It was past five in the morning when she woke up.

For a moment she wasn’t exactly sure where she was until she sat up and saw that she was still wearing her wedding gown.

She couldn’t help but smile.

They had fallen asleep.

On their wedding night.

They had BIG plans but the moment they got back to their suite after the wedding reception, they crashed on to their bed and fell asleep.

She stood up carefully, picking up her heavy, petticoat skirt, so as not to wake her snoring husband.

She had to pause for a moment there – husband.

Wow.

Then she smiled.

Her original plan was to get out of her gown and into something more comfortable for sleeping, but changed her mind when she caught the reflection of the lightly orange-streaked sky on the glass door that led out to the balcony.

The cool breeze greeted her as soon as she stepped out that she had to wrap her arms around herself. She closed her eyes as she inhaled the salty scent of the sea that was before her, enjoying the sound of waves crashing and curling as the water tried to touch the shore.

“We fell asleep.” His voice pulled her back from her reverie, startling her for a second, but she quickly smiled when she felt his lips gently graze her shoulder.

“We fell asleep,” she confirmed, nodding, as he rested his bearded chin on her shoulder, his arms encircling her tiny waist.

They stood quietly, contented in each other’s arms as they watched the sky and its magical transformation from night to day, from streaks of orange to red, to the sun peeking in the horizon.

“So how are you this morning, my dear?” he spoke softly into her ear when the sun finally made its way atop the sky, signaling a brand new day.

“Perfect,” she smiled. “Only I wish you wouldn’t call me my dear.”

“Why?” he asked curiously.

“Because it's what my dad always calls my mom when he’s mad at her." She frowned.

“So what do you want me to call you now that we are married? Janelle Anne?”

“Full name? Ohhhh! No!” she quickly answered. “That’s what my dad calls me when he’s mad at me.”

He laughed. “So what do I call you? Honey?”

“Heck no!” she protested, making him laugh more.

“Darling? Sweetheart?”

“No and no.” She insisted, shaking her head.

“Then what?”

“Why would it need to change now that we are married?” She asked. “Jane. Janey  is fine. “And then …”

“There’s more?”

"Of course," she replied with a laugh before continuing. "On Sundays..."

Before she could finish her sentence, he let out a laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" She questioned, playfully elbowing him.

"Because you want to be called something else on a Sunday?"

"Of course,” she smiled mischievously. “Your Highness on Sundays then Goddess Divine on special occasions.”

He shook his head incredulously and she couldn't help but keep laughing.

"And guess what?" she added.

"What?" he answered back. "Queen Janey on Mondays?"

She pursed her lips as if to consider his suggestion. "That’s a good idea!” She flashed a smile. “But that’s not the correct answer."

“Then what?” Chris’ eyebrow arched.

She waited a moment and then turned in his embrace to look him straight in the eyes before responding, "Today’s Sunday."

Looking at the woman in front of him, he couldn't help but be in awe of her. They have been together for three years and it felt like he knows everything about her yet no matter how long, she still manages to surprise him with emotions he hasn't felt before and always, always manages to make his knees weak. Like at this moment, with her attempt to be serious, he couldn't help but want to just take her into his arms.

Instead, he took a step back and slowly bowed, while simultaneously greeting her, "Your highness."

Her face broke out into a huge grin as she wrapped her arms around him. "I like the sound of that," she told him, her eyes beamed mischievously.

“So anymore nicknames, Goddess Divine?” Chris asked in curiosity.

She smiled then pretended to think. “Hmmm … nope,” she shook her head.

“Sure?”

“Yes,” she nodded, smiling.

“But what if I’m mad though? What do I call you when you’re annoying the hell out of me? Should I call you dear like how your dad calls your mom? Or should I call you? Mrs. Kirkpatrick?”

Her eyebrows furrowed. “Chris, we haven’t even been married a day and you’re already planning for a fight?”

"No. But when it happens ..  I just ... well you started it! So? Mrs. Kirkpatrick? Yeah?”

"Mrs. Kirkpatrick?" she asked. “You’re weird hun," she laughed "But no,” she shook her head emphatically then smiled. “You can only call me Mrs. Kirkpatrick when you are completely, perfectly, and one hundred percent happy.”

Chris sighed, as he was caught off guard by his wife’s beautiful words. As he held her gaze, he thought that he was, in his opinion, the luckiest man in the world.

The happiest man in the world.

Brushing the wisp of hair away from her face, he gently traced her cheek with the back of his hand. "How are you this morning..." he paused briefly before adding, "Mrs. Kirkpatrick?" he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

"Mrs. Kirkpatrick," he whispered again grazing his stubbled cheek with hers before he tenderly kissed her soft skin.

Jane closed her eyes at his touch, savoring the moment.

"Mrs. Kirkpatrick," he repeated, giving her nose a quick peck. "Mrs. Kirkpatrick," again, this time, he softly kissed her right cheek.

All she could do was sigh over and over again. And when she finally opened her eyes, she found him watching her, his eyes filled with nothing but happiness and bliss and love and more love.

“I love you, Mrs. Kirkpatrick.”

His words were lost as their lips met and their new life together began.