemed to glow with soft candle light against the dark blue sky.
       They paused at the sight of the restaurant, which was surprisingly beautiful.
       “Is everything alright, Emie?” Chris asked, turning to her and looking down.  His warm eyes were a bit worried.  She nodded.
       “I’ve just been thinking.” She shrugged.
       “Anything or anyone in particular trigger these thoughts?” Chris asked gently.  They both knew what he was hinting at.  Or who.  She shook her head, a bit too quickly.
       “I just have these rules—“
       “Oh, I’ve heard the rules.” Chris chuckled as they started toward the restaurant.  Emie hesitated but then sighed.  Of course Lucia had told Chris.  She wasn’t mad, but just a bit embarrassed.
       “I’m not crazy.” She said, trying not to sound pathetic.  Chris laughed, but it was gently.  He wasn’t making fun of her.  Emie pushed her hair from her face, sighing.  He squeezed her hand on his arm, and then looked at her.
       “I know that, Emie.  You’re one of the most practical people I know, actually.  But that may be your problem.  Some things don’t need rules.  Some things can only exist outside of rules.  And those things are often the best things.  They make their own boundaries.  You don’t need to do it.  They take care of themselves.” He said this simply, with humor in his voice, but it made Emie pause.  She looked up at him, blinking slowly.
       “That actually makes a lot of sense.”
       “Does it? I just made it up.” Chris said with a wink.  She laughed, shaking her head as they made their way into the restaurant.