The hallway seemed quite long to Nick as he and his new wife made their way towards the honeymoon suite.  Jo noticed that he had become rather quiet as they rode into town and now she could feel the clamminess of his hand against her own.  She smiled gently while Nick fumbled through his pockets, trying to find the keys.

            "Oh, here they are," he said bashfully, producing the sought item in his hand.  The key found the lock and Nick opened the door, revealing a beautifully decorated room, complete with a crackling fire and tulips scattered on almost every table.

            "It's amazing," Jo began, attempting to make her way through the doorway. 

Nick caught her arm and with a mischievously raised eyebrow, smiled.  "Aren't you forgetting somethin'?" he asked slyly.  Jo looked at him questioningly.  "Isn't there some sort of tradition about the groom carryin' the bride over the threshold?"

Jo giggled.  "It's just a silly custom."

"I don't think it's so silly," Nick replied, sweeping Jo off her feet and carrying her into the room.

The canopy bed was littered with pillows, which were coupled with a flowing satin comforter.  Nick brought his lips tenderly to Jo's as he made his way towards the bed and reluctantly set her onto her feet.  Jo broke the kiss and gazed into his eyes for several moments before tearing them away and taking a long look around the room.  "Laurie has done too much."

"Yeah, he has," Nick spoke somewhat distractedly.  He released Jo's waist and slowly wandered towards the fireplace, his gaze fixed on the orange flames.

After taking in all of the awe of the room, Jo began to miss the presence of her husband and turned to find him.  "Nick?" she asked quietly.  "Are you okay?"

His head merely nodded up and down and Jo filled with concern.  "What is it?"  She made her way to him, reaching out to grasp his shoulder.  She could feel his muscles tense up and then relax as she touched him.  "What's wrong?"

Nick turned to face her, his eyes guarding his true feelings.  Shaking his head slowly, a small grin played upon his lips and Nick affectionately looked Jo over.  "You're my wife…" he whispered.

"Yes," Jo replied, somewhat relieved but confused at Nick's state of mind.

"You're my wife," he said again slowly, all the while advancing towards her and framing Jo's face with his hands.  She nodded again but this time noticed a new look in Nick's eyes.  Nick had always regarded Jo with tenderness and affection but now she saw a new and exciting passion that he had repressed throughout their relationship.  There was the loving want of a man, which could only be expressed now that they were husband and wife.  Jo smiled as Nick lowered his lips once more onto hers and passionately kissed her, his arms moving from her face to around her waist and back.

"I love you so much," Nick murmured between kisses.

"I love you too," Jo breathed as Nick suddenly swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.  After lowering her onto the covers, Nick removed his jacket, throwing it onto a nearby chair and bashfully climbed onto the bed beside Jo.  She looked at him and tentatively placed her hand on his chest.  She watched his reaction as she carefully undid the buttons of his dress shirt.  Jo loved this man with all of her heart and wanted him to be as comfortable with her as possible.  Nick responded by tenderly caressing Jo's cheek with his thumb and gently kissing her lips.

"Is this okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Jo let out a contented breath and nodded.  "We can take this slow," she reassured him.  Nick nodded once more and lifting himself up onto his forearms, he leaned over to blow out the candle on the side table. His actions sent the room into a romantic darkness and left the newlyweds to their first night as one.

XXXXX

            The sunlight streamed through a side window, hitting Jo's face and gently making her aware of the new morning.  As she regained her senses, she realized that she wasn't in her own bed and most importantly that she was no longer alone.  Jo's head lay atop Nick's chest and she savoured the feeling of being so close to him.  His arms were wrapped tightly around her back and she grinned as she felt his heartbeat against her cheek.  The rhythm had almost sent Jo back to sleep when Nick's fingers began to caress her bare arm.  His hand moved underneath her camisole and gently rubbed her back.  "So, this is what it's like to be married," he murmured, kissing the top of Jo's head.

            Jo smiled.  "Trust me," she said quietly.  "It gets better."  She sighed contently and snuggled into her husband.

            "Are you cold?" Nick asked, pulling the covers up around them.

            "No, not anymore."

            The couple laid in silence for quite some time, just enjoying the closeness of one another.  Jo's eyes slowly shut as Nick stroked her back and her gentle caress on his chest became slower while the blissful feeling enveloped her.  She had missed this.  Since Fritz's death, a part of her had longed for the togetherness of marriage, the presence of two strong arms in the morning and the comfort of sharing a bed.  Now it was like she had never been alone.

            "Do ya think anyone would miss us if we didn't leave here today?" Nick whispered, unsure whether his wife was still awake.

            "Hmmm," Jo hummed, considering the idea.  "I wouldn't mind it."

            "It's settled then," Nick said firmly.

            "What time is it?" Jo asked dreamily, not really caring but still inquisitive.

            Nick took a look around the room.  "Looks ta me like it's probably around nine o'clock.  Maybe ten."

            "The children have probably had breakfast by now."

            "Awww, c'mon Jo.  Let's not think about the children."  Nick cuddled her closer.  "But now that you mention it, I am getting a little hungry."

            Jo's eyes lit up.  She looked up to face him and grinned.  "Breakfast in bed?" she asked, excitedly.

            Nick couldn't help but smile.  "Of course," he replied, reluctantly letting go of his wife and stepping out of bed.  "I'll be back before ya know it."  Nick dressed and went to the door.  "Keep my place warm." 

            Jo merely nodded as Nick left the room.  She sighed and rolled onto her side.  She already missed his presence next to her.  It was strange as she thought back to the previous night.  Things had been somewhat awkward; she knew they would be.  However, for all of Nick's anxieties, Jo felt that the two of them had been made for each other.  She couldn't imagine being with anyone else and to her surprise, she had begun to believe that Fritz's death had been destiny.  Of course she missed Fritz with all of her heart and nothing could ever change that.  But since her feelings for Nick had become more than just "hints", Jo knew that she was meant to be with him.  And after the previous evening, there wasn't a doubt.

            Jo closed her eyes, feeling slightly tired due to a lack of motivation.  She didn't need to see him to actually know that Nick had returned.  A smile adorned her face for a few moments and when she did open her eyes, she saw Nick standing before her, a picnic basket in hand.

            "That was quick," Jo stated, sitting up against the pillows.

            "Laurie thought of everythin'," Nick replied, setting the basket onto the bed and digging through it.  He produced freshly baked muffins, fruit and a bottle of orange juice.  "Looks good."

            Jo nodded in agreement and scooted across the bed to allow Nick to sit.  The couple dug into the meal, Nick feeding Jo the delicate strawberries and Jo returning the favour with muffins but deliberately missing his mouth.

            "Thanks a lot," Nick said, muffled by what was successfully fed to him.

            "My pleasure," she giggled, knowing that she was going to get it. 

            Nick didn't disappoint as he grabbed his wife and playfully placed what became a flattened blueberry directly onto her nose.  The juice began to run across her cheeks along with tears from Jo's delighted laughter.  She quickly removed the fruit, placing it into her mouth, and looked at Nick who burst into hysterics.

            "What's so funny?" Jo managed to choke out between giggles.

            "Your nose," he chuckled, pointing to her face.  "It's blue."

            Jo rolled her eyes, slightly embarrassed as Nick grabbed a napkin and tenderly wiped the juice from her face.  He replaced the juice with gentle kisses on both her cheeks and nose and after moving the basket he took her hands in his and smiled.  "You are very beautiful," he stated simply, causing Jo to turn a bright shade of crimson.

            "Thank you," she replied bashfully, not quite used to the comments.

            "You're welcome."  Nick whispered, joining Jo back on the pillows.  He pulled her to him, simply holding Jo as they watched the room continue to lighten.

            "I think I like this part best," Nick said after his eyes had slowly shut.

            "Which part?" Jo questioned.

            "About bein' married.  I think I like just holdin' ya the best."  Jo's eyes filled with tears and she snuggled closer to her husband.  "So far, that is."

            Jo smiled, nodding in agreement.  "So far."