As the first rays of the morning sun glimmer through the curtains, Betty opens her eyes and glances at the clock, which says 6:40am. Betty cuddles closer to Matt, who instinctively runs his hands gently across her chest and stomach while he remains asleep.
Emitting a small chuckle and groan, Betty begins to place light kisses on Matt's chest and makes her way towards his mouth.
Opening his eyes suddenly, Matt smiles and pulls Betty against him, returning her kisses with similar ones. Their kisses seem to instantly intensify, turning into hunger and desperate demand. They remove each other's clothing quickly and find themselves caught up in a myriad of sensations. Soft caresses and hot passion merge to form an indescribable explosion of pleasure.
Both Betty and Matt are speechless for several minutes, enjoying the intense combination of mindlessness, achiness, and glowing that their lovemaking has brought to each other.
"Well, 2011 is certainly starting on a high note," announces a still somewhat breathless Matt, as he gives Betty a sweet, yet passionate kiss.
Betty states, "Yes, our mutual personal alarm even exceeded how we celebrated the beginning of 2010. Our not having to worry about birth control and our certainty in knowing that we are in a committed, life long relationship with the one we love likely helped alleviate any inhibitions we may have had a year ago."
"We've each had amazing, life altering experiences in the past year, both as individuals and as a couple," replies Matt.
He continues, "I, for one, know that I've found my soul mate in you. There is no one else I would want as my wife and mother to my children."
Betty teasingly responds, "That's wonderful to hear because I plan on going through all the hassle for a wedding that is sure to bring media attention and gossip only once," with Matt nodding in agreement.
"Since Rosalina's 3am feeding has seemed to keep her tummy full later than usual, we should try to go back to sleep for as long as her Royal Highness will permit," suggests Matt.
"You are right, as usual, my handsome husband. We'll need to put these back on," states Betty as she reaches over the side of the bed and then holds up their clothes, "or our bodies won't get the hint to rest."
"True," replies Matt as he kisses Betty, "Our naked bodies near and against each other is a pleasure I can never get enough of, but definitely doesn't promote napping."
Betty and Matt both fall back to sleep almost immediately, with Rosalina not awakening until 8:30am. Betty and Matt go to the nursery together, where Rosalina makes it quite clear that she has woken up hungry. Matt helps them get situated and then goes downstairs to make he and Betty a light breakfast.
"There are my beautiful ladies," announces Matt when Betty enters the kitchen with a much happier Rosalina.
"That actually smells good," comments Betty as she sits down at the table.
"You don't have to seem so surprised," answers Matt as he kisses Betty and then takes Rosalina from her so that she can eat.
"It is really hard to mess up a microwave breakfast," comments Matt, pointing at the box.
"I knew there had to be a catch to this meal coming together so well, not that I am complaining," teases Betty.
"I would hope not, I've had to practice not burning food since each microwave is different," jokes Matt as he bounces a giggling Rosalina on his knee.
As Betty finishes her meal, Matt asks her, "What is on our agenda for today?"
"Well, we'll have to wait until tonight to end New Years Day the way we started it," announces a red faced Betty, with Matt blushing as well as he winks at her.
"We need to start at least organizing and perhaps packing," Matt comments with a deep sigh.
"Not nearly as much fun as what we did earlier, that's for certain," says Betty.
"Your mother mentioned us needing to pick out our wedding invitation within the next week or so, shall we look at our options?" asks Betty.
"Probably a good idea since I think Dunne will have us both busy as soon as we get back to London," states Matt.
He continues, "How about you use the pump, we both shower, and then we'll go over the invitation ideas my mom forwarded to us."
"Glad to know that my tendency to plan is rubbing off on you," teases Betty as she kisses Matt before leaving the room.
Once they are all showered and dressed, Matt and Betty decide to use their laptops to look at the invitation suggestions sent by Victoria, thus allowing them to let Rosalina play on the floor of the family room.
"Looks like 3 different types of font, 4 sets of wording, and 3 kinds of designs," comments Betty, as she looks the email.
"I think that font, which seems to be elegant but easily readable, is a good choice, with only our names slightly different," indicates Matt.
"Agreed," replies Betty, "I am also thinking that I would like the invitations simple, with minimal color, such as black writing on an ivory background, with no gaudy flowers or intricate designs."
"See, you and my mother have more in common than you thought," jokes Matt.
Smirking, Betty continues, "Is your mom really OK with the wording here since my Dad is not paying?" asks Betty.
She points to the names of both sets of parents being at the top of the invitation. The invitation would read as, "Victoria and Calvin Hartley and Ignacio Suarez request your presence at the wedding of their children, Matthew Edward to Beatriz Maria, on Saturday, February twenty-sixth in the year two thousand eleven at six-thirty in the evening at the Plaza Hotel, New York City."
"I don't think she would have sent such a design if she weren't OK with it," replies Matt as he gives her a sweet kiss.
"We also have to include the inserts related to the rehearsal dinner, entrée choices, registry information, and any accommodation discount that may be offered for attending the wedding," remarks Betty.
"True, but let's try to get the invitation wording down first and then we can focus on the rest," responds Matt.
Matt suggests, "We could honor your mother by having "daughter of the late Rosa Suarez" below your name."
Getting a bit teary-eyed, Betty embraces Matt and says, "I think that would be a wonderful way to recognize her, I hope that your mother agrees."
"She did claim that we have the final say, so I will let her know that it was my idea and you really like it. We'll get to see if she is true to her word," states Matt.
"Let's invite your mother, and your dad if he can make it, over for dinner and run it by them in person," suggests Betty.
"Great minds think alike," answers Matt, who had already taken out his phone to call his parents.
Both Victoria and Cal are able to join the Suarez-Hartley's for dinner at 6pm, which is quickly upon them. After dinner, which is American-fare that is delivered, they all go into the family area, with all 4 adults on the floor playing with Rosalina.
"Glad to see that you moved breakables out of the way and put the plugs in the sockets. She is really moving, especially for a baby so young," announces Cal with some pride in his voice.
"Thanks, Dad, I guess all those years of education paid off," retorts Matt.
"Part of the reason we asked you both to come over tonight was to go over our preferences for the wedding invitation," indicates Betty.
"I was teasing Betty earlier that she and Mother had very similar ideas in terms of keeping things simple, yet tasteful with no frills, at least for the invitation. One thing that I suggested was having Betty's mother's name on the actual invitation. I've actually used a website to show you what the entire invitation would likely look like," Matt informs them as he pulls up the demonstration on his computer.
Pausing for several seconds, Victoria takes a deep breath and finally states, "I have never seen an invitation with the "child of the late person" written on it, but it does seem like a nice way to honor Betty's mother. It also flows nicely with the rest of the invitation. I am fine with it if Cal is."
"You know those particulars are not important to me, rather showing off my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter to the world, as well as ourselves, of course, is what I care about. Do as you see fit," answers Cal.
"Thank you, having my mother's name on the invitation means a lot to me and I'm sure will mean a lot to my father too," responds Betty.
"I do think we need to add the "black tie optional" to the bottom of invitation," says Victoria.
"Here you go, Mom, that was an easy change," comments Matt as he shows all of them the slight addition on his computer.
Nodding at Matt, Victoria continues, "We will also need to include cards for the rehearsal dinner, entrée choices, registry information, and hotel information. Your father and I have discussed it and we will pay for Friday and Saturday night for all of those in the wedding party. Everyone else will have a special room rate if they mention the wedding valid for Thursday through Sunday night. The hotel will tell them what that is depending upon what type of room they select."
Glancing at Matt with both of them laughing, Betty tells her in-laws, "I mentioned all of those things earlier, apparently women do think similarly when it comes to big events."
Matt informs them, "The only part of that we are not certain of is the registry information, we promise to have that to you by next Saturday at the latest."
"Excellent," responds Victoria as she gets off the ground with some help from Matt. "We will now unfortunately have to excuse ourselves. Your father has his own trip abroad tomorrow and I have a tennis match and lunch planned for the club. Make sure to continue to send us updated pictures of our gorgeous grandbaby until we see you again."
Matt picks Rosalina up off the floor so that both of his parents can kiss her goodnight. Rosalina's giggles at the attention from her grandparents make everyone smile.
As Matt, Betty, and Rosalina escort his parents to the door, Matt says, "We will keep sending pictures and thank you for sticking to your word about Betty and I having the final say on things."
"Of course," replies Victoria, "I may be opinionated but do my best to be honest, perhaps too much so at times. It is not everyday that your only child gets married so it is worth compromising a bit."
"Goodnight and have a safe trip," they tell each other as the door closes.
Letting out sighs of relief, Betty and Matt embrace each other and head back to the family room. They put Rosalina to bed about an hour later followed by enjoying some couple time. After gently rousing Rosalina at 11:30 for one final feeding, Betty briefly uses the pump so that she won't be engorged in the morning and then goes to the master bedroom. She manages to stifle her laughter at finding Matt sound asleep, with wedding related planning and a little packing being more taxing than one would anticipate. Betty snuggles against Matt and is asleep in no time herself.