The morning after, Joy awakes to find Victoria gone from the bed. She smiles, remembering their night together before. Throwing a gingham plaid shirt on over her half nakedness, she buttons it, walking out of the bedroom to the smells of breakfast. She finds Victoria, hovered over the stove, wearing something quite similar to hers. She slips behind her, and leans in to kiss her.

'Morning, Tori…did you sleep well?'

Victoria smiles, as she flips a pancake. She enjoyed last night's romp. It was something she needed, something she missed. And it was mind-blowingly amazing. And they ended the night in each other's arms. Something she desired.

'For your information, I slept beautifully, with my darling wife holding me tight as I sleep. I'm making pancakes…want some?'

Joy smiles sweetly, remembering their first encounter with pancakes. Last time, they woke up, Victoria was covered in maple syrup and Joy had whipped cream all over her from them making pancakes, eating them, and then having a maple syrup and whipped cream fight. She giggles silently at the memory.

'I'd love that.'

Victoria turns to look at her, smiling.

'You were thinking about our first pancakes weren't you?'

Joy nods silently.

Victoria laughs, saying, 'I remember waking up to you licking me off, and that's when I shot a stream of whipped cream at you.'

Joy smiles sweetly, adding, 'And that's what started it.'

They share a laugh, and Joy kisses Victoria against her soft lips. Parting, they look each other in the eyes. Joy then says, running a hand through her messy sex hair.

'I love this.'

Victoria sighs, and looks at the pancake. It was ready, and she slips the spatula carefully underneath and picks the pancake up to go with the others sitting neatly on a plate.

'There, that was the last one.'

She smiles and puts together a plate of pancakes, and then reaches for the strawberries and whipped cream. Drawing a heart on top, she then pours a bunch of strawberries on top, making it heart shaped.

'Here you go my dear wife.'

Joy smiles sweetly, kissing her against her cheek.

'Aww, you're so sweet…nice work on the heart.'

Victoria giggles softly,'Yeah, I'm not exactly gifted in art, but hey…I try, right?'

Joy smiles at her as she sets down the plate, and waits for Victoria to join her. She kisses her against the cheek again, smiling, 'What matters love is that you do try. You're the sweetest person I know.'

Victoria smiles and takes a bite of her food. She knows she has improved significantly in the last few months, since she had been in therapy. She was realizing that she could be loved and that she could love back. It had been suggested that the reason that she divorced five times before was because she either didn't love the person or wasn't interested and married just simply to be married. Now, she was serious about Joy. Joy she felt a connection with her she hadn't felt in…a long time, maybe since her teenage years. She felt butterflies in her stomach every time she was with Joy. Victoria was in love, and it came and hit her on the head. She fell hard for Joy, someone she cared deeply about and was madly in love with. Joy was supportive, caring, everything she wanted in a relationship. And Victoria found herself reciprocating every time Joy gave her love. It was unusual to her, foreign. And soon enough, they would be more than that; they'd be married, in love and share custody of a beautiful seven year old girl who loved them both. Victoria was content with her life now.

'So what direction shall we take our wedding?'

Joy chews her food, and then swallows before making a response. She didn't know what she wanted. She wanted to wear a gorgeous dress and walk down an aisle, and have a wedding with some of the closest people in their life.

'Beautiful dresses, gorgeous scenery, with some of the closest people in our lives. I want it to be Simple and quaint.'

Victoria nods, she didn't want such a big deal either. That was something that changed about her, suddenly she no longer wanted the glitz and glam, and she wanted it to be smaller and just perfect.

'I agree. Nothing too flashy, I'm so over that.'

Joy nods. She didn't want that either. She even was just satisfied if it was just Victoria and Sadie there.

'I'm surprised you didn't want to overdo it. Especially after your last five weddings, plus Elka's.'

Victoria sighs, toying with a piece of pancake with her fork. 'I've changed, oh my god. Where is the old me?'

Joy touches her chest with her hand, 'She's here, sweetheart. You've just changed your outlook, that's all. You realized that there are important people in your life that you care about.'

Victoria sets her fork down on the plate, and leans in to kiss her cheek. 'I care about you and Sadie.'

Joy's eyes mist up; she is touched by what Victoria said. She reaches to touch Victoria's hand, which Victoria promptly grabs and holds in her own. They share a mutual smile.

'I'm touched.'

Victoria smiles, and squeezes her hand gently. She knew Joy was right, she simply had changed her outlook, and now realized that she cared for people other than herself. She could love, it was possible.

'You should be. You're the most beautiful person to me, and I care about you. During the time we've been together as more, I've seen such a change in you. You smile more, you laugh more. I'm proud to be yours. I consider myself lucky to have someone like you in my life. You complete me, and I can't wait to spend forever with you.

Joy grins, throwing her arms around Victoria to hug her. 'I can't wait either, babe. I love you more and more each day. Each day, I'm finding out more and more about you that I love. You've been the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks to you, I know who I am and where I'm going. I love you, Victoria.'

Victoria kisses her against the lips, and they nuzzle noses affectionately. 'I love you too.'