Eddie and Janet were sound asleep, lying butt to butt when the phone in their honeymoon suite rang at eight o'clock in the morning. Eddie groaned while Janet reached over and picked up the phone. "Hello?" She mumbled sleepily.
"Good morning Mrs. Latekka. This is the front desk with your wake up call." Even though she was exhausted she couldn't help but smile when she was called Mrs. Latekka.
"Thank you." Janet hung up the phone, rolled over and wrapped her arms around her husband. "Good morning husband." Eddie just grunted so Janet began to kiss is neck and shoulder.
"Too early." Eddie is not a morning person and not falling asleep until late was not helping the situation.
"I know it is honey but we promised to have breakfast with everyone before they left today."
"No you promised." Janet bit back a sigh. She knew that when she agreed to breakfast this morning that it would be a challenge getting Eddie out of bed
"You are acting like a child."
"I'm tired. Someone kept me up half the night."
"In more ways than one." Janet quipped and Eddie had to fight not to smile. "Come on babe. We have the whole week to sleep in. It's just one day." Janet rolled him over on his back. "Please honey? It would make your wife very happy."
"Oh you are so going to have to do better." Smiling Janet reached under the blankets and began to stroke his morning erection.
"I need to get a shower." She whispered. "I may need some help with those hard to reach places." With a wink, she rolled out of bed and walked naked to the bathroom. "If you decide to come in and give me a hand, I will make it worth your while." Eddie sure wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. He jumped out of bed and followed his wife into the bathroom.
The newlyweds arrived at the dining room for breakfast with their friends and family fifteen minutes after the scheduled time because their shower took longer than expected and they were greeted with knowing smiles from their friends. There were two seats left at the table; one next to Max that was obviously meant for Janet and one in between Nick and Owen which was meant for Eddie. The groom complained a bit but it was quickly squashed when Nick told him that they could have chosen their seats if they were on time. Eddie knew if he kept up the complaints that Nick and Owen would have asked him why they were late which would have embarrassed his wife and if that happened there would be hell to pay so he shut his mouth, took his seat and enjoyed his breakfast.
"So what are your plans for the week?" Patrick asked the couple. Breakfast was finished and everyone was enjoying a cup of coffee before they hit the road.
"Well we each picked two things that we wanted to do and after that we are going to play it by ear." Eddie answered his father in law. "My choices are fishing and golfing."
"Janet agreed to golf?" Lillian asked in surprise.
"She doesn't have a choice. That was the deal."
"And I picked the aquarium and the indoor water park." Janet announced.
"Hey, me and Sam are going to the water park today before we go home." Max informed them.
"He talked me into it." Judee admitted. "And of course he insisted that his best buddy Sam come along with us."
"You guys should come with us." Eddie was hoping that idea wouldn't occur to Max because he wanted to spend the entire day in bed with his with his wife.
"Max, son, Eddie and Janet just got married and they want to spend time alone." Mitch tried to explain to his youngest son and Eddie appreciated it even though it wouldn't work.
"But they are going so we should all go together. It would be a lot more fun if Eddie and Janet come with us."
"Max has a point Eddie. We are planning on going anyway so we as well go together."
"Why not?" Eddie said with a shrug.
"Yipee." Sam and Max both cheered.
A half an hour later, everyone but Max, Sam, Judee and Mitch had left and Eddie and Janet were on their way back down to the lobby after they had changed into their swim suits. "Hey baby?" Janet said, taking his hand in hers.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay with spending the day at the water park?"
"Yeah. It's our deal and the water park is what you picked."
"You know that's not what I mean. I really didn't give you a choice in the matter when I agreed with Max."
"If I didn't want to go then I would have said so."
"I don't believe you."
"I've told Max no before when it came to him intruding on our time together."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that baby but Max looked so excited and it really sounded like fun."
"Would I rather spend the first day of our honeymoon in our bed making love? You know damn well I would but like you said, we have a whole week here and that gives us lots of time to make love."
"We will use that time wisely. I promise."
"Janet next to you, Max is the most important person in my life and I know how much you love him and that means more to me than you than you know and for that reason and that reason only is why I am willing to forgo my original plan today." The elevator stopped in the lobby and they stepped out.
"I really do love Max. I love him with my whole heart."
"Hey. You are supposed to love me with your whole heart."
"Silly man. A woman's heart is capable of loving more than one person and I love Max with all of my heart, like a big sister loves her little brother."
"You are a great sister .Max is lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one. I've gained a husband and a pretty great brother all in one day." Eddie set their bag on the ground and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him.
"Well Max and I got pretty lucky in the wife and sister department too." He smiled tenderly at her before leaning in for a kiss.
"Mom look there they are." They heard Max during their kiss but they didn't break the kiss until Max pulled them apart. "Geez. You guys are kissing a lot."
"That's what married people do Max." Janet said laughing.
"Mom and dad are married and they don't kiss as much as you guys do."
"Cause they're old and old people don't like to kiss." Max burst out laughing.
"We are not old and your father and I kiss all of the time. In fact…"
"No." Eddie interrupted. "No. I do not want to hear it."
"Hear what?"
"Nothing. Come on. Let's go swimming." The six of them walked out of the hotel laughing.
Eddie and Janet's first official day as husband and wife spent at the indoor water park was fun even though they weren't alone. Since Sam was there Max had a buddy and didn't monopolize Janet like Eddie had thought he would so husband and wife were able to spend time together. It was a fun day. Eddie and Janet rode the slides with each other, with Sam, Max, Judee, and Mitch. Eddie's favorite slide was a pitch black slide. He loved it because Janet had to cling to him because it was so dark that they couldn't see anything. Janet's favorite was the lazy river. She and Eddie floated hand and hand down the river. After they left the water park, Eddie's parents and the boys went home while the newlyweds returned to their room where they made love, showered and went to dinner. The night ended with an evening stroll on the beach and early bed.
On Monday, Eddie got his wish. He and his wife spent the entire day in their room. Eddie woke up alone in bed. He rolled over and from their bed, he saw his wife outside on their balcony sitting curled up in a chair, holding a cup of coffee looking out at the ocean. She looked so beautiful and Eddie wanted to capture this moment so as quietly as he could he grabbed the camera and snapped a picture of his bride and then the two of them began their day together out on the balcony wrapped in each other's arms. Whenever they were hungry, they ordered meals and snacks from room service and their day ended, just as it began; wrapped in each other's arms.
Tuesday was golfing day. They slept in took their time getting ready and after a late breakfast/early lunch before they hit the golf course. Since she was so bad at it and didn't want to ruin Eddie's good time she didn't golf at all. She played the role of caddie; a very basic caddy meaning she drove the golf cart and handed Eddie his clubs after he told her which one he needed and Janet enjoyed herself. After they were done golfing they changed their clothes, went out to dinner and ended the third day of their honeymoon with a walk on the beach.
On Wednesday it was raining when they woke up so it was decided that it would be the best day to visit the aquarium. Eddie really had no desire spend his day looking at fish in a giant fish tank but he was going to go with a smile because it's what Janet wanted to do. She was such a great sport the day before golfing so he owed it to her to give her a good day and honestly it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be but he didn't enjoy it nearly as much as Janet did. She read every word on every plaque about every fish in the place and then told him what she had just read and as any good husband would do, he did his best to be interested. After leaving the aquarium they decided to go shopping or more accurately Janet did the shopping while Eddie carried her bags. Janet was not a person that spent money frivolously so Eddie had to talk her into buying what she ended up buying. The only thing she bought without Eddie having to convince her to buy was picture frames. She bought some picture frames that she would put pictures from the wedding in and give them away as thank you gifts. After they were done shopping they went to dinner at a seafood restaurant right on the beach. They sat outside on the patio that overlooked the ocean as they enjoyed their dinner.
Thursday was their fishing day. They had decided the day before that they would be on the noon charter so that way they didn't have to get up early and rush around. Eddie loved to fish and couldn't wait to actually fish in the ocean and Janet had fished with her dad when she was growing up so she was excited as well. They were booked on a four hour "cruise" and they had a blast. Both of them caught a bunch of fish and it soon became a competition between the two of them on who would get the bigger fish. Eddie ended up winning simply because he was stronger. Janet had a few really big ones on her line but she wasn't strong enough to pull them in and ended up losing them but she did catch a baby shark, which made up for losing to Eddie. After their boat docked safely they returned to their room and spent the rest of the evening relaxing.
Friday was the last day of their honeymoon and since they had no specific plans Janet wanted to do something romantic for the two of them. After talking to the concierge Janet came up with the perfect way to spend their last afternoon of the honeymoon. Janet ordered a picnic lunch from the hotel and got directions for a secluded part of beach known only to the locals and special guests of the hotel.
Janet rented a four wheeler and then insisted on driving since she was the one with the directions. Eddie tried to talk her into letting him drive and when she refused he pointed out that she was wearing a dress and that she shouldn't drive while wearing a dress. Janet countered with the fact that whether she sat in the front or back she was still in a dress and the most important fact was she knew where they were going and he did not. Finally, Eddie grudgingly relented.
"Do you actually know how to work this thing?" Eddie asked as Janet situated herself on the four-wheeler.
"I had a life before you Latekka." Janet told him with a wink. "Make sure the picnic basket is strapped in."
"Yes ma'am." With a chuckle Eddie double checked the straps holding the picnic basket in place. Once he did what his wife asked of him he climbed up behind Janet leaned forward and kissed her exposed neck.
"That won't work. You are not driving."
"I wasn't trying to seduce you into letting me drive. I just wanted to kiss you." Janet turned her upper body towards Eddie.
"Do you want to kiss me again?" Eddie nodded and Janet leaned forward and kissed him softly.
When they broke apart Janet turned around and started the four-wheeler. Eddie wrapped his arms around Janet's waist and she took off. Their secluded picnic spot was very secluded and it took forty five minutes to get there but it was well worth the drive. It was a small cove surrounded by rocks.
"Wow." Janet had turned off the four-wheeler and was watching the waves break over the rocks. "This is amazing."
"This is great Janet. It really is." Eddie climbed off the four-wheeler and then helped Janet off and kissed her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. You've done so many sweet and wonderful things for me this week so I figured that it was my turn to do something sweet and wonderful for you." Eddie grinned and kissed his wife. When they broke apart Eddie grabbed the picnic basket; Janet grabbed the blankets and they found a cozy spot for their picnic. Once they found their spot and spread a blanket out Eddie sat down and Janet made herself comfortable in between his legs, against his chest.
"I'm starving. What's in the basket?" Eddie said reaching for the picnic basket.
"Hands off." Janet playfully slapped his hand away so she could open the basket herself. "Okay, we have your favorite, turkey sandwiches." Janet pulled out two wrapped sandwiches. "And some potato salad." Next she pulled out two wine glasses along with a bottle of wine. "And finally, something to wash it down with." She handed Eddie the bottle of wine and corkscrew. "You need to open it."
"Anything for dessert?" He asked.
"Actually, there is." Janet pulled out a plate of brownies.
"Perfect. I love brownies."
"You love any junk food."
"Damn right I do." At that moment, Eddie pulled out the corkscrew. "Ta Da, We have wine."
"My hero." With a cocky grin Eddie leaned forward and the two shared a slow kiss.
An hour later, they had finished their lunch and half the bottle of wine. After repacking the picnic basket Janet snuggled up against Eddie's chest while he covered them with a second blanket that Janet brought with them and finally, he wrapped his arms around her. Janet was sitting sideways so it was very easy for the two of them to comfortably share kisses which they were doing plenty of.
"I have told you how pretty you look today?" Janet was wearing a casual blue dress that went to her ankles with a short sleeve white sweater over it and her hair was pulled back in a French braid.
"I think so but a girl can never hear it enough." Eddie had removed the ponytail holder at the end of her braid and was slowly unbraiding her hair.
"You look very pretty today."
"Thank you."
"But…"
"But? Really? How can you tell me I am pretty but add a but in there?"
"I was just going to say that I prefer your hair down."
"You prefer?" Janet asked with a quirked eyebrow and Eddie smiled sheepishly.
"I know that sounds really bad and I'm not trying to be a jerk. I know that it's your hair and you are going to wear it how you want and you should. I just wanted you to know that I love it when you wear your hair down. It's my favorite."
"I know it is. I only braided it so it wouldn't be in your face during the ride out here."
"I love running my fingers through your curls."
"I love it when you run your fingers through my hair."
"Well then I don't want to disappoint." With a grin, the leaning into each other, Eddie cupped her cheek with one hand, threaded his second hand in her curls as he pressed his lips to hers, falling back onto the blanket in the process.
"This is perfect, isn't it?" Janet mumbled against her husband's neck after they broke their embrace.
"Perfect." Now it was Eddie mumbling against Janet's neck.
"I wish we could stay in this moment forever."
"We could but we would sure miss out on the better things that are going to happen like our children that we are going to have and Jasper. You would really miss Jasper."
"I would miss Jasper."
"And he would miss us."
"I'm scared Eddie." Concern filled Eddie's brown eyes at Janet's admission.
"Of what sweetheart? Of us falling apart because that is not going to happen ever again. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Janet asked
"You and me; we've got a good thing going here."
"Yes we do." She agreed but Eddie didn't seem to hear her. He kept talking.
"Janet, you complete me and I can't be without you. I need you more than the air I breathe so you are not going anywhere. Will we fight? I'm planning on it but we ARE NOT going to fall apart."
"I know that Eddie. I never doubted that we would fall apart."
"Then what are you scared of?"
"Of getting pregnant again. I'm afraid of losing another baby." Eddie tightened his arms around her.
"Oh baby."
"I want babies with you. I want lots of babies but there is that part of me that is terrified that I will miscarry again. I don't know how your mom did it. I'm not as strong as she is." There were tears swimming in her blue eyes.
"You are a very strong woman sweetheart."
"If I am like your mom and I can't carry a baby will you still want to be married to me?" There it was; her greatest fear. She was afraid of losing her husband if she couldn't give him children. "Will you still love me?"
"Yes honey. 100% yes. Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you." He wiped her tears away. "Miscarriages aren't that uncommon and just because you had one doesn't mean that you will end up like my mom. Quit thinking about the worst case scenario. Think positive baby but whatever happens, I will be there to support you. If you can't carry our baby then we will find another way to have kids and I will never stop loving you because of that. Do you hear me?"
"I hear you loud and clear." Janet pulled Eddie over so his upper body was on top of her upper body. "I love you Eddie, so very much."
"I know you do and I love you as well." Eddie leaned down to kiss her but Janet stopped him. "What? You don't want a kiss?"
"I want more than a kiss." Eddie pulled back and looked at Janet with a grin.
"What are you suggesting Mrs. Latekka?"
"Make love to me."
"Are you serious?" Eddie had hoped for this and he was even physically ready for it but he never thought in a million years she would go for it so he never even suggested it.
"Totally serious. "
"We're in public baby."
"I am very aware where we are. We've been here for a couple of hours and no one else has showed up. We are in the middle of nowhere so I think that we will be safe and we don't have to get totally naked. I am wearing a dress so I guess you can say its easy access and we have a blanket to cover us just in case someone would have the nerve to interrupt us." Halfway through Janet's explanation, Eddie's hand began to travel under her dress, up her leg."Are you up for it Latekka?"
"Oh I am totally up for it. Can't you tell?"
"Is that what that is?"
"Very funny." Eddie sat back on his knees, pulled Janet's underwear off and tossed them over his shoulder. After Eddie got himself ready he pulled the blanket up over his shoulder, dropped to his elbows and pushed into h is wife.
They made love slowly on the beach with the sound of the waves crashing around them. They lost themselves in each other. It was the perfect way to end their perfect honeymoon. It became a tender memory that they would always carry with them.
The next morning, Janet drug her husband out of bed so they could be out on the beach to watch the sun rise and even the man who thought it should be illegal to wake up while it was still dark enjoyed watching the sun rise with his wife and Janet took lots of pictures so they would remember it. Once the sun was in the sky, they returned to the hotel, ordered one final meal from room service which they enjoyed out on their balcony.
The first stop they made after they arrived back in Knights Ridge was Phil's house so they could pick up their dog. When Phil opened the door it was hard to tell who was more excited; the newlyweds or Jasper. Eddie and Janet brought him back some new toys and bones, which thrilled Jasper. Since Phil wasn't going to be able to make the reception later that night, they spent the next hour showing Phil and Pizza Girl the wedding DVD and pictures.
An hour and a half after they arrived back in town, they were home with Jasper. Sam had come by and collected their mail every day and it was piled up on the dining room table. In their bedroom, lying on their bed, waiting to be put on for the reception was Eddie's tux and Janet's wedding dress, both freshly dry cleaned, courtesy of Janet's mother.
As soon as their luggage was set down, coats and shoes came off they got to work. Eddie dealt with the mail, phone calls left for them on their voicemail, called their family and friends to let them know that they made it home and he unpacked Jasper while Janet started unpacked their suitcases and started the laundry. Once those items were taken care of and while they waited for the first load of laundry to finish washing and before their nap the two of them spent some quality time with their baby, Jasper.
"Why didn't you wear that last week?" Eddie asked his wife. They were getting ready for their wedding reception and Janet had just placed a garter on her bare leg.
"This has to do more with the reception than the wedding. You are supposed to take it off of me and then throw it to the single men and then he dances with the girl who caught my bouquet." She saw Eddie's eyes twinkling with mischief and she knew what was going through his mind. "Remember, there will be a room full of people there so you need to be appropriate when removing my garter."
"Am I ever not appropriate?" He feigned innocence.
"Will you help me into my dress?"
"Do I have to? You look pretty good wearing what you have on." Janet rolled her eyes and held her dress out. The only things she had on were her bra and underwear, the same she wore a week ago. They were the first thing she washed when they got home. "Hold it open so I can step into it." Eddie did as he was instructed and once it was on, he zipped her up.
"You look as gorgeous as you did a week ago." Eddie told her as his eyes gravitated to her cleavage.
"All of me or just my boobs?" Eddie pulled his eyes to her face.
"Every inch of you looks amazing."
"Thank you."
"So I was wondering…?"
"Yes?"
"Well since this isn't our actual wedding day…are we going to have sex when we get home?" Janet laughed.
"Do you want to have sex when we get home?"
"I want to have sex right now but I know that's not possible so I most definitely want to have sex when we get home."
"I believe that can be arranged." With a smile, Janet kissed Eddie softly.
Eddie and Janet arrived at The Johnson Inn a half an hour before their reception started. They wanted to be there when their guests arrived so they could greet them as they walked in the door. Janet's mom, Lillian, Judee and Hannah did a wonderful job decorating the banquet room. It was everything Janet had hoped it would be without knowing exactly what she wanted until she saw the finished product.
After everyone arrived the party got started. The DJ began by introducing the wedding party; Lillian and Owen were introduced first followed by Nick and Hannah then it was time for family introductions. Max was first and he proudly walked into the banquet room, smiling and waving at everyone. Mitch and Judee were next followed by the parent's of the bride and finally Mr. And Mrs. Eddie Latekka were introduced to a room full of cheers.
"Hey everyone. Thanks so much for coming and celebrating Janet and my wedding." Eddie spoke into the microphone to the room. "I know this is unconventional coming to a reception without going to the wedding but who in their right mind would turn down free booze?" Another cheer went up. "Our wedding was taped and while this wonderful staff sets up our dinner we thought we would play our wedding DVD for you so you all could see the best moment of our lives."
Eddie and Janet took their seats at the main table as the lights were dimmed and the DVD began to play. A chorus of "AWW's" went up around the room when the camera focused on Janet in her wedding dress. Eddie wore the biggest smile and Janet had tears in her eyes as they watched their wedding on the screen. Meanwhile every guest sitting in that banquet room could see the love between the couple on the screen and at the head table and there wasn't a doubt that their marriage would be a strong one.
After dinner and after the traditional meet and greet with the guests the party really got started. It began with the traditional first dance of the bride and groom. Janet was expecting the slow, romantic song that she had picked to come through the speakers so she was surprised, pleasantly surprised, when "Saturday Night" by the Bay City Rollers came through the speakers. She burst out laughing as Eddie began to do a version of the strip tease he did the night they first made love only this time he was removing his vest instead of his shirt. When his vest hit the dance floor Janet grabbed his hand and they began to dance. The dance wasn't coordinated or even pretty but it was memorable. Eddie and Janet had fun making fools of themselves to "their" song and that's all that mattered.
Once the bridal dance was over it was time for the father – daughter dance. Eddie graciously handed Patrick his daughter's hand so they could share a dance. Halfway through the song, like they had planned, Eddie led Kat to the dance floor and the four of them finished the dance together. Next was the mother- son dance with Eddie and Judee and this time it was Janet that escorted Mitch to the dance floor halfway through the son, much to Mitch's delight. Not wanting Max to feel left out Eddie and Janet came up with a sibling dance. Eddie danced with Lillian while Janet danced with Max and that one simple dance made Max the happiest kid in the world.
After the sibling dance all of the official dancing was done Janet threw her bouquet and Eddie tastefully removed her garter. A waitress and friend of Janet's who Janet worked with when she first started working at The Johnson Inn caught the bouquet and Ikey caught the garter and by the end of the night, Cassie and Ikey had formed the start of something.
Over the next two hours Eddie and Janet roamed the banquet hall talking, laughing and drinking with the their guests and when they weren't doing that Janet was out on the dance floor with her friends and Max while Eddie stood at the bar with his boys, watching his wife. When the DJ played a slow song, Eddie made sure he was on the dance floor with his beautiful wife; her head lying on his chest; his arms wrapped around her waist; moving in perfect harmony with each other; everything was exactly as it should be.
"O look at the door. Do you see that?" Nick asked his friend towards the end of the evening. Owen turned towards the door and saw what Nick was referring to. Matt Lausch was standing in the doorway staring at Janet.
"Well I'll be damned. What in the hell is he doing here?"
"Let's go find out and get rid of him before Eddie and Janet see this." Nick and Owen walked over to their target. Each of them grabbed an arm and drug him away so he wouldn't be seen.
"I don't recall you being on the guest list Matt." Nick said.
"Public place. No invite required."
"Private party. Invitation only."Owen told him.
"I never stepped inside. I was just observing."
"Find something else to observe. Eddie and Janet don't want you here."
"What is it about her that Eddie finds so fascinating?" Matt mumbled. "I would really like to know."
"Get the hell out of here before I throw you out on your sorry ass." Owen growled. Matt looked over Owen's shoulder at Janet one last time. He licked his lips, slapped Owen and Nick on their shoulders and with a creepy grin he walked away. "What the hell was that?"
"Nothing good." The two men walked back into the reception and their eyes fell on Eddie and Janet.
"He needs to know that Matt was here." Owen said.
"Yeah he does but not tonight. If we tell them tonight it will ruin this day for them." Nick motioned to the couple on the dance floor. "Do you really want to ruin this for them cause I sure the hell don't."
"No. I don't want to ruin this for them. Tomorrow. We will tell them tomorrow."
"Tomorrow it is." Owen agreed.